Transcript Highlights:

• Many came from different gangs, not only from Mexico, the cartels, but also from Venezuela and El Salvador
• Kelsey Vela: Yes, sir, we had over 500,000 from Venezuela cross in the last four years.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we were told that invading Venezuela for oil would bring relief at the pump.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, and welcomed several guests in the gallery, including a high school student and an advocate connected to the domestic violence bill HB 2995. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, first advancing HB 4155, HB 4156, and HB 4157, then HB 4164, HB 4165, and HB 4166, all with do-pass recommendations and no substantive amendments on those calendars. Later, the House also considered SB 1326, a victims’ rights measure, adopted a floor amendment, and reported it out as amended. The House corrected an earlier clerical error regarding HB 4155-4157 being referred to engrossing rather than third reading. The House then took up a long series of final passage votes on Senate bills. SB 2174, SB 2611, SB 1011, SB 1012, SB 1016, SB 1018, SB 1038, SB 1039, SB 1040, SB 1053, SB 1055, SB 1057, SB 1060, SB 1061, SB 1068, SB 1069, SB 1075, SB 1100, SB 1113 on reconsideration, SB 1160, and SB 1170 all passed. SB 2873, SB 1004, SB 1009, SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1049, SB 1093, and SB 1143 failed. SB 2995, the emergency family-law/domestic-violence bill known as the Alec and Lydia Act, passed with the required two-thirds vote after extensive debate; supporters said it would better protect children and clarify judicial standards, while opponents argued its definitions were overly broad and could harm families. SB 1018 on foreign laws also drew extended debate over Sharia law, with supporters framing it as a defense of American values and opponents calling it unnecessary and discriminatory. Several votes included explanations focused on policy concerns. SB 1004 on sex-offender registration and monitoring drew debate over whether electronic monitoring is effective. SB 1040 on voter registration transparency prompted arguments over public access to voter rolls versus privacy and security. SB 1118 on municipal zoning and historical homes was debated as a property-rights and local-control issue, with supporters saying it could help preserve affordable housing and opponents warning it would override local decisions. The House also adopted motions to reconsider prior actions on SB 1043 and SB 1100, and it requested the Senate return SB 1552 for reconsideration. The session ended with the House still processing additional Committee of the Whole business, including HB 4158, HB 4159, HB 4160, HB 4161, HB 4162, and HB 4163, with HB 4162 and HB 4163 receiving floor amendments and do-pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we were told that invading Venezuela for oil would bring relief at the pump.

Transcript Highlights:

• domestic energy fueling our daily commute and not rely on imports from Iran and Iraq and Ecuador and Venezuela

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through confirmations and floor legislation. Three California Housing Finance Agency and State Mining and Geology Board appointments were confirmed unanimously. The chamber then took up several policy bills, with debate often focusing on housing, public safety, energy, and local government impacts. Among the major measures, SB 1173 on lesser related offense jury instructions passed after supporters argued it would give judges limited discretion and improve fairness, while opponents warned it could create inconsistency. SB 1354, barring out-of-state military or law enforcement activity in California without the Governor’s permission, passed despite objections that it conflicted with federal commander-in-chief authority. SB 1090, the Altadena disaster-speculation bill, passed to restrict unsolicited purchase offers in fire-affected areas, and SB 966 passed to preserve refinery worker safety participation rights. SB 1256, a local housing/land-use bill, passed unanimously after discussion of fire-safety concerns and ongoing amendments. The Senate also approved SB 865 on music festivals, SB 866 on homelessness planning and regional coordination for jurisdictions not receiving HAP funds, SB 938 on peace officer training requirements for certain immigration-enforcement-related applicants after the author committed to major amendments, SB 1359 on natural gas planning to reduce ratepayer costs, SB 923 on privacy rights under the CCPA, SB 1098 on utility memorandum and balancing accounts, SB 1010 on refrigerant recovery for cooling appliances, SB 937 on restricting flashbang use in crowd control and immigration enforcement, SB 1082 on inter-district pupil transfers, and SB 1087 on modernizing regional transportation planning. Several bills drew split votes and pointed debate over mandates, taxes, local control, and regulatory certainty, but most ultimately passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• domestic energy fueling our daily commute and not rely on imports from Iran and Iraq and Ecuador and Venezuela

