Transcript Highlights:

• Do you want me to kind of jump into the commission specifically? Sure. Yeah.
• I've been a user of the commission in my final. 9281 of Ann T.
• I've been a user of the commission in my final. Husky.
• Well, it's such an important commission. Thanks. It's a pleasure. Thank you. Thank you.
• Well, it's such an important commission, and of course this is the housing committee.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee met on cutoff day and first considered two gubernatorial appointments to the Housing Finance Commission. Aaron T. McGrath and Ann T. Malone each testified about their housing finance and affordable housing backgrounds, their prior commission or sector experience, and their interest in improving housing affordability and equity. Senators asked brief questions and offered supportive comments, and both appointments were heard without objection. The committee then heard and later acted on a series of housing-related bills. ESHB 1500 would expand resale certificate requirements for common interest communities by adding reserve studies, audits, and governing documents, limiting certain fees, allowing rush service fees, and creating enforcement rights; testimony was split between Realtors, who supported the consumer-protection goals but sought clarifications and more time for rescission, and HOA/management representatives, who warned against limiting third-party processing tools and sought more flexibility. EHB 1501 would require associations to answer certified written inquiries from owners within 30 days, subject to reasonable association rules; the sponsor framed it as a basic right to a response, while HOA representatives supported the intent but asked for clearer limits and coordination with existing law. EHB 1345 would allow detached ADUs outside urban growth areas under detailed guardrails; builders, Realtors, counties, and housing advocates supported it as a rural housing tool, and the committee heard that it had been the product of years of negotiation. In executive session, the committee adopted amendments and advanced several bills. It approved a metering requirement for water use in SB 5470 on detached ADUs outside UGAs, narrowed SB 5729 to permit-review provisions, adopted a substitute for SB 6015 on permit-ready factory-built housing plans, and moved forward SB 6069 on transitional, supportive, and emergency housing with zoning and local process changes. It also advanced SB 1686 on deferred utility connection fees, SB 6200 on portable cooling devices for renters and mobile home occupants after rejecting an amendment to remove window units, SB 6201 creating tax exemptions for social housing agencies, SB 6214 establishing land bank authorities, and SB 6237 requiring flood-risk disclosures in rental housing. The committee then returned to public testimony on ESHB 1500, EHB 1501, and EHB 1345, hearing additional support and concerns, and adjourned after thanking staff for their work on cutoff day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I looked at the last Sunset Commission report and talked a little bit about doing a little better job
• His continued service on the Texas Transportation Commission will ensure that we maintain steady and
• I am honored to be here today as a nominee of the Texas Transportation Commission.
• Since my appointment to the commission by Governor Abbott in August of 2019, I have been working more
• And I know the last Sunset Commission talked about expansion of the bases and that kind of thing.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations met to consider several gubernatorial nominees and first approved a slate of nominees left pending from the March 31 agenda. The committee voted 5-0 to favorably report those nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. Public testimony was then opened and later closed, with some listed witnesses not appearing. The committee heard testimony on Jerry K. Weldon II for the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. Senators focused on stewardship of the Brazos River, the authority’s relationship to the legislature and the public, Sunset review, water quality and nutrient runoff, impaired waterways, and possible uses of constructed wetlands for aggregate mine reclamation. Weldon emphasized collaboration, transparency, and keeping the citizens of Texas as the authority’s primary customer. Commissioner Robert Vaughn was considered for reappointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Discussion centered on TxDOT’s management, rural funding, population growth, project delivery, and the commissioner’s role on the audit committee. Doug McCreakin was considered for the Texas Tech University Board of Regents, with questions about legislative priorities, compliance with DEI-related state law, workforce development, rural medical education, and university partnerships. Jody Giles