Transcript Highlights:

• And I remind people as you travel through rural districts, if you have an accident on those roads, you

Bills: SB868 , SB1337 , SB1371 , SB1377 , SB1426 , SB1620 , SB2064 , SB2065 , SJR4 , SJR 4

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: SB 868, rural volunteer fire department assistance program, volunteer fire department assistance fund, Texas Government Code, wildfire, wildland fire, high-risk wildfire area, fire suppression, rural fire departments, volunteer firefighters, emergency response, public safety, grant allocation, appropriations, disaster preparedness, tax penalties, interest calculation, overpayment, tax law, refund process

Transcript Highlights:

• As many of you know, on Monday I had a little bit of an accident.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we mine coal, we have trucks that go back and forth; they get in accidents sometimes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They and I are concerned about what it will do to traffic and to the already difficult task of finding
• it</c><01:20:40.560><c> will</c><01:20:40.719><c> do</c><01:20:40.800><c> to</c><01:20:41.040><c> traffic
• </c><01:20:41.920><c> and</c><01:20:42.080><c> to</c> about what it will do to traffic and to about what
• it will do to traffic and to the<01:20:42.480><c> already</c><01:20:42.880><c> difficult</c><01:20:43.360
• locations at the north end of the main beach, particularly the one closest to Boar's Head, where traffic

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 27FN, which would change how improvements to dwellings over water are handled and align those projects more closely with the state building code. The bill was presented by Trisha Milo on behalf of Senator Lang, and attorney John Cronin explained that it arose from a specific New Hampshire Supreme Court case involving the Newcombs’ lakeside property, but that it could affect a small number of older waterfront homes statewide. He said the intent was to give the Department of Environmental Services (DES) limited waiver authority for improvements that do not harm water quality, plant life, or fish, while still requiring DES review and local permits. Committee members asked several questions about the scope of the bill, including whether it was tied to one case, how many properties might be affected, what counts as “living space,” and whether the language could allow larger decks or other expansions. Cronin said the bill was meant to be narrow, focused on access and egress and not on creating new living space, and that DES would still be able to deny unreasonable requests. He also described the Newcombs’ project as a rehabilitation of an older structure that had been approved locally and later challenged by DES, leading to the current dispute. Darlene Forst, the Wetlands Bureau administrator at DES, testified in opposition. She said the department was surprised the bill was being heard because it believed the Senate had sent it to interim study, and she argued the language was unclear and could have broader statewide effects than intended. Forst also said the underlying case was still active and should not be effectively re-litigated through this bill. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• trafficking: the little things, the unusual body language, the overflowing waste baskets, and considerable traffic

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House began with ceremonial and procedural business, including adoption of resolutions recognizing the National Asian Pacific American Caucus and several orders extending reporting deadlines for committees, all of which were adopted by suspension of the rules. The House also concurred with a Senate petition concerning accidental death benefits for the surviving spouse of a former Boston firefighter, referring it to the Committee on Public Service. The chamber then took up several Ways and Means bills and local matters, including human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers, teacher benefits under the Retirement Plus program, and land/easement measures for Westford, Wellesley, and Bourne. Most of these items were advanced to third reading after amendments were adopted. The House also moved through a series of local bills on the calendar, ordering multiple measures to third reading, including bills related to Watertown digital legal notices, Newton alarm divisions, Springfield property tax assessment, Natick’s charter, Beckett conservation commission membership, and Leicester stabilization funds. Later, the House considered and passed two major bills to be engrossed by roll call vote. H. 4361, relative to benefits for teachers, was supported by members who described it as a long-sought fix to Retirement Plus enrollment problems caused by unclear implementation and communication years ago; it passed 158-0. H. 4360, requiring human trafficking recognition training for certain hospitality workers, also drew strong support from members and advocates emphasizing victim identification, hotel and motel staff training, and anti-trafficking enforcement; an amendment updating the training language was adopted, and the bill likewise passed 158-0. The House then recessed until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot more traffic on the road, a lot more teenagers are driving in school zones than ever before

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 26 and considered several resolutions and one Senate bill dealing with transportation project delivery, vehicle safety, school-zone safety, flooding, and highway signage. The committee first took up SCR 64, which creates a task force to study construction management at risk (CMAR) for public works. An amendment added representatives from Louisiana Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors to the task force, and the resolution was reported with amendments. The committee also heard HR 282, which creates a task force to study utility terrain vehicles with Louisiana State Police and other stakeholders; an amendment added the State Fire Marshal, and the resolution was reported with amendments. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 513, which addressed public works project delivery methods and included a proposal for an average-bid award method as well as design-build authority for airports and vertiports. Testimony from a Reason Foundation policy analyst and a Louisiana Associated General Contractors representative opposed the average-bid concept, arguing it lacked U.S. precedent, could encourage collusion, and could raise costs, while airport-related design-build provisions were supported. The committee adopted an amendment in concept to remove the average-bid language, then reported SB 513 with amendments by a vote of 11 yeas and 4 nays. The committee also reported SCR 62 favorably, which urges DOTD to evaluate all school zones on state highways in response to safety concerns and near misses involving crossing guards and distracted driving. In addition, HCR 112 was reported favorably to study flooding on Louisiana Highway 1 in Shreveport, and HR 275 was reported favorably to study an interstate highway signage maintenance and reporting program. The meeting concluded after all items were acted on and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would side eye to try to figure out how you could get the car to move like that in the lane of traffic

