Transcript Highlights:

• So while there would be some increase to jail beds, it would be minimal.
• So while there would be some increase to jail beds, it would be minimal.
• Common devices also have a significant increase in storage capacity.
• Basically, the amendment has to increase the number of early voting days and locations. ...increase the
• It actually just increases access to the vote, to the ballot.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and several recognitions, including tributes to former members and law enforcement. The chamber then adopted the special order report and moved to the day’s special-order calendar. Early bills passed unanimously, including CS/HB 401 on FDLE security details for major party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor, CS/HB 1063 on gubernatorial transition procedures, HB 593 on governmental agencies and personnel, CS/CS/HB 655 on confidential attorney-client meetings for local governments in pending litigation, and HB 6011 on ethics gift/honoraria reporting procedures. Each of these measures was explained by sponsors as transparency, security, or administrative process legislation, and each passed 115-116 to 0. The chamber then took up CS/HB 125, designating October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. The bill drew extensive and sharply divided debate over whether a state remembrance was appropriate for Kirk, with opponents arguing he was a polarizing political figure and that the House should focus on affordability and other constituent concerns, while supporters framed the bill as a defense of free speech and opposition to political violence. A proposed amendment to replace the designation with a George Floyd remembrance was ruled not germane. After structured debate, the bill passed 82-31. Members also considered transportation designation measures. SB 628, substituted for CS/HB 885, included multiple road and bridge namings and an amendment designating a 124-mile stretch of State Road 80 as the President Donald J. Trump Highway; the amendment and bill passed 82-26. CS/HB 33 similarly designated portions of roads as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and President Donald J. Trump Boulevard, prompting another lengthy debate over the appropriateness of honoring political figures and the use of public roadways for such designations; it passed 82-30. The House then began debate on CS/HB 35, “Isaiah’s law,” which would add driving without a valid license to the habitual traffic offender list after repeated offenses, with sponsors citing a fatal hit-and-run and opponents questioning prosecutorial discretion and the bill’s practical effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><01:04:44.849><c> [clears throat]</c> reason to increase the [clears throat] reason to increase the
• </c><02:11:01.360><c> that</c> two years ago we uh increased that two years ago we uh increased that
• So a lot of times is that increase?
• So a lot of times is that increase?
• </c> increase along with the search charge? increase along with the search charge?

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:27.440><c> the</c> further budgets by increasing the further budgets by increasing the funding
• </c><00:58:18.720><c> We</c> budget has has increased rapidly. We budget has has increased rapidly.
• And obviously, if we're going to increase revenue in lottery, it will increase charitable funding.
• . increase. increase.
• House Bill one increases beyond.

Summary: The meeting was a House budget briefing focused on the overall state budget and the first of three divisions. The presenter reviewed the size and structure of the budget, noting that the state had eliminated the interest and dividends tax and still balanced the budget. He explained the major spending categories in the general fund and total budget, emphasizing that health and human services and education remain the largest areas, while transportation is largely self-funded. He also walked through the revenue picture, including business taxes, insurance taxes, court fees, communications taxes, and Medicaid recoveries, and said the remaining interest and dividends tax revenue reflected late payments from prior assessments. Members asked about the size of the tax cut from eliminating the interest and dividends tax, federal funding stability, and why Medicaid was being reduced if federal support was expected to remain steady. The response was that the lost revenue would have been about $200 million absent repeal, and that the budget gap was addressed through many small cuts across departments. On federal funds, the presenter said most aid is tied to multi-year grants and that core programs such as Medicare and Medicaid were expected to remain relatively stable, though some federal reductions could occur. He also said some agency reductions came from eliminating long-vacant, funded positions and from expected lapses. The discussion then moved into Division One, which covers smaller and miscellaneous agencies. The division made cuts to the governor’s office, eliminated a temporary position at the Governor’s Commission on Disability, reduced Department of Information Technology spending through a back-of-budget cut, and found savings in Administrative Services. It also delayed maintenance at the Sununu Youth Services Center, stopped advertising for paid family medical leave, changed retiree health insurance funding, and consolidated several personnel-related boards into one. The division eliminated the Commission on Aging and the Office of the Child Advocate, made a temporary special education advocate position permanent, reduced the Secretary of State’s budget, kept municipal rooms-and-meals distributions flat, and made changes to the retirement system, including $55 million to improve Group 2 retirement benefits and a new retirement structure for future state hires. The judicial branch was also asked to find savings and received two additional judges because of expected caseload increases from other eliminations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this committee generally does not increase more days be to add more lines to the statute that not
• Um, this committee generally does not increase more days be to add more lines to the statute that not
• It's almost like the minimum wage. McDonald's doesn't need a minimum wage.
• shifting on to other people because they are actively using more energy than they need, and that increases
• shifting on to other people because they are actively using more energy than they need, and that increases

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:52:04.559><c> risk</c><00:52:04.880><c> of</c> associated with increased risk of associated with
• increased risk of anxiety,<00:52:06.240><c> depression,</c><00:52:07.440><c> behavioral</c> anxiety,
• that this bill really could be harmful to children and to domestic violence survivors and could increase
• And one way to do it would be to increase the deduction for FICA and for Medicare.
• the deduction uh for FICA and increase the deduction uh for FICA and for<02:15:25.679><c> Medicaid.

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Transcript Highlights:

• They must lead to wages that are 100 above 150% of the federal poverty line after accounting for training
• enrolled in short-term workforce training programs found that these kinds of programs do in fact increase
• the transportation field, for example, a short-term workforce training program led to an annual increase
• enrolled in short-term workforce training programs found that these kinds of programs do in fact increase
• Class sizes increase because of that.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• A massive increase to the tobacco tax from $1.78 to $2.80, 80 cents per pack, a 57% tax increase.
• </c><03:47:12.960><c> risk</c> staff, and community at increased risk staff, and community at increased
• </c><04:32:00.080><c> is</c> that a major cause of this increase is that a major cause of this increase
• </c> actually export a exponential increase actually export a exponential increase in<04:56:06.560><c
• </c> policy that increases utility costs. policy that increases utility costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so that's about a 7% increase.
• </c> about a 7% increase. about a 7% increase.
• </c> The increases are uh along these lines. The increases are uh along these lines.
• Um, and so it it is it is pay increases increases increases um<00:28:31.039><c> across</c><00:28:31.440
• </c> increases, that shifts and changes ours. increases, that shifts and changes ours.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:51.159><c> their</c> like Kiren said uh to increase their like Kiren said uh to increase their
• </c> movement and has received increasing movement and has received increasing interest<00:39:09.160>
• </c><03:29:35.319><c> density</c> when um you're increasing density when um you're increasing density
• Nobody wants rates to increase.
• With the increased loan limits and the increased demand due to the lower rates, we anticipate we might

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• content changes were needed: updating exemptions, updating definitions, and incorporating the new wage

Bills: HF2543 , HF2566 , HF2627

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 215 by Representative Robbie Carter, small successions, to increase thresholds.
• This bill increases the origination fee for lenders from a maximum of $50 up to $75.
• The last time it was increased was in 1972. If you index that number, it would be $390 right now.
• We're asking for a $25 increase. You have a right to close.
• This legislation increases the membership to 27 members, and I ask for your favorable passage.

Bills: HR58 , HR59 , HR60 , HR61 , HR62 , HR63 , HR64 , HCR32 , HB43 , HB447 , HB573 , HB1000 , HB1001 , HB1002 , HB1003 , HB1004 , HB1005 , HR46 , HR48 , HR50 , HR51 , HR52 , HR53 , HR54 , HR55 , HR56 , HR57 , HCR31 , HB20 , HB21 , HB166 , HB494 , HB710 , HB795 , HB985 , HB986 , HB987 , HB988 , HB989 , HB990 , HB991 , HB992 , HB993 , HB994 , HB995 , HB996 , HB997 , HB998 , SB128 , SB149 , SB174 , SB191 , SB205 , SB213 , SB218 , SB220 , SB229 , SB238 , SB243 , SB375 , SB379 , HB8 , HB9 , HB10 , HB15 , HB16 , HB17 , HB18 , HB19 , HB22 , HB33 , HB34 , HB35 , HB44 , HB46 , HB47 , HB48 , HB61 , HB101 , HB126 , HB135 , HB142 , HB164 , HB185 , HB215 , HB226 , HB232 , HB233 , HB242 , HB284 , HB292 , HB297 , HB301 , HB334 , HB436 , HB468 , HB548 , HB571 , HB582 , HB593 , HB594 , HB609 , HB613 , HB712 , HB722 , HB732 , HB746 , HB781 , HB827 , HB845 , HB848 , HB921 , HB923 , HB951 , HB953 , HB999 , HB129 , HB130 , HB287 , HB489 , HB545 , HB553 , HB555 , HB570 , HB854 , HB952 , HB28 , HB36 , HB50 , HB52 , HB56 , HB62 , HB68 , HB92 , HB110 , HB117 , HB119 , HB124 , HB140 , HB147 , HB171 , HB182 , HB193 , HB196 , HB203 , HB228 , HB234 , HB260 , HB268 , HB271 , HB285 , HB289 , HB351 , HB400 , HB413 , HB469 , HB534 , HB551 , HB552 , HB574 , HB576 , HB634 , HB649 , HB677 , HB735 , HB739 , HB779 , HB784 , HB796 , HB842 , HB850 , HB919 , HB149 , HB733 , HB875 , HB868 , HB901

Keywords: waterfowl conservation, wetlands preservation, Ducks Unlimited, environmental stewardship, Louisiana, tennis, athlete recognition, family legacy, sports achievements, coaching, student parents, higher education, academic support, family stability, workforce equity, Homeland Security, federal funding, public safety, emergency services, TSA

Transcript Highlights:

• So we’re seeing a very strong increase in this activity.
• I think that there are also legislative efforts this year that would increase the liability for school
• So we’re seeing a very strong increase in this activity.
• I think that there are also legislative efforts this year that would increase the liability for school
• I think that there are also legislative efforts this year that would increase the liability for school

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> they are subject to that increased they are subject to that increased harassment<00:30:02.280><c
• ><c> and</c> We have increased transparency and We have increased transparency and accountability<00:
• </c><00:30:29.720><c> disclosure</c> Senator Draheim to increase disclosure Senator Draheim to increase
• </c> For a wide variety of increased For a wide variety of increased penalties<02:28:37.400><c> and</
• <02:40:18.960><c> costs</c> increase costs increase costs or<02:40:22.080><c> that</c><02:40:22.240><

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:58.880><c> responsibility</c> of ever increasing responsibility of ever increasing responsibility
• Our energy consumption is on an exponential increase.
• </c><02:36:05.040><c> taxes</c> annual $150 billion tax increase taxes annual $150 billion tax increase
• We have seen a 24% increase in homelessness.
• <04:07:12.560><c> in</c><04:07:12.760><c> homelessness</c> increase in homelessness increase in homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• Sounds like a rate increase.
• TBA does not believe that proposals like DRS Plus will increase reliability, and we know they increase
• What would be the increase potentially?
• What would be the increase potentially?
• Increase. So, yeah.

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee held its third interim hearing on Texas electric grid reliability and 765 kV transmission lines/private property rights. Chair Schwertner opened by noting record ERCOT summer demand of 91,089 MW and emphasized the committee’s focus on managing rapid load growth, ensuring adequate generation, and protecting homeowners, businesses, landowners, and ratepayers. The committee also adopted strict two-minute limits for public testimony and planned to hear invited witnesses first, then public testimony. PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas, and OPUC Chief Counsel Benjamin Barclay testified on Senate Bill 6 implementation, large-load interconnection, transmission cost allocation, and market design. Gleeson said the PUC has adopted or is finalizing rules on net metering/co-location, large load interconnection standards, and a transmission cost recovery rule that would move from 4CP to 12CP, lengthen the interval to 30 minutes, and add a minimum demand charge to better allocate costs to large loads. Vegas explained ERCOT’s new batch process for large loads, saying it provides year-by-year capacity allocations, clearer financial obligations, and a transmission plan; he reported 205 GW eligible for Batch Zero, with 65 GW classified as baseload, 25 GW in an intermediate category, and 114 GW as allocated load. Barclay supported the changes as better protection for residential and small commercial customers, while warning that the minimum demand charge may need an exit-fee concept to address stranded costs if large loads leave. Members pressed witnesses on whether additional market changes are needed to attract dispatchable thermal generation and whether DRS/DRRS Plus could become a capacity-market substitute. Gleeson and Vegas said the current market still favors solar, batteries, and other low-variable-cost resources, and that more incentives may be needed for gas and other thermal generation; Gleeson said the commission’s reliability standard assessment will begin this year and conclude next year with a 2029 outlook. They described DRS as an ancillary service for intraday reliability and DRS Plus as a proposed real-time revenue mechanism for thermal resources during scarcity, not a forward capacity market. Senators also questioned whether 12CP could still be gamed, whether curtailment authority under SB 6 should be expanded from EEA 2 to earlier stages, and whether the batch process should be bifurcated so traditional industrial loads are handled differently from data centers. Witnesses said the batch process is intended to prevent speculative projects from driving transmission costs, that most large-load projects are data centers, and that future rules may need to better distinguish among types of large loads.

Transcript Highlights:

• > in</c> increases for travel, increases in increases for travel, increases in coaching<01:31:00.280>
• > coaching salaries, increases in athletic coaching salaries, increases in athletic training<01:31:03.400
• </c> increase involuntary hospitalization, increase involuntary hospitalization, transportation<02:46
• </c> very frustrated by the increasing very frustrated by the increasing numbers<05:22:43.040><c> of<
• </c> increase thereafter. increase thereafter. uh<06:21:58.240><c> credits</c> uh credits uh credits

Transcript Highlights:

• inflation. 7.5% increase in real income, more than 7.5% increase in real income, more than three<02:11
• Per-unit costs increase.
• Perunit costs<02:57:46.880><c> increase.
• And in the face of these costs increase.
• A 3.8% 8% increase 2025 enacted level.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> increased that number. increased that number.
• or increased from its peak?
• </c> increase in cost. increase in cost.
• costs, increases taxes.
• </c><04:39:18.279><c> their</c><04:39:18.480><c> spending</c> to increase their spending to increase

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:39:11.720><c> and</c> I I believe is definitely increasing and I I believe is definitely increasing
• </c><00:56:31.240><c> the</c> it's really to support and increase the it's really to support and increase
• </c> so there's $15 million for um increased so there's $15 million for um increased electricity<01:27
• </c> place to be we're requesting an increase place to be we're requesting an increase to<02:13:14.719
• </c><06:01:05.600><c> uh</c> competitiveness started to increase uh competitiveness started to increase

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The maternal mortality rate increases. The newborn mortality rate increases.
• The maternal mortality rate increases. The newborn mortality rate increases.
• The maternal mortality rate increases. The newborn mortality rate increases.
• The maternal mortality rate increases. The newborn mortality rate increases.
• The maternal mortality rate increases. The newborn mortality rate increases.