Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance agreements that we're entering in is part of our statewide effort to combat the issue of litter
• I think litter is a big problem that's costing the state quite a bit of money.
• you an order of magnitude, and just since 2022, we've collected close to 3.8 million cubic yards of litter
• So it's quite a bit of litter that we are trying to collect across the state.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the speed limits didn't keep up, or as the new schools were put in, the speed limit in this case reduction
• /c><00:18:29.840><c> in</c><00:18:30.000><c> this</c><00:18:30.160><c> case</c><00:18:30.799><c> reduction
• </c> speed limit in this case reduction speed limit in this case reduction didn't<00:18:31.600><c> keep
• The top category being litter and general cleaning, followed by broken glass and then biohazards, which
• ><c> and</c><01:06:32.799><c> general</c> top category being litter and general top category being litter

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you today that all 24 of E&E member utilities have already achieved the 2030 goal of 50% emissions reduction
• These are typically 15- to 25-year agreements that promote carbon reduction and rate stability.
• Social media is littered with pictures of examples and commentary.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a range of energy, utility, broadband, and municipal infrastructure bills. Representative Powell supported H 3466, which would create a task force to study public ownership of utilities and alternatives to investor-owned electric and gas systems. Representative Therber supported H 3574, which would use RGGI funds to reimburse cities and towns affected by power plant decommissioning, citing lost jobs, tax revenue, and service cuts in communities such as Somerset, Plymouth, Salem, and Everett. Several witnesses from municipal light plants and related organizations testified in support of mutual aid bills, including H 3486/S 2252 and H 3330/S 2277, saying the measures would clarify protections and liability coverage for MLP workers assisting in emergencies and non-emergency work. Jim Leiden of EMWIC opposed H 3514/S 2295, saying the proposed board and governance changes would reduce local control, add burdens, and weaken confidentiality protections. A committee member asked whether the mutual aid bills had been reviewed for municipal impacts, and the witnesses said they had done due diligence. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H 3551/S 2306, the smart meter opt-out bills. Supporters argued that smart meters emit harmful wireless radiation, that some residents have developed health problems or electromagnetic sensitivity, and that opt-outs should be available without fees or penalties; several witnesses urged notification, consent, and non-transmitting analog meter options. The committee also heard testimony from municipal officials and the Massachusetts Municipal Association in support of H 3462/S 2250, which would strengthen municipal authority to enforce timely removal of double utility poles, citing safety, accessibility, and construction-delay concerns. Derek Leffert of Gateway Fiber opposed H 3450, saying it would improperly shift broadband deployment costs to competitors. At the end of testimony, the chair closed the hearing by motion and vote, with members voting aye and no opposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The unintended consequences in 2023 reform we've seen lead to a reduction in available providers, as
• We are now seeing more and more cannabis packaging in our litter cleanups across the state.
• We are now seeing more and more cannabis packaging in our litter cleanups across the state.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took executive action on a number of them. Senate Bill 6282, by Senator Nobles, would require building and construction trade apprenticeship programs to provide two hours of behavioral health and wellness training starting in 2027, covering stigma reduction, distress recognition, suicide prevention, substance use awareness, peer support, and resource connection. The bill drew strong support from labor and construction groups, who described high suicide and substance use rates in the industry and said the training would help apprentices and, with a planned amendment, journey-level workers as well. No vote was taken in the hearing portion shown, but testimony was overwhelmingly pro. Senate Bill 6135, by Senator King, would require interest arbitration panels for certain uniform personnel at local governments to consider the employer’s ability to pay. Counties and cities supported the bill as a modest fiscal-relief measure and argued it would align local arbitration with existing state-law language. Teamsters representatives and other labor witnesses opposed it, saying it would weaken collective bargaining and give employers leverage to stall or deny fair contracts. The committee closed the public hearing with 5 in favor, 22 opposed, and no other testimony. In executive session, the bill was later advanced subject to signatures. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6128 on independent medical exams, which would require IME recordings to be made through an L&I-approved third-party app and prohibit independent local recording. Supporters said the change would improve security, consistency, and reliability of recordings and reduce cancellations and disputes; opponents said it would burden injured workers and undo the 2023 right to record IMEs on their own devices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6068, which would make owners and direct contractors jointly liable for unpaid wages and related damages on construction projects, with a notice-and-cure process before suit. Workers and labor groups supported it as a tool against wage theft and labor trafficking, while contractors and industry groups opposed it as overbroad and costly. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6303 on cannabis packaging and vapor devices, with testimony split between sustainability advocates and industry supporters on one side and public health and poison center witnesses on the other, who warned that loosening individual edible packaging could increase child poisonings. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for SB 6053 and moved it forward, and also passed SB 6134, SB 6147, SB 6106, and SB 6045 subject to signatures, with SB 6045 amended before passage to Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• And uh with 250,000 they have they will breed at six months of age, have 2.5 litters a year.
• </c><00:30:47.360><c> That</c><00:30:47.520><c> means</c> age, have 2.5 litters a year.
• That means age, have 2.5 litters a year.
• Two and a half litters a year. Yeah. Pour water on them. They just start popping out.
• Two and a half litters a year. &gt;&gt; They do. Two and a half litters a year.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• response to this short-term uptick in demand for dogs, breeders pushed their animals to produce more litters
• The reduction proposed in AB 1219 will levy a significant impact on state revenues while providing few
• , while little, if any, reduction will be seen by working-class taxpayers.
• So our ability to implement fire risk reduction will probably take three to five years.
• to enact this common-sense bill, which would force the changes on insurance reform and fire risk reduction