was considered for reappointment to the University of Texas Board of Regents, and Bernadette Carrasco Coleman for reappointment to the Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents; both discussed higher education priorities, PUF funding, compliance with state law, and student support programs. John Rutherford was considered for reappointment to the Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees, with questions about fiduciary oversight, investment understanding, and keeping the retirement system solvent. Brigadier General Michael Boyd was also considered for appointment to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, where discussion focused on military retention, child care, spouse licensing, base infrastructure, and grant funding for Texas installations. The committee did not take final votes on these later nominees during the hearing and left them pending subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just want to welcome everyone back to the commission and thank everybody for their very robust and helpful
• On the commission.
• both practitioners and people with lived experience on the commission.
• So those are the seats that we have to fill on the commission.
• So those are the seats that we have to fill on the commission.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met to review the state budget process and discuss maternal and perinatal health funding. Members heard that the House did not adopt several maternal health amendments, including funding for community-based perinatal mental health grants, implementation of maternal health law items, Tufts Center for Maternal Health Advancement, private insurance coverage for midwifery care, a midwifery workforce development fund, and birthing center grants. On the Senate side, three amendments were adopted: funding for the Mass Now menstrual equity program, a large earmark for the Neighborhood Birth Center, and funding for an out-of-state resident reproductive health training pilot. Other Senate proposals, including a midwifery workforce fund, a health education trust fund, and the Tufts center request, were not adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we begin today's hearing, I'd like to briefly go over the procedure we'll be following.
• Dinges and the Texas Animal Health Commission.
• Obviously, it ties in with the lead state agency, Animal Health Commission.
• I think it's beyond just Animal Health Commission and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
• Commission, Parks and Wildlife, AgriLife, and the producer community.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions about rules or procedure. Mr. Speaker, for what purpose? Parliamentary inquiry.
• Commission has been established.
• To table the redistricting commission is really a delay of this process.
• An independent redistricting commission would be a way that we could establish that.
• Relating to the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1869, relating to the procedures for modifying the schedules of
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1869, relating to the procedures for modifying the schedules of
• The procedures for modifying the schedules of controlled substances.
• the Public Utility Commission about concerning situations at energy and electricity facilities.
• You have to apply for a drilling permit with the Railroad Commission.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, received a House message announcing passage of H.B. 500, and a gubernatorial nomination for the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including SR 409 recognizing Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, SR 402 honoring the discovery of the woolly devil plant at Big Bend National Park, and recognitions for Operation Christmas RGV and Wilson County Day. The Senate also heard an announcement that the Committee on Senate Nominations action report had been placed on members’ desks. The body then took up and passed several bills. SB 2365 was passed to prohibit personal wireless communication devices by public school students during instructional time, with exceptions for health, special education, and safety needs. SB 1869 was passed to reaffirm the DSHS commissioner’s authority over controlled-substance schedule changes without rulemaking or judicial review. SB 1124 was passed to revise criminal discovery procedures in response to the Heath decision, with supporters saying it preserves exculpatory evidence protections while limiting suppression of inculpatory evidence when the defense already knew of it. SB 1758 was passed to create a Grayson County pilot study and temporary permitting hold concerning a cement kiln/quarry near a semiconductor wafer facility, and SB 2078 was passed to regulate composting in certain counties, after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed SB 33, barring