Transcript Highlights:

• It's a nonprofit that's based in Dallas.
• We work with partners across Dallas and across the state, both in nonprofit, K-12, higher ed, workforce
• , and government to increase outcomes for students, specifically in Dallas County, but also across all
• , and government to increase outcomes for students, specifically in Dallas County, but also across all
• This was all in Dallas ISD.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language. Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can be from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, as far as El Paso, some even from Lubbock, or even in
• I think you've seen some data coming out of Dallas and some others.
• Dallas ISD is probably the leader in the implementation of it.
• From the first day of school through March 31st, Dallas ISD students checked out 1,084,837 books.
• I use **Dallas ISD** as an example, a big district.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In counties operating under the board model, such as Dallas and Bear Counties, procurement processes
• already transitioned to commissioner's court appointed agents include Denton County since 1992 and Dallas
• Uh, again, uh, counties such as Dallas and Denton have already adopted a similar structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Such as Dallas and Bexar counties, procurement processes have faced notable delays due to the difficulty
• already transitioned to Commissioner's Court-appointed agents include Denton County since 1992 and Dallas
• Again, counties such as Dallas and Denton have already adopted a similar structure.

Bills: HB1597, HB2364, HB2437, HB3205, HB3253, HB3310, HB3648, HB3906, HB4259, HB5645

Keywords: county jailer, jail training, veterans, Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, TCOLE, criminal justice system, county jail, law enforcement training, mental health training, jail standards, correctional officers, veteran services, veteran interaction, occupations code, jailer licensing, parking, county courthouse, infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I'm a farmer rancher here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area.
• Um, my name's James Lockridge, Dallas-Fort Worth, uh, farmer resident, North Texas farmer rancher.
• along the toll road. um, he has easements all along the toll road, uh, within Frisco, Plano, and, um, Dallas

Transcript Highlights:

• And give me the honor of recognizing our judge from Dallas, Judge Maria Aceves.
• The presiding judge of the 192nd Civil District Court in Dallas, thank you for being here. in here and
• She is a legal shining star in Dallas County. Not only. You have a great career, a good role model.

Bills: SB 26, SJR 36, SB 26, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SR 109, SR 122, SR 126, SR 130, SR 136, SR 137, SR 141, SR 142, SCR 20

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Summary: The meeting was marked by significant resolutions recognizing various contributions to Texas and celebrating community initiatives. Key discussions included the adoption of resolutions commemorating Texas Hispanic Judges Day and highlighting the 100th anniversary of Memorial Park. Senators expressed appreciation for the judges' dedication and legacy, with notable mentions of individual judges and their impact on the community and legal landscape in Texas. The Senate also honored students and organizations contributing positively to their communities, showcasing the interconnectedness of public service and the legislative process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maxine Thornton Rees of Dallas. Ms. Rose, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• She served on the Dallas City Council, and when she was a member of the Dallas City Council, she appointed
• Maxine Thornton-Rees of Dallas. Is there any objection? Chair hears none.

Bills: HB1, HB 2, HB 3, HB 5, HB20, HB 22, HB 1, HB 2, HB 3, HB 5, HB 20, HB 22

Keywords: youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license

Transcript Highlights:

• Davis of Dallas relating to the salary schedules for regional planning commissioners and HB2668 by Reynolds
• HB 50 by Jones of Dallas relating to the informed consent of certain screening tests.
• Jones of Dallas. Mr. Jones: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Jones of Dallas because of important business in the district on motion of Mr. Chair: Guillen.

Transcript Highlights:

• In reading, the city of Dallas ran the state fair at fair part current state law. prohibits them from
• The Texas State Fair is in a high-crime rate area of Dallas.
• Texas is in the highest crime rate area of Dallas. So it's not even safe to go there.
• .. where you have two weeks of early voting in some cases, you may have 10,000, 20,000 ballots in Dallas

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Like Dallas County is not an economically disadvantaged county, I don't think so.
• I don't think there's any of those in Dallas County. Well, I will look at it as it moves.
• I just have, believe it or not, some rural areas in Dallas County also. Okay.
• Believe it or not, I had some cities that are kind of destitute in Dallas County, and so that's what