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met under suspense-file procedures, with the chair explaining limits on testimony, position letters, and that bills with fiscal impacts of $150,000 or more would generally be sent to suspense rather than voted on immediately. Several bills were pulled from hearing, and a consent calendar of committee bills later passed 4-0. AB 761 by Addis, the only item initially slated for a vote, was ultimately held over to the next hearing. The committee heard testimony on a series of tax-related proposals. AB 232 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax money for wildfire, flood, or earthquake-related expenses; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, but was sent to suspense. AB 1443 would exempt tips from state income tax for five years and was supported by the California Restaurant Association and a restaurant owner, but also went to suspense. AB 1435 would provide relief to businesses and property owners facing cleanup and security costs from unauthorized encampments and illegal dumping; it received broad support from business, real estate, trucking, retail, and local government representatives, and was referred to suspense. The committee also heard AB 1428, which would create a California Affordable Child Care Fund financed by a 0.5% tax on income above $10 million; child care workers and SEIU-backed witnesses supported it, while taxpayer and business groups opposed it as harmful to competitiveness and affordability. AB 691 proposed a tax credit for adopting shelter pets and covering veterinary costs, AB 1219 proposed a middle- and low-income personal income tax cut, AB 1354 proposed a credit for increased homeowners insurance premiums, AB 19 proposed an education savings account/voucher-style program, and AB 567 proposed insurance rate stabilization and related tax/fund changes; each drew testimony for and against where present, but all were referred to suspense. The meeting ended with the committee adjourning after the held-over AB 761 item was postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance agreements that we’re entering in is part of our statewide effort to combat the issue of litter
• I think litter is a big problem that’s costing the state quite a bit of money.
• you an order of magnitude, and just since 2022, we’ve collected close to 3.8 million cubic yards of litter
• So it’s quite a bit of litter that we are trying to collect across the state.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several items, beginning with gubernatorial appointments not required to appear. The committee approved multiple appointments on 3-2 and 5-0 votes, including members to the Board of Behavioral Sciences, the Contractors State License Board, and the Medical Board of California. Members also approved a bill referral item, a rule waiver request to suspend SR 55 for guests on the Senate floor during an adjourn-in-memory for former President Pro Tempore John Burton, and floor acknowledgment items, all by 5-0 vote. The committee then heard the required appearance of Dina El-Tawansy for Director of the California Department of Transportation. In her opening remarks, she emphasized Caltrans’ priorities of safety, equity, climate resilience, economic prosperity, workforce development, and multimodal transportation. Senators questioned her on a range of issues, including impacts from federal and state rules affecting immigrant truck drivers, the Highway 58 truck climbing lane project, DBE reevaluation under new federal guidance, asphalt recycling and waste disposal, climate-related damage to infrastructure, and the future of transportation funding as gas tax revenue declines. El-Tawansy said Caltrans would prioritize emergency and safety projects, continue work on the Highway 58 corridor, and help DBEs through a reevaluation process and outreach efforts. She described ongoing climate adaptation work, including vulnerability assessments, vegetation management, and corridor studies such as Route 37 and LOSSAN, and said the department is researching road user charges through pilots and national collaboration. She also discussed small-business programs, local hiring, toll lane agreement consistency, and efforts to address litter and homelessness on Caltrans property through delegated maintenance agreements and new staff positions. After public testimony from numerous transportation, construction, local government, labor, and technology organizations in support of the nominee, the committee voted 5-0 to advance El-Tawansy’s appointment to the full Senate floor for confirmation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance agreements that we're entering into is part of our statewide effort to combat the issue of litter
• I think litter is a big problem that's costing the state quite a bit of money.
• you an order of magnitude, and just since 2022, we've collected close to 3.8 million cubic yards of litter
• So it's quite a bit of litter that we are trying to collect across the state.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several governor’s appointments, bill referrals, a rule waiver, and floor acknowledgments. The committee approved multiple appointments not required to appear, including members of the Board of Behavioral Science, the Contractors’ State License Board, and the Medical Board of California, with most votes either 3-2 or 5-0. It also approved a reference of bills to committees, a waiver of SR 55 to allow guests on the Senate floor for an adjourn-in-memory of former President Pro Tempore John Burton, and floor acknowledgments, all by 5-0 votes. The committee then heard testimony on the appointment of Dina El-Tawansy as Director of Caltrans. In her opening remarks, she emphasized her 28 years at the department, and said her priorities would be safety, equity, climate resilience, economic prosperity, workforce development, and a multimodal transportation system. Senators questioned her on a range of transportation issues, including impacts from federal and state disputes over immigrant truck drivers, the Highway 58 truck climbing lane, DBE certification changes, asphalt recycling and waste disposal, climate adaptation on coastal infrastructure, and the future of road funding as electric vehicles reduce gas tax revenue. El-Tawansy said Caltrans is pursuing project prioritization, climate vulnerability assessments, partnerships with local governments, DBE reevaluation guidance, recycling efforts, and research into road user charges. Members also asked about toll lane agreements, homelessness encampments and litter on Caltrans property, and the Los Angeles-San Diego rail corridor and broader transit integration. El-Tawansy said Caltrans is moving toward more consistent statewide toll agreements, has signed or is negotiating delegated maintenance MOUs with local agencies to address encampments and litter, and is expanding rail and transit planning. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with representatives from transportation agencies, contractors, local governments, labor, and technology firms backing the nomination. The committee voted 5-0 to move El-Tawansy’s appointment to the full Senate for confirmation, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That just adds back in the contact information for the people that may be hauling poultry litter.
• So, what that's saying is that now, if you're moving the litter off site and land applied, that you can
• The nutrient management plans are the Documents that poultry growers use to know how much litter to apply