Bills: HB1800 , HB1860 , HB2250 , HB472 , HB649 , HB1391 , HB1481 , HB1509 , HB1511 , HB1515 , HB1518 , HB1541 , HB1548 , HB1576 , HB1618 , HB1642 , HB1643 , HB1661 , HB1667 , HB1678 , HB1682 , HB1688 , HB1692 , HB1707 , HB1710 , HB1711 , HB1713 , HB1718 , HB1721 , HB1728 , HB1737 , HB1740 , HB1741 , HB1785 , HB1801 , HB1802 , HB1804 , HB1810 , HB1815 , HB1824 , HB1838 , HB1839 , HB1853 , HB1854 , HB1864 , HB1870 , HB1881 , HB1888 , HB1890 , HB1891 , HB1894 , HB1920 , HB1959 , HB1960 , HB1969 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2023 , HB2050 , HB2078 , HB2094 , HB2095 , HB2104 , HB2137 , HB2152 , HB2158 , HB2171 , HB2207 , HB2218 , HB2246 , HB2270 , HB2271 , HB2272 , HB2279 , HB2282 , HB2289 , HB2293 , HB2297 , HB2300 , HB2309 , HB2310 , HB2314 , HB2319 , HB2329 , HB2338 , HB2339 , HB2344 , HB2361 , HB2385 , HB2395 , HB2417 , HB2429 , HB2443 , HB2452 , HB2474 , HB2475 , HB2498 , HB2505 , HB2547 , HB2576

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• President, your Committee on Public Safety, having under consideration SB 1010 relating to traffic highway

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done a lot to help out with our traffic fatalities across the state.

Summary: The Senate took up a proposed consent calendar package and advanced it to the consent calendar by voice vote, with remarks noting the measures had broad agreement, no con testimony, and support from chairs and ranking members. Members also briefly noted that many of the items in the package were minority-party bills. The chamber then advanced a long series of bills from the white sheet to the floor or second reading calendar, generally without opposition. Topics included HIV antiviral drug coverage without prior authorization (SB 6183), limits on carrier refund requests to providers (SB 6071), extending limits on replacing jobs with fully automated equipment (SB 5995), medically tailored meals under Apple Health (SB 5966), earned wage access services (SB 5328), financial aid outreach for high school seniors (SB 5841), campaign finance reporting timing (SB 5840), a tourism promotion program (SB 6061), wage enforcement flexibility for Labor and Industries (SB 6058), workforce development changes (SB 5931), collective bargaining for language access providers (SB 5944), compensation petitions for wrongfully convicted persons (SB 5520), court safety background checks for judges and staff (SB 6011), liability protections for donated baby items (SB 6087), clean energy procurement for consumer-owned utilities (SB 6076), non-opioid pain treatment coverage (SB 5916), technical land-use changes involving aquifer recharge areas (SB 6016), human trafficking remedies and business liability (SB 5936), collegiate sports wagering limits in tribal casinos (SB 6137), pathways to medical licensure for overseas graduates (SB 5185), AI and surveillance limits in K-12 discipline and safety decisions (SB 5956), fetal death definition changes (SB 6025), permanent direct-appeal procedures for environmental and land-use cases (SB 6009), allowing unattended vehicles to idle briefly to protect pets (SB 5833), dementia education materials from the Department of Health (SB 6161), asbestos training rules (SB 6188), negligent driving changes tied to excessive speeding (SB 5890), abortion medication reimbursement changes in corrections settings (SB 5917), a Growth Management Act exemption repeal for one county (SB 5820), initiative and referendum process protections related to money in signature campaigns (SB 5973), a federal wildfire response memorial (SJM 8015), juice grapes under agricultural marketing rules (SB 5816), workers’ compensation rate transparency (SB 6136), and a real estate marketing transparency bill (SB 6091). Most motions passed by voice vote with little debate, though a few drew brief support or opposition. Senator Braun opposed the bill extending the prohibition on replacing jobs with fully automated equipment, and Senator Short opposed the bill on initiative and referendum financing and the bill removing a county-specific Growth Management Act exemption. The meeting ended after no further business was raised and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2907 Voting Centers; 2909 Early Voting; 2911 Dispute Resolution; 2916 Registrar of Contractors; 2916 Traffic