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of that equipment was given to Venezuela and Iran, proving that we're still better than not are

Bills: SB1003 , SB1060 , SB1134 , SB1275 , SB1327 , SB1429 , SB1618 , SB1634 , SB1654 , SB1803 , SCR1002 , SCR1005 , SCR1023 , SCR1027

Committees: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections , House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Keywords: election, canvass, certification, ballot tabulation, write-in candidates, registration, voting procedures, voter registration, temporary absence, absentee voting, residency, military voters, overseas voters, election law, Arizona Revised Statutes, political signs, campaign materials, public safety, municipal regulation, foreign relations

Transcript Highlights:

• The countries of concern include Cuba, Venezuela, Qatar, and any other entity under significant control

Bills: SB 5 , SJR 3 , HB 11 , HJR 72 , HB 48 , HB 27 , HB 144 , HB 37 , HB 1481 , HB 581 , HB 1696 , HB 2216 , HB 1035 , HB 1633 , HB 742 , HB 754 , HB 1689 , HB 1690 , HB 2669 , HB 391 , HB 517 , HB 1775 , HB 1024 , HB 1607 , HB 252 , HB 1716 , HB 1562 , HB 4116 , HB 1866 , HB 1741 , HB 2103 , HB 2637 , HB 2884 , HB 3707 , HB 503 , HB 1089 , HB 1757 , HB 2986 , HB 972 , SB 365 , SB 1786 , SB 5 , SJR 3 , HB 14 , HB 43 , HB 36 , HB 26 , HB 149 , HB 121 , HB 206 , HB 136 , HB 3114 , HB 2733 , HB 1732 , HB 3700 , HB 467 , HB 1130 , HB 1846 , HB 1442 , HB 1147 , HB 2176 , HB 2701 , HB 805 , HB 2890 , HB 1154 , HB 1644 , HB 2118 , HB 1718 , HB 2488 , HB 2596 , HB 2468 , HB 484 , HB 2578 , HB 3204 , HB 1041 , HB 307 , HB 685 , HB 538 , HB 2525 , HB 3125 , HB 2027 , HB 2894 , HB 3077 , HB 106 , HB 18 , HB 11 , HJR 72 , HB 48 , HB 27 , HB 144 , HB 37 , HB 1481 , HB 581 , HB 1696 , HB 2216 , HB 1035 , HB 1633 , HB 742 , HB 754 , HB 1689 , HB 1690 , HB 2669 , HB 391 , HB 517 , HB 1775 , HB 1024 , HB 1607 , HB 252 , HB 1716 , HB 1562 , HB 4116 , HB 1866 , HB 1741 , HB 2103 , HB 2637 , HB 2884 , HB 3707 , HB 503 , HB 1089 , HB 1757 , HB 2986 , HB 972

Transcript Highlights:

• Several things to get there would be to get rid of election machines that still have source code from Venezuela
• Several things to get there would be to get rid of election machines that still have source code from Venezuela
• Several things to get there would be to get rid of election machines that still have source code from Venezuela

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• lead to our allies being forced to rely on gas with emissions coming from adversarial nations like Venezuela
• Venezuela businesses and consumers rely Venezuela businesses and consumers rely on<03:10:39.200><c> the

Bills: HJR35 , HR695 , HR469 , HR250

Keywords: environment, EPA, waste emissions, petroleum, natural gas, environmental protection, methane, regulatory disapproval, Charlie Kirk, political assassination, free speech, First Amendment, public safety, official photography, House of Representatives, session, government transparency, public engagement, payment system, Bureau of the Fiscal Service

Transcript Highlights:

• I came to this country from Venezuela 35 years ago, and my husband came from Cuba 31 years ago.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of that equipment was given to Venezuela and Iran.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard an extended presentation and discussion on Arizona higher education research security, focused heavily on Arizona State University’s foreign funding, international partnerships, and alleged ties to Chinese military-affiliated institutions. The presenter argued that ASU and the Arizona Board of Regents had not been transparent about foreign gifts, contracts, and research collaborations, especially those involving the Chinese “Seven Sons” universities, and said the committee would pursue a congressional referral and other federal review. A strike-everything amendment to SB 1060 was described but then withdrawn; the underlying SB 1327 was then taken up as a companion measure requiring ABOR to adopt university research security policies and submit annual reports on those policies and on foreign contributions over $250,000. The committee heard testimony in support from Marina Macklin, who said the bill would help protect dual-use and defense-relevant research from being funneled to China’s military ecosystem, and she answered questions about biosecurity, semiconductors, AI model theft, and election systems. After debate, SB 1327 was approved on a 4-2 vote, with Delos Santos and Marquez voting no and Colloden, Powell, and the chair voting yes; the chair stated his support was to keep missile, armor, guidance, and other technology safe from the Chinese government. The committee then heard SB 1803, a veterans’ consumer-protection bill regulating private companies that help veterans file disability claims. The bill would prohibit unaccredited persons from preparing, presenting, or prosecuting veterans’ benefits matters, require service agreements to be filed with the Attorney General, cap compensation, ban certain practices such as overseas call centers and in-house doctors, and create consumer-fraud enforcement authority. Sponsor Sen. Gallin said the measure was intended to add guardrails for veterans and prevent bad actors from taking excessive fees or misleading claimants. Testimony from Veterans Guardian representatives supported the bill as a way to create transparency and preserve veterans’ choice while regulating the industry; they said many veterans seek private help after unsuccessful attempts with free services and that the bill would not eliminate competition. Opponents and skeptical members questioned whether the bill would effectively legalize one business model while restricting others, whether the contingent-fee structure was consumer-friendly, and whether the companies were engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. The discussion also referenced prior federal and state litigation involving similar laws and the possibility of future federal accreditation reform. The transcript ends during continued questioning on SB 1803, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Korea, Russia, and the Maduro regime in Venezuela, and that's all it does. I move passage. Mr.

Bills: SB15 , SB646 , SB800 , SB790 , SB748 , SB571 , SB1957 , SB1923 , SB1896 , SB1760 , SB1335 , SB2368 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2986 , SB2965 , SB1563 , SB1467 , SB1164 , SB1137 , SB614 , SB705 , SB918 , SB955 , SB869 , SB850 , SB863 , SB1055 , SB2206 , SB457 , SB2337 , SB1610 , SB1362 , SB926 , SB1494 , SB251 , SB456 , SB500 , SB1307 , SB2615 , SB2995 , SB2321 , SB2972 , SB973 , SB865 , SB506 , SB1522 , SB1558 , SB510 , SB667 , SB763 , SB2073 , SB1858 , SB1660 , SB2900 , SB1433 , SB1540 , SB1964 , SB1300 , SB1644 , SB2217 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1758 , SB974 , SB2480 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB2781 , SB826 , SB766 , SB527 , SB1946 , SB2885 , SB1243 , SB2610 , SB857 , SB2501 , SB66 , SB268 , SB331 , SB1302 , SB519 , SB2807 , SB13 , SB7 , SB1718 , SB1567 , SB1233 , SB413 , SB2177 , SB30 , SB2024 , SJR1 , SCR27 , SB2018 , SB1580 , SB2121 , SB1049 , SB1266 , SB1400 , SB1596 , SB2753 , SB2221 , SB1719 , SCR9 , SB204 , SB437 , SB568 , SB612 , SB672 , SB710 , SB823 , SB876 , SB904 , SB905 , SB968 , SB1084 , SB1207 , SB1230 , SB1313 , SB1504 , SB1790 , SB2232 , SB2366 , SB2367 , SB2398 , SB2515 , SB2520 , SB2589 , SB2786 , SB2790 , SB3048 , SB3050 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3056 , SB3029 , SCR3 , SCR18 , SCR30 , HCR146 , HCR148 , HCR149 , HCR153 , HCR155 , HCR157 , HB5560 , HB762 , HB1584 , HB 107 , HB 114 , HB138 , HB4386 , HB2495 , HB581 , HB3348 , HB5323 , HB4341 , HB6 , HB2712 , HB171 , HB3153 , HB143 , HB2688 , HB3464 , HB449 , HB3486 , HB4263 , HB2 , HB1522 , HB24 , HB 1237 , HB2637 , HB3126 , HB3233 , HB4310 , HB3487 , HCR9 , HB5331 , HB1397 , HB163 , HB3250 , HB3071 , HB3463 , HB5033 , HB35 , HB3824 , HB216 , HB4226 , HB3512 , HB18 , HB5154 , HB 103 , HB851 , HB647 , HB4520 , HB3016 , HB2313 , HB2818 , HB2851 , HB4486 , HB4264 , HB1500 , HB5081 , HB2974 , HB2080 , HB4384 , HB5659 , HB493 , HB4903 , HB2516 , HB4488 , HB4530 , HB3689 , HB145 , HB43 , HB5247 , HB2221 , HB5671 , HB700 , HB3711 , HB 120 , SB17 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB21 , SB2778 , SB379

