Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, as we go through there, line six is new language: a postsecondary institution.
• <00:03:18.040> a<00:03:18.239> postsecondary six uh is a new language a postsecondary
• six uh is a new language a postsecondary institution<00:03:20.480> and<00:03:21.000> uh
• I have that certification, so I started doing chest compressions and rescue breaths.
• I have that certification, so I started doing chest compressions and rescue breaths.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We understand the amendments that were taken today take the wage language out of the bill.
• We actually just got to agreement on the language, on the different provisions.
• We also included job protection language for public employees.
• However, this language does not apply to historic resources on a state or national register.
• If not, I want to thank you for reinstating the previous language.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that would be, as we approach the floor, our intent to include that language.
• That is the test courts would apply, regardless of the language.
• We are very happy with the religious liberty language in the bill.
• We're very appreciative of the language and very grateful for how strong it is. Okay.
• Advisory Committee to provide expert advice in the certification process.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes language requiring a 50% local match from participating entities.
• Currently, in this language recommendation, it's 50% for all districts.
• My concern is, moreover, where is the language that tells districts?
• My concern is, moreover, where is the language that tells districts?
• And Representative, we didn't include the language spreadsheet because it's enormous.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The meeting began as an informal education budget work group focused on reviewing a revised House Appropriations and Finance Committee scenario and flagging concerns rather than taking votes. Staff outlined the main changes from the LFC recommendation, including moving the statewide student information system appropriation, adding funding for the Black, Bilingual, Multicultural and Hispanic Education Act, universal school meals overrun costs, an evidence-based CTE pilot with a 50% local match, STEM network funding, wellness room pilots, Martinez-Yazzie action plan items, and changes to innovation zone and out-of-school time appropriations. A separate handout on the seven-year CTE pilot explained spending patterns, reversions, and possible federal maintenance-of-effort concerns if the state continues funding beyond a true pilot. Members then debated CTE extensively, with several arguing it improves attendance, graduation, and career readiness and should be sustained or expanded, especially in rural areas, while staff and others emphasized that much of the current funding has gone to general operational costs rather than intentional program design and that regional or matched funding models may be more effective. Members also discussed STEM and math initiatives, the need for more industry involvement, and whether the proposed match requirements would be too burdensome for smaller districts and BIE schools. The discussion also covered the Black, Hispanic, and Multilingual Education Acts and the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit. Some members stressed that the acts should be explicitly named in the budget language and not merely implied, while staff said the scenario reaffirms prior commitments by building the costs into agency operating budgets. Members raised concerns about charter school hold-harmless funding, declining enrollment, and the need to align spending with the needs of at-risk students. The work group ended the education portion without any votes, with staff noting they would incorporate the feedback and return with clarifications, including on CTE funding, the educational acts, and the charter hold-harmless item. The meeting then shifted to the child well-being and early childhood work group, where staff presented a revised Early Childhood Education and Care Department scenario. The proposal moved money toward child care assistance and early pre-K, kept the FIT program funding level unchanged, and used a mix of trust fund, TANF, federal, and operating-budget adjustments to close part of the gap between the executive and LFC recommendations. Members questioned the policy direction, especially the shift toward infant and toddler care and pre-K expansion, the impact on school-age child care, and the implications for continuity of care and provider costs. Staff explained that the scenario prioritizes younger children and at-risk families, includes language for a wage and career ladder, and would require legislation to raise the early childhood trust fund distribution cap from 500 to 525. Members also discussed a separate proposed CYFD pilot bill (HB 65), which would be distinct from ECECD funding. No votes were taken, and staff said they would return with more cost information on full pre-K plus wraparound care. A final work group reviewed C2 and Department of Information Technology-related appropriations. Staff compared the LFC and executive recommendations for new funding and reauthorizations, noting that the LFC generally limited new projects while the executive funded more. Members discussed several IT modernization requests, including the Secretary of State’s voter registration and election management systems, the Spaceport Authority, Game and Fish, the State Engineer’s WATERS system, ECECD’s FitKids and EPIC replacement discovery, and Aging and Long-Term Services’ enterprise system modernization. The main themes were whether to fund planning versus full replacement, how to avoid piecemeal spending, and whether new systems should wait for incoming leadership. The Secretary of State’s office said its system is nearing end of life and the planning funds would help prepare a realistic replacement request, while other agencies described aging infrastructure, cybersecurity risks, and the need for modernization. The work group did not vote on any of the items and ended with staff noting additional follow-up on funding needs and reauthorization details.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a certification process to become a community dispute resolution program.
• There's a certification process to become a community dispute resolution program.
• Our legal staff speak English, Spanish, Somali, and many languages, and our services are designed to
• Our legal staff speak English, Spanish, Somali, and many languages, and our services are designed to
• Our legal staff speak English, Spanish, Somali, and many languages, and our services are designed to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• trades and the language trades and the language in<00:07:55.759> the<00:07:55.919> bill
• Um, I introduced that bill with pretty general language, and that statutory language ended up being adopted
• language and that statutory language language and that statutory language ended<00:53:46.319>
• ,<00:55:58.640> and industry recognized certifications, and industry recognized certifications
• language strategic direction for grant language strategic direction for grant making<01:01:55.359>