governmental entities from transactions that support abortion assistance or out-of-state abortion procurement; SB 34, expanding wildfire preparedness measures, studies, equipment databases, and rural fire department funding; SB 1208, increasing the penalty for interference with public duties from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony; SB 1030, removing the maintenance, repair, and overhaul tax for general aviation; SB 505, creating processes to address election irregularities; SB 2411, updating the Business Organizations Code and changing filing-method requirements; and SB 1333, addressing unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, or conveyance of real property. Most measures advanced on voice vote or recorded roll call after motions to suspend the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule, with several members raising questions or objections, especially on the criminal justice, abortion, and public duties bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• The commission would...
• Yeah, I think we just feel that the commission or the commission and CDFW already have the tools and,
• And it goes back to the commission.
• Yeah, I think we just feel that the commission or the commission and CDFW already have the tools and,
• And it goes back to the commission.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of water, parks, transportation, species protection, and fisheries bills. AB 430 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to publish an economic and environmental impact study when emergency water regulations are extended over multiple years; the author and supporters from agricultural and water groups said it would add transparency without limiting emergency authority. AB 1139 would expand a CEQA exemption to let county park agencies open existing roads and trails for non-motorized recreation, with supporters emphasizing access to nature and opponents warning about impacts to sensitive habitat, tribal resources, and fire risk. AB 929 would temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain SGMA pumping reductions and fines; supporters said it would protect vulnerable communities and wetlands, while farm and water coalition opponents argued it would undermine basin-wide groundwater management and shift burdens to other users. AB 1225, creating an Accessibility Advisory Committee for State Parks, drew broad support and passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 514, which would encourage local water suppliers to develop emergency water supplies for drought and service interruptions; it passed with broad support, though one member cautioned against using scientific research as a loophole. AB 550 would let developers seek incidental take permits for species under consideration for listing, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects; environmental groups supported the goal but asked for clearer standards, limits on using research as mitigation, and a fee provision, and the bill passed as amended. AB 697 would authorize an incidental take permit for the State Route 37 interim project in Solano and Marin counties, balancing congestion relief and habitat restoration; supporters stressed long commutes and urgent restoration deadlines, while opponents raised climate, sea-level-rise, and tribal concerns. The bill passed, with some members noting they would continue to work on the measure. Other measures discussed included AB 975, which would give Sutter County a narrow, temporary exemption from streambed alteration agreements for certain damaged small bridges and culverts; county officials described repeated flood damage and long permitting delays, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1056 would phase out transferability of set gillnet permits after 2027, allowing only a final family transfer; supporters framed it as a gradual response to bycatch concerns, while fishing industry opponents said it would unfairly target an existing fishery and set a bad precedent. The committee also took up AB 1146, described by the author as a response to politically motivated water releases; supporters from conservation and water organizations backed the bill. Several bills were voted out to Appropriations, some were left open for later action or add-ons, and the committee repeatedly noted it was working through the agenda without a quorum early in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this LFC program evaluation will be working with this office to examine their processes, procedures
• Maybe they don't do procedures.
• We have—we're pushing 300 boards and commissions, and a lot of those boards and commissions have 500,000
• Maybe they're getting the money and expending the money under these boards and commissions that existed
• The governor appoints the secretary, and they decide the policies and procedures and this body on what