Keywords: SB 15, Texas Local Government Code, zoning preemption, housing affordability, small lots, lot size, lot density, single-family zoning, residential subdivision, municipal land use, local control, state preemption, parking requirements, setbacks, infill development, missing middle housing, lot width, lot depth, homebuilders, housing supply

Transcript Highlights:

• He moved from Venezuela, and he's very against mental health and receiving therapy.

Summary: The committee first took up CS/SB 1606 on patient access to records. The sponsor explained that the bill, as amended, would align Florida law more closely with HIPAA by defining “designated record set,” requiring providers to furnish requested records within set timeframes, allowing a limited extension with notice, and requiring records to be produced in the requested form if readily producible. Several members asked about patient portals, legal representatives, and whether the bill affected meaningful-use rules or post-mortem access. Multiple witnesses opposed the bill, arguing it could create cybersecurity risks, conflict with existing privacy rules, and burden providers; supporters said it would improve patient access and consistency. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered CS/SB 712 on construction regulations. The bill would direct DEP to establish rules for synthetic turf and limit local governments from banning it if state rules are followed, while also addressing change orders, public works bidding, elevator rails, alarm contractor work, building code updates, spaceport exemptions, permit document limits, and single-trade inspections. Amendments removed the pool and spa contractor provisions and the tall mass timber language. Testimony on the bill centered heavily on the pool industry, with contractors and the Florida Swimming Pool Association opposing expansion of scope to general and building contractors, while some speakers supported other parts of the bill. After adopting the amendments, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 1288 on parental rights. The bill would allow minors to be tested for STDs without parental consent but require parental consent for treatment, expand parents’ rights to access records and control certain health decisions, and restrict health care services, medical procedures, and biofeedback devices for minors absent consent or an exception. An amendment moved survey and questionnaire provisions into the education code, added an explicit court-order exception, clarified DNA and biofeedback provisions, and added emergency behavioral health exceptions. The committee heard extensive public testimony both for and against the bill, with supporters emphasizing parental authority and opponents warning it could delay STI treatment, mental health care, and other services for vulnerable minors. The transcript ends during public testimony on the bill, before any final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• He moved from Venezuela, and he's very against mental health and receiving therapy.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee first took up CS/SB 1606 on patient access to records. Sponsor Senator Grall explained an amendment that aligned the bill more closely with HIPAA by defining “designated record set,” allowing a 14-day extension, and requiring records to be produced in the requested form if readily producible. Several senators asked about patient portals, legal representatives, and whether the bill applied post-mortem; Grall said the bill was limited to authorized access during the patient’s life. Testimony was largely opposed, with health information and provider groups warning that the bill could create cybersecurity risks, conflict with HIPAA and meaningful-use rules, burden facilities, and improperly broaden access to portals and sensitive records. Supporters argued it would improve patient access and speed. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote after debate on the bill as amended. The committee then considered CS/SB 712 on construction regulations. Grall described provisions on synthetic turf, change orders, public works bidding, elevator rails, alarm contractor scope, tall mass timber, pool and spa contractor scope, spaceport exemptions, permit document limits, and solar/energy storage inspections. Two amendments were adopted: one removed pool and spa contractor language and delayed the change-order provision until July 1, 2025; the other removed the tall mass timber section. Pool contractors testified against the scope expansion in the original bill, while others supported the remaining provisions. Senators raised concerns about the Florida Building Commission process and how the public-works language might affect small-business participation, but the bill as amended was ultimately reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 1288 on parental rights. Grall said the bill would require parental consent for most minor health care decisions, allow parental access to records, restrict surveys/questionnaires, and limit use of biofeedback devices, while preserving certain exceptions such as emergency care and STD testing. An amendment clarified questionnaire opt-outs for K-12 students, added court-order exceptions, addressed DNA sampling for criminal investigations, refined biofeedback language, and added emergency behavioral health exceptions; it was adopted. The bill drew extensive testimony both for and against: supporters said it restored parental authority and protected children from decisions they are not equipped to make, while opponents argued it would endanger minors seeking confidential STI, mental health, or abuse-related care, especially in unsafe homes. Senators also debated whether the bill would conflict with existing laws and whether it could leave some minors untreated. The transcript ends during continued public testimony on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• tragically murdered last year in my home community of Athens, Georgia, by an illegal alien from Venezuela

