Transcript Highlights:

• I've got you here as Alan Hassanplu. on behalf of Texans for Lawsuit Reform and the Houston Regional
• I serve as the Chairman of the Houston.
• I'm here today on behalf of the Houston Region Business Coalition of those organizations to testify in
• Organizations of the Houston Region Business Coalition and Texans for Lawsuit Reform believe that it
• One, the enormous backlog within the City of Houston and Harris County on the cases.

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate The chair is pleased to recognize the, uh, Doctor Christine Won from Houston as the doctor
• Who was a dedicated educator, attorney, and community leader in Houston.
• Today is a very, very important day and um Today we are going to honor the Chicano squad of Houston.
• It wasn't until one of our very few Latino Houston City council members decided to recognize them at
• Vela, HR 207 by Harless, Elwood Woody Mitchell, HR 211 by Johnson, the Lighthouse of Houston.

Transcript Highlights:

• Christine Wan from Houston as the Doctor of the Day.
• Bryant, who was a dedicated educator. attorney, and community leader in Houston.
• Today we are going to honor the Chicano squad of Houston.
• It wasn't until one of our very few Latino Houston City Council members decided to join us.
• Today, their contributions are permanently recognized in the Houston Police Department History Museum

Bills: HCR21, HCR22, HCR23, HCR24, HCR25, HCR26, HCR27, HCR31, HCR41, HCR42, HCR43, HCR44, HCR45, HCR52, HCR53, HCR66, HCR67, HCR73, HR8, HR10, HR13, HR20, HR21, HR50, HR59, HR61, HR71, HR74, HR79, HR84, HR86, HR90, HR91, HR102, HR103, HR107, HR113, HR125, HR126, HR132, HR142, HR145, HR149, HR150, HR152, HR167, HR179, HR181, HR183, HR186, HR192, HR196, HR199, HR207, HR211, HR212, HR213, HR216, HR249, HR256, HR259, HR261, HR263, HR272, HR281, HR285, HR294, HR295, HR300, HR305, HR311, HR313, HR315, HR316, HR323, HR331, HR339, HR340, HR346, HR349, HR352, HR357, HR358, HR360, HR363, HR374, HR377, HCR20, HCR28, HCR30, HCR32, HCR49, HR14, HR15, HR19, HR23, HR24, HR25, HR26, HR27, HR29, HR47, HR48, HR55, HR56, HR66, HR85, HR92, HR93, HR95, HR96, HR140, HR155, HR164, HR204, HR241, HR242, HR250, HR253, HR260, HR262, HR265, HR279, HR310, HR312, HR328, HR332, HR359, HR362, HR367

Keywords: recognition, award, petroleum industry, leadership, community service, HCR 22, House Concurrent Resolution, Texas Legislature, commendation, honorary resolution, Dr. James Olson, James Olson, University of Texas Permian Basin, UT Permian Basin, psychology professor, 50 years of service, faculty recognition, academic award, Piper Professor Award, Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award

Transcript Highlights:

• SAM recommendation is to um substance.
• As much as I appreciate Sam, I consider them the tenth man.
• As much as I appreciate Sam, I consider them the tenth man.
• Go ahead, Sam.
• <02:02:43.119> New Hi, Sue Hamola representing Sam New Hi, Sue Hamola representing Sam New

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And first, I want to say thank you to Sam O'Neal and Megan Malbach, who were both new to cannabis this
• And again, just huge shout-out to Sam O'Neal and Megan Mullen, Eric Anderson, uh, all the work you did
• And again, just huge shout-out to Sam O'Neal and Megan Mullen, Eric Anderson, uh, all the work you did
• And again, just huge shout out to Sam<00:40:47.760> O'Neal<00:40:48.240> and<00:40:48.400
• > Megan<00:40:48.720> Mullen,<00:40:49.359> Eric Sam O'Neal and Megan Mullen, Eric

