Transcript Highlights:

• HB5380 permits counties to adopt criteria after public notice in which the county commission... may take
• So, all this does is provide the opportunity or give the counties the ability to...
• We want to leave it up to the county to allow them to...
• We feel that if a county wants to have a park, then all the county citizens should contribute to that
• Chairman Hunter, you know this: all the counties and cities...

Bills: HB407, HB871, HB882, HB2011, HB3572, HB3578, HB4038, HB4866, HB4897, HB4978, HB5380, HB5555, HB5668, HB5670, HB5674, HB5676, HB5679, HB5688, SB673

Keywords: solar energy, residential construction, building code, municipal regulations, energy compliance, building codes, interconnection, education, funding, teacher support, student resources, school infrastructure, municipal requirements, environmental sustainability, municipalities, construction, agricultural operation, International Code Council, county regulations, construction fees

Transcript Highlights:

• to municipalities with a population of more than 150,000, which are located wholly or partly in a county
• It will hurt us, but one thing I want you guys to understand is that in Rockwall County, the citizens
• This stems from if you're in a county of 300,000 or more? Is that correct?
• So, Rockwall County is 130,000. The largest city is 54,000. Will we be racking it out of the bill?
• We are a rapidly growing community. in Southeastern Collin and Hunt Counties.

Bills: HB407, HB871, HB882, HB2011, HB3572, HB3578, HB4038, HB4866, HB4897, HB4978, HB5380, HB5555, HB5668, HB5670, HB5674, HB5676, HB5679, HB5688, SB673

Keywords: solar energy, residential construction, building code, municipal regulations, energy compliance, building codes, interconnection, education, funding, teacher support, student resources, school infrastructure, municipal requirements, environmental sustainability, municipalities, construction, agricultural operation, International Code Council, county regulations, construction fees

Transcript Highlights:

• This adds Montgomery County and Fort Bend County, although it is permissive, to the list of counties
• Then I moved out of the county. Guadalupe County to Bexar County by half a mile.
• House Bill 5580 seeks to enhance border security by requiring the sheriff of each Texas county with a
• County.
• The gentleman just mentioned border counties.

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:

• It has been proven that 287(g) programs do not work for counties like Hidalgo County. ...and Cameron
• Bear County, where I live.
• Some, like Maricopa County that Ms.
• I live in a border town that has Border Patrol throughout the city.
• I was born in and work in Texas' largest county, Harris County, and I currently live in Fort Bend County

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:

• House Bill 2731 relates to roadside vendors in fast-growing border counties.
• This authority currently applies to Hidalgo County, Cameron County, El Paso County, and Webb County.
• The bill is not specific to the border counties area and is really statewide.
• All right, so to make a long story short, in the border counties, you've got people popping up signs—effectively
• that border a county with a population of more than four million. which is currently Fort Bend County

Bills: HB1532, HB2731, HB3483, HB4308, HB4580, HB4582, HB5509, HB5663

Keywords: Lake Houston, dredging, maintenance district, flood control, environment, public works, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code, unincorporated areas, right-of-way, public highway, parking lot, livestock sales, live animals, vendor regulation

Bills: HB1532, HB2731, HB3483, HB4308, HB4580, HB4582, HB5509, HB5663

Keywords: Lake Houston, dredging, maintenance district, flood control, environment, public works, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code, unincorporated areas, right-of-way, public highway, parking lot, livestock sales, live animals, vendor regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Our national security begins at our borders.
• border, and even smuggle illegal items into Texas.
• So there's no difference along the border.
• cross-border challenges, including drug and human trafficking.
• individual states to improve border security cooperation.

Bills: HCR98, HB180

Keywords: counter-unmanned aircraft systems, C-UAS, counter-drone, drone mitigation, unmanned aircraft systems, UAS, border security, U.S.-Mexico border, aviation safety, airspace regulation, federal preemption, Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, FBI, state-local coordination, tribal and territorial partners, border patrol, cartels

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum present and first took up HCR 98, a resolution urging Congress to improve coordination among federal, state, and local authorities on counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) technology for border security. The author and sponsor described increasing drone activity along the border, saying unauthorized drones are used to track agents, identify weaknesses, and smuggle contraband, and argued for clearer procedures to detect, identify, and neutralize such aircraft. There was no public testimony, and the committee voted 4-0 to report HCR 98 favorably to the full Senate; the resolution was also ordered for local and uncontested calendar placement without objection. The committee then heard HB 180, sponsored by Chairman Birdwell, which would authorize the governor to coordinate directly with Mexican officials and individual Mexican states on border security agreements and appoint representatives to implement them. Birdwell said the bill would codify prior border-security cooperation efforts, improve responses to cross-border challenges such as drug and human trafficking, and include a finding that entrants from foreign countries must use a legal port of entry. No questions were asked, and there was no invited or public testimony. After the hearing, the committee left HB 180 pending. The meeting concluded with no further business and the committee standing in recess subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Committee on Border Security will come to order. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.
• Look, we, we've been doing an incredible job on the border.
• We've had to invest in that border.
• In fact, I had a county attorney approach me just a few minutes ago.
• There's some comments that were made, but implementation like on the border strategy border operation

Bills: SB 36, SB 2202

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Border Security will come to order. Uh, Mr.
• The border has grown increasingly dangerous with the overwhelming influx of unlawful immigrants and the
• this bill allows DPS to better coordinate with Mexican law enforcement to combat cartel crime at the border
• But we're looking at the smuggling events normally on the corridors going to or at the border.
• With that, members, without any other business coming before the Senate Committee on Border Security,

Bills: SB36, SB2202

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security heard Senator Birdwell present SB 2202, which would create a state offense for knowingly transferring a firearm for profit or other remuneration to a member of a foreign terrorist organization. Birdwell argued the bill responds to cartel violence and southbound gun trafficking, and he explained a committee substitute that removed an exemption for federally licensed gun dealers and removed a requirement that DPS coordinate with Mexican law enforcement. He said the goal was to give Texas a state-level tool if federal enforcement is lacking. Invited testimony came from DPS Colonel Freeman Martin and border prosecution unit chair Tanya Ash. Both said the bill could be useful in some organized-crime and cartel cases, but they emphasized that proving a defendant knowingly transferred a gun to a foreign terrorist organization would be difficult and would usually require strong direct or circumstantial evidence, such as recorded statements, informants, or coordinated investigations. They said the measure would be more workable in complex cartel cases than in routine patrol stops, and they noted existing state and federal tools already address straw purchases, firearms trafficking, and related offenses. Members also discussed tracing seized firearms, cooperation with ATF, and the limits of state jurisdiction over international issues. No public testimony was offered, and SB 2202 was left pending. The committee then took up SB 36 as pending business. A committee substitute was adopted without objection, and the substitute bill was reported favorably to the full Senate by a 4-0 vote, with Senators Birdwell, Flores, Hinojosa of Hidalgo, Eckhardt, and Hinojosa of Nueces participating. The committee also accepted a motion in writing and ordered the bill recommended for local and uncontested calendar placement. The chair then announced the committee would recess subject to call.

Bills: HB176, HB180, HB176, HB180, HB333, HCR35

Keywords: tax, ad valorem, voter-approval, local government finance, property tax, repeal, tax rates, school finance, tax reduction, compressed tax rate, education, funding, HB 176, Texas border security, interstate compact, Government Code Chapter 794, Texas-Mexico border, border enforcement, immigration enforcement, ICE 287(g)

Transcript Highlights:

• Served as a Republican County chairman for Henderson County, Texas, and today, uh, however, I come before
• I represent 9 out of the 14 counties that share a border with Mexico.
• I pay property taxes in Randall County and Travis County.
• In fact, in Harris County in 2020, uh, the Harris County Commissioner's Court voted to take $2 million
• , um, I'm assuming Harris County, Bear County, Travis Harris, Harris, did you say Bear?

Bills: HB 256, HB 1308, HB 1554, HB 1743, HB 2308, HB 2351, HB 2858, HB 3676, HB 3784, HB 4312, HB 4552, HB 4823, HB 4852, HB 5007, HB 5010, HB 5520, HB 5524, HCR 19

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• Border Patrol in San Diego.
• Border Patrol.
• -Mexico border.
• border.
• We share 13 land borders. border crossings with Canada.

Keywords: Customs and Border Protection, Rodney Scott, border security, asylum, transparency, Hernandez Rojas, migrant treatment, public testimony

Summary: The meeting centered on the nomination of Rodney Scott to serve as the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Throughout the session, various senators expressed concerns regarding CBP's recent practices, including issues related to border security and the treatment of migrants. Questions were raised about Scott's involvement in previous incidents, particularly surrounding the controversial death of Mr. Hernandez Rojas while in custody, which sparked a heated discussion about accountability and transparency in current border policies. Senators emphasized the importance of balancing efficient border security with humane treatment of individuals seeking asylum.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Border Security will now come to order. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.
• Our national security begins at our borders.
• border, and even assist smugglers. smuggled illegal items into Texas.
• Coordinate directly with Mexican officials to enhance border security.
• individual states to improve border security cooperation.