Bills: HB3406, HB2975, HB3977, HB3263, HB2988, HB3404, HB1770

Keywords: agriculture, burn bans, fire danger, drought conditions, emergency declaration, poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, HB3977, State Veterinarian, Oklahoma veterinary license, food animal veterinary practice, livestock, animal health, State Board of Agriculture, veterinary qualifications, appointed office

Transcript Highlights:

• addition to preventing overdose, these centers are shown to reduce public drug use, drug-related litter
• We passed harm reduction methods or expanded harm reduction, started getting out more naloxone, getting
• We passed harm reduction methods or expanded harm reduction, started getting out more naloxone, getting
• SM 21 requests the Department of Health to study overdose prevention centers and harm reduction strategies
• we still have high rates of infectious disease in places where we don't have these types of harm reduction

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 12, the physical therapy licensure compact. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would increase access to care and help recruit physical therapists in New Mexico, especially in rural areas and for neurodivergent patients. Support came from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Desert States Physical Therapy Network, Think New Mexico, the state Health Care Authority, and Americans for Autism Advocacy. A trial lawyer raised concerns about immunity, venue, and loser-pays language, and committee members discussed whether New Mexico-specific amendments would be accepted by the compact commission. Two amendments were adopted, including clarifying language on background checks, data, federal court standing, and repeal procedures, plus an immunity-related amendment. The bill was then reported out with a 9-0 due pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 10, the physician assistant interstate compact. Supporters again emphasized workforce shortages, telehealth access, and the need to join the compact to qualify for Rural Health Transformation Program funding. The Health Care Authority said the compact was part of New Mexico’s commitments tied to federal funding, and a trial lawyer again raised concerns about loser-pays language. Two amendments were adopted to clarify New Mexico’s authority over reproductive and gender-affirming care issues, confidentiality of New Mexico licensee data, joint investigations, and contingent repeal procedures. After discussion about malpractice exposure, oversight, and the need for compact commission approval of language changes, the bill received an 8-0 due pass recommendation. House Bill 34, dealing with school nurse licensure provisions, was presented as a cleanup bill to clarify implementation issues from last session. The changes would add charter schools, align contract language with teacher contracts, and adjust supervision and evaluation rules for tiered school nurses in small districts. The New Mexico School Nurses Association supported the bill, and it passed unanimously with an 8-0 due pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Memorial 21, which would direct the Department of Health to study overdose prevention centers and other harm reduction strategies. Supporters from the ACLU, All Safe New Mexico, the Drug Policy Alliance, and Families and Youth Innovations Plus argued that New Mexico’s overdose crisis remains severe and that evidence-based interventions could save lives and connect people to treatment. The Department of Health provided background on overdose trends and said it was neutral but available for technical questions. After discussion about fentanyl trends, drug prices, and public health approaches, the memorial was approved on a 7-1 due pass vote. The committee also announced that Senate Bill 130 would be rolled over to Sunday’s meeting because a new substitute needed review.

Transcript Highlights:

• So looking at raising revenues or making reductions to ongoing spending are some of the choices before
• Revenues or making reductions to ongoing spending are some of the choices before you.