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up Senate File 334, a bill to modernize county human services technology used to administer programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. The author and several members described the current systems as outdated “green screen” platforms that are slow, duplicative, and difficult for workers and applicants, and argued modernization would improve service, retention, and fraud prevention. The bill would create a technology modernization fund with about $90 million over time, capped at $50 million, route funds through Minute, establish an interagency group with county representation, create a legislative working group, and provide $15 million for Office of Inspector General technology. Members from several counties spoke in strong support, citing local system failures, cyberattacks, and the need for better tools; one member noted the bill was about 20 years overdue. The bill passed third reading by a vote of 134-0, and a title was agreed to. The House then considered Senate File 4401, the cannabis bill. The author described it as a maintenance and cleanup package developed with more than 80 stakeholders over months of meetings, including business owners, labor, tribal representatives, and medical cannabis interests. The bill was presented as making noncontroversial adjustments to support small businesses, clarify statutes, improve privacy protections, adjust event and transporter rules, address good-faith errors, strengthen enforcement against unlicensed operators, and support local governments and municipal cannabis dispensaries. It also included a first step toward a medical psilocybin program and changes intended to make the medical cannabis market more sustainable, including easing the grow-and-sale ratio issue. The transcript cuts off before final action on this bill, but members speaking in support emphasized collaboration and the need for practical regulatory fixes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Houston area also is preparing to transition to CBC.
• either have community-based care operating or have recently awarded contracts for Bexar County and the Houston
• And then the surrounding areas around Houston.
• In the Houston area, 70% of our residential capacity exists in Houston.
• We're headquartered in Houston, and the bulk of our operations serve the DFPS Region Area, but we're

Bills: SB596, SB961, SB1398, SB1183, SB1952

Keywords: DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, foster care, child welfare, Family Code, conservatorship, managing conservator, parental child safety placement, authorization agreement, temporary authorization order, child abuse, child neglect, placement reporting, court-ordered removal, investigation, family preservation, transparency, public reporting, data reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• I grew up in an area of Houston that some of you may know, typically called 5th Ward.
• Well, he went on, um, I was director of a community center in Houston.
• Of Texas A&M community, UTMD Anderson Cancer Center, the Houston Rides for Kids, just to name a few.
• I also, and I'm, I represent Houston, but it's right next door to Fort Bend.
• Washington High School, located in Houston, Texas, was established in 1893 as Colored High.

Transcript Highlights:

• willing to take the salary at present. 49th out of 50 jurisdictions in a major city like Dallas or Houston
• I was about to say Washington, then Dallas, and Houston.
• Houston Police Department. has been instrumental.
• Well thank you for being such a strong advocate. in the city of Houston.
• Robert Downer wrote a piece for the Houston Chronicle about the Southern Baptist Convention. and the,

Bills: HB170, HB865, HB748, HJR112, HB 1110, HB1495, HB786, HB 1130, HB170

Keywords: civil liability, self-defense, force, deadly force, legal immunity, attorney's fees, criminal justice, firearms, liability, veterans, gun ownership, immunity, firearm hold agreement, sexual abuse, nondisclosure, confidentiality, public policy, Trey's Law, parental rights, child upbringing

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't copy and paste Houston zoning density standards onto Flower Mound.
• Absolutely, and the Houston example is a good one. Mr.
• Houston relaxed land use policies in 1998.
• Most cities; Houston reduced it from 5,000. Dallas requires 5,000 square feet lots in many areas.
• But they would have to do large lots in almost every city except for Houston.

Bills: HB602, HB1322, HB1930, HB2225, HB2304, HB2494, HB3275, HB3810, HB3919

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm testifying on the bill because Houston has carved out a portion of that policy.
• There's tremendous growth in Houston as well.
• Houston exports more than those two regions combined now.
• We believe, again, the Houston region should be included for that reason.
• We pay, in Houston, approximately 25% of all transmission projects across ERCOT, right?

Bills: HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213, HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• What we are trying to do, and we worked the 65 question with the city of Houston to set what we would
• consider a reasonable partnership on what that level would be, even for the city of Houston.
• We were founded in Houston, Texas, in 1970, where our headquarters proudly remain, and we operate 17
• I know they may have never been to Beaumont, Port Arthur, Laredo, or Houston.
• My district is maybe in the west side of Houston, about 15 miles long, about 5 1/2 miles wide.