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Following the use of restraint or isolation on a student, the school must implement certain procedures
• The provisions of the proposed substitute say the lawful duties of commissioned law enforcement officers
• So SROs are required to take specific SRO training, and they are, specifically, commissioned law enforcement
• We do have some concerns about the eventual practical implementation of procedures connected to ending
• With the severe limitations that this law places on the use of emergency procedures, we will see increased

Bills: HB1795

Keywords: restraint, isolation, public schools, educational programs, student rights, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This amends the conditions and procedures of alternative dispute resolution methods for condominium-related
• is SB 1099 this authorizes the land up is SB 1099 this authorizes the land use<00:20:19.360><c> commission
• </c><00:20:19.679><c> to</c><00:20:19.840><c> designate</c><00:20:20.280><c> important</c> use commission
• to designate important use commission to designate important agricultural<00:20:21.360><c> lands</c>
• This authorizes the Land Use Commission to designate important agricultural lands and adopt maps for

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary decision-making meeting on February 21, 2025, considered a long list of previously heard measures and generally recommended passage, often with amendments that delayed effective dates to July 1, 2050 or made technical clarifications. Among the measures acted on were bills relating to property, hotels, service disruptions, transportation, consumer protection, license plates, condominium disputes and fines, election fraud intimidation, vehicle inspection fines, restaurant reservation services, insurance claim checks, foreclosed home sales, labor relations court authority, public housing authority powers, community outreach boards, arson penalties, driving without a valid license, pet animals in vehicles, important agricultural lands, public records retention, transit-oriented development review, sex offender-related licensing actions, National Guard assault penalties, federal recognition timing, medical cannabis caregivers, cease-and-desist orders, and critical infrastructure information sharing. Several measures drew specific discussion or reservations. SB 1030 on election fraud intimidation was amended after consultation with the Attorney General to focus on unconcealed carry and add definitions. SB 5 on legislative vacancies was recommended to pass unamended, but the committee noted constitutional concerns and requested an Attorney General opinion. SB 95 on inspection fines was amended to set a $400 fine amount, though one member objected and the recommendation failed in at least one committee. SB 102 on third-party restaurant reservation services was amended to clarify who may sue and to allow contracted reservation services to distribute reservations on a restaurant’s behalf. SP 1022 on leaving pets in vehicles was amended to remove duplicative language because existing animal cruelty law already covered the conduct. SP 1451 on critical infrastructure information sharing was amended to tighten confidentiality language from “would reveal” to “could reveal” vulnerabilities. Most measures were adopted by the committees with little or no opposition, though several members noted reservations or objections on particular bills, including transportation, consumer protection, and inspection-fine measures. One bill, SB 1255 on records retention for government-function contractors, was deferred to a later meeting on February 26, 2025. Overall, the committees advanced most measures with amendments and recorded the recommendations for transmission to the next committee or chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:46.320><c> to</c><00:23:46.480><c> provide</c> Civil Rights Commission to provide Civil Rights
• Commission to provide guidance<00:23:47.200><c> to</c><00:23:47.360><c> the</c><00:23:47.520><c> public
• So we're really supportive of law enforcement procedures, and to elevate the proc...
• </c><00:26:20.279><c> and</c><00:26:20.399><c> to</c><00:26:20.919><c> elevate</c> enforcement procedures
• and to elevate enforcement procedures and to elevate the<00:26:22.039><c> proc</c><00:26:22.399><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard several bills on building codes, taxation, police reports, National Guard benefits, and discriminatory reporting. SB 48 would have required the State Building Code Council to assess financial impacts of code adoption on homes and include utility costs; testimony was mixed, but the bill drew concerns about housing costs and code timing. SB 120 would have changed the State Building Code Council’s responsibilities and code adoption process; the International Code Council and Sierra Club opposed it, while BIA Hawaii and others supported it, arguing current code cycles raise costs and counties need more flexibility. The committee later noted that county building departments had not submitted testimony on SB 48 or SB 120. SB 138 would create a nonrefundable income tax credit for hurricane-resistant safe rooms. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and revenue uncertainty, while Hawaii Emergency Management stood on written comments. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including a clarifying tax language change and an effective date of July 1, 2077. SB 112 would allow immediate family members of deceased persons to receive police closing reports after a set period; the Attorney General and prosecuting attorney supported access in principle but requested explicit redaction authority for minors and confidential personal information. The committee adopted amendments reflecting those concerns and passed the bill. SB 88 would authorize allowances for TRICARE, dental, and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. It received support from National Guard and Department of Defense representatives and was passed as is. SB 16 would create civil remedies for discriminatory reporting to law enforcement based on protected characteristics and require public guidance from the Department of Law Enforcement and Civil Rights Commission; it received support from the department and several advocates, with one opposition testimony. The committee passed SB 16 with an amended effective date and technical changes. In final action, the committee deferred SB 48 and SB 120, and adopted the chair’s recommendations on the remaining measures before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> liquor commission. liquor commission.
• </c> page, you'll see that the commission page, you'll see that the commission currently<01:08:20.359
• But the Office of the Commission oversees all operations of the commissions, with the primary goal to
• But the Office of the Commission oversees all operations of the commissions, with the primary goal to
• And the Commission on Aging...

