Transcript Highlights:

• As the author of Senate Bill 2, not quite as big as the Pivoto bill, but it was the record property tax
• increase in the country, the intent of the author is to never have M&O swap for I&S for any reason,
• Chairman, for sponsoring this bill and for authoring its companion, Senate Bill 1882.
• The authority, however, expires on September 1st, 2026, so legislation is necessary to grant the authority
• The authority, however, expires on September 1st, 2026, so legislation is necessary to grant the authority

Bills: SB1331, SB1375, SB1443, SB1578, SB2251, SB2519, SB2553, SB2655, SB2764, SB2907, SB3030, SB3033, SB3035, SB3036, SB3037, SB3043, SB3047, SB3050, SB3051, SB3056, SB3057, SB3063, HB9, HB467, HB331, HB 1244, HB1399, HB2559, HB2730, HB3307, HJR1, HJR99, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SJR78, HB1327, HB2723

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Summary: The Committee on Local Government heard a series of local bills and public testimony focused on hospital districts, municipal management districts, local provider participation funds, manufactured housing, transit financing, development moratoriums, and property tax procedures. Early items included House Bill 467, which would help dissolve the defunct Maybank Kemp Hospital District and establish an Andrew Gibbs Memorial Nursing Endowment, and Senate Bill 3063, creating the Bio Bell Municipal Management District in Liberty County; both drew no public opposition and were left pending subject to call. The committee also heard House Bill 1327, extending the Harris County local provider participation fund through 2027, and Senate Bill 1375, extending Collin County’s LPPF authority, both presented as mechanisms to draw federal Medicaid matching funds for hospitals. A major portion of the meeting centered on Senate Bill 2764, which would require earlier notice to buyers of manufactured homes about how to convert a home from personal property to real property. Senator Cook described the bill as a consumer-information measure tied to displacement concerns at a mobile home park in her district, and a resident testified in support, saying the notice would help families make informed decisions. The committee also discussed Senate Bill 2519, a bill by Senator Bettencourt aimed at preventing local governments from shifting maintenance-and-operations tax revenue into debt-like uses and from changing the purpose of tax rate elections after voters approve them. Supporters argued it would protect taxpayers and preserve the separation between M&O and debt service, while opponents tied the bill to Austin’s Project Connect transit financing and warned it would disrupt an approved project and invite litigation. The committee heard and left pending several other bills, including House Bill 1244 on agricultural land ownership changes without reapplying for an ag exemption, House Bill 2559 on development moratoriums, and Senate Bill 2063 on unequal appraisal protests. Testimony on House Bill 2559 came from developers and builders who said moratoriums in Conroe had delayed projects and harmed buyers, while supporters of the bill said it would impose clearer limits and notice requirements. On Senate Bill 2063, the sponsor explained a committee substitute narrowing how market value evidence may be used in unequal appraisal appeals. The committee also considered multiple local district bills, including new MUDs and management districts in Montgomery, Denton, Fannin, Travis, Hays, and Williamson counties. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up pending business and voted out several measures, including House Bill 1244, House Bill 2559, House Bill 467, House Bill 1327, House Bill 1399, House Bill 2723, House Bill 2730, House Bill 3307, House Joint Resolution 99, and multiple district bills such as Senate Bills 3037, 3043, 3047, 3048, 3050, 3052, 3053, 3056, 3057, 3063, and others. Most were reported favorably, often with committee substitutes, and many were recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Several bills, including the transit-related SB 2519 and the manufactured housing bill SB 2764, remained pending subject to call after testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the concern is that the agency is outside of legislative intent and they lack authority to regulate
• So the concern is that the agency is outside of legislative intent and they lack authority to regulate
• These are the rules that we promulgate under our authority. We did make an attempt.
• These are the rules that we promulgate under our authority. We did make an attempt.
• wardens authority to issue these<00:16:38.880> permits,<00:16:39.759> but<00:16:39.920