Bills: HCR98, HB180, HB180

Keywords: counter-unmanned aircraft systems, C-UAS, counter-drone, drone mitigation, unmanned aircraft systems, UAS, border security, U.S.-Mexico border, aviation safety, airspace regulation, federal preemption, Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, FBI, state-local coordination, tribal and territorial partners, border patrol, cartels

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Border Security will come to order. Mr.
• Over the last several years, the circumstances at our southern border have grown increasingly dangerous
• this bill allows DPS to better coordinate... ...and law enforcement to combat cartel crime at the border
• I'm the elected district attorney in the 452nd Judicial District and chair of the Border Prosecution
• They're operating in our borders.

Bills: SB36, SB2202, SB 36

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Transcript Highlights:

• Look, we've been doing an incredible job on the border.
• We've had to invest in that border.
• But if you back up to 1993, that was my first deployment to the border to deal with border operations
• But as far as related to border security...
• Border Patrol agent, and a... ...22-year military veteran.

Bills: SB36, SB2202, SB 36

Keywords: homeland security, border security, critical infrastructure, Department of Public Safety, intelligence operations, public-private partnerships, SB 2202, firearm trafficking, gun trafficking, terrorism, foreign terrorist organization, Texas-Mexico border, United Mexican States, Mexico, DPS, second-degree felony, weapons transfer, illegal firearms transfer, arms smuggling, cross-border crime

Transcript Highlights:

• I also serve as the Republican County Chairman for Henderson County, Texas.
• I represent 9 out of the 14 counties that share a border with Mexico.
• I pay property taxes in Randall County and Travis County. from the University of Texas. Hook'em.
• In fact, in Harris County in 2020, the Harris County Commissioners Court voted to take two million...
• I'm assuming Harris County, Bexar County, Travis County, Dallas County. Did you say Bexar?

Bills: HB256, HCR19, HB256, HB1308, HB1554, HB1743, HB2308, HB2351, HB2858, HB3676, HB3784, HB4312, HB4552, HB4823, HB4852, HB5007, HB5010, HB5520, HB5524, HCR19

Keywords: severe weather, adaptation plan, vulnerability assessment, environmental protection, state agencies, federal agents, transparency, law enforcement, identification, public trust, immigration enforcement, HCR 19, Texas concurrent resolution, federal immigration enforcement, masked agents, facial coverings, visible identification, uniforms, badges, name tags

Transcript Highlights:

• Customs and and border protection.
• Border security should be no different.
• Border Patrol.
• Today, it's border DNA testing.
• Customs and Border Protection.

Bills: HB256, HB1308, HB1554, HB1743, HB2308, HB2351, HB2858, HB3676, HB3784, HB4312, HB4552, HB4823, HB4852, HB5007, HB5010, HB5520, HB5524, HCR19, HB256, HCR19

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• Our rural rail district makes up six counties, with two members from each county.
• Economically disadvantaged counties, as defined in Section 222.053 of the Transportation Code, are counties
• Customs and Border Protection.
• There are 254 counties across the state, and over 150,000 miles of those have county maintenance. ...
• Especially in my counties, the rural counties that can't afford to hire road and bridge personnel in

Bills: HB1589, HB2208, HB2297, HB2560, HB2725, HB3080, HB4417, HB4473, HB4520, HB4662, HB4888, HB4905, HB4906

Keywords: HB 1589, toll road, toll project, toll project entity, voter approval, local control, county election, commissioners court, Transportation Code, Chapter 372, road construction, highway funding, infrastructure, public referendum, ballot measure, transportation policy, Texas toll roads, regional mobility, toll collection, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• You probably know my district is a border district, but it's a northeast Texas border district that borders
• To my knowledge, that is a Texas County, Texas...
• , but they're on the New Mexico border.
• However, for routine crossings at the border, visas and...
• From the border, 50 miles from the border, is that their policy and rule for...? That's correct.

Bills: HB3484, HCR112, HCR125

Keywords: border municipalities, agreements, funding eligibility, infrastructure, intergovernmental cooperation, REAL ID, travel document, border crossing, Texas, U.S. citizens, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, defense innovation, national security, U.S. Army Futures Command, military technology, economic growth, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Highway 281 in Hidalgo County as the Jose Rojas Highway Memorial Highway to honor Border Patrol Processing
• My little cousin was part of the Border Patrol.
• Members, when a county road is closed, abandoned, or vacated by a county commissioner's court, county
• Webb County, my home county, has expressed concerns regarding a particular road which, if conveyed, would
• Phil King, County Commissioner, for the bill. Bill Rick Bailey, County Judge, for the bill.

Bills: SB215, SB1104, SB1351, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB1423, SB1568

Keywords: education, funding, school districts, local control, equity, digital identification, identity verification, Department of Public Safety, Texas legislature, wireless communication, Texas, technology, identification program, fee structure, wireless devices, public safety, hunting license, handgun license, fingerprinting, dealer license