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation Committee and served on committees for banks and financial institutions, motor vehicle and traffic

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some officers even made unrecorded traffic stops on persons the cartel wanted kidnapped so that cartel

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• have to do on a daily basis. in the district attorney's office, and they can get more money. doing traffic

Bills: HB467 , HB318 , HB503 , HB198 , HB318 , HB198

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: hospital district, Cedar Creek, scholarship, dissolution, county judges, healthcare funding, grant program, rural counties, law enforcement, sheriff's departments, funding, public safety, deputy shortages, sheriff, prosecutor, salary assistance, HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening

Transcript Highlights:

• The visibility of what Representative Fidler has on one of my municipalities didn't even have a traffic

Bills: HB333 , HB329 , HB362

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Keywords: law enforcement, training facility, regional authority, municipal cooperation, public safety, military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, transparency, public meetings, accountability, education, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Who is traffic copping? That list of applications, do you know?

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or shifting traffic patterns. Which are all factors we are seeing impact every state in the nation.

Transcript Highlights:

• These men and women protect lives and property by responding to emergencies, accidents, and natural disasters
• fire, oil field-related explosion, fast-moving aggressive grass fire, or people who buzzed by our accident
• when I stood here, one of the very first meetings is that we actually have people that drive by the accident

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, a quorum was established, and the minutes from the prior meeting were approved. The first major presentation came from Montana Public Employees Retirement System executive director William Hollahan, who gave an overview of Montana’s Volunteer Firefighters’ Compensation Act plan. He explained that the plan covers volunteer firefighters in unincorporated areas, is funded by 5% of state fire insurance premium taxes, and currently serves 228 departments with about 2,936 active members and 1,242 retirees. He described eligibility rules, annual training and reporting requirements, benefit levels for partial and full pensions, disability, death, medical, and funeral benefits, and said the plan is actuarially sound with roughly $60 million in assets and a funded ratio slightly above 100%. Committee members asked about prior-service credit, whether EMS personnel are included, the effect on recruitment and retention, and whether expanding coverage would require a funding analysis; Hollahan said prior service is not credited, EMS is not currently included, and any expansion would need financial review. Tim Walleen of Workforce Safety and Insurance then presented a draft North Dakota workers’ compensation solution for volunteer firefighters and volunteer EMS personnel. He explained that volunteer responders are already covered by workers’ comp for medical and wage-loss benefits, but the proposal would set a minimum annual wage of $30,000 for calculating wage-loss benefits for qualifying volunteers, with the benefit paid at two-thirds of that amount. Representative Porter suggested tying the volunteer definition to existing code rather than a fixed dollar amount, and Walleen agreed. Questions focused on whether search and rescue or other volunteer emergency services could be included, whether departments would face new paperwork, and whether volunteer organizations can already elect coverage; Walleen said there would be no additional paperwork and that volunteer coverage is already available. The committee also heard from volunteer fire service representatives and the state fire marshal. An Oakes-area firefighter, Mr. Olson, testified that small departments are struggling with retention, communication, and administrative burdens, especially around separate bookkeeping and funding rules for donated or fundraising money, and he said departments need clearer guidance from the state. State Fire Marshal Dr. Matthew Clark introduced himself and outlined a broader effort to improve education, support, and coordination for fire departments, including a planned 10% audit of certificates of existence beginning in 2027, more outreach through his office, and better assistance with training, reporting, and grant access. He said his office is authorized under current law to provide these services, but the role has been vague and underused. Finally, Arnagard Rural Fire District Chief Rick Schreiber testified in favor of new recruitment and retention ideas, including retirement-style benefits, health insurance, tax incentives, scholarships, grants, and more remote or regional training. He said volunteer departments are losing members, that local tax and donation funds are already stretched, and that any new retirement or incentive program should be sustainable and likely involve a mix of state and local support.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:40.320><c> the</c> later used to commit crimes. the later used to commit crimes. the accident
• <c> accidental</c><00:23:42.000><c> discharge</c><00:23:42.480><c> of</c><00:23:42.640><c> a</c> accident
• , the accidental discharge of a accident, the accidental discharge of a weapon,<00:23:43.280><c> which

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The worst case that my wife saw was an accident at 7th Avenue and Greenway when two cars, when somebody
• only teach students but to also then be able to, you know, patch them up in the... ...case of a car accident
• , a playground accident, or, God forbid, a school shooting.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by Walle, relating to certain trade practices related to life insurance, annuity contracts, and accident
• 2221 by whole relating to certain trade practices related to life insurance, annuity contracts, and accident
• Cheers. practices related to life insurance, annuity contracts, an accident and health coverage.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.