Transcript Highlights:

• Local taxing entities.
• tax revenue that local entities will collect.
• In local districts, the drop in local revenue requires the state to provide more funding to compensate
• The cost is split into a state and local share.
• appraisal districts. local appraisal districts.

Bills: HB329 , HB361 , HB546 , HB1547 , HB1745 , HB2786 , HB3235 , HB3370 , HB3575 , HJR83

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: appraisal, property value, residential real estate, tax code, appraisal review board, property owners, property tax, homeowners, property owner rights, property appraisal, taxation, Texas Tax Code, real estate, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, market value, condemnation, tax appraisal, open-space land, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• For local government, may collaboration thrive and laws reflect the wisdom of those closest to the people
• Our ISD friends, superintendent, we call him Dr.
• We also have Superintendent Dr. Wendy Eldridge and Matthew Hall with Raise Your Hand Texas.
• And one of the reasons that people complain about property taxes is that so much of local revenue is
• Yeah, and so exactly on the point—if the bulk of local revenues is paid through property taxes, more

Bills: HJR4 , HJR6 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax

Bills: SB293

Committee: House Lee County Legislation

Keywords: SB293, Lee County, solid waste, waste collection fees, garbage fees, trash collection, county commission, fee exemption, low-income households, poverty level, federal poverty level, public sanitation, local act, municipal services, waste management

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really strapping many of our counties and local governments, especially the rural ones.
• We need to allow the locality to decide what's best for their communities.
• and local elected officials.
• Elizabeth Wren, staff to the Local Government Committee, briefs the committee.
• to sign development agreements that vary from their standard local regulations.

Bills: HB1073 , HB1128 , HB1316 , HB1408 , HB1591 , HB1592 , HB1634 , HB1906 , HB1960 , HB2073 , HB2145 , HB2248 , HB2266 , HB2301 , HB2333 , HB2365 , HB2401 , HB2416 , HB2421 , HB2438 , HB2474 , HB2475 , HB2515 , HB2517 , HB2523 , HB2548 , HB2597 , HB2637 , HB2640 , HB2660 , HB2675 , HB2685 , HB2720 , HB1742 , HB2104 , HB2186 , HB2405 , HB2557 , HB2593 , HB2636

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: national guard, military support, defense, state security, veteran services, child care, workforce standards, education, child development, training requirements, postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, community preservation, development authorities, funding, local governance, state resources

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mandated but may uh come into that local mandated but may uh come into that local jurisdiction<00
• </c> relates to local governments. relates to local governments.
• It would be a local, but it would be multi-county, so it will apply like a local bill.
• </c> it's a statewide or local application. it's a statewide or local application.
• </c> &gt;&gt; So, would that just make it a local &gt;&gt; So, would that just make it a local bill?

Bills: SB298 , SB91 , SB298 , SB91

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: Florence, Lauderdale County, municipal boundaries, corporate limits, land annexation, military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, aeronautics, Department of Defense, law enforcement, staffing requirements, municipalities, state oversight, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And if the locals don't use or accept the help, they have to reimburse them if something goes wrong.
• Members, this bill recognizes that Orleans has 46 local trial judges, which is way too many.
• That means the criminal and civil district courts are not merely serving local residents.
• It eliminates the local advertising requirement for an invitation to bid.
• This allows a local option. It changes from shall to may for advertising. They still can.

Bills: HR265 , HR266 , HR267 , HR268 , HR269 , HR270 , HR271 , HR272 , HR273 , HCR107 , HCR108 , HCR109 , HCR110 , HCR111 , HR257 , HR258 , HR259 , HR260 , HR261 , HR262 , HR263 , HCR105 , HCR106 , SCR30 , SB57 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB276 , SB450 , SB465 , SB501 , SB525 , HR3 , HR80 , HR197 , HR243 , SCR5 , SCR35 , HB4 , HB623 , HB944 , HB986 , HB1098 , HB1222 , SB34 , SB164 , SB172 , SB198 , SB208 , SB232 , SB281 , SB286 , SB317 , SB322 , SB334 , SB380 , SB385 , SB409 , SB417 , SB421 , SB430 , SB439 , SB447 , SB458 , SB510 , SB398 , HB646 , HR84 , HR188 , HR205 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SCR11 , SCR22 , SCR2 , SCR20 , SCR24 , HCR6 , HB301 , HB359 , HB657 , HB675 , HB680 , HB727 , HB302 , HB819 , HB1257 , HB1258 , SB8 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB20 , SB21 , SB22 , SB40 , SB48 , SB55 , SB69 , SB75 , SB77 , SB78 , SB85 , SB102 , SB115 , SB133 , SB140 , SB148 , SB151 , SB165 , SB169 , SB170 , SB185 , SB197 , SB200 , SB217 , SB235 , SB278 , SB280 , SB291 , SB300 , SB303 , SB315 , SB324 , SB330 , SB411 , SB416 , SB420 , SB436 , SB438 , SB449 , SB455 , SB456 , SB477 , SB489 , SB521 , SB45 , SB58 , SB71 , SB81 , SB92 , SB100 , SB109 , SB141 , SB156 , SB181 , SB203 , SB204 , SB205 , SB207 , SB213 , SB214 , SB216 , SB229 , SB257 , SB274 , SB290 , SB304 , SB374 , SB379 , SB396 , SB410 , SB425 , SB427 , SB429 , SB479 , SB522 , HCR72 , HB633 , HB603 , HB940 , HB251 , HB775 , HB998 , HB1191 , HB625 , HB1255 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , HB258 , HB842 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441

Keywords: Pineville High School, Lady Rebels, softball, LHSAA, Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Class 5A, state championship, high school sports, student athletes, commendation, resolution, athletics, girls softball, championship team, Pineville, school recognition, sportsmanship, coach Allison Frye, Louisiana legislature, House Resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• Referred to local and municipal affairs.
• Referred to local and municipal affairs.
• Referred to Local and Municipal Affairs.
• Referred to Local and Municipal Affairs.
• This is a local bill that sets up a local insurance program. It's not an insurance company.

Bills: SR113 , SR114 , SCR64 , SCR65 , SCR66 , SCR67 , SCR12 , HB59 , HB66 , HB79 , HB153 , HB165 , HB326 , HB387 , HB455 , HB513 , HB660 , HB719 , HB762 , HB802 , HB816 , HB833 , HB895 , HB950 , HB975 , HB1011 , HB1028 , HB1039 , HB1051 , HB1053 , HB1057 , HB1080 , HB1084 , HB1155 , HB1215 , HB1224 , HB1228 , HB1234 , HB1251 , HB1252 , HB1254 , HB1256 , HB221 , HCR11 , HCR27 , HCR28 , HCR32 , HCR49 , HCR50 , HCR60 , HCR64 , HCR66 , HCR67 , HCR68 , HCR78 , HCR81 , HCR58 , SB25 , SB250 , SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , HB22 , HB28 , HB33 , HB41 , HB47 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB195 , HB214 , HB217 , HB233 , HB283 , HB290 , HB316 , HB319 , HB324 , HB345 , HB362 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB382 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB503 , HB511 , HB514 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB636 , HB655 , HB664 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB732 , HB738 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB807 , HB822 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB896 , HB905 , HB908 , HB961 , HB980 , HB990 , HB992 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1010 , HB1146 , HB1157 , HB1233 , HB1236 , HB1243 , SB29 , SB30 , SB32 , SB41 , SB42 , SB43 , SB47 , SB84 , SB93 , SB113 , SB192 , SB199 , SB219 , SB220 , SB221 , SB222 , SB241 , SB253 , SB255 , SB289 , SB292 , SB306 , SB314 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB424 , SCR9 , SB132 , SB35 , SB65 , SB135 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , HCR26 , HCR45 , HCR31 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , HB23 , HB136 , HB17 , HB21 , HB51 , HB55 , HB74 , HB106 , HB108 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB168 , HB215 , HB226 , HB263 , HB296 , HB299 , HB322 , HB364 , HB519 , HB535 , HB538 , HB568 , HB571 , HB622 , HB635 , HB676 , HB772 , HB784 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1134 , HB1237 , HB1239 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB210 , HB220 , HB228 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB750 , HB813 , HB815 , HB826 , HB870 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1045 , HB1092 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1177 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1241 , HB36 , HB73 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB166 , HB211 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB677 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB728 , HB759

