Transcript Highlights:

• state's most sacred founding documents, including the Texas Declaration of Independence, the Texas Constitution
• Preservation Board and the Texas Historical Commission to develop a plan to display the Texas Constitution
• Additionally, the bill amends Government Code Section 481.066, Subsection (e), to add a qualified member
• Additionally, the bill amends government code section 481.066 sub e to add a qualified member from a

Bills: HB1240, HB2768, HB2788, HB3146, HB4850, HB5032, HCR90

Keywords: border region, infrastructure, economic development, government operations, education, HB 2768, Texas information technology apprenticeship, state IT credential, information resources workforce, junior college, technical institute, apprenticeship program, workforce development, state agency hiring, job classification, career ladder, bachelor's degree substitution, associate degree, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, state auditor classification officer

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met without a quorum, so no votes or formal actions were taken. The chair laid out several bills and resolutions for explanation and public testimony, with each item left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early items included House Bill 1240, a cleanup measure to create a single uniform definition of the Texas-Mexico border region across state law, and House Bill 2768, which would establish an IT apprenticeship credential through junior colleges and technical institutions to help fill state government technology jobs. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 90, which would encourage establishing a Texas trade and investment office in Jerusalem. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided: one witness opposed it on foreign policy and values grounds, while a Texas Association of Business representative strongly supported it, citing Israel’s innovation and trade potential. Another major item was House Bill 4187, a committee substitute for legislation affecting the Texas Historical Commission; the sponsor described changes expanding use of trust fund money for historic sites, allowing more affiliated nonprofits, clarifying retail operations, and creating a framework for training and consistent interpretation at historic sites. A Texas Historical Commission witness explained that the bill would shift responsibility for maintaining many state-owned historical markers and monuments, including markers on private land, to the commission. Additional measures included House Bill 2788, which would shield Texas Workforce Commission fraud-prevention methods from public information requests; House Bill 5032, directing state agencies to plan for public display of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Texas Constitution, and the Victory or Death letter at the Capitol Complex; House Bill 3146, which would eliminate outdated memoranda-of-understanding requirements for certain State Office of Administrative Hearings arrangements; and House Bill 4815, a cleanup bill modernizing economic development statutes, revising the Made in Texas standard to 51% Texas-origin content, repealing the Governor’s Broadband Development Council, and making other conforming changes. The committee ended by recessing, with members indicating they would likely vote on pending business later when a quorum was available.

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• Uh, that constitutional amendment is given favorable report at the time. >> Mr.
• Uh<00:18:19.520> that<00:18:20.080> constitutional<00:18:20.559> amendments<00:18
• :21.039> given Uh that constitutional amendments given Uh that constitutional amendments given
• I just think you know we we move the<00:19:25.200> constitutional<00:19:25.600> amendment
• c><00:19:25.919> out<00:19:26.080> of the constitutional amendment out of the constitutional

Bills: SB255, SB199, SB47, HB605, HB216, HB621, HB148, HB389, HB509, HB248, SB255, SB199, SB47, HB605, HB216, HB621, HB148, HB389, HB509, HB248, SB336, SB293, SB43, HB420, HB60, HB188, HB106, HB105, HB11

Keywords: SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8, retail license, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture and Industries, testing and labeling, third-party laboratory, product safety, public health

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• Representative Butler, we have an amendment? I don't know.
• Chairman and members, yes, it's just a technical amendment.
• I make the motion to amend and approve Amendment 4490. Is there any objection?
• McLeod, Amendment 4424?
• And that's what the amendment does. Do I have any objections to amending with 4424?

