Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the owner of a data center that begins operation or expands after July 1, 2026, to annually
• It directs data centers to pay an annual fee of 0.005 cents per kilowatt hour to the Department of Revenue
• And so one of the things you'll see here is there's a half a penny fee per kilowatt hour.
• A lot of states put it as a megawatt-hour charge, so based on the size, and it was a flat fee.
• Representing leading data center owner-operators, including many with long histories of investment in

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

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:

• that operation.
• of the Court of Appeals in last session.
• It's a good use of resources, or avoidance of use of resources that are currently scarce.
• They require a lot of hours, a lot of work by humans doing this work, and done with the Washington State
• No other elected official operates under this level of scrutiny, legal exposure, and constitutional responsibility

Bills: SB5865, SB5880, SB5912, SB5855, SB6011, SB6009, SB5868, SB5974

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, face coverings, law enforcement, public safety, civil liberties, court security

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re currently operating... ...of next-generation cloud seeding technology across the West.
• We’re currently operating one of the largest cloud seeding projects in the nation’s history in the Bear
• We operate in seven states around the country, most of the programs in the state of Utah, which is a
• a number of other entities that maintain, fund, and operate these programs in states around the West
• additionality of what you get as a result of a cloud seeding operation?

Bills: HB2024, HB2053, HB2097, HB2116, HB2117

Keywords: water infrastructure finance authority, WIFA, water supply development, snowpack augmentation, cloud seeding, water augmentation, water financing, water infrastructure, Arizona water law, water conservation, groundwater recharge, stormwater recharge, reclamation and reuse, water rights, water supply projects, public-private partnership, long-term water augmentation fund, water provider, desalination, drought mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• You can track all of them again. Mitch Fuller here. Sorry. You can track all of them again.
• The qualified hotel project aspect of the bill is vitally important to a lot of our community.
• The qualified hotel project aspect of the bill is vitally important to a lot of our communities.
• We're here in support of all of those. I'll answer any questions you may have. Thank you.
• The chair lays out, as a matter of pending business, HB 4320, in lieu of Senate Bill 1520, which was

Bills: HB346, HB1851, HB2974, HB5596, HCR118, HCR127, HCR141

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, surplus vehicles, law enforcement equipment, school districts, Texas Facilities Commission, economically disadvantaged areas, HB 5596, voter-approval tax rate, property tax, ad valorem tax, Tax Code, Texas municipalities, coastal municipality, eligible coastal municipality, municipal hotel occupancy tax, hotel occupancy tax revenue

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee heard and laid out several measures focused on school safety, Texas-Taiwan relations, defense manufacturing, business formation, hotel tax policy, and NASA relocation. HB 1851 would allow surplus DPS vehicles and law enforcement equipment to be transferred to school districts in economically disadvantaged areas for use by school police and security personnel, with a two-year resale restriction. HCR 127 expressed support for the Texas-Taiwan relationship and trade ties, HCR 118 supported expanding warship manufacturing in Texas, HCR 141 urged Congress to move NASA headquarters to Houston, HB 346 (with a committee substitute) revised business filing and fee authority while making permanent a franchise tax exemption for new veteran-owned businesses, HB 2974 was an omnibus hotel occupancy tax and qualified hotel project bill, and HB 5596 addressed accountability for municipal hotel occupancy tax revenues in coastal communities. Witnesses generally supported the measures, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association on HB 2974 and resource witnesses from the Texas Veterans Commission and Secretary of State on HB 346; no opposition testimony was registered on the laid-out bills. After public testimony, the committee took up pending business and adopted committee substitutes where applicable. HB 1851, HB 346, HB 2974, and HB 5596 were each reported favorably to the full Senate, with HB 346 and HB 2974 also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HCR 127 and HCR 118 were reported favorably as well, and HCR 127 and HCR 141 were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also reported HB 4320 favorably, though the transcript repeats that motion several times. The meeting ended with the committee standing in recess until 7:00 a.m. subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides the Secretary of State's office with the authority and flexibility to meet modern needs of
• The qualified hotel project aspect of the bill is vitally important. ...to a lot of our communities.
• Texas... ...of Texas has received more money from hotel development than the state of Texas rebated
• We're here in support of all of those. I'll answer any questions you may have. Thank you, Mr.
• As a matter of pending business, House Bill 4230 in lieu of Senate Bill 1520, which was heard in a previous

Bills: HB346, HB1851, HB2974, HB5596, HCR118, HCR127, HCR141

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, surplus vehicles, law enforcement equipment, school districts, Texas Facilities Commission, economically disadvantaged areas, HB 5596, voter-approval tax rate, property tax, ad valorem tax, Tax Code, Texas municipalities, coastal municipality, eligible coastal municipality, municipal hotel occupancy tax, hotel occupancy tax revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• out of their systems, and some of them are derelict.
• There are vessels that are sunk with very little of the vessel out of the water.
• Right now they're funding it out of their own pockets and putting up thousands of dollars.
• The Battle of Gonzales in 1835, the first conflict of the Texas Revolution, centered on a cannon when
• At the Battle of San Jacinto, the twin sisters cannons played a key role in the defeat of Santa Anna's

Bills: HB4538, HCR89, HCR142, SCR1, SB2139

Keywords: vessel registration, derelict vessels, waterways, removal fee, Parks and Wildlife Department, General Land Office, HCR 89, official state gun, cannon, Texas state symbol, Texas Revolution, Battle of Gonzales, Come and Take It, Alamo, San Jacinto, Twin Sisters, Angelina Eberly, Texas history, historical preservation, heritage tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• the voters of Dallas County, of the city of Dallas.
• city of Dallas.
• Two of the counties selected must have a total population of less than 300,000, and two of the counties
• I think legislate for the Secretary of State you're most afraid of, not the Secretary of State you have
• , out of the picture.

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

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:

• To the number of witnesses who have registered to testify, there will be a time limit of two minutes
• some of their cases.
• The trustees of ERS.
• From a lot of agencies, we got a lot of their feedback.
• Subject to call of the chair.

Bills: HCR141, SB438, SB1495, SB1964, HB 1225

Keywords: HCR 141, House Concurrent Resolution, NASA, Houston, Space City, Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, Apollo 11, moon landing, aerospace, commercial space, space exploration, Texas Space Commission, space policy, federal resolution, memorial resolution, Congress, Washington D.C., headquarters relocation, space industry

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is really clarifying that the operator of a conversion public charter school and an authorizer
• The idea is that the operator of the school determines operational decisions while the district authorizer
• The second is to streamline any processes that may hinder the effective operation of conversion public
• This board of education serves as the sole authorizing authority and oversees the day-to-day operations
• Those conversion schools are still part of the LEA. They are operated by a separate 501(c).

Bills: HB332, HB166, SB336, HB447, HB244

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:

• whom of whom only utilize segments five and six of S.
• Since 2021, Texas has spent over $11 billion on Operation Lone Star, but none of this money is currently
• I am the mayor of Lago Vista. I'm here to testify in strong support of HB 3643.
• Simply put, log of...
• This is over 20 percent of their operating budget. It's impossible for a city of this size.

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

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:

• Members, I'd like to continue the practice of reserving questions until the end of each testimony.
• Texas is one of the 10 states that participates in this program in which the state, on behalf of the
• in each direction of travel.
• So I know all of you. Do you remember the morning of February 11th?
• It could be gas-powered cars or any kind of vehicle class that falls out of political favor.

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

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:

• operating without regulation. of folks that are posting up in the right-of-way or in parking lots in
• They only operate by giving premium assistance, and there are several of them that came to me with a
• There are not very many of them; they operate only in certain counties and areas, but they do help a
• Today we operate in 10 counties with the full approval of each commissioner's court and in compliance
• It should be updated within 24 hours. And that's of the original offense.

Bills: HB1320, HB2012, HB2293, HB2655, HB3174, HB4108, HB4661, HB4799, HB5534, HB5580

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• After about 10 hours, ICE officers reviewed the contents of Julio's wallet. ...realized he was a U.S.
• This invalidation of due process within only 48 to 72 hours is unacceptable and unconstitutional.
• We've seen so much of this under Operation Lone Star and under the Trump administration.
• Currently, sheriffs are often violating this 48-hour requirement and, in turn, violating the rights of
• of allowed launch licensing hours that we have.

Bills: HB1320, HB2012, HB2293, HB2655, HB3174, HB4108, HB4661, HB4799, HB5534, HB5580

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Associate Commissioner of Operations for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
• Prior to floor deliberation, followed by at least 72 hours between the conclusion. a conclusion of for
• Yeah years and how many thousands of hours.
• valley who had to drive over 12 hours of a round trip to testify against this discrimination.
• absolutely have a mode of operation on how they're handling these issues.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Associate Commissioner of Operations for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
• the top of the of the poll.
• Yeah years and how many thousands of hours.
• valley who had to drive over 12 hours of a round trip to testify against this discrimination.
• absolutely have a mode of operation on how they're handling these issues.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, that was a violation of an AG opinion regarding the practice and of Texas law.
• So free speech rights of course is good for doctors, but it's also good for the practice of medicine
• Of course, a very key part of that medical process is questioning the results of studies, and without
• type of protection that we need.
• Like they were accused of doing.

Bills: SB 240, SB 1183, SB 1184, SB 1577, SB 2043, SB 2051, SCR 42, SJR 68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Associate Commissioner of Operations for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
• Years and how many thousands of hours. Yeah.
• And to have all of that... 10 hours a week of training since I was about 11.
• or not, they absolutely have a mode of operation on how they're handling these issues.
• They knew how they operated on these issues. They just never bothered to tell any of the parents.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1183, by Senator Creighton, which would require Lone Star Cards used for SNAP and TANF benefits to display the recipient’s name and photo, add fraud-reporting information, and require HHSC to track replacement-card requests. Creighton argued the bill would reduce fraud and protect taxpayer dollars, citing Texas SNAP theft and overpayment data. HHSC testified that photo IDs on the card are technically possible and explained how authorized secondary users are added. Dr. Amber O’Connor of Every Texan testified against the bill, saying SNAP fraud is a small share of expenditures, that the proposal would be costly and ineffective, and that federal rules limit mandatory photo requirements. Public testimony closed and SB 1183 was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1184, also by Senator Creighton, which would lower from 20 years to 10 years the minimum age of collectible wine that Texas collectors may sell to permitted restaurants. Supporters said the change would help Texas restaurants access desirable vintages, keep collectible wine in-state, and align with market demand; invited witnesses from the wine industry testified in favor. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1184 was left pending. Next, Senator Birdwell laid out Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68, both aimed at revising Texas impeachment procedures in response to issues identified during the 2023 impeachment process. The measures would clarify constitutional and statutory impeachment authority, require sworn testimony, extend review periods for House members, address conflicts of interest and presiding officers, require cost reporting, and modify rules for impeaching the governor or lieutenant governor. A committee substitute added protections for the accused, longer review periods, and a fallback presiding-officer option. Witnesses generally supported stronger accountability but raised questions about whether the language should also cover retired or visiting judges. Both measures were left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1577, which would expand Texas Motor Speedway’s alcohol sales authority to include distilled spirits and remove certain event and concession limits; the Speedway’s representative supported the bill and it was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and Senate Bill 240, which would recognize only two sexes and restrict access to sex-designated private spaces in public facilities based on biological sex. Supporters argued the measures were needed to protect women’s privacy and safety, including in schools and shelters, while opponents warned about enforcement problems, privacy concerns, and impacts on transgender Texans and others who do not fit stereotypical sex traits. After extensive testimony, both measures were left pending. The committee then took up multiple pending bills and reported several favorably, including SB 511, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 2024, SB 2166, SJR 27, SJR 40, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 2420, SB 1999, SB 2309, SB 1860, and SB 2429, with some also certified for the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• higher education, except that we modify the minimum number of hours for the training from four hours
• of.
• Of that either.
• And again, I show you Ryan Ray here on behalf of the Board of Trustees. on behalf of yourself and for
• The city of Burleson, located in the south part of Tarrant County and the north part of Johnson County

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

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:

• Some of our profound community might need four to six hours a week of that person training the staff
• of the facility's conditions, and be submitted every 12 hours until the power is restored.
• It requires providers to inform HHSC of an outage lasting longer than 12 hours.
• He ended up being on the floor in College Station for. thankfully, less than an hour because of these
• These placements often happen in emergencies, usually outside of business hours and K- circumstances.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• Our intake is generated out of a receipt of a report.
• Do you see, could that have any sort of? of effect there?
• And I would ask for a DFPS to get back to your office, as well as all of our. hours in a very timely,
• . of membership.
• quality of life.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid