Transcript Highlights:

• So members, this could be a tremendous potential impact on our state and help the state of Texas remain
• Can be used for this technology throughout the state of Texas.
• Uh, I'm Ken Wian, associate state geologist for Texas and associate director of the Bureau of Economic
• And so they had a map, uh, heat map of the entire state of Texas, and I was just blown back by how great
• It's about moving Texas forward, about moving the United States forward in energy production that quite

Committee: House Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The good thing about it in Texas is that Texas has the smallest residual market of any state.
• With, you know, that the Texas military. insurances, so is there any other states have even close to
• Texas is not a one-size-fits-all state. As you've heard, the budgets can vary.
• That number for the state of Texas. I'm not sure that a study's been done.
• chapters in the state of Texas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas.

Bills: HB406

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: local economic development, notification, workforce development, municipal agreements, county contracts, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.
• I have the honor of recognizing today as Golf Day in the State of Texas.
• of Texas and determine what course of action the State of Texas is going to take.
• And a political subdivision of the state and the state itself can't enforce... ...in the State of Texas
• So Central covers the entire state of Texas.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation and pledges, received Senate messages, and adopted several procedural motions allowing committees to meet during the session and postponing or scheduling certain committee hearings. Members also observed a memorial recognition for Wood County Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard, who died in the line of duty, and adopted a resolution honoring her service. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 897 recognizing May 6, 2025 as Golf Day in Texas and House Resolution 1063 recognizing Dallas Housing Coalition Advocacy Day; additional recognitions highlighted Mental Health Awareness Month and tardive dyskinesia awareness, The Woodlands’ 50th anniversary, Alzheimer’s advocacy, student athlete Gator Young, an intern in Rep. Leo-Wilson’s office, and educator Jessica Lopez. The House spent much of the day on third-reading consideration of a long calendar of bills. Among the measures passed were HB 24 on zoning protest procedures, HB 3800 creating a health care workforce advisory board, HB 42 on higher education appropriations, HB 129 restricting contracts with foreign adversary companies, HB 677 on county elections administrator political activity, HB 668 on license-to-carry renewal procedures, HB 2128 directing a rural firefighting study, HB 2038 expanding physician licensing options, HB 2316 on election result reporting, HB 3686 on retired peace officer ID cards, HB 2563 creating a prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool, HB 1160 increasing penalties for assaults on utility workers, HB 3883 on major events funding, HB 2788 protecting fraud-detection information, HB 2663 on inactive well plugging extensions, HB 3305 extending a county health provider participation program, HB 3474 on pension reporting, HB 1105 expanding tuition exemptions for certain paramedics, HB 3490 on closed meetings with internal auditors, HB 3597 on child care facility notice thresholds, HB 1295 on health literacy planning, HB 3512 on AI training for government employees, HB 3783 on court-ordered counseling, HB 2017 on intoxication manslaughter penalties, HB 3010 on rural disaster recovery, HB 3112 on cybersecurity-related public information and meetings, HB 4215 on delivery network companies, HB 3223 on construction claims limitation periods, HB 3464 on controlled substances in correctional facilities, HB 3120 on residential child detention facilities, HB 4214 on public information, HB 481 on trade secret sealing, HB 4783 on opioid antagonist program reporting, HB 4063 on unilateral memoranda of contract, HB 2783 on county employee deferred compensation, HB 5085 on seed banks, HB 2510 on assisted living facility operations, HB 3426 on digital driver’s licenses, HB 4361 on emergency notifications at higher education institutions, HB 1169 on oil and gas infrastructure protection, HB 2516 on Medicare supplement eligibility for Texans under 65, HB 3560 on hospital staff background checks, HB 3860 on occupational licenses for inmates, HB 3146 on SOAH hearings, HB 184 on loan repayment for border prosecution attorneys, HB 198 on firefighter cancer screenings, HB 247 on border security infrastructure taxation, HB 367 on excused absences for students with severe illnesses, HB 449 on deepfake sexually explicit images, HB 1778 on human trafficking and related offenses, HB 514 on maternal health workforce outreach, HB 632 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2582 on victim parole information, HB 766 on precinct chair ballot applications, HB 2715 on suspension/removal of officials, HB 2712 on water and sewer utility test years, HB 3069 on transmission projects, HB 3505 on health provider participation districts, HB 1269 on plant disease and pest prevention grants, HB 4224 on access to health care records, HB 5032 on historical documents in the Capitol complex, HB 2240 on void marriages, HB 5180 on diploma designation, HB 3348 on health provider participation programs, HB 4668 on PUC authority to retain assistance, HB 4665 on child care training providers, HB 3395 on beneficiary designation for manufactured homes, HB 3157 on interim electric utility rates, HB 4395 on electronic submission of public securities records, HB 4325 on bribery civil penalties, HB 4386 on annuity replacement transactions, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud-related unlawful acts, HB 2760 on judicial review of unemployment decisions, HB 2820 on charitable bingo operating capital, HB 1828 on legislative leave for correctional officers, and a series of Senate bills including SB 2349, SB 1268, SB 610, SB 1577, SB 1369, SB 2032, SB 1057, SB 1044, SB 922, SB 1759, SB 1143, SB 1506, SB 1403, SB 2361, SB 870, SB 372, and SB 72. Several bills drew debate or amendments, including HB 24, where a germane point of order was sustained against an amendment, and HB 198, HB 3348, and SB 2361, which were amended before passage. Most measures passed by wide margins, though some drew notable opposition, including HB 3883, HB 514, HB 1295, HB 184, SB 1143, and others. The House also postponed further consideration of HB 4700 until the end of the day and HB 24 until 1 p.m., and it granted permission for committees to meet during the House session and for the Calendars Committee to meet that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas exists right now in a very balanced state in the insurance world.
• Uh, if Texas were to pass this, it would be the 5th state to pass legislation like this.
• In the state of Texas with ERISA-based businesses and our studies have shown that that's already.
• in other states, uh, specific to Texas.
• Texas is one of the 5 most expensive homeowner states in the country.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• of the policy of the state of Texas is that very likely you're going to be released.
• How does this happen in the state of Texas? To say the very least.
• And I know that the state of Texas, where I was born and raised and I love this state. can do better
• Chair, I just cannot imagine having to come fight against the state of Texas.
• I live in the state of Texas and been doing this for a very long time. OK, um.

Bills: HB153

Committee: House Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman: The chair now calls Janelle Levesque, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation on the bill
• As stated by previous testimony, Texas, the Texas mental health and substance use workforce shortage
• However, as stated previously, the cost of living in Texas has continued to rise while wages have been
• I am Kathy Green, the director of state and federal strategy at AARP Texas.
• The Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care uses similar funding structure as the one proposed in this

Bills: HB158

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state above, one indivisible.
• In the state of Texas, uh, he's the only one I know, uh, Assistant City Manager Brent Gary, Director
• of Texas.
• Resolution 314, recognizing February 24, 2025 as the AAIPI Day of action at the Texas State Capitol.
• of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• , monitored by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
• transfer of the replica of the House of Representatives to the state of Texas, its potential relocation
• Texas is a big state.
• I concluded my career as the Texas State administrator where I oversaw the ecological Services program
• of Texas and the tourism industry, the state of Texas from which we generate.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• Operate exclusively in the state for the Committee on state affairs HB 1726 by Collier relating to who
• subdivisions of the state for to the Committee on State Affairs.
• HB 2061 by Holt relating to the designation of State Highway 242 bridge intersecting State Highway 59
• , and the Railroad Commission of Texas for the Committee on State Affairs, HB 2168 by Leo Wilson relating
• on State Affairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now to the greatest state in the country, Texas. Honor the Texas flag.
• I pledge allegiance to the Texas. One state under God... Flag. I pledge allegiance to be in Texas.
• One state under God, one in New. God bless Texas.
• There's only 11 campuses of TSTC throughout the state of Texas.
• Let's have Texas time in the great state of Texas. Now move passage. House Bill 1393 is...

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledges, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Wilson County Day, San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day, and Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, along with acknowledgments of visiting groups and a birthday greeting. The chamber also announced committee meetings and then moved into floor business, including conference committee action on Senate Bill 1, the state budget. A series of motions to instruct House conferees on SB 1 were debated and voted on. One motion sought to restore salary for Attorney General Ken Paxton after his impeachment-related suspension; it passed 88-56. Another, from Rep. Olcott, directed conferees to support amendments requiring data collection on the costs of undocumented immigrants in hospitals and prisons; after extended debate and a failed amendment from Rep. Martinez Fischer to also study immigrants’ economic contributions, the motion passed 86-61. The House also adopted instructions to eliminate Texas Lottery Commission funding, to support amendments restricting public education institutions from affirming gender identities inconsistent with biological sex, and to seek an additional $4 billion in property tax relief, with each motion passing on recorded votes. The House then took up a supplemental calendar and passed several bills, including HB 39 on veteran death data, HB 102 on priority registration for certain students entering military service, HB 126 on student-athlete compensation and representation, HB 290 on tuition and fee assistance for members of the Texas military forces, HB 300 on Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program updates, and HB 2143 naming a highway in honor of Army Specialist Joey Lins. The chamber also postponed consideration of HJR 2 and HJR 6. Later, the House considered HB 120 on career and technology education pathways and HB 20 on applied science pathway programs for high school students. HB 120 received a perfecting amendment and was advanced after discussion about workforce preparation. HB 20 prompted extensive questioning about transportation, costs, and how students would access partner campuses such as community colleges and TSTC sites; debate continued as the transcript ended, with members examining how the program would operate and whether approval authority would rest with TEA.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, a Texas bill is typically higher than most other states, and that creates some challenges
• The state of Texas is asking you to do this.
• to grow here in the state. here in Texas since 2010, and we look forward to continuing to grow here
• Okay, so the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and State Fire Marshal's Office are writing the rules
• The bill also mandates emergency plans be approved through the Texas State Fire Marshal.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You may have the highest bar passage rate in the state of Texas.
• Trying to make a system like that uniform across the state of Texas is a nice idea, ...the state of Texas
• So I work very closely with the Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar of Texas.
• We are one of the, if not the oldest rural program in the state of Texas.
• As far as I know, there is no requirement in the state of Texas.

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate the partnerships and the opportunity the State of Texas has offered through the GLO program
• It used to be a state highway in Navarro County, which I represent way up in East Texas.
• , and Central Texas.
• state.
• Texas.

Committee: House Natural Resources

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships. Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects. Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got to have a reliable electric system in the state of Texas.
• increase in inflation in the state of Texas and the increase in the number of people living in the state
• It was 1850, so we had an outline of the state of Texas.
• Fourth, Texas partnered with Texas A&M to conduct a study on other states' mitigation programs.
• State your name and begin. Welcome to the Texas Energy Committee.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are about 2700 parole officers or probation officers in the state of Texas.
• We, Texas has not done that with our state population.
• So that was a, I think, a very good deal for the state of Texas that we have at this point.
• Until 2023 we were responsible for 10 secure facilities here in the state of Texas.
• Obviously we think we've done a tremendous job for the agency in the state of Texas since 1995.

Committee: House Corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• In a 2016 study conducted by Texas State University on behalf of the Texas Veterans Commission, it was
• task force to support the Texas Military Department in strengthening the Texas State Guard.
• The Texas State Guard is an all volunteer force that plays a critical role in supporting state disaster
• A lot has been asked of all of the Texas military forces the last 25 years, and the Texas State Guard
• professionalization of the Texas State Guard.

Bills: HB101

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

Keywords: voter approval, local tax, disaster declaration, tax rate increases, community funding

Transcript Highlights:

• It grew like 34% this year here in the state of Texas.
• We are banned in the state of Texas.
• We are banned in the state of Texas.
• And the state of Texas used to have the most.
• in the state of Texas.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we show you're registered as Joe Markham on behalf of the Texas State Association of Firefighters
• Uh The Texas State Association of Firefighters.
• The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, commonly known as TAS, is a state research agency committed
• We show you registered as Joe Markham on behalf of the Texas State Association of Firefighters testifying
• Uh, in addition to, uh, helping the Texas State Association of Firefighters, I'm also currently employed

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• And now our beloved state, honor the Stan Kitzman: Texas flag.
• I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible. Thank you.
• Clerk: HR 122 by Gomez recognizing January 29, 2025 as Brownsville Day at the Texas State Capitol.
• of Texas.
• We'd like to recognize one of the oldest leadership programs in the state of Texas, Leadership Corpus

Transcript Highlights:

• Reserves are very, very essential to law enforcement across the state of Texas.
• But for us, and y'all, it's right here in the state of Texas.
• I have been a licensed peace officer in the state of Texas for 30 years.
• I hope you guys all know that peace officers in the state of Texas, regardless of...
• I continue to serve my country as a licensed peace officer in the state of Texas.

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

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.