Bills: SB1493, SB1598, SB1895, SB1919, SB2039, SB2226, SB2243, SB2425

Keywords: SB 1493, Texas Transportation Code, motor vehicle lighting, vehicle lighting standards, high-mounted stoplamp, center high mount stop lamp, CHMSL, brake light, stop lamp, federal motor vehicle safety standards, 49 C.F.R. 571.108, FMVSS 108, vehicle inspection, automotive compliance, Transportation Committee, Texas vehicle equipment, motor vehicle collision report, crash report, accident report, traffic accident

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard and advanced a wide range of transportation-related bills. Early in the meeting, SB 1598 by Senator Hagenbuch was heard on allowing collision report information to be used and shared more clearly for law enforcement investigations, including through records-management partners and nonconfidential VIN data; the bill drew support from the Sheriff’s Association and Carfax for Police and was left pending before later being reported favorably. SB 1493 by Senator Parker, which would codify DPS’s position on flashing/pulsing stop lamps as compliant with federal standards, also received supportive testimony and was reported favorably. SB 1895 by Senator Perry would designate Loop 88 in Lubbock as a First Responders Memorial Loop and was reported favorably, and SB 1919 and SB 2243 by Senator West, dealing with TxDOT liability claim settlements and TxDMV authority to require VIN inspections for certain trailers, were likewise heard without opposition and later reported favorably. SB 2039, concerning right-of-way and traffic rules for sidewalk users such as bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, and scooters, was heard and left pending before being reported favorably later in the meeting. SB 2226 by Senator Nichols, reducing the local match requirement for aviation grants in economically disadvantaged counties from 10% to 5%, was discussed with TxDOT testimony explaining how federal and state airport funding interact; it was reported favorably. SB 2499 by Senator Flores, involving memorial markers and an account for donations, and SB 1394 by Senator Hall, concerning concrete truck axle rules, were also reported favorably. The committee recessed after handling the pending items and leaving some additional matters for a later hearing. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2425 by Senator Nichols, a comprehensive bill on commercial autonomous vehicles. The author said the bill was developed through extensive stakeholder meetings with industry, agencies, insurers, and lawyers, and it would require AV companies to provide information to TxDMV, submit first-responder interaction plans to DPS, and allow DPS and DMV to suspend or revoke operations in certain circumstances. The committee substitute also updated definitions, addressed Level 3 systems, clarified commercial use and fleet penalties, and created an expedited process for reinstating operating authority after disputes. Supporters included the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Tesla, GM Cruise, Bot Auto, and the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, who said the bill balances innovation and safety and helps Texas remain a leader in AV deployment. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that it would improperly shield manufacturers from liability, but committee members and the industry witnesses said liability would continue to be governed by state law and that the bill was intended to clarify, not eliminate, responsibility. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and reported SB 2425 favorably on a 6-0 vote. Throughout the hearing, members asked questions about practical effects and funding. On SB 2226, TxDOT’s aviation director explained that some airports already receive federal and state support and that the bill would mainly help state-only airports in disadvantaged counties that struggle to meet local match requirements. On SB 2425, members asked about reliability metrics, commercialization, and liability; industry witnesses said the technology is still being refined but that Texas’s framework has attracted investment and could improve road safety over time. Several bills were recommended to the local and uncontested calendar after favorable votes, and the committee also agreed to keep motions in writing open briefly for members who were absent, so long as doing so would not change any bill outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• available with um each property value because anyway, when I go to TD, which is ours or Ka counties or Dallas
• they certified the rolls and, and some counties like, uh, Harris County can update almost daily. uh, Dallas
• And and again, uh, where I'm from, uh, Dallas County is weekly.
• My name is Ryan Chismark and I'm here on behalf of myself, my firm Meritax Advisors in Dallas, and the

Bills: HB148, HB203, HJR30

Keywords: HB 148, Texas Education Code, Texas Education Agency, TEA, artificial intelligence, AI, machine learning, automated scoring, constructed response, open-ended answers, student assessments, state testing, standardized tests, public schools, education policy, assessment instruments, school accountability, test scoring, 2026-2027 school year, ad valorem tax

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you know the numbers for Dallas came out, it was like seven percent of the re-tests that they
• Just look at Houston ISD and Dallas ISD.
• Austin ISD does a good job, not as good as Dallas, but Austin ISD has 86% of their 7th graders taking
• They're taking a whole grade level below what, for instance, most Dallas ISD students are taking.
• Dallas ISD has 83% in 2024 taking a higher level math. And 78% in 2025.