Bills: HB246, HB796, HB 1056, HB1544, HB1846, HB2001, HB2618, HB2625, HB2869, HB2898, HB3069, HB3114, HB3157, HB3228, HJR98, HB246

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Sam Goram, and I am an intern at the Hawaii State Council on Disabilities here on behalf of
• members of the committee my name is Sam members of the committee my name is Sam Goram<00:34:40.399
• > chair members of the committee my name chair members of the committee my name is<00:48:08.680> Sam
• 09.520> intern<00:48:10.040> on<00:48:10.160> behalf<00:48:10.440> of is Sam
• gorm I'm an intern on behalf of is Sam gorm I'm an intern on behalf of dentry<00:48:11.040> with<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted. HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same. HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• King and members of the committee<00:05:27.520> uh<00:05:27.680> John<00:05:27.919> Sams
• 00:05:28.280> fman<00:05:28.600> County<00:05:28.880> judge committee uh John Sams
• fman County judge committee uh John Sams fman County judge executive<00:05:30.120> as<00:05:30.400

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 01:21 HB 552 Discussion 04:54 HB 552 Vote 07:12, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation held its first meeting of the 2025 session, welcomed new members and Vice Chair Susan Tyler Whitten, reviewed committee procedures, and introduced staff. Members also introduced several guests, including family members, interns, and visitors from Kenton County. The chair noted there were no minutes to approve because it was the first meeting. The committee then heard House Bill 552 from Judge Executive John Sims of Falmouth County, who said the bill is a joint effort supported by KLC and the County Judge/Executive Association. He explained that the measure makes minor wording changes, replacing references to “jurisdiction” with “county or city” and changing “chairman” to “chair,” with the goal of ensuring smaller communities retain representation on local tourist commissions. Chair King added that the bill would allow a mayor or judge executive to appoint a county resident to a tourism board even when the tax district or business ownership crosses city-county lines. After brief discussion and no further questions, the committee voted on the bill. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor, with members present voting yes and Representative Whitaker explaining his support by saying tourism is a team effort in the counties. House Bill 552 passed out of committee and was sent to the House floor for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And first I want to say thank you to Sam O'Neill and Megan Mallonbach, who are both new to cannabis this
• I'm really looking forward to getting this going and again just huge shout out to Sam O'Neil and Megan
• I'm really looking forward to getting this going and again just huge shout out to Sam O'Neil and Megan
• I'm really looking forward to getting this going and again just huge shout out to Sam O'Neil and Megan

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Senate File 4401, a cannabis bill, was presented as a broad maintenance package developed through months of work with more than 80 stakeholders, including small businesses, labor, tribal representatives, medical licensees, and the Office of Cannabis Management. The author said it makes a series of technical and policy adjustments, including support for small businesses, hemp QR codes, privacy protections, event coordinator changes, clearer product definitions, investor and timeline changes, and a bridge for hemp businesses to enter cannabis. It also addresses medical cannabis access by renaming medical combination licenses as macro licenses, eliminating the grow-and-sale ratio, correcting canopy estimates, requiring key products to be stocked, and creating a first step toward a medical psilocybin program with a report and federal funding directive. Representative West supported the bill overall but criticized the canopy reduction for medical combination licenses, arguing it changes the rules midstream and could lead to litigation and taxpayer costs. He said the bill helps social equity applicants by allowing more outside investment and described the hemp provisions as a way to save that industry. The author responded that the bill right-sizes a temporary system and reflects stakeholder agreement on needed changes. After discussion, the author again urged a green vote and thanked staff and prior cannabis workers for their help. There were no amendments at the desk, the bill was given a third reading, and the House passed Senate File 4401 by a vote of 92 ayes to 42 nays, with the title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sam Thompson. Do we have more people in the Zoom? Oh, sorry. I didn't see that. I can't see.
• Sam Thompson. Sam, go ahead. Sorry. My name is Sam Thompson.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are moving forward with funding through USDA, and Sam will cover that.
• Our project has been accepted by USDA and is in underwriting right now, and Sam will cover some of that
• To Sam Fink. Welcome to the committee, Mr. Fink.
• Sam Fink with SCH. I'm the city engineer for the city of New Auburn.

