Transcript Highlights:

• It assumes that we never see anything real. If I may stop you there. Thank you very much.
• coming to Texas and you look at this and go not ever again.
• And my testimony will be just real quick. You need to get that done first.
• Holding hotel occupancy tax revenue is in contradiction of Texas statute.
• Your service and your time for the state of Texas are appreciated.

Bills: SB1071 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB1756 , SB1854 , SB2036 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2622 , SB2779 , SB2955 , SB2979

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: municipality, tax revenue, hotel project, convention center, economic development, hotel tax, municipal authority, local governments, local authority, convention centers, hotel occupancy tax, municipal finance, local tax revenue, tourism, hotel and convention center project, Tax Code Chapter 351, city revenue, special district, Texas municipalities, venue financing

Transcript Highlights:

• Wholesalers of Texas, and the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission. to set up a complaint process for distillers
• We do have a resource witness here from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Chair calls.
• For the record, I'm Matthew Cherry, Senior Counsel for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
• Can't do that in Texas. It's put a hard cap on how far Texas wine can go.
• into Texas. liquor.

Bills: SB8 , SB650 , SB667 , SB779 , SB1349 , SB1355 , SB1378 , SB1585 , SB1721 , SB2312 , SB 8

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, China, Chinese-affiliated entities, Chinese military companies, People's Republic of China, Chinese Communist Party, divestment, state pension funds, public retirement systems, Teacher Retirement System, Employees Retirement System, Permanent School Fund, Texas Comptroller, foreign investment, national security

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been an immigration attorney in Texas.
• I'm representing the Texas civil rights project and I'm opposed to SJR 5.
• C 所以我也很高興賽前收獎 那是很有意思的 對身體而言 I would take Texas down the wrong path by undermining Texas fundamental right
• I work for the Texas Jail Project on Jail Conditions. I'm here to speak against SJR 5.
• People who die in Louisiana and Mississippi are not even counted by Texas.

Bills: SB9 , SB1047 , SB1048 , SJR17 , SJR49 , SB40 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB 9 , SB 40 , SJR 1

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, criminal procedure, public safety report, victim notification, family violence, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunction, taxpayer rights, violent crimes, sexual offenses, community safety, constitutional amendment, trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• of Texas can tell us if they want this.
• Texas represented one of the largest overhauls to Texas' bail system, drastically increasing the amount
• I'll give you another case example, and these are real-life examples, real-life people that are affected
• Last year, as per the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, 135 people were jailed.
• Last year as data collected per the Texas Jail Commission on Jail Standards, 135 people died in custody

Bills: SB9 , SB1047 , SB1048 , SJR17 , SJR49 , SB40 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB 9 , SB 40 , SJR 1

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, criminal procedure, public safety report, victim notification, family violence, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunction, taxpayer rights, violent crimes, sexual offenses, community safety, constitutional amendment, trafficking

Bills: HB322 , HB 126 , HB3062 , HB1481 , HB2310 , HB2674 , HB 121 , HB2243 , HB3627 , HB 1178 , HB367 , HB5515

Committees: Senate Education K-16 , Senate Education

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• The commission allowed a business entity named Rook Texas to collect proceeds of the $95 million jackpot
• But even though the lottery commission colludes with criminals to defraud Texas, and the lottery itself
• But even though the lottery commission colludes with criminals to defraud Texas, and the lottery itself
• The bill also includes a provision that says no appointed member of the Texas Commission of Licensing
• Rob Kohler, representing the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention in Texas, testified

Bills: HB668 , HB677 , HB766 , HB3133 , SB3070

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: HB 668, Texas, handgun license, license to carry, LTC, concealed carry, open carry, firearm permit, gun license renewal, public safety, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Government Code Section 411.185, renewal fee, handgun permit, Second Amendment, carry permit, firearms regulation, HB 677, Texas Election Code

Summary: The committee met to hear several bills, beginning with House Bill 766, which would require precinct chair applicants to provide an email address, phone number, or both on their applications while keeping that contact information confidential. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 677, a companion to a previously approved Senate bill, would bar county election administrators from simultaneously holding another office or position appointed by an elected official; it also drew no public testimony and was left pending. Members then heard House Bill 3133, which would add explicit deepfake material to the list of content social media platforms must handle through complaint systems, including prompt acknowledgment, investigation, and status updates. Senators discussed concerns about how platforms would verify whether reported content was actually a deepfake, and the sponsor indicated the bill may be held pending while federal law on the subject is reviewed. House Bill 668 would create a one-year grace period for renewing an expired Texas handgun license to carry, codifying an existing DPS practice; it also received no testimony and was left pending. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 3070, a major overhaul of the Texas Lottery system. The bill would move oversight from the Lottery Commission to TDLR, dissolve the commission, impose new restrictions on ticket sales and internet play, create a lottery advisory committee, increase transparency and audit requirements, and include a sunset review that could lead to abolishing the lottery if not continued by 2027. The author described the bill as a response to alleged misconduct and illegal practices by the commission, while a witness from the Christian Life Commission testified in favor, supporting changes to prize anonymity and other lottery restrictions. After testimony, the bill was left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• CASA of West Texas has been involved... in West Texas together and the collaboration in this community
• Sheila Hemphill with Texas Rate to Know.
• The Texas Ambulance Association is a statewide organization across the state of Texas, and we appreciate
• I'm the president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business. We're the Texas State Chamber.
• So I represent Texas Oncology.

Bills: SB502 , SB513 , SB622 , SB670 , SB731 , SB732 , SB916 , SB961 , SB1122

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• I know firsthand this is a real problem.
• All PBMs are operating the same way in Texas.
• According to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, or TCO, there are only 177 licensed police officers
• Our footprint is in northwest Central Texas.
• He's with the Texas Dermatology Society.

Bills: SB502 , SB513 , SB622 , SB670 , SB731 , SB732 , SB916 , SB961 , SB1122

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• And we believe that buyers and sellers both benefit from having a free and open real estate market.
• </c><00:37:28.640><c> We</c><00:37:28.800><c> want</c><00:37:28.960><c> to</c> and open real estate market
• We want to and open real estate market.
• Having a real estate market that does not prohibit or restrict investors can be beneficial to sellers
• On the corporation side, we are looking at those partnerships, corporations, real estate investment trusts

Bills: HF3806 , HF2687 , HF497

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota Statutes, HF2687, single-family homes, corporate landlords, corporate ownership, real estate investment trust, REIT, landlord registry, landlord database, tenant transparency, housing affordability, homeownership, deed tax, transfer tax, property tax, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the committee. 6257 relates to trainee real estate appraisers
• I was contacted by a constituent named Clay, who was going through the process of becoming a real estate
• And this period of time coincided with the timelines for their real estate appraiser work.
• estate appraiser license.
• In my personal life, I'm an attorney with my own law practice, focusing on business law and real estate

Bills: SB5976 , SB6111 , SB6250 , SB6257 , SB6289 , SGA9060 , SGA9169 , SGA9265 , SGA9266

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: commercial email, spam regulations, online marketing, privacy, consumer protection, SB 6111, Washington Protecting Children Online Act, online child safety, minor privacy, age verification, parental consent, social media regulation, digital platforms, user-generated content, content moderation, online harms, youth protection, data privacy, geolocation, targeted advertising

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting with part one, which relates to the use of local real estate excise tax revenues: By way of
• Increasing the local real estate excise tax will raise the cost of housing transactions, making home
• Increasing the local real estate excise tax will raise the cost of housing transactions, making home
• First, the expansion of real estate excise tax.
• I am definitely an Airbnb host, and I've been in real estate here for 40 years in the state of Washington

Bills: HB2559 , HB2135 , HB2133 , HB2442

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: affordable housing, local government funding, housing programs, community development, financial assistance, adaptive housing, disabled veterans, tax preferences, housing affordability, retail sales tax, property tax, senior citizens, tax exemption, permanent legislation, local government, tax authority, sales tax, use tax, real estate excise tax, REET

Transcript Highlights:

• Smith for appointment to the Texas Lottery Commission for a term to expire February 1st, 2029.
• Steele. for appointment to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection for a term to expire February 1st,
• Indigent Defense Commission now therefore be it res... resolved that the Senate of the state of Texas
• Wainwright and commend the Texas Indigent Defense Commission. on its work to improve the administration
• In honor of today's resolution, we are joined by members of TDIC, the Texas Indigent Defense Commission

Bills: SJR18 , SCR5 , SCR13 , SCR25 , SB3 , SB6 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB18 , SB35 , SB388 , SB412 , SB441 , SB495 , SB666 , SB687 , SB706 , SB740 , SB815 , SB842 , SB917 , SB925 , SB995 , SB1006 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1379 , SB1451 , SB1902 , SJR36 , SJR18 , SJR12 , SCR13 , SCR25 , SCR5 , SCR22 , SB565 , SB372 , SB495 , SB842 , SB765 , SB62 , SB19 , SB18 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB290 , SB11 , SB10 , SB13 , SB412 , SB441 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB917 , SB925 , SB388 , SB1902 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB35 , SB6 , SB815 , SB3 , SB1281 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB1451 , SB1061 , SB15 , SB65 , SB241 , SB304 , SB402 , SB499 , SB621 , SB974 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1025 , SB1106 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB400 , SB609 , SB1447 , SB670 , SB502 , SB427 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1555 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB893 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB509 , SB985 , SB965 , SB17 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB12 , SB24 , SB57 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1268 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB840