• And when you talk about a reduction in one year of a third plus of the capacity, it has real impacts.
• Efforts also prioritize wildfire management planning and align with the facilities ignition reduction
• They can have three litters in 13 months, with a litter size as large as 14.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy opened its first hearing with remarks from the chair and members emphasizing climate change, resiliency, clean energy, natural resources, and the need to make careful budget choices in a constrained fiscal environment. The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented an overview of the natural resources and environmental protection budget, warning that although current revenues are strong, the state faces significant out-year deficits and should apply a high bar to new ongoing spending, use special funds and fees carefully, and focus on critical health and safety needs. The LAO said the Governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan was generally reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, but urged legislative oversight and reporting, especially where bond funds interact with General Fund proposals. Secretary Wade Crowfoot then described the Natural Resources Agency’s recent accomplishments and priorities, including wildfire resilience, water reliability, coastal protection, outdoor access, biodiversity, tribal partnerships, and streamlining project delivery. He highlighted major investments in climate and resilience, the role of Proposition 4 in continuing those efforts, and the need to modernize water infrastructure, including Delta conveyance and other regional conveyance projects. Members asked about Delta conveyance, invasive species, permitting delays, and the impact of federal staffing cuts; Crowfoot said the administration is pushing projects forward, supports a beneficiary-pays approach for conveyance, and is filling gaps left by federal reductions where necessary. The committee then heard from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Director Armando Quintero reviewed the state park system, outdoor access programs, tribal agreements, wildfire and forest resilience work, and deferred maintenance funded by the climate bond. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing General Fund transfer for the California State Parks Library Pass program, saying it did not meet the high bar for new spending, while several members strongly supported the program as a low-cost, high-value access tool. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and no-show vacancies; staff said new rules and enforcement will take effect July 1 and that vacancies are being opened up sooner. The department also presented low-cost accommodation projects, which the LAO supported. Finally, the Department of Fish and Wildlife introduced its new director, Megan Hurdle, who outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 proposals for salmon tagging, hatchery improvements, and public access lands. She emphasized the department’s role in biodiversity conservation, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict outreach, and said the agency is working to close a service gap identified in its budgeting analysis. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So looking at raising revenues or making reductions to ongoing spending are some of the choices before
• Revenues or making reductions to ongoing spending are some of the choices before you.
• And when you talk about a reduction in one year of a third plus of the capacity, it has real impacts.
• Efforts also prioritize wildfire management planning and align with the facilities ignition reduction
• They can have three litters in 13 months, with a litter size as large as 14.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also ends up as litter on our beaches, rivers, and parks.
• That means we get 40% less litter and saves cities money on waste management by diverting waste from
• The amount of litter that's in Buffalo Bayou, and as was said earlier, Texas is the most littered state
• We have the most littered beaches along the Gulf Coast.