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm working with the bond commission staff. Ms. Pryor. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• project to reform We appreciate your support of this ongoing project to reform our tax collection procedure
• Also, because there's been some confusion from the courts as to what procedures to apply to the old tax
• you confirm, how do you file a petition to quiet a tax sale, we may make it clear that the old procedures
• that we use to confirm or quiet tax sales or for munition proceedings, you use the same procedures that

Bills: HR118, HB1120, SCR11, SB73, SB89, SB128, SB149, SB180, SB191, SB196, SB238, SB318, SB340

Keywords: water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, tobacco tax, excise tax, smokeless tobacco, vapor products, public health, FDA, risk-proportionate, tax credits, higher education, workforce development, brain drain, economic incentives, SB 73, Act 10, Act No. 774 of 2024

Transcript Highlights:

• verifying identity and eligibility, processing provisional ballots, administering closed primary procedures
• books, processing provisional ballots in federal elections, administering closed party primary procedures
• Elections, administering closed party primary procedures, operating and monitoring voting machines and
• books, processing provisional ballots in federal elections, administering closed party primary procedures
• , operating elections, administering closed party primary procedures, operating and monitoring voting

Summary: The committee met on March 31 with a quorum present and heard three bills by Representative Bacala. House Bill 205 sought to increase compensation for election commissioners, with the author and several clerks of court and commissioners testifying that pay had not changed in 19 years despite greater responsibilities, longer hours, and additional training tied to election security and new voting systems. To avoid a state fiscal note, the committee adopted amendment set 2855, which removed the base pay increase and instead allowed parish governing authorities to provide a supplemental payment of up to $100 for commissioners in charge and those who complete instruction. The bill was then reported favorably. House Bill 67 addressed protected information for certain public officials and aligned the rules for clerks of court with those already applied to the Secretary of State’s office. The author described it as a technical correction to prior legislation governing what personal information may be published or removed. Stephen Procopio of PAR raised broader concerns about transparency, possible constitutional issues, and inconsistent treatment of information depending on the source, suggesting the law may need a larger review. The committee did not amend the bill and reported it favorably. House Bill 73 would allow local public bodies to vote by electronic voting machine, so long as the vote is publicly displayed, instead of being limited to voice votes. Bacala said the change was intended to clarify that electronic in-place voting is permissible and does not affect quorum, proxy voting, or remote participation. Representatives asked about whether members and the public must be able to see the vote and whether the bill changed existing procedures; the author said it did not. Support came from local government associations, and the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• governing body can pass a resolution of intention to order an improvement, as well as outlines procedures
• governing body can pass a resolution of intention to order an improvement, as well as outlines procedures
• personnel to obtain the privilege to practice in other compact states and establishes the interstate commission
• way of telephone, video conferencing, or another audio-visual technology, if the court finds the procedure
• way of telephone, video conferencing, or another audio visual technology, if the court finds the procedure

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style review of two packets of bills, with staff reading summaries and members briefly explaining several measures. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for the elderly and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, ambulance service regulation, short-term rental rules, tourism improvement areas, manufactured home installer licensure, CPR/AED training in schools, veterans’ park fee exemptions, and multiple child welfare and family-court bills. Several Senate bills were also reviewed, including optometry standards, behavior analyst licensure transfer, virtual mental health hearings, and assisted-living residency rules. Members speaking for bills emphasized themes such as supporting aging in place, improving rural ambulance access and reporting, protecting children in DCS cases, preventing poverty alone from being treated as neglect, and expanding access to health screenings and services. Other sponsors described measures to help veterans, strengthen school safety, and create local funding or improvement mechanisms for tourism and child care. Some bills were described as technical or administrative changes, such as post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien procedures, and local government contract posting requirements. No formal votes were taken in the transcript excerpt, but many bills were noted as being on the consent calendar or third-read consent calendar, while a few had been removed from consent or were not yet on a calendar. The meeting concluded after the final bill on the second packet, HB 4025, was summarized as creating a study committee on gasoline and petroleum refinery feasibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• before a governing body can pass a resolution of intention to order an improvement, and it outlines procedures
• governing body can pass a resolution of intention to order an improvement, as well as outlines procedures
• personnel to obtain the privilege to practice in other compact states and establishes the interstate commission
• way of telephone, video conferencing, or another audio-visual technology, if the court finds the procedure
• way of telephone, video conferencing, or another audio visual technology, if the court finds the procedure