Bills: HR29

Keywords: Okinawan immigration, cultural heritage, historical contributions, sister city relationships, military history, education, cultural identity, Okinawan Americans, Okinawa, Hawaii, Japanese American, immigration anniversary, diaspora, Asian American history, Pacific Islander, sister city, sister state, Kenjinkai, karate, World War II

Transcript Highlights:

• this White House: it is Elon Musk, whose nonstop lies would leave human rights groups in Cuba and Venezuela
• running this White House: Elon Musk, whose nonstop lies would leave human rights groups in Cuba and Venezuela

Bills: HR35

Keywords: Delta Sigma Theta, sorority, anniversary, community service, historical recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• We have screened individuals from Latin American countries such as Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Venezuela

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the impact and legality of federal immigration enforcement efforts in Hawaii, with Chair Carl Rhodes framing it as the sixth and final interim briefing in a series on the rule of law and local effects of federal actions. He said the discussion would focus on due process concerns, questioning and detention of citizens and lawful immigrants, free speech issues, and pressure on state and local law enforcement, and noted the issues may be revisited in the 2026 regular session. There was no public testimony or committee vote; only invited speakers presented. Dr. Amy Agayani opened by arguing that immigrants are integral to Hawaii’s history, economy, and communities, and contrasted that with what she described as harmful narratives portraying immigrants as criminals. She cited figures that one in five Hawaii residents is foreign-born, that immigrants make up about 20% of the labor force and over 27% of entrepreneurs, and that roughly 40,000 people in Hawaii are undocumented, many of whom may have pathways to legal status but face language, information, and court barriers. She also said federal enforcement has expanded beyond undocumented immigrants to include citizens and lawful residents, and warned that attacks on birthright citizenship and visa categories could affect many families. Matina Mock of the legal clinic emphasized the complexity of immigration law and the severe lack of legal representation, noting a nationwide backlog of 11.3 million immigration-related applications and 3.4 million court cases, plus about 1,400 pending immigration cases in Honolulu with only two immigration judges. She said Hawaii has only six or seven nonprofit immigration legal service providers, and that represented clients are far more likely to obtain relief. Mock described a recent case involving a lawful student visa holder who was transferred among multiple federal facilities before being brought to Honolulu without clear notice, which she said illustrated due process violations. She also said ICE activity in Hawaii has sharply increased, with about 150 arrests from January to July 2025, a 380% increase over the same period in 2024, and that many detainees have no criminal record. Stephanie Haro Sevilla and another clinic fellow described 2025 enforcement as a major shift driven by a January executive order, the end of prior limits on arrests in sensitive locations, and arrest quotas they said require 3,000 arrests per day nationwide. They said this has led to arrests without warrants or probable cause, broader targeting of people with minor offenses or no criminal history, and the use of resources from other federal agencies and local law enforcement for civilian immigration enforcement. They also said the federal detention center in Honolulu is holding roughly 40 to 80 civilian detainees on any given day, often in conditions they characterized as prison-like, and warned that the current escalation could eventually affect lawful permanent residents and naturalized citizens. The speakers urged the public to support immigrant-rights advocates and local protective policies and funding measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• regime change, we are posturing in the Caribbean Sea right now and bombing boats of the nation of Venezuela

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• El Salvador follows with 380 holders, Colombia with 317 holders, and Venezuela with 265 holders.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee first heard opening remarks on its interim charges: rail grade crossing safety, autonomous vehicle deployment, and commercial driver’s license oversight. Members emphasized transportation’s importance to safety, mobility, and the economy, and the chair outlined the plan to take invited testimony first on each charge, followed by public testimony. For the rail grade crossing charge, TxDOT’s Don Franks described implementation of SB 1555, the Texas Off-System Rail Grade Separation Program, including rules, applications, and awards. He said 36 local governments submitted 57 applications requesting about $2.3 billion against the $250 million state program, and TxDOT awarded $160.4 million to five projects in four districts. He also explained that the state set aside remaining funds as federal match, helping Texas secure nearly $756 million in federal FRA funding for 12 projects, bringing the total value of the rail crossing projects to more than $1.2 billion. French Thompson of the Texas Railroad Association supported continuing the program, said the demand far exceeded available funding, and recommended maintaining the $250 million investment while also considering other mitigation tools such as siding relocations and digital traffic-routing solutions. Members asked about how projects were selected, how success should be measured, blocked crossings, maintenance responsibilities, and whether railroads should share costs. Franks said projects were chosen based on safety, economic development, mobility, readiness, community support, and match leverage, and said future success should be measured by reduced crashes and fatalities at treated crossings and by getting projects to construction within about three years. Thompson distinguished between occupied and blocked crossings and said railroads are working on capacity, communication, and alternative solutions. He and Franks explained that railroads maintain crossing equipment, while the public can report malfunctions using the blue ENS sign. Public testimony on rail grade separations included support from the North Houston Association, Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership, and Texas Rail Advocates for continued and expanded funding, while Rhonda Ward argued taxpayers should not subsidize railroad infrastructure and said railroads should bear more of the cost. The committee then closed testimony on the rail charge. The committee next took up autonomous vehicle deployment under SB 2807. Clint Thompson and Corey Thompson of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles explained the new authorization system for Level 4 and Level 5 automated motor vehicles used in commercial passenger or freight operations. Clint Thompson described the differences between SAE levels, the requirement for an authorization in addition to title, registration, insurance, and other credentials, and the need for a first responder interaction plan filed with DPS. He said DMV adopted rules, built a web-based application system, and began accepting applications in April, with enforcement beginning after the statutory rulemaking timeline. He reported 16 companies currently hold authorizations, including both passenger and freight operators, and said the department uses existing staff and its motor carrier credentialing system to administer the program. Corey Thompson then showed how law enforcement and the public can verify AV authorizations through the DMV’s truck stop database, which displays company status, vehicle information, and related motor carrier credentials where applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• were designed by ex-convicts out of the U.S. penitentiaries, and the machines started all being for Venezuela

Committee: House Elections