Bills: HCR54, HCR79, HCR87, HCR94, HCR104, HB1209

Keywords: migratory waterfowl, hunting regulations, flooded crops, wildlife management, environmental impact, hunting, Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, deer hunting, dogs, conservation, hunting heritage, federal regulations, Senator Kennedy, wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, legislative support, environment, protective measures, boating safety

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee met on March 27 with a quorum present, approved prior minutes, and then took up several resolutions and one bill related to wildlife, water resources, and conservation. H.C.R. 79, as amended, urged the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to work together to allow the use of dogs for hunting in Kisatchie National Forest; supporters described it as a traditional hunting practice that has been restricted for years and could benefit local hunters and businesses. H.C.R. 104, as amended, asked the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study and modernize the collection, retention, and access to subsurface data, with members emphasizing the need to avoid sharing company-specific information. H.C.R. 87 was reported favorably to support correspondence from U.S. Sen. Kennedy regarding duck flyway management, H.C.R. 54 was reported favorably to study the impact of flooded corn on migratory waterfowl and restore an enforcement mechanism related to hunting over intentionally flooded crops, and H.C.R. 94 was reported favorably to require annual boating safety reports to legislative committees. The committee then heard HB 1209, which would have paused new cooperative endeavor agreements for surface water withdrawals while allowing existing agreements to continue and be renewed through December 31, 2036. The author said the bill was intended to give the state time to develop a more comprehensive, data-driven surface water strategy and to address invasive species such as giant salvinia, which he said has severely affected waterways in his district. Members and witnesses acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, but there was concern that the bill was too complex to move quickly in the session. The committee discussed converting it into a study resolution instead, and the bill was deferred without objection. The meeting then adjourned.

Bills: HB165, HB603, SB77, SB140, SB185

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll ask for the amendment to proceed.
• Chairman, I'll take up that amendment. Clark, would you please read the amendment? Absolutely, Mr.
• I move to amend House Bill number 3075...
• So, that's the amendment. Do we pass on the amendment from Senator Hall, seconded from the chair?
• The amendment is adopted. Members, we're back on the bill's amendment. Will there be...

Bills: HB1590, HB3075, HB3548, HB3661, HB3986, HB4273, HB4346

Keywords: education funding, linked deposits, education infrastructure, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, Oklahoma Education Infrastructure Program, rounding, cash payments, public finance, Oklahoma Common Cents Act, political subdivision, youth entrepreneurship, tax exemption, small business, income tax, Oklahoma Youth Entrepreneurs Promotion and Development Act, HB3661, Oklahoma sales tax, sales tax exemption, revenue and taxation

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• pass with amendments. Members present. pass with amendments. Members present.
• :47.840> require<00:03:48.159> that pass with amendments, require that pass with amendments
• um is to pass with some amendments um is to pass with some amendments accept<00:04:35.280> the
• amended. Hang on just a second on that. amended. Hang on just a second on that.
• amended. Any no votes or reservations? amended. Any no votes or reservations? >> No.

Bills: SB2981, SB2982, SB2983, SB2986, SB2991, SB3001, SB3010, SB3014, SB3032, SB3033

Keywords: foreign influence, campaign finance, contributions, state elections, transparency, election integrity, criminal offense, natural resources, tree protection, state property, environment, land use, boundary amendment, administrative fines, Land Use Commission, infrastructure compliance, highway safety, driver's license, administrative revocation, alcohol-related offenses

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and considered several Senate bills, generally following recommendations to pass measures with or without amendments. SB 2981 would prohibit minimum off-street parking requirements for new development in urban districts and was adopted unamended, with Senator Awa voting no. SB 2982, which bars foreign entities and foreign-influence business entities from making election-related contributions or expenditures, was adopted with an amendment adopting Attorney General language for required advertisement statements. The committee also advanced SB 2983, creating a misdemeanor offense for criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property; one member opposed it, suggesting a replanting requirement would be a better environmental remedy, but the bill was still adopted unamended. SB 2986, concerning Land Use Commission authority to amend or revise district boundary amendment decisions when conditions are not met, passed with an amendment addressing a defective effective date. SB 2991, on driver’s license revocations for certain alcohol-related offenses and re-examination requirements, passed with amendments clarifying revocation orders and re-examination procedures. Members then approved SB 3001, which regulates conversational artificial intelligence services by requiring disclosures and protocols to prevent suicidal ideation, with amendments incorporating AG and OCP recommendations, including a personal data definition and broader data minimization language. SB 3010, allowing officials and in some cases private citizens to enter unattended vehicles to protect endangered pet animals, passed with amendments. The committee also adopted SB 3014 on higher fines for taking or harassing protected turtles, SB 3032 clarifying beach and marine deposit prohibitions, and SB 3033 allowing petitions to review beach structure integrity despite a bad effective date; Senator Awa again voted no on SB 3033. The meeting adjourned after the committee noted a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, Vice Chair Hayes moves that Senate Bill 2052, without amendments, be approved and reported
• SB1164 amends the emergency detainer process in Texas to enable this non-criminal remedy.
• Over the years, this section has been amended to expressly include various courts and entities within
• I would direct everyone's attention to Article 5, Section 3 of the Constitution.
• The legislature is attempting to effectively amend the Constitution by statute.