Bills: SB410, SB795, SB2510, SB728, SB2689, HB143, HB143

Keywords: Gulf Coast Protection District, navigation safety, special districts, state governance, Texas legislation, Gulf Coast, flood protection, storm risk management, coastal restoration, natural resources, prescribed burns, self-insurance, fire management, liability protection, rural land management, beverage container recycling, deposit return system, container deposit, bottle bill, recycling refund

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you agree about 30 or 40 years ago when we started applying chicken litter to the land and there
• was a big fuss—chicken litter is going to kill us, the phosphorus is going to ruin our water, it's going
• We figured the chicken litter out and that there's a path that we can figure this out as well?

Summary: The Natural Resources A and B Subcommittee considered nine bills, with members asking questions on funding sources, program structure, and implementation. HB 3915, by Rep. Dallens, would direct existing animal-friendly tag revenue to a spay-and-neuter grant program overseen by the Department of Agriculture to address pet overpopulation; it passed 5-4. HB 3311, by Rep. Eves, would raise the cap on the Commerce P3 program from $200 million to $250 million; members discussed whether the program was nearing its limit, and it passed 8-1. HB 3465, by Rep. Bowles, would extend the sunset on the mission tax credit to July 1, 2029, with no new funding requested; it passed 9-0. HB 3786, by Rep. Adams, sought a 15% pay raise for park rangers to address turnover and vacancies; the committee heard that rangers were paid about $20-$23 per hour and that turnover was around 20%, and the bill passed 9-1. HB 3403, by Rep. Pascowski, proposed a five-year biosolids pilot study involving OSU, DEQ, and a private entity; debate focused on whether the practice is already unsafe, the scope of testing, and the role of the private participant, and the bill passed 9-2. HB 4333, by Rep. Moore, would modernize and streamline Commissioners of the Land Office operations by removing outdated language and clarifying authority; concerns were raised about outside property managers, and it passed 10-1. HB 3177, by Rep. Archer, would remove a statutory cap on Corporation Commission court reporter pay to improve retention; members discussed staffing levels and compensation comparisons, and it passed 9-1. HB 3126, by Rep. West, would create a CLO revolving fund for concurrent enrollment, modeled on an existing stabilization fund, to help support that program over time; it passed 8-2. The chair then adjourned the meeting and announced the committee would meet again the following Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• So looking at raising revenues or making reductions to ongoing spending are some of the choices before
• Revenues or making reductions to ongoing spending are some of the choices before you.
• And when you talk about a reduction in one year of a third plus of the capacity, it has real impacts.
• Efforts also prioritize wildfire management planning and align with the facilities ignition reduction
• They can have three litters in 13 months, with a litter size as large as 14.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy convened for its first hearing and heard an overview from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Natural Resources Agency. The LAO emphasized California’s strong current revenues but warned of a structural budget problem, projected out-year deficits, and the need for a high bar on new spending. It generally supported the administration’s Proposition 4 spending plan as reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, while urging legislative oversight and caution about using special funds and adding ongoing commitments. Secretary Wade Crowfoot responded with an overview of climate, wildfire, water, coastal, and conservation challenges and highlighted progress under the Newsom administration, including clean energy growth, wildfire resilience investments, land conservation, tribal co-management, and outdoor access initiatives. He also discussed federal staffing cuts affecting California’s response capacity and said the state has had to fill gaps in flood forecasting, land management, and park access. Members then questioned the secretary about the Delta conveyance tunnel and broader water reliability issues. Crowfoot said the project remains important, is being pursued as a beneficiary-pays project, and is moving through the State Water Resources Control Board’s permitting process, while also stressing that it is only one part of a broader water strategy that includes levee strengthening, subsidence, groundwater storage, recycling, and conservation. Senators also raised concerns about permitting delays, invasive species, and the impact of position cuts on agency capacity; Crowfoot said streamlining is needed but that staffing remains essential. The committee then moved to the Department of Parks and Recreation, where Director Armando Quintero described the state park system, tribal agreements, wildfire and deferred maintenance work, and outdoor access programs such as the State Library Park Pass and Adventure Pass. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing $6.75 million General Fund transfer for the library park pass, arguing it did not meet the high bar for new ongoing spending, but several senators strongly supported the program as a low-cost way to expand access. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and campsite no-shows. Department staff said they are updating website guidance, working with the reservation vendor, and implementing new no-show and reservation-modification rules effective July 1, including penalties for repeated no-shows and immediate reopening of vacant sites. The committee then heard a low-cost accommodations proposal, which Parks said would fund planning and construction at several sites using Proposition 68, reimbursements, and donations; the LAO said it had no concerns. Finally, the new director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Megan Hurdle, introduced herself and outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 requests, including funding for salmon genetic tagging, hatchery repairs, and public access improvements. She said the department is focused on biodiversity, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict prevention, and noted that the agency is still updating its service-based budgeting analysis to identify gaps and priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not ban the state from creating smarter, locally tailored emissions reduction policies
• In this bill, there are reductions in Tier 2 related to the golden penny increment allotment change,
• and there are reductions in Tier 2 from changes made to the school safety allotment.
• There is no offsetting reduction in the school safety allotment itself.
• I ask unanimous consent for House Bill 1904, relating to the release of a balloon and associated littering