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes and adopting the consent calendar without objection. It then postponed the Board of Licensed Dieticians and the Board of Accountancy items to next month, with a waiver granted for the dieticians item so it could be carried over. The committee also noted that the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources interim rule would be discussed further, and staff flagged a specific concern about authority over kindling size for category 3 fires under NCR 5601.04. The Board of Registry and Optometry received conditional approval. Staff said the board had addressed editorial comments, but raised one substantive issue about the drug formulary: the statute requires posting it online but does not clearly exempt it from rulemaking, suggesting a possible legislative carveout may be needed. The committee agreed to add that issue to a list of legislative suggestions for later consideration. The DNCR interim fire rule was the main contested item. Committee members and staff discussed whether the rule exceeded authority by regulating kindling for category 3 fires, and the agency explained that the regular rules had expired and interim rules were needed quickly for public safety and permit enforcement. The committee ultimately granted conditional approval on the interim rule 25-4, with the understanding that the agency would continue regular rulemaking and address the objection. The Board of Examiners’ dental rules were then reviewed. The agency explained that it revised the rules to address prior concerns about anesthesia and sedation for children, including a pathway for oral surgeons and dentist anesthesiologists to obtain exemptions for under-13 patients, a pediatric minimal sedation permit, and a moderate sedation permit with pediatric qualification. Members also discussed whether the rules were consistent with House Bill 470; staff and members concluded they appeared compatible and would not require additional rulemaking. The committee approved the dental rules, and then adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cities and counties all have various forms of job development authorities or economic development authorities
• And so the reason for giving this authorization is so that the Department of Commerce knows that they
• There's authorization for law enforcement to use lethal weapons, but the big difference there is that
• to authorize.
• The testimony that we heard in committee requesting the bill that provided some regulatory authority

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call showing 46 members present. It then took up multiple House messages and amendments, appointing conference committees on several measures, including SB 2007, SCR 4007, SB 2374, SB 233, and House bills 1029, 1218, and 1022. The chamber also considered a series of House bills on the sixth and 14th orders, often adopting committee amendments before final passage or, in some cases, rejecting the bill outright. Among the major policy items, the Senate passed HB 1524 on regional planning council grants, HB 1143 increasing a food bank appropriation to $10 million, HB 1126 modernizing cosmetology licensing and inspections, HB 1542 making student applications for admission exempt records, HB 1613 regulating law enforcement use of robots, HB 1582 directing a study on false reports and accusations, HB 1214 revising school transportation funding, HB 1448 creating a study on advanced technologies, HB 1280 on drainage project voting rules, HB 1499 protecting records related to federal judges, and several Senate bills returned from the House, including SB 2221, SB 2117, SB 2198, SB 2120, and SB 2214. The Senate also adopted amendments to HB 1541 on septic systems before rejecting it on final passage. Several high-profile bills failed after debate. HB 1566, dealing with kratom regulation, saw an amendment to convert it to a study fail on a 21-25 vote, after which the chamber laid the bill over for one legislative day rather than take final action. HB 1283, which would have eliminated cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams in the state employee plan, was defeated 22-24 after extensive debate over cost, precedent, and insurance impacts. HB 1527, requiring Holocaust education in statute, also failed 22-24, with supporters emphasizing the importance of the subject and opponents arguing curriculum belongs in standards rather than statute. The Senate adjourned after announcements, scheduling its next meeting for Monday, April 14, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, I authored legislation regarding this matter.
• That's the teacher exercising their authority, and it's also them exercising their... ...authority when
• And part of it is values, respect, authority, loyalty, and just things that you need to be successful
• In this particular situation, this individual has no respect for authority, no respect for the law.
• Where we lose it is when the teacher is not seen as the authority figure.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• Proud to join author of this bill. Thank you, Senator Bettencourt.
• To ask questions of the author sir. Yes, I yield of course.
• Question for the author. Do you yield? Yeah.
• Questions of the author of the bill. Do you yield? I yield. Thank you. Mr.
• Question of the author. Does Senator Creighton yield? I do. Senator Creighton...

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB26, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• Will there be questions of the author on Senate Bill 1189?
• The bill intends to co-author the bill.
• I want to commend the author for bringing this.
• The author has thought about it.
• I want to thank the author for bringing this forward.

Bills: SJR47, SB1491, SB1579, SB1806, SB1552, SB483, SB63, SB137, SB346, SB514, SB1344, SB1360, SB1380, SB1437, SB1189, SB1217, SB1221, SB1262, SB1272, SB1325, SB1339, SB201

Keywords: voter ID, elections, constitutional amendment, Oklahoma, proof of identity, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, county home rule charter

Transcript Highlights:

• We are hearing from New Mexico Housing Authority, and we are hearing from DFA.
• My question is actually about the Mortgage Finance Authority.
• HB 275 authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority to issue revenue bonds to support the capital improvements
• And so these existing tax revenues already are authorized in statute, okay?
• I'm Marquita Russell, the CEO of the New Mexico Finance Authority.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• today, uh, my name is Eric Shin, and I'll, I'm the Legislative finance Committee for the Healthcare Authority
• That says healthcare authority. It looks like this. OK. I'm so sorry, Eric.
• we're Grace, I, I believe Grace has, um, so Representative Kate, you're missing this healthcare authority
• and Communities at the top, and then there's also another one that says Appendix R um Healthcare Authority
• The healthcare Authority, financially the largest state agency, will receive about $15 billion in federal

Transcript Highlights:

• And so Congress had the authority to repeal any acts when they were reported.
• During 2004, we also gained comprehensive planning and zoning authority for land grants.
• This was the state saying, "Hey, we're going to take a piece of our policing authority and give it to
• They don't have taxing authority; that was one thing that the legislature did not give land grants.
• That they've come up against is that land grants have zoning authority over their common lands.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 14 passed last session authorizing this and having the parent authorization on this particular
• Members, any questions for the author? Hearing none, public testimony is open on HB 2510.
• Members, any questions for the bill author?
• The Chair recognizes the bill author on House Bill 4224.
• Any questions for the bill author? Hearing none, the chair opens up public testimony.

Bills: HB35, HB138, HB754, HB1314, HB1612, HB2254, HB2510, HB2789, HB3560, HB3597, HB4224, HB4273, HB4643, HB4783, HB138

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, human trafficking, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, we'll be calling authors.
• Cities with home rule status have a tremendous amount of authority under statute.
• Local government does things that they shouldn't do and don't have the authority to do.
• Cities like Corpus Christi have long utilized this authority to protect their citizens.
• Recent legislation has narrowed this authority with. Vague broad field preemption laws.

Bills: HB5691, SB427, SB2623, SB2858

Keywords: municipal management district, bonds, assessments, property taxes, economic development, eminent domain, special district, SB 427, local government, political subdivision, state loan, state grant, financial reporting, annual financial statement, annual report, county report, municipal finance, water district, municipality, county auditor

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid would not cover this because they're in county jail or they're under the county authority.
• Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Senate Bill 528, authored by Senator
• So HHSC does, and it goes through the local mental health authority.
• authorities selected several different partners.
• **Local Mental Health Authorities** - These authorities also had contracts that could conflict with their

Bills: SB670, SB1388, SB627, SB912, SB269, SB528, HB2711, HB4819, HB5248, HB4175

Keywords: SB 670, investigational sun protection products, sun protection, sunscreen, FDA approval, clinical trial, phase one trial, patient access, informed consent, physician prescription, Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Medical Board, compassionate use, experimental treatment, medical freedom, patient autonomy, healthcare regulation, dietitian, dietitians, licensed dietitian

Transcript Highlights:

• That a licensing authority shall revoke a license holder's license upon their imprisonment.
• Lastly, it adds licensing authorities to the list of entities TDCJ.
• I think this would probably be for the author, so I'll wait until the author comes back to get an answer
• I believe, or maybe it was the author, mentioned that inmates can help work on the A.C. systems.
• The request, I guess, the authors authorizing and hopeful appropriation, like, yes.

Bills: HB1826, HB2854, HB3006, HB4614, HB5261, HB5639

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, HB 2854, Pokuaa-Flowers Act, parole, mandatory supervision, electronic monitoring, releasee, parole officer, hospital visit approval, general hospital, law enforcement notification, DSHS, Department of State Health Services, corrections, public safety, liability immunity

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, any questions for the author? If not, my invited testimony is now over.
• I urge this committee to amend the bill to exclude those with legal permanent residence and authorized
• The author of the bill, yeah.
• Then we're going to reverse and unlay out Senate Bill 1806 and wait for the author to get back.
• The bill prohibits the possession of communications material unless authorized.

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Transcript Highlights:

• The changes include authorizing FWC to invest and reinvest the administrative trust fund and hold over
• And lastly, it is authorizing FWC to use the United States... ...acquisition of panther habitat.
• and authorizing FWC to enter into certain agreements with related agencies and private landowners to
• Rulemaking authority for implementation: the bill grants DEP the authority to develop rules to ensure
• Solar weather modification has been authorized under federal law for many decades.