Bills: HF4598, HF4884, HF3732

Keywords: workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, the definition of awaiting testing includes language allowing a local law enforcement
• Senate Bill 1212 removes that language.
• This bill provides that unless a computer data center received a sales and use tax exemption certificate
• This bill provides that unless a computer data center received a sales and use tax exemption certificate
• They're crumbs based on a House fiscal note on the same language that was passed in a separate bill.

Summary: The Senate returned from recess and first handled routine calendar matters, laying several bills on the table or over in their order without objection. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 1400, which addresses sentencing for second-degree murder in response to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Commonwealth v. Lee decision. Senator Street offered an amendment to replace mandatory life without parole with parole eligibility after 25 years and individualized review, but the Senate tabled the amendment by a 26-24 roll call. The bill then advanced to final passage after extended debate over whether it adequately met the court’s constitutional ruling and how it would affect victims, culpability, and retroactivity. It initially passed 31-19, then after reconsideration and a correction to one member’s vote, passed 30-20 and was sent to the House. The Senate next considered Senate Bill 1212, which tightens the handling of sexual assault evidence kits by removing discretionary language that had contributed to inconsistent testing practices. Supporters said it would improve statewide consistency, preserve a survivor’s right to decline testing, and help reduce the rape kit backlog. The bill passed unanimously, 50-0, and was sent to the House. The chamber then moved through additional calendar items, including re-referrals of several House bills to Appropriations and multiple bills being passed over. Later, the Senate took up House Bill 1667 on a supplemental calendar after suspending the rules. The bill became the vehicle for several amendments tied to affordability and tax policy. Senators adopted a back-to-school sales tax holiday amendment, a data-center tax exemption repeal amendment, and a school-choice-related amendment transferring EITC provisions and increasing scholarships by $25 million. Other proposed amendments, including a digital advertising tax and a combined reporting corporate tax reform, were tabled. After further debate on the bill’s impact on electric bills, data centers, and the state budget, House Bill 1667 was agreed to as amended and the Senate recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• include talking or making loud noises from the audience, uttering loud, threatening, or abusive language
• So I think, and there is language already that handles those concerns. And so, um...
• Yeah, and inadvertently, maybe through, like, you know, the implementation language here. Yeah.
• And inadvertently, maybe through, like, you know, the implementation language here. Yeah.
• Still, the criminal is taking a $300 gift certificate and trying to change that into $30, $10 gift certificates

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to privacy, consumer protection, and online harms. SB 259 by Senator Wahab would prohibit surveillance pricing based on device data such as geolocation or battery level; supporters argued it would curb discriminatory and predatory pricing, while opponents raised concerns about geolocation definitions, legitimate location-based pricing, and impacts on discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Judiciary Committee and passed 8-1, with members noting amendments and ongoing discussions with stakeholders. SB 22 by Senator Laird would raise the amount of gift cards that can be redeemed for cash, with the author saying the goal is to update the long-standing $10 threshold for inflation and preserve consumer value. Consumer advocates supported the bill, while retailers, restaurants, grocers, and chambers of commerce opposed or opposed unless amended, citing fraud concerns, safety issues, and the need for clarification on donated or returned gift cards. The committee voted the bill out on a 6-1 vote and kept it on call. SB 576 by Senator Umberg would apply broadcast-style loudness rules to streaming advertisements. The author said the bill is intended to prevent ads from being much louder than programming, especially for children, while the opposition argued that streaming ad insertion is technically different and that existing industry standards and FCC oversight already address the issue. The bill passed 8-0. SB 683 by Senator Cortese would clarify that people can seek injunctive relief, including a TRO, for unauthorized use of name, image, or likeness; supporters said it strengthens privacy protections, while opponents warned about prior restraint and First Amendment concerns. The bill was moved out on a due pass motion and kept on call. The final bill discussed, SB 771 by Senator Stern, would clarify that existing civil rights and hate-related laws apply to social media platforms and their algorithms, with higher penalties for intentional or reckless violations. Supporters, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Islamic Networks Group, described online hate as fueling real-world violence and urged stronger accountability; opponents argued the bill could conflict with Section 230, chill lawful speech, and create vague standards. Members raised questions about constitutionality, definitions, and whether the bill would be workable, but several expressed support for the author’s goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• supports case workers in their communities by providing the funds needed to obtain copies of birth certificates
• I think the language of the committee strikes that proper balance and addresses all of the perspectives
• That may not go in front of a court, and this was raised by DFPS as we were negotiating the language
• And yes, we have been requested to do so with this, that we provide some additional language with regard
• Again, the language has been requested that we follow the same language we've done directly with Right