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise today to proudly recognize and welcome my outgoing intern in the rear of the chamber, Sam Sheckman
• During their free time, Sam is an avid reader, loves musical theater, and enjoys tutoring his three younger
• Members, please join me in thanking Sam for his service and offering best wishes for his future success
• Thank you for your service, Sam. You will be missed.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have in attendance with me today David Stalen, the VFW commander, and also Allan Sam Crad, the adjutant
• c> stalen the VFW commander and uh also stalen the VFW commander and uh also Allan<00:04:08.360> Sam
• 10.560> adjudant<00:04:11.159> of<00:04:11.480> the<00:04:11.680> Moa Allan Sam
• crad the adjudant of the Moa Allan Sam crad the adjudant of the Moa Legion<00:04:12.560> Post

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to now be the sixth member of Delta Sigma Theta and the only one currently rep Bowers representing Houston
• It's like a point of personal privilege to welcome my Houston-area Star Wars, but most importantly, my
• children. chapter, the Houston alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.
• I see some. people from the from Houston.
• Hardam Singh Azad from Houston, Gurdwara. Paramjeet Singh from Austin, Gurdwara.

Bills: HJR5, HB39, HB 102, HB 126, HB290, HB300, HB1330, HB2110, HB2143, HCR64, HCR101

Keywords: education funding, Texas State Technical College System, constitutional amendment, capital projects, workforce education, military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, tuition assistance, military, Texas State Guard, education

Transcript Highlights:

• Sam, Sam I am. Mr.
• Members, any questions for Sam? Seeing none. Thank you, Sam. This is my bill, so I'll speak to it.
• Members, any questions for Sam? Sign on? Do we have anybody sign it?
• With that, do you have any questions for Sam? Seeing none. Again, this is my bill.

Bills: SB1071, SB1315, SB1317, SB1416, SB1493, SB1537, SB1542, SB1584, SB1626, SB1740, SB1751, SB1804, SCR1047, SCR1049

Keywords: Arizona Rangers, statutory repeal, security, state law, regulatory changes, school safety, interoperable communications, law enforcement, emergency response, funding, reentry programs, criminal justice, grants, recidivism, attorney general, missing children, kidnapping, reporting requirements, child safety, training

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1071, which would repeal the statutory framework for the Arizona Rangers. The sponsor argued the bill was about accountability and transparency, citing concerns about missing training and firearms qualification records; Arizona Rangers representatives and several sheriffs opposed the bill, saying the Rangers provide valuable volunteer support and that the real issue was adding oversight rather than eliminating protections. After discussion, the committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1071 a do pass recommendation, with members noting they expected amendments later. The committee then heard SB 1315, requiring school districts and charter schools to maintain interoperable emergency communications with law enforcement and to submit annual affidavits confirming testing and compliance. Testimony from school safety officials and sheriffs emphasized the value of real-time communication during emergencies and the need for secure sharing of campus maps and floor plans; concerns about cost and information security were addressed by supporters. The bill passed unanimously, 7-0. The committee also advanced SB 1317, which appropriates opioid settlement funds for county reentry planning programs; sheriffs and association representatives supported it, citing reduced recidivism and jail populations, and it passed 7-0. Several public safety and missing-children measures were considered next. SB 1416, as amended, revises missing child reporting requirements, adds runaway children back into reporting, requires faster photo and information sharing, and expands training requirements; advocates for missing children and law enforcement supported the compromise language, and the bill passed 7-0. SB 1740, which updates Turquoise Alert training and procedures, was also advanced 7-0 after discussion about statewide versus geographically targeted alerts and the need to keep alerts effective. Later, SB 1493, a strike-everything amendment affecting police officer termination appeals and fee shifting when an employer rejects a favorable administrative ruling, passed 5-2 despite opposition from chiefs’ representatives. SB 1537, renaming the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund and repealing its advisory commission, passed 5-2. The committee also approved SB 1751 and SCR 1049, which expand execution methods to include lethal gas and firing squad and make firing squad mandatory in certain cases involving the murder of a law enforcement officer; opponents raised constitutional, ethical, and practical concerns, while supporters framed the measures as aligning Arizona with other states and providing additional options. Both measures passed 4-3. Finally, SB 1542, which would create a framework and funding for MDMA research and treatment for PTSD in first responders and peace officers contingent on FDA approval, was heard with testimony describing promising clinical trial results and the need for Arizona research; the bill was then moved forward, though the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is fully shown.