Transcript Highlights:

• Now, of course, the state pays part of the Medicaid, but it's only a fraction of it.
• I'm here today to testify in support of this bill, which includes provisions designed to improve operations
• He said OII is still only operational in one of the 10 regions in the state, and he believes it intends
• to go operational in a second region at the end of March, if he recalls correctly.
• So a life of service is kind of what drives all of us sitting before you.

Bills: HB2387, HB2490, HB2508, HB2539

Keywords: elected sheriff, sheriff accountability, recall election, peace officer certification, certified peace officer, law enforcement authority, Washington RCW, criminal justice training commission, special election, public official recall, decertification, sheriff removal, voter accountability, county sheriff, police powers, extraordinary medical placement, compassionate release, medical parole, terminal illness, serious medical condition

Transcript Highlights:

• This matters because state employees already operate under a need of 20 standard after SB 376 in 2025
• And you can kind of think of us somewhat like the State Department of Ag, where a critical state need
• area of geothermal, we want to make sure that all of the, I don't know.
• So most of the seismicity that we see in that southeast corner is kind of one big cluster of earthquakes
• Draw, which is kind of west of Carlsbad.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: 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, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• of mathematics methods coursework. ...or secondary math endorsement to complete six hours of mathematics
• Are you just going to increase the amount of credit hours the teacher has to have to get their bachelor
• Content tends not to be a problem for secondary, where they've got 30 hours of math.
• Content tends not to be a problem for secondary, where they've got 30 hours of math.
• And I know there are a number of people who came in. We only have half an hour today.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: 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, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, the cause of action is the teeth of the proposal, and the cause of action I thought was
• of House Bill 2475.
• of Household 2475.
• Katie Durkin, here on behalf of the Washington Federation of State Employees, testifying in support of
• the Office of Equity in lieu of the Department of Personnel.

Bills: HB2352, HB2237, HB2249, HB2475, HB2408, HB2435, HB2309, HB2244, HB2281

Keywords: conflict of interest, transparency, state employees, municipal officers, ethics, fire safety, state fire marshals, regulation, public safety, emergency services, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• concern of the safety of residents and visitors.
• And part of it is we haven’t fully transitioned from the Department of Health to the Department of...
• And part of it is a lack of funding.
• I think the idea of this bill is to get government out of the way of home builders and home buyers, and
• And as of July 1st, 2028, there is full prohibition of the possession and use of AFFF statewide.

Bills: S0698, S0958, S1066, S1230, S1288

Keywords: onsite sewage treatment, disposal systems, building permits, environmental regulation, local government authority, drinking straws, stirrers, local regulation, compostable, environmental impact, Ocklawaha River, St. Johns River, Silver Springs, river restoration, dam removal, Kirkpatrick Dam, Buckman Lock, Cross Florida Barge Canal, environmental restoration, springs protection

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard and advanced several bills. SB 958, by Senator Bradley, would require local straw and stirrer ordinances to allow renewable, certified compostable, marine-biodegradable products; supporters said it would reduce reliance on paper straws that may contain PFAS and create more uniform standards. The bill was reported favorably after brief supportive testimony and no opposition. The committee also approved SB 1066, by Senator Broder, a major Ocklawaha/Rodman Dam restoration proposal. The bill would direct DEP to implement a phased restoration plan, create an advisory council with local and military representation, fund recreation and economic development projects, and address safety concerns tied to the dam’s age and high-hazard status. Supporters from conservation groups, river advocates, and some local residents praised the restoration and planning framework, while several Putnam County officials opposed the bill, arguing the reservoir supports recreation, water supply, and local interests. The committee adopted a late-filed amendment adding a Naval Air Station Jacksonville representative to the advisory council, then reported the committee substitute favorably. SB 698, by Senator Martin, was also reported favorably. It would let builders proceed with local building permits while septic permits are pending, rather than waiting for sequential approval, and includes a 120-day glide path related to new DEP rules; builders supported the bill as a way to reduce delays, while some senators questioned whether the transition period was too long. The committee then approved CS/SB 1230, by Senator Harrell, which phases out PFAS-containing firefighting foam, restricts non-emergency training use, requires inventory and disposal reporting, creates DEP rulemaking and a grant program, and exempts certain federal, military, and emergency uses. Finally, the committee favorably reported CS/SB 1288, also by Senator Harrell, to designate a water body in the Jupiter Narrows area in honor of Andrew Red Harris, with a technical amendment clarifying the shoal designation. Several members later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee overlaps some of the other committees.
• Yes, I have two of them.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Uh we wheel of confirming with that.
• In Dothan, we have a large company that transports all types of material, tobacco being one of them.

Bills: HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145, HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145

Keywords: elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, HVAC, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, warranty transfer, manufacturer warranty, consumer protection, home sale, residential real property, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• And it overlaps some of the other committees.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• of them.
• transports all type of material tobacco being<00:07:53.599><c> one</c><00:07:53.759><c> of</c><00:07

Bills: HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145, HB66, HB79, HB95, HB145

Keywords: elder abuse, financial exploitation, inheritance, joint tenancy, conviction effects, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, HVAC, air conditioning, heating, ventilation, warranty transfer, manufacturer warranty, consumer protection, home sale, residential real property, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• It relates to developing a strategic plan for improvement and expansion of early learning educational
• Members, this bill relates to prohibiting the regulation of homeschool programs.
• It relates to allowing the chair of the State Board of Education to employ personnel to assist in performing
• Members, this bill relates to the use of funds awarded under the Jobs and Education for Texans. known
• We had a whole list of bills to be reviewed in the morning; we'll try to move.

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• water supply chain operators a free pass from ensuring the safety of their processes, products, and
• Produced water is not ready to be used outside of oil and gas operations, only... come join us.
• Produced water is not ready to be used outside of oil and gas operations, only Chris Noonan continued
• : “Produced water is not ready to be used outside of oil and gas operations.
• is located to its original condition prior to the start of plugging or replugging operations, prevent

Bills: SB3074, HB49, HB2440, HB3556, HB3619, HB3866, HB4042, HB4112, HB4271, HB4413, HB4426, HB5033

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Summary: The committee heard and laid out several natural resources and environmental bills, with testimony focused on balancing development, public health, wildlife protection, and regulatory authority. SB 3074 would allow the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to communicate in writing with TCEQ about matters before the commission, with safeguards requiring the communication to be part of the record and allowing other parties to respond; a committee substitute narrowed it to written communications about permits only, limited legislator communications to facilities in their districts, and adjusted conflict-of-interest rules. HB 3556, as substituted, would require notice to Texas Parks and Wildlife for certain very tall structures in specified coastal counties and give TPWD a limited right to seek injunctive relief if mitigation is insufficient to prevent material harm to migratory birds; supporters said it would address ignored wildlife recommendations and protect key flyways, while opponents argued the bill was too broad, singled out wind energy, and gave one agency unusually strong enforcement power. HB 49 would expand liability protections for produced-water recycling and beneficial use; supporters said it would encourage reuse of a large wastewater stream and reduce disposal pressures, while opponents warned it could shield operators from responsibility before the science and standards are mature. HB 4413 would authorize mass-balance accounting for renewable biomass feedstocks, and HB 3866 would regulate intermediate bulk container recycling facilities near homes, with a committee substitute adding a grandfather clause and making implementation contingent on funding. The committee also heard bills affecting air and energy regulation. HB 5033 would create a trigger to end vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes to allow it; the substitute removed a Supreme Court-related trigger, and the lone public witness opposed the bill, warning it would worsen air quality and harm nonattainment areas. HB 4112 would clarify that on-site storage of high-level radioactive waste is allowed at current and future nuclear reactors and university research reactors only for waste generated at that site; the substitute clarified the language and removed an inoperative permit condition, and witnesses from environmental and nuclear groups said the clarification was needed to prevent unintended restrictions while avoiding off-site storage. HB 2440 would prohibit state agencies from using air-quality rules to ban or restrict vehicles based on energy source, including internal combustion vehicles, and no public testimony was offered. HB 4271 would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on request for composting facility authorizations; the substitute limited the requirement to future applications and was presented as a transparency measure after a denied local request and extensive public comments. Additional bills addressed landowner protections and Railroad Commission oversight. HB 3619 would require the Railroad Commission to restore surface land after plugging or replugging operations and indemnify landowners from damages tied to authorized entry; a witness supported the bill but urged fixing a separate statutory loophole that he said allowed operators to enter unrelated tracts without notice. HB 4042 would extend Railroad Commission pipeline safety and fee provisions to propane distribution systems by removing the word “natural” from the relevant definitions. HB 4426 would set a 10-year permit term for commercial surface disposal facilities, allow renewal based on compliance history, and require renewal applications 120 days before expiration. The committee took no votes because a quorum was not initially present, and each bill was left pending after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4285 updates a narrow section of the Alcohol Beverage Code to reflect the operational needs
• ... local appointed or elected official of the governing body of a political subdivision of this state
• Madison and Jefferson in particular said that to expect one part of an agent of a group of people who
• Because a review of our history since the adoption of our Constitution shows a steady pattern of careless
• Well, on behalf of Senator Schwertner, I kind of want to think of one, but I guess I'll wait.

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Transcript Highlights:

• An example I tend to cite is China, where the ByteDance owner-operator has their own version of TikTok
• In the case of those of you who have younger siblings, it seems like you kind of like the spirit of the
• I look up and it's three hours later, and I haven't built anything, but it's kind of that deal.
• How proud I am of all of you.
• I tell you all, I was born and raised in the small town of Victoria, Texas, about two hours south of

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, it's very clear, but I just love that. So how many hours?
• So I'd say I'd spend about an hour and a half to two hours, but I will confess that a lot of that time
• First of all, it's very clear, but I just love that. So how many hours?
• So I'd say I'd spend about an hour and a half to two hours, but I will confess that a lot of that time
• I was born and raised in the small town of Victoria, Texas, about two hours southeast of here.

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 186, which would require social media platforms to verify users are 18 or older before allowing account creation. Invited witnesses in support, including Mary Elizabeth Castle and David Dunmoyer, argued the bill would protect children from harmful algorithms, addictive design, bullying, sexual exploitation, and mental health harms, and emphasized parental rights and the idea that minors should not enter binding contracts with platforms. Committee members questioned them about how algorithms work, whether parents could realistically monitor content, and whether the bill would still allow educational use; the witnesses said the bill was narrowly aimed at harmful social media use and not educational content. Public testimony on HB 186 was largely in opposition, though several student witnesses said they supported the bill’s goals but wanted the age lowered to 16 or the bill amended to allow parental consent or joint accounts. Opponents argued the bill would be ineffective because teens could bypass age checks, would cut off access to educational tools, school communications, recruiting and NIL opportunities, and would burden free speech and privacy. Some witnesses also said social media helps teens with mental health, community, and creative or professional opportunities, while others warned the bill could disproportionately harm disabled and marginalized users. After public testimony closed, HB 186 was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 5138, which Chairman Hughes said would respond to a court ruling limiting the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes unless invited by local prosecutors by changing the statute to require AG prosecution. Public testimony on HB 5138 was brief and opposed by at least one witness who argued it would further erode local control and expand state preemption. The bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3225, a library bill aimed at keeping sexually explicit books and materials out of children’s sections in municipal libraries and requiring age verification for checkout, including digital access, with parental consent and other revisions added in the House. Supporters said the bill would protect children from explicit material and keep such content in adult sections, while opponents argued it would amount to censorship, be costly and difficult to implement, and could be used to target LGBTQ+ or other marginalized content. Library workers, parents, students, and advocates testified that existing library sections already separate age-appropriate materials and that the bill could reduce access to books, burden libraries, and infringe on parental choice and free expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of bills in committee.
• hours in the interim discussing every change made to ensure that changes do not alter the meaning of
• This includes an in-depth discussion of the placement of commas and the replacement of outdated legalese
• It's also a showcase of some of the most popular movies of all time, featuring a vibrant music and art
• of Texas.

Bills: HCR75, HCR93, SB644, SCR2, SCR17, HB2703, HCR92, HCR7, HCR126, HB1615, HB1610, HB1620, HCR86, HCR7

Keywords: Hemphill, bass fishing, tourism, state recognition, conservation, recreational activities, Nacogdoches, Garden Capital, public gardens, sustainability, horticultural heritage, hospice, palliative care, awareness day, healthcare, patient care, state regulation, taxation, education, local authority

Transcript Highlights:

• William Bob Cornett, the Mayor of Crescent, passed away on. December 31st of 2023.
• House Bill 1672 came flying out of the House of Representatives. ...with a total of one no vote.
• March 5th, 2025, in favor of renaming this stretch of roadway.
• Senate Bill 2790 will name part of US Highway 67 South. of Interstate 20 in recognition of the late Congresswoman
• For 30 years before retiring in 2023, as a member of Congress, she secured hundreds of millions of dollars

Bills: HB767, HB1708, HB2143, HB2198, HB2415, HB2457, HB2763, SB876, SB1230, SB2515, SB2688, SB2790, SB2799, HB3012, HB1672, HB2523, HB3135

Keywords: highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, memorial highway, Kevin Ramirez Vasquez, Ector County, state designation, memorial designation, highway, military honors, veteran commemoration, Officer Jacob Candanoza, Transportation Code, state highway, Kaufman County, law enforcement, Travis County, Senior Police Officer

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the 20 teeth in his mouth, 16 of them required treatment, including the extraction of 10 teeth. and
• But you can't eliminate contracts because of factors outside of the control of the agents as well.
• I said in one of them inadequate staffing facilities in office space of the agent, and that's kind of
• of Texas, so we are in favor of HB 813.
• in any kind of subset is just outside of their realm of job duties.

Bills: HB813, HB1680, HB3569, HB4074, HB4635, HB5178, SB527, SB1307, SB1822

Keywords: autism, health insurance, coverage, medical treatment, health benefit plan, HIV prevention, prescription drug, prior authorization, health benefits, insurance coverage, insurance, contract termination, property and casualty, insurance agents, discrimination, appraiser, umpire, licensing requirements, continuing education, admin penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• But it was just Operation Lone Star, and I can get you a breakdown of what those arrests are.
• There's been a lot of operations and incidents in the state where federal law enforcement and military
• I bring 22 years of military service where I also served on Operation Lone Star as an officer.
• In my role as Assistant Operations Director of the 1848 Event Center, formerly known as the Webb County
• As the Operations Manager of a venue that hosts everything...

Bills: HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023, SB 36

Keywords: employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense, registration, public safety, violent offenses, criminal database, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me just say that this bill provides two hours. ...and it can be online, and of course it's already
• Was TECO able to say if it would be able to work into their existing hours of training?
• This is going to be a part of the 40-hour crash intervention training module. I think that's it.
• We've all seen quite a bit of them in South Texas with Operation Lone Star and so forth going on.
• Some of the... They travel a few hours to get to their drill.

Bills: SB 36, HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax, employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense

Transcript Highlights:

• of Texas.
• half years of, of her aging out of the system.
• There are a number of suicides of the parents because of the, the, the work that happened.
• my understanding of how, of, of transgender surgeries, of how someone who is transgender when they have
• Because a lot of us have gone through a lot of pain.

Bills: HB 2646, HB 3941, HB 5153, HB 5155, HB 5394, HB 1106, HB 426, HB 4529, HB 3984, HB 4273, HB 1097, HB 3940, HB 1941, HB 4377, HB 3153

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• So the photo on the back of the page were photos I took in November of 2024 of a county that was opening
• Is that a certain part of Texas? It's part of Harris County. Oh, it's part of Harris County. Okay.
• To that, in 48 hours? We'll ask the chairman if he's thought about that part of it.
• oath of office that I take, just like all of you take.
• What I'm hearing is that the Secretary of State is in charge of all of our elections.

Bills: HB569, HB766, HB1638, HB2316, HB2773, HB2785, HB3113, HB3709, HB3775, HB4275

Keywords: early voting, ballot correction, voting rights, election integrity, mail-in voting, voter notification, HB 766, precinct chair, precinct chair candidate, ballot application, Texas Election Code, Section 172.021, election administration, candidate filing, party precinct chair, county party, political party office, email address, telephone number, confidential candidate information

Transcript Highlights:

• go a quick overview of again u kind of go a quick overview of again u kind of go a quick overview of
• of the way these funds application of of the way these funds application of of the way these funds are
• The the premise of the of the law that The the premise of the of the law that The the premise of the
• As a father of eight of Education. As a father of eight of Education.
• Well, I'm kind of reminded of a Well, I'm kind of reminded of a Well, I'm kind of reminded of a situation

Bills: HB258, HB324, HB333, SB270, HB258, HB324, HB333, SB270

Keywords: primary election, election calendar, off-presidential year, May primary, second Tuesday in May, fourth Tuesday in May, runoff primary, special primary, presidential primary, election administration, candidate filing, ballot access, political parties, county election officials, state election law, Alabama elections, sheriffs, term of office, Alabama law, local government