Summary: The committee considered and reported favorably several bills, most of them sponsored by Senator Rodriguez. CS/SB 164 on vessel accountability was presented as a measure to help law enforcement identify vessel owners, create a free long-term anchoring permit program, increase penalties for derelict vessel violations, and authorize grants for local governments in FWC’s prevention program; it passed without amendment. SB 388, dealing with FWC trust funds, was also reported favorably after Senator Berman asked whether non-game wildlife funds would support immigration enforcement; Senator Rodriguez said they would not. CS/SB 1320 was amended to recreate the Resilient Florida Trust Fund and then passed favorably. CS/CS/SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System was amended to define new terms and reduce the maximum surcharge from 25 cents to 15 cents, then reported favorably. CS/SB 86 on peer support for first responders expanded eligibility to support personnel and passed with broad support from law enforcement and related groups. The committee also took up CS/CS/SB 92, a hit-and-run accountability bill by Senator Gruters. The adopted amendment added a front license plate requirement, lowered the damage threshold from $5,000 to $2,500, and retained reporting requirements for repair shops. NFIB testified in opposition to parts of the bill, citing concerns about the lower threshold, short reporting deadlines, and potential license revocation, while supporters argued the bill would improve accountability and help solve hit-and-run cases. The bill was reported favorably after debate. The final and most contentious measure was CS/SB 56 by Senator Garcia, which would prohibit geoengineering and weather modification activities in Florida, repeal older weather-modification statutes, create a public reporting system at DEP, and impose penalties for violations. Supporters, including individuals identifying with weather-watch and anti-geoengineering concerns, argued that the bill would address public fears and environmental risks. A cloud-seeding company representative testified that cloud seeding is distinct from solar radiation management and said permitting should exist for responsible weather modification, while warning the bill could hinder beneficial precipitation enhancement. Despite skepticism from some members about the bill’s premise and scope, the committee reported it favorably. The meeting then concluded after members recorded missed votes and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendations modified rider 3AB court improvement grants to increase the rider authority from $1.3
• So we, we have the authority to add it back, but y'all have looked at it, analyzed it, and basically
• And the agency continues to have ongoing costs related to two lawsuits challenging their authority.
• to all other judicial branch, courts and agencies, so their UB authority will be maintained.
• Item 2, UB authority recommendations continue UB authority for Article 4 agencies and adds the state

Transcript Highlights:

• Tell us what new authorities you need.
• More ISR is the first, and then expanded authorities would be required to more advise and assist types
• I do not lack any authorities.
• But do you need authorization for DOD to share information with DHS and the border authorities about
• The authority to defend a base, as Senator Cotton mentioned, remains with the installation commander

Keywords: national security, China, Russia, cybersecurity, border security, military deployment, transnational crime, defense modernization, military strategy

Summary: In this meeting, key topics included national security concerns with an emphasis on threats from China, Russia, and transnational criminal organizations. Senior military officials provided testimony on the evolving risks posed by these adversaries, particularly focusing on cybersecurity and advancements in weaponry. The discussion highlighted the importance of a cohesive strategy among government departments to effectively respond to the challenges presented by these threats, emphasizing the need for modernization in defense capabilities. Committee members grilled the witnesses on border security and the implications of deploying military resources in domestic operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fine: HE WILL STILL HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY THAT IS ALLOWED FOR DOMESTIC TYPE EMERGENCIES BUT WHEN
• HIS AUTHORITY AND THE SURGEON GENERAL'S AUTHORITY TO DECLARE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, HE WOULD DETERMINE
• AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO FORM EXACTLY WHAT IS NEEDED AND EXECUTE PLANS BASED OFF THAT INFORMATION. >
• BECAUSE YOU WILL THEN BECOME BY EXTENSION AND AGENT UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHO
• AND I WILL VOTE FOR IT. >> Chair Hooper: UNDER RULE 2.0 THEY AUTHORIZE CONTINUATION OF THIS MEETING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, I see the author, House author, is Representative Alonso Sandoval.
• I agree with the author.
• First, I would like to compliment the author on trying to address this issue.
• Senator Rader, is this question for Senator Green or for the author?
• I appreciate both authors for bringing us forward.

Bills: HB3005, HB3007, HB3403, HB1907, HB3175, HB3986, HB3466, HB3411, HB4246

Keywords: climatology, emergency declaration, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, environment, weather data, public policy, state governance, natural resources, advisory councils, sunset law, water quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, radiation management, public health, biosolids, land application, environmental quality, agriculture, wastewater treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members, this authorizes the New Mexico Department of Transportation for a $1.5 billion in
• This authorizes $1.5 billion in bonding authority for state road funds or the Highway Infrastructure
• that we're working with and the authority of the State Transportation Commission, this bonding authority
• that 1 1.5 billion of new authority all at once.
• Well, we're authorizing additional capacity here is what I understand.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways