Transcript Highlights:

• throat] [clears throat] [clears throat] [snorts] We're going to call the meeting to order, and the first
• And so this constitutional amendment would just go in and say, "Hey, if that vacancy happens in the first
• day of the term and the lieutenant first day of the term and the lieutenant governor<00:22:31.440>
• And so this uh constitutional<00:22:44.720> amendment<00:22:45.120> would<00:22:45.360>
• just<00:22:45.520> go constitutional amendment would just go constitutional amendment

Bills: SB223, SB271, SB223, SB271

Keywords: expungement, nonviolent felony, criminal record, restoration of rights, human trafficking, SB271, Alabama, municipalities, city fees, town fees, franchise fees, utility franchise, natural gas, manufactured gas, gas utility, public streets, public places, right-of-way, municipal consent, gross receipts tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, Vice Chair Hayes moves that Senate Bill 2052, without amendments, be approved and reported
• SB1164 amends the emergency detainer process in Texas to enable this non-criminal remedy.
• Over the years, this section has been amended to expressly include various courts and entities within
• SB311 addresses that issue by amending that section of the Government Code to clarify that the Texas
• The legislature is attempting to effectively amend the Constitution by statute.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• the evaluation criteria used by groundwater conservation... districts in Texas before issuing or amending
• protections for registrants against the unreasonable impacts of new groundwater permits or permit amendments
• During my first term in the Texas House, I carried this bill for Burleson County.
• Yeah, we can do that first, that's fine.
• Launched by Senator Hinojosa, Senator Kochhorst's recommendation amends that House Bill 2018 do pass

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

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

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair moves that Senate Bill 1062 be approved without amendment.
• Yeah, it's usually right at the end of the first trimester.
• And so, but it's usually right at the end of the first trimester.
• I want to know, so it's basically like the first trimester. OK. Thank you. Yeah.
• That statute was amended to allow lawsuits related to pregnancy loss.

Bills: HB229, HB3990, HB5082, HB5510, HB229

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

Transcript Highlights:

• To begin, despite the vague references that it blankly claims to avoid violations of the First Amendment
• It's an extreme government overreach that restricts not only medical care but our First Amendment rights
• Also, this bill is an example of viewpoint discrimination, which falls under the First Amendment.
• I should hope that the First Amendment applies to everyone in this room equally, especially our elected
• They are just trying to pass another overreach of legislation that again comes after our First Amendment

Bills: HB229, HB229, HB3990, HB5082, HB5510

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

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, we've got a number of bills to vote on, members.
• has been withdrawn from the agenda this morning. ...If there's no other business right now, well, first
• Using deepfake technology, the chair moves that House Bill 449 without amendments be reported favorably
• Okay, Representative Louderback moves that House Bill 1713 without amendments be reported favorably to
• First of all, Mr. Cook offers a committee substitute, which has been distributed.

Bills: HB867, HB1347, HB1801, HB1820, HB2197, HB2617, HB3110, HB3166, HB3330, HB4237, HB4342, HB4629, HB4933, HJR148

Keywords: criminal case dismissal, attorney discretion, law enforcement misconduct, judicial approval, evidence, judicial consent, transparency, healthcare, Medicare, insurance, elderly, retired, benefits, access, cost, criminal justice, case dismissal, prosecutorial discretion, law enforcement oversight, criminal procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• This creates an... well first let me explain.
• Specifically, the bill number one amends Article 45A.
• Bowers first. She just has one witness.
• I love the 4th Amendment, the 5th Amendment. The 2nd Amendment is probably one of my favorites.
• First, this was a common-sense law.

Bills: HB867, HB1347, HB1801, HB1820, HB2197, HB2617, HB3110, HB3166, HB3330, HB4237, HB4342, HB4629, HB4933, HJR148

Keywords: criminal case dismissal, attorney discretion, law enforcement misconduct, judicial approval, evidence, judicial consent, transparency, healthcare, Medicare, insurance, elderly, retired, benefits, access, cost, criminal justice, case dismissal, prosecutorial discretion, law enforcement oversight, criminal procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• First off, in discussions that we had prior to coming in, an amendment was handed to me as I came in.
• amendment.
• That's what the purpose of the amendment is. Mr. President, I move that we adopt the amendment.
• In that case, I'll second the motion on the amendment. I'll second the motion on the amendment.
• Approve the amendment, say "aye." Any opposed? All right, we'll have the amendment now.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So the last time the state actually came together to amend our constitution was in 1947. Wow.
• You said this is your first time providing testimony before a House committee. Yes, sir.
• These are exactly the men and women that we need as first responders and service members.
• First up, we have Mr. Stephen Price. Good morning, sir. Thank you for being back with us.
• I did not take a duplicate registration; the first time I was in a press briefing.

Bills: HCR7, HB1557, HB1608, HB2061, HB2201, HB2210, HB2426, HB2754, HJR165, HB2513, HCR7

Keywords: Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, first, let me extend our sincere gratitude for the legislation.
• The bill seeks to amend Chapter 28. 8a of the Texas Water Code by implementing, implementing planning
• The assurance of a Class C misdemeanor for floodplain violations upon the first offender and a Class
• Members, this is the constitutional amendment. heard earlier this morning. The chair moves that H.
• Seven without amendment be reported favorably to the full house.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• R7 is the first step towards closing that funding gap by constitutionally dedicating $1 billion. dollars
• First, thank you for introducing HDR7. Your leadership here is great.
• It's getting hot. points I wanted to make have already been made, but to sum it up, first, as the chairman
• were pretty profound, but a few of these. statistics I want to leave you with and then I'll head out first
• First of all, our members support... local management of groundwater and we clearly have groundwater

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• time I sat in that chair; we had to cut a tremendous amount from the budgets, I believe 10 to 15% the first
• We saw this in our first evaluation of suicide prevention. evaluation of suicide prevention programs
• I got a couple first. Okay. Um, how I know on your website I've looked at it.
• I'll let you go first. I appreciate Mr. Chairman. Okay. Listen, mine is simply this.
• First bill on the agenda: House Bill 65, sponsored by Representative Brain.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, let me just, for the record.
• First of all, we're talking about local tax? Yeah. So let's say the local tax.
• There are, I mean, that's the first box. So that's, so your situation.
• Well, first, I'm not too terribly worried about 1,600 taxing districts.
• Sure, first I just want to thank Kara for being here.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair calls this first panel from the Bureau of Economic Geology.
• So this amendment enshrines the right to engage in producing minerals.
• But that's so I'd recommend you reject this amendment. Members, any questions?
• So that is the first action. In regards to if they don't call in.
• So the first one is. Uh, uh, uh, you have...

Bills: HB206, HB 1285, HB1335, HJR107, HB206

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, HB 1285, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, drones, unmanned aircraft, UAS, drone inspections, oil and gas, pipeline inspection, surface mining, well sites, tank batteries, disposal wells, injection sites, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• I am thankful for the First Amendment and I continue to trust Texas parents. will be able to choose the
• Ultimately this is a blatant attack on our First Amendment right of free speech and expression.
• First Amendment protects artistic expression and drag is art. Drag is a performance.
• Plain and simple, the state is still in litigation over First Amendment concerns for SB 12 passed in
• David Hittner said that that bill inter permissibly infringes on the First Amendment and chills free

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• few witnesses and then we'll move through the agenda and see what we can get done. doing my bills first
• And one key change they made was moving the Electoral College. his meeting date to the first Tuesday
• rules and federal laws are issued that chip away at sovereignty granted to the states by the Tenth Amendment

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee amendment pending, Mr. President. Committee amendment pending, Mr. President.
• President, I have an amendment with the D received and read the amendment.
• The first amendment I read at least three times, and I’m like, why in the world is this word for word
• So the first amendment is no change in words. The second one... right now, there is a...
• I'd like to amend... Would the desk receive the amendment?

Bills: SJR 1, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 36, SJR 1, SJR 5, SB 9, SB 40, SR 61, SR 91, SR 97, SR 103, SR 104, SR 112, SR 115, SR 116, SCR 16, SB 26, SB 26

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, Texas Music Advocacy Day, music industry

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want to limit it to an area of the state to look at first, I'll take that amendment from you.
• A 172 is the constitutional amendment part of it, or would you rather debate the 189 first?
• We amended it and it came out of Commerce. You amended it in Commerce.
• Robinson, the amendments, please. This amendment is at 5,300.
• As amended? As amended.