Bills: SJR27, SB53, SB311, SB1164, SB2807, SB1574, SB 53

Keywords: judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, Texas Supreme Court, writ power, mandamus, quo warranto, certiorari, procedendo, extraordinary writs, Government Code Section 22.002, separation of powers, judicial authority

Transcript Highlights:

• the evaluation criteria used by groundwater conservation... districts in Texas before issuing or amending
• HB 1633 addresses this by amending the Water Code to add exempt wells to the list of factors that a groundwater
• protections for registrants against the unreasonable impacts of new groundwater permits or permit amendments
• give those people standing should they file a protest against a new permit or a new application or amendment
• Launched by Senator Hinojosa, Senator Kochhorst's recommendation amends that House Bill 2018 do pass

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Bills: SB 250, SB 375, SB 536, SB 845, SB 1633, SB 1944, SB 1957, SB 2081, SB 2137, SB 2262, SB 2299, SB 2419, SB 2452, SB 2522, SB 2549, SB 2594, SB 2605, SB 2631, SB 2639, SB 2675, SB 3029, SJR 60, HB 22, HB 1392, HB 2525

Keywords: municipal annexation, railroad, adjacent areas, local government, property rights, healthcare provider, Harris County Hospital District, hospital funding, healthcare services, public health program, home loans, nurses, veterans, public servants, Texas Heroes program, low-interest loans, social workers, housing assistance, housing tax credits, disaster recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair moves that Senate Bill 1062 be approved without amendment.
• tools that Texas already has to shape local policy—tools that are clearly laid out in our Texas Constitution
• With that context, are you aware of concerns that referencing or amending the 1925 ban in new legislation
• That statute was amended to allow lawsuits related to pregnancy loss.
• Sure, there's a wrongful death statute in 2003, and it was amended to allow lawsuits related to... pregnancy

Bills: HB229, HB3990, HB5082, HB5510, HB229

Keywords: biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, flags, display, state law, municipalities, government buildings, drug enforcement, local control, home rule, municipal charter, county policy, ordinance preemption, state preemption, attorney general enforcement, civil penalties, mandamus

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also has constitutional issues.
• HB5510, even with amendments, supersedes the Texas law and is a direct threat to the constitutional right
• Amendment rights.
• This is a clear violation of the United States Constitution and the Texas Constitution regarding our
• Because men want to take my constitutional rights away.

Bills: HB229, HB229, HB3990, HB5082, HB5510

Keywords: HB 229, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county dues, county association, state association of counties, lobbying, lobbyist, public funds, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Government Code Chapter 556, Local Government Code Section 89.002, legislative advocacy, municipal government, county government, city government, special district

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• I do, but we just got the amendment. When they handed me the amendment, I thought it was the bill.
• amendment.
• That's what the purpose of the amendment is. Mr. President, I move that we adopt the amendment.
• In that case, I'll second the motion on the amendment. I'll second the motion on the amendment.
• Approve the amendment, say "aye." Any opposed? All right, we'll have the amendment now.