Summary: The meeting reviewed two caucus packets covering a wide range of bills, with most items described by staff and then passed over without questions. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, emergency shelter grants, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, and uranium contamination monitoring. Other measures addressed utility plant replacement, local government investment pools, task-order contract posting, ambulance reporting and certificate-of-necessity changes, short-term rental regulation, tuition waivers for dependents of disabled veterans, memorial authorization, manufactured home installer licensing, CPR/AED training in schools, national park fee exemptions for military members and veterans, and a tourism improvement area funded by lodging businesses. Several bills focused on child welfare and family law, including expanded kinship placement notification, a neglect definition change tied to poverty, evidence rules in custody and dependency matters, DCS investigations when a protective parent is involved, and parenting-time supervision requirements. Health-related bills included midwife practice changes, controlled substance monitoring program updates, interstate EMS licensure, prostate cancer screening coverage, sleep apnea coverage, and resident electronic monitoring in care facilities. Judiciary and property-related bills included enhanced trespass penalties, post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien excess proceeds procedures, and unlawful entry into residences occupied by vulnerable adults. A few members briefly explained or defended selected bills, including the child protection measures, the CPR training requirement, the ambulance reporting bill, the tourism improvement area bill, and the bill moving inter-facility transports away from police. The sponsor of HB 2950 emphasized it was a voluntary, opt-in lodging assessment with local approval and statutory guardrails. No roll-call votes were described in the transcript, and most bills were noted as being on consent or third-read consent calendars, with several removed from consent or not yet on a calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if I go in to have a teeth whitening procedure done that's not covered by my insurance, why does the
• Would you believe there's actually dentists and patients that have had to drive hours to get procedures
• Things that could cost a dentist up to $10,000 with labs and procedures, the hours put in may be reimbursed
• How much is that going to cost before they just randomly go in and get that procedure done?
• It has a potential then to go above what the set rate is now at the Oklahoma Tax Commission, is that

Bills: HB1411, HB3143, HB3144, HB3901, HCR1019, HB3981, HB4248, HB3194, HB3849, HB4095, HB4302, HB3342, HB3344, HB3287, HB3645, HB3647, HB3930, HB3931, HB1818, HB4454, HB4336

Keywords: True Grit Trail, Oklahoma, tourism, signage, Department of Transportation, state parks, historical sites, economic development, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, psychological autopsy, mental health, suicide prevention, state health department

Transcript Highlights:

• The Judicial Compensation Commission has recommended a 30% increase in the base pay for judges this session
• The Supreme Court can amend the rules of civil procedure, and I welcome your ideas for changes along
• We at the Supreme Court also need to ask whether our court, our own procedures, promote the efficient
• The Supreme Court can amend the rules of civil procedure, and I welcome your ideas for changes along
• We at the Supreme Court also need to ask whether our court, our own procedures, promote the efficient

Summary: The House and Senate met in joint session under HCR 5 to hear an address from Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, with Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick introducing him. The session included recognition of the justices, judges, law enforcement officers, and interpreters present, and it also marked the formal completion of the joint session once the address ended. Chief Justice Blacklock said the state of the judiciary is strong, while paying tribute to former Chief Justice Nathan Hecht and thanking Governor Abbott for his appointment. His remarks focused on judicial administration and public safety, including a call for a 30% increase in district judge salaries, which he argued is needed to attract and retain qualified judges. He also urged support for law enforcement, backed efforts to keep violent offenders in custody pending trial, and said the court is gathering data to identify underperforming judges and use constitutional remedies where necessary. Blacklock emphasized that Texas courts should interpret statutes and the constitution according to text and original meaning, rejecting the “living constitution” approach. He highlighted reforms to improve efficiency and reduce litigation costs, including changes to docketing practices, civil procedure, and the regulation of legal services, and he urged the State Bar to remain politically neutral. He also discussed family law and child welfare, arguing for stronger legal representation for parents and suggesting repeal of Family Code subsection O, which he said can unfairly lead to termination of parental rights. The joint session concluded after his remarks, and the House stood at ease as guests departed.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1885 deals with the Clean Water Commission and the makeup of the commission.
• It also adds language that says the commission shall establish rules and procedures that specify when
• industry on the commission, I think is important.
• Right now, we only have one engineer on the commission.
• Is there any concerns with the commission making their own rules of Is there any concerns with the commission