Bills: HR3, HR80, HB4, HB172, HB189, HB623, HB944, HB1185, HB1199, HB1222, SB105, SB125, SB461

Keywords: housing assistance, state-owned property, cost-burdened, state employees, affordable housing, fiscal audit, higher education, public funds, underrepresented minorities, Board of Regents, Louisiana legislation, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, airport authority, fire protection, supplemental pay, public safety

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which would reinstate an existing TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans after a sunset expired. The author said the program had been underused because it was not well promoted, but that the new veterans workforce effort called “The Boot” would help connect veterans to the benefit. Members confirmed it would use existing TOPS funds and not require new money, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3 asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be used for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. The author described it as an exploratory study, while members raised concerns about the fiscal note and the scope of the study. Fiscal staff explained the agency had requested additional positions to do the work. The committee discussed narrowing the study to certain areas, but the resolution was ultimately reported favorably. House Bill 189 sought supplemental pay for fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport. The author and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform hazardous, specialized ARFF duties at a busy public airport and should be treated like other supplemental-pay recipients. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualified under existing law and whether the proposal would expand an already costly program. After debate, the committee rejected the bill on an 8-10 vote. The committee then reported Senate Bill 461 favorably, which would place certain small groups of active employees under the Office of Group Benefits to improve insurance rates without using general fund money. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor product producers, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was amended to clarify the direct-to-consumer shipment prohibition and then reported favorably. House Bill 1222, which would authorize LED to create a grocery initiative grant and assistance program to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters said it would only create incentives for private grocers and related assistance. It was amended and reported favorably by a 16-2 vote. Finally, House Resolution 80, as amended, would shift a proposed audit-related effort on higher education budget metrics away from the legislative auditor and toward university systems’ own boards; members questioned the need for a look-back report and the added workload, and the chair indicated he would move to recommit the resolution to the education committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will move the A1 amendment to House File 4407. >> Would you like to briefly mention what the amendment
• amendment prior to the vote? amendment prior to the vote?
• This uh, this amendment<00:04:58.320> comes amendment comes amendment comes as<00:05:00.080>
• The amendment prevails yet again, and the amendment is actually adopted. All right.
• Uh first, I I support the support.

Bills: HF4407, HF4382

Keywords: child welfare, African American children, racial disproportionality, family preservation, reunification, foster care, kinship care, relative placement, noncustodial parent, guardian ad litem, ombudsperson, Department of Human Services, county social services, active efforts, reasonable efforts, child protection, placement, out-of-home placement, Northstar kinship assistance, data disaggregation

Summary: The Children and Families Committee adopted the April 8 minutes and then took up House File 4407, as amended by the A1 amendment. The amendment, explained by nonpartisan staff, incorporated much of the Senate version of related legislation and made a series of changes: it revised the definition of “disproportionately represented child,” shifted that determination to the Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families, made technical cross-reference and terminology updates, adjusted training requirements, set the working group to expire December 31, 2027, and added an appropriation for statewide implementation. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then referred the bill to Ways and Means. Representative Gilman said the bill is intended to preserve the goals of the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act while addressing operational, legal, and fiscal problems before statewide implementation. He argued for delaying the effective date by one year, shifting case review responsibilities to the state, and providing funding so counties are not left with an unfunded mandate. He also said the bill adds safety measures related to synthetic opioids and other imminent-harm concerns, and that the delay would allow the working group to finish its recommendations and give counties time to prepare. County officials Steve Schmidt of Meeker County/Minnesota Rural Counties and Jenny Mojo of Clay County testified in support of the bill as amended, emphasizing that counties need clearer responsibilities, staffing, training, technology, and dependable funding to implement the law successfully. Rebecca St. George of DCYF said “active efforts” is not absolutely defined and is determined case by case, often with court involvement. Members raised questions about the meaning of active efforts, the bill’s synthetic opioid language, and whether the proposal should apply more broadly rather than within this specific act. A citizen also cautioned that the opioid language should not unintentionally affect families in treatment programs. Representative Hicks warned that the fentanyl provisions could lead to broad removals and create placement problems for teens with substance use disorder, while Representative Gilman responded that the bill includes a rebuttable presumption and is meant to protect children from imminent harm.