Bills: SB282, SB300, HB72, HB396, SB282, SB300, HB72, HB396

Keywords: virtual currency, cryptocurrency, tax exemption, state tax law, digital assets, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, business incentives, economic impact, firefighter, license plate, fees, funds distribution, support programs, memorial, disabled veterans, property tax exemption, debt-to-income ratio, homestead, veterans affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And that could constitute a damage, which would be determined by the PUC.
• The bill seeks to amend Chapter 28. 8a of the Texas Water Code by implementing, implementing planning
• Members, this is the constitutional amendment. heard earlier this morning. The chair moves that H.
• Seven without amendment be reported favorably to the full house.
• HB 422, without amendment, be reported favorably to the full House with the recommendation that it do

Bills: HB 1089, HB 1163, HB 1177, HB 1238, HB1318, HB1400, HB1407, HB1532, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Bills: HB 1089, HB 1163, HB 1177, HB 1238, HB1318, HB1400, HB1407, HB1532, HJR7, HJR7

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• So we had an amendment, and the substitute took out all the, you know, ...the substitute took out all

Bills: SB197, HB140, SB214, HB214, HB147, HB270, SB73

Keywords: business regulation, nonprofit entities, electronic filing, merger agreements, limited liability companies, partnerships, property transfer, termination fees, HB140, private sewer systems, wastewater utilities, Public Service Commission, PSC jurisdiction, utility regulation, rate setting, rate consolidation, affiliated systems, common ownership, private utilities, sewer rates

Transcript Highlights:

• A2, animal life, the products of which ordinarily constitute food for human consumption.
• This is just the constitutional amendment enabling the exemption of the. ad valorem feed store tax.
• amended this local tax rule and and that rule was challenged. uh, in court, in district court, uh, in
• Like many cities, police and fire constitute the majority of our budgets.
• I was talking about if you were amending chapter 380 agreements to say okay you can do them on property

Bills: HB134, HB135, HB 1109, HB 1243, HB1392, HB1399, HJR99, HB134, HB135

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, local tax, municipal tax, county tax, tax sourcing, place of business, principal business location, small business, retailer, marketplace seller, economic development agreement, Chapter 321, Chapter 323, Tax Code, Texas Comptroller, local sales and use tax, tax jurisdiction, order consummation, ship-to location

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• There's an amendment on this, and I'll move a... It should be first. ...and I'll move an amendment.
• Okay, we've adopted the amendment. Are there any questions on the amendment?
• I'd like to go ahead and adopt the amendments or discuss the amendments. ...or discuss the amendments
• The amendment—I said amendments earlier; y'all forgive me—it is a two-page amendment.
• Senator Kelly's going to offer the amendment. Is there a second on the amendment?

Bills: HB191, HB35, HB29, HB123, HB35, HB29, HB191, HB123

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax, local tax exemption, county tax, municipal tax, county commission, municipality, Alabama Department of Revenue, tax exemption, ordinance, resolution, fiscal year, September 1 effective date, notice requirement, local government, tax administration, revenue law, state and local taxation, volunteer firefighters

Transcript Highlights:

• First Amendment protects artistic expression and drag is art. Drag is a performance.
• We had a local bill last session, even though it requires a constitutional amendment. constitutional
• amendment, it was only the treasurer's office in Galveston County.
• The Constitutional Amendment to get rid of the Galveston County Treasurer's Office and y'all were vehemently
• Yes, there was tens of thousands of dollars spent on an anti-that constitution.

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888

Keywords: Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure

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• of the United States Constitution. institution.
• There's this misconception that it's solely the judiciary's role to enforce the Constitution. and it's
• or appointed officer in Texas swears an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the laws and the Constitution
• Tom Glass, I lead a group called Texas Constitutional Enforcement and we're... testifying today on the
• Tom Glass, Texas Constitutional Enforcement, and we are in... favor of this bill.

Bills: SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB 18, SB 19

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

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• There should be no constitutional right for perpetrators to prey on Texas citizens.
• amendment.
• J.R. 5 by Huffman, et al., proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail under
• You're now recognized to suspend the constitutional three-day rule. So moved, Mr. President.
• amendment authorizing the denial of bail under limited circumstances to a person accused of certain

Bills: SJR 5, SJR 36, SJR 5, SJR 5, SR 105, SR 121, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, school safety, mental health, emergency response, education policy, law enforcement, SR 121, Senate Resolution 121, Pete Alfaro, Pedro Cuellar Alfaro, Pedro Alfaro, Baytown, Texas Senate tribute, in memory, memorial resolution, condolence resolution