Keywords: condolence resolution, memorial resolution, sympathy, tribute, Martha Elizabeth Odom, Louisiana Senate, bereavement, obituary, student recognition, ballet, dance, softball, soccer, tennis, creative writing, theater, high school honors, Ascension Episcopal School, University of the South, Sewanee

Transcript Highlights:

• 5882 is an act relating to industrial insurance coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder affecting local
• This is the bill that provides that local correctional facility workers may be eligible for an occupational
• you know, what this particular bill is trying to do: create revenues that could be used both for locals
• you know, what this particular bill is trying to do is create revenues that could be used both for locals

Bills: SB6290 , SB6282 , SB5379 , SB6197 , SB6158 , SB6302 , SB5882 , SB6303 , SB6180 , SB6195 , SB6196 , SB6204 , SB6287

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: liquor regulation, cannabis board, reorganization, state agency, governance, apprenticeship, behavioral health, construction trades, workforce training, wellness, interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• $100,000 to $150,000 or more increase, and these are avoidable costs that would otherwise fall on local
• Members, I'm here today with Representative Kerwin: a local bill to update and streamline the Johnson
• This is a local bill which addresses regulatory clarity in groundwater management within the Cow Creek
• I think this can go to local and consent, or depends on what the vote would be.
• The committee substitute changes section 562.051 of the local government Chairman: Code to narrow the

Bills: HB3115 , HB5671 , HB5693 , SB790 , SB1055 , SB1302 , SB1504 , SB1625 , SB1663 , SB2692

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses. The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending. Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support this—I believe in local control over local issues, and traffic safety in town is a pretty local
• Cutting off this funding would not punish local governments.
• Most Texans believe in local control, public safety, and fiscal responsibility.
• And this is at the local level; it seems almost like a local.
• Your local elected officials are asking for. Yes. And it just, I mean, it's...

Bills: HB341 , HB469 , HB971 , HB1624 , HB2721 , HB2959 , HB3365 , HB3731 , HB3793 , HB3861 , HB3946 , HB3966 , HB4348 , HB4401 , HB4402 , HB4924 , HB4966 , HB5563

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a huge... expense to our local governments.
• The counties, cities, and whatever local entities will still need to step up.
• That way, it's all locally driven.
• Were they sourced locally? Why were they used?
• There are additional fees beyond your local health inspection.

Bills: HB3000 , HB2622 , HB2283 , HB541 , HB1776 , HB1803 , HB1669 , HB2588 , HB220 , HB3415 , HB50 , HB1314 , HB 107 , HB220 , HB50 , HB107

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: ambulance service, rural healthcare, grants, financial assistance, qualified counties, mental health, patient transport, female attendants, security measures, healthcare regulation, epinephrine, anaphylaxis, health care, school safety, training, emergency response, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services

Bills: HB145 , SB29 , SB37 , SB64 , HB279 , HB292 , SB35 , SB40 , SB43 , SB48 , SB96 , SB143 , HB132 , SB20 , SB21 , SB101 , SJR1 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM30 , HM52 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB2 , SB264 , SB241

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening

Transcript Highlights:

• Local governments in Louisiana carry significant responsibilities.
• Most of our parish roads are built for local traffic only.
• 'We can't afford to take a hit to local funding.'
• Again, I think we need to rely on the locals to do what they do.
• Funding things more locally.

