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:

• 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:

• 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.

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:

• Subsection B3 states that when the Texas Department of Transportation approves a loan or grant, the recipient
• Uh, today, Texas governments are heavily subsidizing driving, adding up state and local spending.
• Um, along with my previous stated concerns with the anti-toll socialism, uh, this bill would lock Texas
• In 2001, the Texas Transportation Commission changed state policy after extensive research showed that
• Advancing efforts to provide more transit options to central Texas is even more critical as the state

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Less than $40,000 so the state of Texas paid $82,000 of our tax money.
• So in 2008, uh, a very large insurance company in the state of Texas, uh, tried to roll out a, uh, a
• In the entire state of Texas that meets the Texas financial liability requirements of 1 million per occurrence
• to the state of Texas.
• Right, so the state regulated plans and that makes up less than 50% of the total market in Texas.

Bills: HB139

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: ad valorem tax, tax rates, voter-approval, taxing unit, property tax, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• And to my knowledge, there isn't one in the state of Texas at this time.
• This is because Texas does not... state dollars to McKinney-Vento programs.
• My name is Lucas Simms, and I'm a... student here in the great state of Texas.
• Texas is the best state, but our school system is the 29th and that deeply upsets me.
• for everything that you do for our state and for the people of Texas.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the 50 short lines in the state of Texas.
• We have 3 shortline railroads located here in the state of Texas.
• While other states have established and grown grant programs to support their shortline railroads, Texas
• Since 2020, 9 federal grants have been awarded in the state of Texas, representing over $60 million of
• It's something I believe would, uh, really benefit rural, rural Texas and all of the state if we get

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state.
• Court of Texas to address a joint session of the legislature on the state of the judiciary.
• Um, today I'd like to recognize and celebrate Texas State Technical College, an institution that has
• It is one of the best returns on investment our state of Texas could ever make.
• They're here advocating for their university, the best university, uh, in the state of Texas, um.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Texas state director for NFIB, National Federation of Independent Business.
• Um, refused to or stopped, I should say, providing services to the state of Texas.
• Texas will become a beacon for free speech and you will beckon all other states in the United States
• to follow this legislation as Texas goes many times, other states in the United States go.
• I can't speak to out of state, but I do know for a fact that that has not happened in Texas.

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, there are over 1.5 million veterans that call Texas home, the highest of any other state in
• In Texas we support our veterans, and this makes it official state public policy to support veteran-owned
• In Texas we support our veterans, and this makes it official state public policy to support veteran-owned
• Currently, there are over 1.5 million veterans that call Texas home, the highest of any other state in
• In Texas we support our veterans, and this makes it official state public policy to support veteran owned

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Veterans Affairs heard several bills related to veterans and military installations. Senator Birdwell presented SB 1197, which would extend existing drone restrictions over military bases and airports to Texas spaceports, with exceptions for authorized operators; there was brief supportive testimony and the bill was left pending. Chairman Hancock presented SB 1271, allowing Texas to accept concurrent jurisdiction over military installations to improve handling of juvenile offenses through state and local involvement; no public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. SB 390, by Senator Middleton and explained by Senator Menendez, would expand the definition of historically underutilized businesses to include veteran-owned businesses certified by the SBA, regardless of disability rating, to increase veteran participation in state contracting. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from veterans and business advocates, while Senator Eckhardt raised concerns that broadening the category might not satisfy the disparity-study basis typically used for HUB programs. The committee also took up pending bills later in the meeting. SB 651 was advanced after adoption of a committee substitute and received a unanimous committee vote to do pass and be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 897 likewise had a committee substitute adopted and was reported favorably by a unanimous vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1814 was reported favorably and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar by a unanimous vote. SB 1197 was also voted out favorably and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1271 and SB 390 were left pending at the end of the meeting, and the committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• H.C.R. 146, directing the governor of the state of Texas to award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor
• Members, the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that the state of Texas
• H.C.R. 149, direct the governor of the state of Texas to posthumously award the Texas Legislative Medal
• state of Texas?
• Now therefore be it resolved that the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Texas Legislature, hereby pay

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several recognitions and memorial resolutions, including honoring retiring Senate staffer Kelvin Bass and Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw and her staff. Members also adopted a series of local and honorary resolutions, including designating Rockport as the Redfish Capital of Texas, San Antonio as Military City, Texas, and Bridge City as the Corn Dog Capital of Texas, along with memorial and medal-of-honor resolutions for Texans and service members. The chamber also received messages from the House reporting passage of various measures and conference committee actions. The bulk of the meeting focused on conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions. The Senate adopted reports and/or out-of-bounds resolutions on SB 293, SB 1610, HB 46, HB 145, HB 1545, SB 650, SB 1660, HB 40, SB 2217, HB 119, HB 493, HB 3642, HB 2963, SB 2024, SB 2972, HB 2516, HB 2885, and SB 2753, among others. Topics included the Texas Civil Commitment Office, the T-Cup prescription program, wildfire mitigation and utility liability, sunset scheduling, alcohol ID swiping at retail and package stores, business court jurisdiction, election administration and data consistency, foreign adversary lobbying, poll watcher qualifications, road naming, right-to-repair, disguised vape pens, and campus expressive activity rules. Several measures passed with near-unanimous votes, while others drew more opposition, including SB 268 on medical board enforcement and SB 2753 on election procedures. There was extended debate on SB 268, which would shift enforcement authority for scope-of-practice complaints to specialty boards rather than the Texas Medical Board. Senators raised concerns about whether the bill would weaken the Medical Board’s ability to stop unlicensed practice of medicine, while supporters argued that specialty boards should police their own licensees and that criminal referrals remain available for unlicensed practice. The Senate also discussed SB 2972 on expressive activities at public universities, with questions about content-neutral restrictions, who counts as the university community, and whether the bill provides a mechanism to challenge campus time, place, and manner rules. Both bills ultimately passed their conference reports, and the Senate later adopted a large package of resolutions by voice vote before adjourning further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas has significant infrastructure needs, but many state and local governments do not have the internal
• My clients include state agencies, including state university systems, Texas municipalities, nonprofit
• So we—those are Maryland; all of those states are much more streamlined and simplified than Texas.
• area that you think may provide an advantage to the state of Texas?
• Texas took the spot as the number one state in the country for disconnections.

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all