Bills: HB1106, HB3284, HB541, HB713, HB1403, HB1586, HB1942, HB2070, HB2844, HB2851, HB3151, HB3749, HB3940, HB3963, HB4454, HB4466, HB4795, HB5154, HB5394, SB1357, HB1052, HB4099, HB4638, HB5147

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute removes the language that would have allowed a juvenile corrections officer
• to receive... ...removed the language that would have allowed a juvenile corrections officer to receive
• Unfortunately, all of their language didn't make it into the substitute, based on what I was told.
• This language makes it clear that when the district clerks are sending the list of disqualified persons
• This language makes it clear that when the district clerks are sending the list of disqualified persons

Bills: HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305, HB449, HB908, HB 1024, HB 1306, HB1443, HB1445, HB1741, HB1866, HB1902, HB2001, HB2282, HB2355, HB2492, HB2637, HB2697, HB3464, HB4263, HB4996, HB5667

Keywords: sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, pretrial hearings

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice met with a quorum and heard a long agenda of bills on criminal justice, public safety, mental health, victims’ rights, and related administrative issues. Early bills included HB 47, the omnibus sexual assault survivors bill, which would expand post-assault care, require courts to consider delays for adult survivors, bar sex offenders from rideshare driving, allow lease termination regardless of where an assault occurred, and require more reporting from sexual assault response teams. Testimony was generally supportive, though one witness raised concern that the bill’s reporting requirements could jeopardize county grant funding. HB 171, the Annel Borrego Act, would set a minimum period for court-ordered chemical dependency treatment; NAMI Texas supported it. HB 908 would require missing children reports to be sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children within two hours, and HB 1443 would criminalize possession and promotion of childlike sex dolls; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. HB 567, changing juvenile board chair selection in Parker County, and HB 4263, a TJJD workforce retention bill, were also heard and left pending after brief discussion and adoption of committee substitutes where applicable. The committee also heard several bills focused on jail and prison safety, court process, and victim protection. HB 2282 would raise the arrest warrant fee from $50 to $75; constables supported it as a cost-recovery measure, while the Texas Fair Defense Project opposed it as a regressive fee that burdens low-income defendants. HB 3464 would increase penalties for correctional employees who bring drugs or alcohol into prisons, with support from Harris County jail officials and a formerly incarcerated advocate who described the dangers of contraband and retaliation. HB 285, “Poncho’s Law,” would add criminal negligence to non-livestock animal cruelty offenses; animal welfare advocates said it would close a loophole that lets pet service businesses avoid accountability, and the bill was left pending. HB 2355 would keep certain Crime Victims Compensation records confidential when held by the Attorney General, and HB 2637 would standardize jury exemption ages and clean up jury disqualification reporting; both were left pending after limited testimony. Mental health and competency-related bills received significant attention. HB 305 would require a pretrial hearing within 14 days after a defendant is restored to competency, aimed at reducing repeated decompensation and the forensic waitlist; NAMI Texas supported it. HB 1741 would tighten procedures for not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity outpatient commitments by requiring a stronger nexus to the receiving county and clearer supervision authority; law enforcement and mental health witnesses said it would improve public safety and treatment success. HB 2492 would make the four-hour family-violence post-bond cooling-off period mandatory rather than discretionary, and HB 1445 would allow a managed assigned counsel director to designate someone to approve certain payments for indigent defense attorneys; both were left pending. HB 1024 would require prompt execution of warrants for parole violators on superintensive supervision, and HB 1306 would extend first-responder-style benefits to death investigation professionals; neither drew opposition in the hearing. The committee also heard a series of public integrity and technology bills. HB 449 would expand the deepfake sexual content statute to include sexually explicit images, with Public Citizen supporting the change as necessary to address a rapidly growing problem. HB 1902 would create a new offense for “jugging,” or following bank or ATM customers to rob them; the Texas Bankers Association supported it. HB 2697 would require sureties to notify prosecutors before surrendering a felony defendant’s bond, and HB 2001 would sharply increase penalties for misuse of public information for financial gain and related coercion, with prosecutors and Texas Rangers describing bid-rigging and public corruption investigations as difficult to prove under current law because of short limitations periods and limited penalties. HB 1866 would grant Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service rangers within Texas park boundaries, and HB 4996 would increase penalties for fraudulent liens filed against public servants. Throughout the hearing, most bills were left pending after testimony, and several committee substitutes were adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, while it is a very important addition to the bill, we need to tighten up the language to ensure it
• In some two-year and other linear certificate programs, each class builds on the next and may not be
• He explained that in some programs, especially two-year certificate programs, each class builds on the
• to make sure that we would be language to make sure that we would be in<00:20:49.919> future<
• c> before<00:20:55.200> the language as presented before the language as presented before

Bills: HF3540, HF3522, HF3544

Keywords: veterans rights, employment discrimination, human rights, Minnesota laws, protected classes, veterans, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs, Secret War in Laos, SGU veteran, Hmong veterans, Laotian veterans, honor guard, military funeral honors, state veterans cemetery, burial eligibility, veterans home, temporary closure, state active service, National Guard

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm looking at your bill. and a limitation on the amount—a new language would be a limitation on the
• This bill has overly broad language, and its sweeping ban on a variety of services will generate some
• But yeah, we can use the appropriate language.
• Anyway, would you commit to adding the language? Yes, I mean we can do it.
• But you should feel comfortable adding language. And the same thing with the children.

Bills: HB551, HB 1281, HB1378, HB1617, HB2868, HB2881, HB3374, HB4439, HB4726, HB4732, HB4878, HB4914, HB4921, HB4958, HB5200, HB5318, HB5360, HB5402, HB5568, HB5573, HB5623, HJR218

Keywords: political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• for the 2025-26 support has been effectively deferred to the 2027-28 year in alignment with the language
• And lastly, we recommend the legislature adopt provisional budget language that directs UC to maintain
• Third, the University requests changes to the budget bill language that penalize the University with
• Our staff have offered the committee staff alternative legislation, sorry, language that we hope you
• The second proposed program is a certificate program through our Division of Extended Studies, and UC

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding that setbacks, that's language on page 3 and four, lines 73 through 79.
• Is this language a preemption regarding the setbacks? Vice Chair Griffitts: You are recognized.
• Daniels: Department of Revenue to issue a consumer certificate of exemption for the purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• out for Senate Bill 2068, current law provides that the driver's license number... ...personal ID certificate
• does not respond within 30 days, that silence is treated as consent, which mirrors the shot clock language
• The institute has the same language that we voted on last week. Any questions?

Bills: HB3557, HB5578, SB973, SB974, SB2068, SB2073

Keywords: ad valorem tax, property tax, incomplete structure, human occupancy, tax exemption, HB 5578, Texas Tax Code, Section 6.062, appraisal district, county appraisal district, chief appraiser, budget hearing, public notice, notice of hearing, newspaper publication, website notice, social media notice, online newspaper, county government, property appraisal

Transcript Highlights:

• However, this ordinance cannot go into effect while the preemption language exists in statute.
• It's our election certificate.
• It's<01:09:33.600> our<01:09:33.759> election<01:09:34.080> certificate.
• <01:09:34.640> Each<01:09:34.799> of It's our election certificate.
• Each of It's our election certificate.

Bills: HF3351

Keywords: firearms, guns, gun control, gun safety, local control, home rule, preemption, municipal regulation, county regulation, city ordinances, zoning, firearm dealers, gun dealers, ammunition, carry permits, permit to carry, pistols, Saturday night special, metal-penetrating bullets, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 2 adds the reference to the new property tax credit to the list of certifications made by the
• made by the Department of certifications made by the Department of Revenue<00:22:07.039> section<
• Madam Chair, you did change the language in your final language of the omnibus to an appropriation.
• c><00:25:02.120> in<00:25:02.279> your<00:25:02.480> final<00:25:02.840> language
• <00:25:03.720> uh the language in your final language uh the language in your final language

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when it went over to the House, they added language on drones.
• They were trying, we were trying to help the Farm Bureau. ...language on drones.
• It also has some language on transparency and guidance around fees.
• There were two bills that had language prohibiting fees.
• When we sent that, we added some of that language here in the Senate.

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They know that's where they can come and they will get help, even if there's a language barrier, and
• They know that's where they can come and they will get help, even if there's a language barrier, and
• <01:28:53.679> barrier even if there's a language barrier even if there's a language barrier
• uh vocation certificates volunteer uh vocation training<01:35:18.719> cognitive<01:35:19.199>
• <01:36:09.600> through goals in HVAC certification through goals in HVAC certification through

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also have your certificate, Judy.
• And I heard them in our own languages.
• transcends language, The message transcends language, nationality,<05:31:59.920> faith,<05:32
• The language has shifted. Activists no longer talk about equality.
• The language has completely inverted.

Keywords: 1189, house, all