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture met in executive session and took up three bills before moving to a public hearing on House Bill 1885. On House Bill 2297, Representative Hayden’s fencing/enclosure bill, the committee adopted a House Committee substitute after discussion about terminology changes, including whether to use “property boundary line” versus “division line,” and about liability language for injuries during fence construction. The substitute was then reported do pass by a vote of 18 ayes and 3 noes. The committee next approved House Bill 2436, Representative Van Skoik’s animal impoundment bill, by a vote of 14 ayes and 7 noes. It then considered House Bill 2713, where the committee adopted a substitute and an amendment restoring a five-year sunset, after discussion that the bill related to a tax credit and industry concerns about removing the sunset. The final committee vote on the House Committee substitute for HB 2713 was 17 ayes and 4 noes, and it was reported do pass. In public hearing, Representative Van Skoik presented House Bill 1885, which would change the makeup of the Clean Water Commission by allowing at least one member knowledgeable about publicly owned wastewater treatment works, removing a two-year waiting period for certain industry members, and directing the commission to set recusal rules for conflicts of interest. Supporters from the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District and municipal utilities said the bill would help ensure knowledgeable, current wastewater professionals can serve and address a shortage of experienced people in the field. Questions focused on whether the commission should set its own conflict rules and whether members could still have income from permit holders; the sponsor and witnesses said recusal rules would address conflicts and that the bill was intended to improve expertise on the commission. No opposition testimony was heard before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• because the court procedure already exists and there's nothing we can do here in Tallahassee to change
• My understanding is it requires a supermajority of the county commission.
• A measure, this provides a pathway outside of the court system to give the county commission and the
• I didn't ask the Seminole County Charter Review Commission to go pass an amendment that says you need
• The Charter Review Commission did it. The voters did it. The commissioners did it.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions, then moved to House messages and special order business. The chamber concurred in amendments and passed Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations, CS/CS/HB 1389 on the Live Local affordable housing package, and CS/CS/HB 1451 on utility services. The utility bill’s House amendment shortened the phase-out of certain surcharges tied to bond covenants and advanced reporting deadlines for municipal utilities. The Senate also passed CS/CS/HB 1279, the education bill, after substituting it for SB 7038 and adopting an amendment that combined agreed-upon provisions on student health and safety, early learning, math, virtual instruction, career and technical education, school choice, university accountability, tuition protections, and financial aid. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including SB 7036, SB 208, SB 1260, and SB 7034. A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/CS/HB 484, the data centers bill. Senators discussed the House amendment’s changes to ratepayer protections, the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure-agreement prohibition, the 12-month confidentiality period, and a required OPAGA study. Supporters emphasized stronger language preventing data center costs from being shifted to residential and commercial ratepayers, while opponents raised concerns about transparency, local notice, and the possibility that communities could be kept unaware of projects for up to a year. After debate, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill. The chamber then took up CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations, where debate centered on a proposed Fontainebleau Hotel water park project in Miami Beach and a series of amendments. One amendment to remove the project-specific language failed, while other amendments were adopted, including a sunset provision and a change related to compost facility permitting. A broader amendment dealing with Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary was also adopted, preserving the existing supermajority threshold for changes. The most contentious proposal was an amendment by Senator Martin creating a process for property owners to challenge rural boundary designations and seek compensation or removal from the designation without going to court; senators debated property rights, local planning, and the impact on Orange and Seminole counties, and the discussion included sharp exchanges before the transcript ended during debate on that amendment.