Keywords: capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask, Father God, that you bless the people of Texas. that you guide us each and every day in the decisions
• For all the families that are suffering in Central Texas from the horrific tragedies and storms of last

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 14 , SB 16 , SB 18 , SB 34 , SB 6 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB4

Keywords: flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• Training in swift water rescue in Texas will be available for all first responders in the Texas Military
• Senate Bill 18, relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission
• Senate Bill 16, relating to real property theft and real property fraud.
• Texas Senate.
• Members, this amendment allows the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC), which is currently the existing body

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 14 , SB 16 , SB 18 , SB 34 , SB 6 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB4

Keywords: flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products

Transcript Highlights:

• The county assessor must correct the real and personal property rolls in accordance with the changes
• That concludes my presentation for real this time, and I can now respond to any questions.
• I believe it's about giving people real options, ensuring due process, and building trust in government
• Mayor, if you want to answer real quick.
• This commission would not transfer with the authority to administer the Washington State Fire Code.

Bills: SB5820 , SB6064 , SB6077 , SB6101 , SB6013 , SB6066

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: freight rail, rail corridor, short-line railroad, rail-dependent uses, industrial land use, growth management act, GMA, comprehensive plan, transportation element, land use planning, local government, county planning, city planning, critical areas, agricultural lands, forest lands, mineral resource lands, urban growth area, development regulations, notice on permits

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes sir, I sit on the Broadband Commission. I signed up for that.
• President, members of the body, we all know Buddy Sharpless, former director of the County Commission
• the bill at this point, and so I think it brings it more into consistency with other boards and commissions
• The intention was real good, but the implementation of it was not good.
• Y'all know I always tell y'all I live with a real live American hero, my father.

Bills: SJR 5 , SJR 36 , SJR 5 , SJR 5 , SR 105 , SR 121 , SB 17 , SB 19 , SB 25 , SB 28 , SB 17 , SB 19 , SB 25 , SB 28

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, school safety, mental health, emergency response, education policy, law enforcement, SR 121, Senate Resolution 121, Pete Alfaro, Pedro Cuellar Alfaro, Pedro Alfaro, Baytown, Texas Senate tribute, in memory, memorial resolution, condolence resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of public policy at the Texas Council on Family Violence.
• And Texas has led the way in supporting victims of coerced debt.
• We have spent decades helping survivors at Texas Advocacy Project.
• Under Chapter 712 of the Texas Health and Safety Chairman Lambert: Code, the Texas Department of Banking
• The 88th Texas legislature adopted Senate Bill 895, repealing and replacing Chapter 151 of the Texas

Bills: HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3833 , HB4134 , HB4233 , HB4238 , HB4243

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: HB 3803, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 712, perpetual care cemetery, perpetual care trust fund, cemetery regulation, financial confidentiality, confidential records, regulatory examination, Texas Department of Banking, commissioner disclosure, interagency information sharing, state agency enforcement, federal agency disclosure, trust fund oversight, burial services, cemetery trust, consumer protection, state banks, Texas Finance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• I practice at the Texas Nurses Association and am a registered nurse here in Texas.
• Valerie Smith, testifying on behalf of the Texas Pediatric Society, Texas Medical Association, and Texas
• I'm a pediatrician from Tyler, Texas, representing the Texas Pediatric Society, Texas Medical Association
• Texas does have a postdoc.
• REAL ID compliant.

Bills: SB2024 , SB227 , SB268 , SB1467 , SB1580 , HB5537 , SB1313 , SB1677 , SB918 , SB331 , SB2207 , SB2721

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) last session.
• Members, we do have someone from the Texas Funeral Service Commission here now, and so we'll call her
• Kristin Tipps, you are the chair of the Texas Funeral Service Commission.
• Was with the AATB, so they were not sharing information with the Texas Funeral Commission.
• Does the Texas Funeral Commission have oversight of when a county takes possession?

Bills: SB2024 , SB227 , SB268 , SB1467 , SB1580 , HB5537 , SB1313 , SB1677 , SB918 , SB331 , SB2207 , SB2721

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: e-cigarettes, marketing prohibition, youth protection, criminal penalties, public health, school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, death records, vital statistics, healthcare, trauma facility, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• My husband and I have a real estate brokerage in the Texas Panhandle.
• We've been... ...a real estate brokerage in the Texas Panhandle.
• And if Texas had said no, I don't think that the national would have booted the real estate people out
• I'm a broker, real estate broker in College Station, Texas.
• I'm a broker, real estate broker in College Station, Texas.

Bills: SB2101 , SB2334 , SB2633 , SB2637 , SB2713 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB3059 , HB 1130 , HB256 , HCR19

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.