Transcript Highlights:

• districts that cover the entire state of Texas.
• We all know that Texas is the most beautiful and best state in the country.
• Uh, representing the Texas State. Soil and Water Conservation Board testifying.
• lot of out of state products coming in in the state of Texas.
• Yeah, so, uh, in the state of Texas we've got 1800 fire departments across the state, about 1300 of those

Bills: HB294

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm co-chair of the Texas Real State and Probate Trust Law Institute.
• We own and operate 153 funeral homes in the state of Texas and support the bill.
• In many areas, other states continue education requirements and even exceed ours here in Texas.
• now and the other states. ...this compact are equivalent to those of Texas now and the other states.
• The clinical assessment that was referred to—35 states use the same technique as Texas.

Bills: HB111

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an honor and a privilege to serve the state of Texas and the residents of Texas in this capacity
• Texas-Mexico office and the new state of Texas-Taiwan office, which I will speak about in a moment.
• And in the State of the State, he talked about building a stronger Texas, the Texas of tomorrow.
• My official title is the State Risk Manager for Texas.
• And then we adopted and modified that for Texas state agencies.

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas exports roughly 75% of the United States' oil and gas exports to the world.
• We worked closely with Texas legislators, Texas congressional leaders, state and federal law enforcement
• I would urge our state lawmakers to help position Texas and Texas energy companies to take advantage
• of hydrogen within the state of Texas.
• of hydrogen for the state of Texas.

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also is a home of Midwestern State University, part of the Texas Tech System.
• Texas State Aquarium Day, and we want to thank everybody in the gallery, Jesse Gilbert.
• Blow. all of the Texas State Aquarium when you all need, AJ, you know, Denise.
• Texas State Technical College and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley prepare students for careers
• HCR 89 by Heffner designating the cannon as the official state gun of Texas.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Supreme Court, Intermediary State and Federal Appellate Courts, and in more than 20 states.
• and a Juris Doctorate from Texas State University School of Law.
• I mentioned Texas Department of Emergency Management. of disaster that affects the state of Texas be
• . the state of Texas.
• In the state of Texas, we have just fielded that.

Committee: Senate Nominations

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Carla Jackson, and I'm a registered interior designer in the state of Texas.
• As the state with the second highest rate of femicide, Texas cannot afford to wait.
• We're the state chamber for the state of Texas, and I'm testifying today in strong support of House Bill
• I'm the Texas state director for NFIB, National Federation for Independent Business.
• Texas isn't the only, uh, state considering these types of actions.

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not want TCEQ to be a bottleneck for prosperity for the state of Texas.
• Our mission is to ensure that the public health of the state of Texas.
• The largest port now in the United States is Laredo, Texas.
• We have 551 game wardens serving all of Texas across 254 counties and state waters, and 150 state park
• at Texas State Park system sites and wildlife management areas.

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the state of Texas is proving to have higher rates.
• Texas ranks in the bottom 10 states for per-student funding.
• Texas ranks in the bottom 10 states for per-student funding.
• Texas state schools.
• We all recognize the state of Texas is the state of Texas is a state.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the state veterinarian and the executive director of the Texas Animal Hospital.
• We stand as one of the oldest trade associations. in the state of Texas.
• I've got 400 plus dealers just in the state of Texas.
• Number two, I would encourage you as the Texas State Legislature to continue working with the Texas Congressional
• provides a voice to our members here in Texas. and works with other state organizations.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My mother was a state agent, worked for the Texas Department of Human Services as part of the state agency
• Texas is ranked in the bottom 10 states for quality of life.
• Even as someone from another state, I care because this isn't just about Texas.
• Texas has over 1.5 million veterans, more than any other state.
• This isn't about fair maps, and in fact it never has been in the state of Texas.

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting met virtually for its West Texas regional hearing, established a quorum, and explained that the hearing was part of a series of statewide information-gathering sessions before any map was filed. The chair outlined the Zoom procedures, the two-minute testimony limit, and the availability of written comments through the committee’s public portal. Senators also discussed the logistics and transparency of the process, including the expectation that any proposed map or amendment would be made public once filed and that additional hearings would follow. Senator Blanco, whose district includes West Texas and the border region, said the area’s communities of interest should be kept together and warned against repeating the loss of representation that followed the last redistricting cycle. Senators Alvarado, Hinojosa, Miles, and others debated the value of virtual hearings versus in-person hearings, the number of people who had testified, and whether the committee could subpoena witnesses after the regional hearings ended. The chair said he was awaiting legal guidance and would consider a subpoena motion at a formal meeting the next day. A lengthy exchange also occurred over the tone of public testimony and the chair’s view that some comments directed at Republicans and the president had been offensive or historically inaccurate. Invited witnesses and public commenters largely opposed mid-decade redistricting and argued that any new map should reflect population growth, especially among Latino and other minority communities, and comply with the Voting Rights Act. Nina Perales of MALDEF said the hearings were not meaningful without a draft map and testified that Texas has a long history of discriminatory redistricting; senators questioned her about litigation, DOJ’s July 7 letter, and the 2021 congressional map. Tania Chavez Camacho, Luis Figueroa, and several El Paso residents emphasized that maps should preserve communities of interest, avoid cracking and packing, and be transparent and participatory. A smaller number of witnesses supported redistricting, including one El Paso resident who said the current districting leaves the area underrepresented and another who argued that some communities want to return to a map closer to the earlier District 16 configuration. Several witnesses also criticized the DOJ letter as inconsistent with the state’s position that the 2021 maps were drawn race-blind, while others said the current process was too rushed and lacked sufficient public input.

Transcript Highlights:

• At Texas State, it's 3 to 1. Mr. Chairman, it's 55 to 1 at UT and 50 to 1 at A&M.
• I'm a faculty member at Texas State University, but I do not speak on behalf of my employer.
• We had our 10th annual conference this past fall at Texas State.
• Texas is not the first state to propose these types of changes, correct?
• Texas isn't, we're not the first state to propose these types of changes, correct?

Bills: SB 37

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then if you expand out the Texas military forces, which includes the Texas State Guard, which is
• We serve the state of Texas. Very clear.
• Texas State Guard is your Texas Patriots. It's 1,700, over 1,700.
• So we are across the state of Texas, we have with the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
• Texas is the best state in the world.

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They were well-made, and they probably apply to other regions of the state of Texas.
• My mother was a state agent and worked for the Texas Department of Human Services as part of the state
• Texas is ranked in the bottom 10 states. for quality of life.
• are just Democratic voting blocks in the state of Texas? Yeah, absolutely.
• Texas has over 1.5 million veterans, more than any other state.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in your opinion, how could Texas best collaborate with the State Department to ensure that Mexico
• We think it is very appropriate for the state of Texas to be engaged.
• Mexico is depriving the state of Texas its property under this treaty.
• Um, so those are the, those are the big states. I mean, Texas has got a built-in advantage.
• Of that population, approximately 5000 reside in and contribute to the state of Texas.

Committee: House S/C on State-Federal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• God save the state of Texas in this honorable court. Good afternoon.
• What a great day for the Supreme Court of Texas and for the entire state of Texas.
• Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, indivisible.
• And may God forever bless the great state of Texas. Texas. Thank you so much, Governor.
• Supreme Court of the State of Texas of Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Texas and will to

Summary: The Supreme Court of Texas held a ceremonial investiture for two new justices, James Sullivan and Kyle Hawkins. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock opened the session with welcoming remarks and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the National Anthem sung by Trooper Alena Gallardo. The event included an invocation by Father Dean Wilhelm, emphasizing the importance of justice and the rule of law. Governor Greg Abbott praised the new justices, highlighting their qualifications and the significance of their appointments to the court. Justice Samuel Alito administered the oath of office to Justice Hawkins, while Judge Thomas Griffith administered the oath to Justice Sullivan. Both justices expressed gratitude for their appointments and acknowledged the support of their families, mentors, and colleagues. The ceremony also honored former justices Jeff Boyd and Nathan Hecht, with heartfelt tributes reflecting on their contributions to the court and the legal community in Texas. The event concluded with a benediction by Reverend Greg Davidson, encouraging the justices to work diligently and honorably in their new roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the, to the state of Texas and beyond.
• Texas State Guard is your Texas Patriots.
• So we are across the state of Texas.
• Texas has more veterans than any other state, with 1.5 million veterans calling Lone Star State their
• Population in the state of Texas.

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Martin is the Homeland Security Advisor for the State of Texas, as designated by the United States Department
• Nationwide, every state is going to have one. Regionally, in Texas.
• For a 120% return on investment to the state of Texas.
• We have so many people in the state of Texas.
• I don't know of a sheriff's office one in the state. state of Texas that is completely at maximum staffing

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• stores in the great state of Texas.
• The state of Texas doesn't have a problem with the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
• One of the most dangerous jobs there is, the state of Texas initially requires 0.
• We represent the firms over 450 engineering firms in the state of Texas.
• Texas is an outlier in this. Other states are doing it already.

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• state, including eight different counties in Texas.
• Obviously, the fly is in states bordering Texas.
• In 1972, we had 90,000 cases in the state of Texas.
• State of Texas...
• State of Texas...

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: 1185, senate, all