Bills: HB156 , HB474 , HB602 , HB633 , HB852

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: severance tax, parish revenue, constitutional amendment, natural resources, local government funding, HB 474, Act 400, Louisiana income tax, tax refund checkoff, refund donation, alumni association, Grambling University National Alumni Association, Louisiana Tech University Alumni Association, Department of Revenue, Title 47, voluntary contribution, tax return designation, state tax refund, nonprofit donation, higher education

Transcript Highlights:

• If they've already done a lot of this work to protect their local customers...
• As you consider this bill, we urge you to preserve the local governance flexibility that allows public
• As you consider this bill, we urge you to preserve the local governance flexibility that allows public
• And our local ratepayers are not impacted by data centers.
• She said she had heard from two ports about their local experiences with the bill.

Bills: SB6171 , SB5965 , SB5982 , SB6004 , SB6010 , SB5941 , SB6050

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: energy facilities, large energy consumers, regulation, environment, sustainability, retail bags, pollution, customer impact, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, the other speakers had mentioned that this will enhance local flexibility. ...to improve
• State to monitor elections in that county for the following two years. ...along with coordinating with local
• It allows an unelected political appointee to seize control of local affairs from locally elected officials

Bills: HB3097 , HB3691 , SB108 , SB827 , SB1541 , SB1862 , SB2166 , SB2216

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: Texas elections, Election Code, uniform election date, November election, local elections, political subdivisions, general election date, election administration, municipal utility district, county elections, local government, ballot scheduling, candidate filing, voter turnout, election calendar, HB 3097, early voting, electronic application, mail-in ballot, voting accessibility

Transcript Highlights:

• this was a last-minute, certainly a constituent-driven issue that came up in Coleman County where the local

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

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

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

Transcript Highlights:

• superintendents.
• I last served eight and a half years as superintendent at Elmore County.
• My name is Lyman Wood, County School Superintendent.
• Basically, the local board of education votes to become... local board of education votes to become a
• Conversion charter operates under the local board, right?

Bills: HB332 , HB166 , SB336 , HB447 , HB244

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: computer science, K-12 education, public schools, graduation requirement, digital literacy, coding, programming, STEM, artificial intelligence, AI, computational thinking, technology education, computer literacy, high school credit, middle school, elementary school, teacher training, professional development, distance learning, virtual school

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, when the legislature allocates funding for local airports, recipients are often required to
• This defeats the purpose of state support, which is intended to drive economic growth and support local
• Currently, when the legislature allocates funding for local airports, recipients are often required to
• Adding up state and local spending, we spend over $10 billion a year from general taxpayer funds, not
• It's almost all the local toll entities that do.

Bills: HB483 , HB3345 , HB3643 , HB3821 , HB3849 , HB4472 , HB4523 , HB4524 , HB5346 , HB5347 , HB5376

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Keywords: high-speed rail, Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, public-private partnership, comprehensive development agreement, CDA, Interstate 35, I-35 corridor, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, intercity passenger rail, rail infrastructure, private entity, transportation infrastructure, rail corridor, passenger rail, infrastructure finance, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, a community can only bring this issue to voters once every five years. limiting local control
• negotiate with this until after the election concluded, further showing how the current system restricts local
• support HB Many of you, like Chairman Canales, have been champions over the years. years to ensure that local

Bills: HB483 , HB3345 , HB3643 , HB3821 , HB3849 , HB4472 , HB4523 , HB4524 , HB5346 , HB5347 , HB5376

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Keywords: high-speed rail, Texas Department of Transportation, TxDOT, public-private partnership, comprehensive development agreement, CDA, Interstate 35, I-35 corridor, Dallas, Waco, Austin, San Antonio, intercity passenger rail, rail infrastructure, private entity, transportation infrastructure, rail corridor, passenger rail, infrastructure finance, vehicle registration

Bills: HB1550 , HB1592 , HB1964 , HB2002 , HB2063 , HB2118 , HB2128 , HB2669 , HB2765

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: veterinary, regulation, licensing, practices, board, administration, facilities, pest control, wildlife management, agriculture, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, HB 1964, Texas Agriculture Code, Chapter 251, agricultural operations, farmers, ranchers, livestock