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to suspend Rule 5.14 and move the intent calendar deadline to 6 p.m. that day. It then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order of business and the constitutional three-day rule. HB 1866 gave limited Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service law enforcement officers within the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park; HB 4996 increased the penalty for refusing to release a fraudulent lien when the victim is a public servant; and HB 5033 created a trigger mechanism for ending vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes. HB 1533 made a range of appraisal and property tax procedure changes, HB 2282 raised the arrest warrant reimbursement fee from $50 to $75, HB 3421 updated probate and estates procedures, and HB 4263 revised Texas Juvenile Justice Department grievance procedures. Each of these measures advanced through second reading, third reading, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few bills. The chamber also considered major policy bills. HB 2, the large public education and school finance package, drew extensive floor discussion and multiple amendments. Senators emphasized its $8.5 billion investment, including teacher and staff pay, school safety funding, special education, charter and traditional school funding changes, and other allotment adjustments. Several senators praised the bill as historic and collaborative, while also noting the need to monitor implementation and future effects. After adopting amendments and hearing supportive remarks from multiple members, the Senate passed HB 2 on final vote, 31-0. Other debated measures included HB 143, which codified cooperation between the Railroad Commission and the Public Utility Commission to address electrical safety hazards at well sites and related facilities, and CS SB 3074/3070, which allowed limited written communications from the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to TCEQ commissioners about permit applications, with disclosure and response requirements. Senator Johnson raised concerns that the TCEQ bill could politicize an apolitical permitting process and potentially affect federal delegation, but the bill was amended and passed 28-3. The Senate also passed HB 4426 on Railroad Commission permits for commercial surface disposal facilities, HB 3161 giving TMRS cities more flexibility on employee contribution rates, and HB 2712 allowing future test years for certain water and sewer utility rate-making, with an amendment to protect ratepayers if projections overcharge them. At the end of the session, the Senate handled several procedural motions, including re-referring HB 1904 from Criminal Justice to State Affairs and suspending posting rules so committees could meet later that day. The chamber then recessed until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 25, 2025, for a local and uncontested calendar, and planned to adjourn until 5:00 p.m. that same day after that calendar concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• These products are everywhere, littering our neighborhoods and addicting and ruining the brains of young
• and they... ...have seen the largest suicide drop during and post-pandemic of any state, with a reduction
• You will see that there is a reduction in suicide since prescriptive authority has been granted.
• Indeed, the empirical evidence shows that there is a 6.1% reduction. and suicide rates for middle-aged