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I'm not sure the exact number, but there's one in Houston, one in San Antonio, Dallas area.
• So whether you are a, uh, you know, a, an eight-person agency in, in rural Texas or the Dallas Police
• Officers Association, Fort Worth, El Paso, Corpus Christi, and over 2000 officers between the Austin and Dallas
• And it was usually your bigger cities, you know, we're in the city of Austin, you know, Houston, Dallas
• sheriff's office that maybe just has the sheriff and a couple of deputies, and then we obviously have the Dallas

Transcript Highlights:

• County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, and Collin County.
• During this last election cycle, Senator Holt spent a lot of time in Dallas County, Central Count.
• But we've seen it being pushed in Austin and in Dallas. Back in 2001.
• As the chairman of the Libertarian Party of Dallas County, we are constantly trying to get our people
• Paul is describing, this happened in Dallas. but he voted over in this precinct.

Bills: SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37, SB 16

Keywords: voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair recognizes the Honorable Angie Chen Button of Dallas County to lead us in the Pledges of Allegiance
• The Chair recognizes the Honorable Angie Chen Button of Dallas County to lead us in the Pledges of Allegiance

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you also aware that when the governor was asked by the Dallas Morning News to name a single school
• Elizalde from Dallas ISD was the last district to actually utilize the local accountability system so
• My name is Stephanie Elisa. and I serve as superintendent for Dallas Independent School District.
• Dallas. Chair calls Dallas Kennedy. Dallas Kennedy.
• We'll show Dallas Kennedy on behalf of himself testify, excuse me, registered for. the bill, but not

Bills: HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24, HB4, HB54, HB775, HB850, HB 1122, HB 1249, HB1405, HB2336, HB2757, HB3372, HB3622, HB4442, HB4687, HB4893, HB5089, HB5515, HB5606, SB10, SB24, HB1573, HB3369

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code

Transcript Highlights:

• That's northwest corner of Dallas. County and I'm a proud product of public education.
• I represent Carrollton Armors Branch ISD, Capel ISD, and Dallas ISD, just a small portion.
• one of the top 20 schools that sent back. as far as amount of money that they sent back, and then Dallas
• We've got Dallas ISD as well. has had to cut back on some stuff and cut back on some programs as well
• We've got funding going on coming south of the Dallas Fort Worth area and going north out of Houston

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties such as Dallas have attained similar levels of pay parity for standardized law enforcement positions
• bill is basically designed to keep a cohesive law enforcement group, kind of like what they had in Dallas
• Well, currently under current law, all the sheriffs have that authority except for Dallas and Tarrant
• threshold... ...excludes other large, rapidly growing counties such as Bexar, Travis, Tarrant, and Dallas
• We were afraid he would not make it. he was forced to live in a tent city in downtown Dallas surrounded

Bills: HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403, HB240

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Democrats in Dallas County? I'm sure they do, absolutely. How about Harris County?
• So if the map drawer in Dallas County, they would get African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and some white
• But let me ask you this, in Dallas County, how is the map drawer able to recreate...
• CD 30 has a Black majority in Dallas.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here representing Dallas County.
• Four years ago this week, my dog Pancho, a two-year-old black lab, was killed by a Dallas dog daycare
• Griffin, Porter, a Chocolate Lab, and Trooper, a small dog, were all killed on the same day by a Dallas
• I'm here on behalf the Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office and the D.A., John Cruzeau,

Bills: HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305, HB449, HB908, HB1024, HB1306, HB1443, HB1445, HB1741, HB1866, HB1902, HB2001, HB2282, HB2355, HB2492, HB2637, HB2697, HB3464, HB4263, HB4996, HB5667, HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305

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