Bills: SB2024, SB227, SB268, SB1467, SB1580, HB5537, SB1313, SB1677, SB918, SB331, SB2207, SB2721

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments, infrastructure, Department of Environmental Quality, tax policy options for reforming the litter
• amendments, infrastructure, Department of Environmental Quality, tax policy options for reforming the litter
• This bill allows local governments to implement their own composting policies or similar waste reduction

Keywords: March 12, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:38:31.000><c> found</c> lit of most common form of litter found lit of most common form of litter
• It's a landfill-reduction charge. We have goals which we are working on.
• </c><03:41:27.279><c> uh</c><03:41:27.439><c> we</c> charge is a landfill reduction uh we charge is a
• She said her name is Christine Babber and she is co-chair of the Dover Plastic Reduction Group.
• seeing a reduction in the amount of gasoline and diesel fuel that’s being used out there.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee met in work session on several bills, beginning with HB 153, which would require two or more law enforcement officers in each county to receive animal cruelty training. Members said the bill had been sent to the Animal Protection and Licensing Subcommittee, where Representative Kuttab is expected to schedule a meeting soon to consider possible amendments based on testimony and other ideas. The committee later returned to HB 153 and confirmed a work session was planned for February 14, with discussion also including whether to explore a task force concept raised in testimony. The committee also discussed HB 215 and HB 566, both related to landfill permitting and leachate or harm/benefit reporting. Representative Gerana said he had met with the DES director and was working on amendments that would add a preliminary screening phase for determining net public benefit and expand the list of benefits beyond capacity need to include items such as economic and infrastructure benefits. HB 566 was said to be in the same posture as HB 215, and both were slated for subcommittee review the following Tuesday morning. HB 171 was also added for subcommittee discussion, with members saying the changes would be technical rather than substantive. HB 240, which removes forfeiture penalties for non-payment of dog licenses, drew support for a simple amendment changing a statutory “shall” to “may” so municipal officials would have discretion about issuing a warrant. Representative Bixby said OLS advised that this was the cleanest way to provide flexibility, and he reported that the sponsor was agreeable to the change. The committee also discussed HB 179, concerning hazardous waste accident fees, where the sponsor proposed a revised amendment imposing a $1,000-per-day penalty after 90 days of non-payment. Members raised concerns about homeowners, hobby farmers, and whether the bill could unfairly burden people who were not negligent or whose insurance claims were delayed. The sponsor and others said the intent was to recover costs from responsible parties, especially businesses, and to protect local taxpayers and fire departments from bearing the cost of damaged hazardous materials equipment. No votes were taken; the bills were left for further subcommittee work and amendment drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, you know, I get it. that reduction of costs helps potentially expand.
• Well, let's just take it to 50% of the reduction in severance taxes for only on the increased production
• This is not new spending, but a reduction in taxes that otherwise wouldn't be collected.
• And when they obtain a reduction for their client and the check is directed, oftentimes the client- or
• And then the client will say, man, you got a big reduction, but I just think you're making too darn much

Bills: HB19, HB30, HB851, HB1663, HB1681, HB1769, HB1937, HB1979, HB2428, HB2433, HB2825, HB3159, HB3424, HB3486, HB3487, HB3504, HB3605, HB3879, HB3994, HB4382, HB4752, HB5444, HB5446, HB5447, HB3199, HB4847, HB19

Keywords: local government debt, property tax, ad valorem tax, bond election, certificate of obligation, anticipation note, school district tax rate, voter-approval rate, debt service cap, municipal finance, county bonds, flood control district, hospital district, public works, tax transparency, property tax notice, November uniform election date, general obligation bonds, local debt reform, taxpayer notice