Transcript Highlights:

• “I mean, we’ve had a lot of bills in here trying to take away local control. Sure.
• They can also control the pricing, so they can have affordable cemetery pricing for their community.
• They get to control that. Exempt from the state overseeing their trust fund.
• They get to control that 100%.
• So by supporting Representative Lujan's bill, we're restoring the control back to the municipality.

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of land use, housing, and local government bills. House Bill 447, relating to TIA requirements for certain MUD bond issuances, drew opposition from a witness who argued it would duplicate work already done, strain agency resources, and delay development; after the author’s closing, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out Senate Bill 1202 (third-party review of home backup power installations), House Bill 2494 (disannexation for failure to provide services), House Bill 1835 (removing barriers to HUD co-manufactured homes), and Senate Bill 15 (lot size and density limits in certain municipalities), with House Bill 1835 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously. House Bill 897, authorizing sale or lease of two state-owned Austin properties, was laid out and left pending after brief questions and no public testimony. The committee also heard and left pending several MUD creation bills for Montgomery and Fort Bend counties, including House Bills 5652, 5654, 5661, and 5656, each presented as template district bills with local support and no opposition recorded at the table. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 2673, which would restore prior restrictions on new cemeteries near growing urban areas by repealing changes made last session. Representative Lujan and supporters argued the current law created unintended consequences, including loss of developable land, tax-exempt property in urban cores, and conflicts with infrastructure planning; they said cities already have authority to establish their own cemeteries if needed. Opponents, including a funeral services industry representative, argued the 2023 change was intended to let communities decide and that the bill would take local decision-making backward. After extensive testimony from both sides, the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 3680, which would create a Cameron County-specific process allowing local discretion under the model subdivision rules. Supporters said the bill would preserve colonia protections while reducing costly platting and replatting burdens on families trying to sell or pass down land; county officials and realtors testified in favor. The bill was left pending after closing. House Bill 4812, a clarification to the Texas Uniform Condominium Act to prevent counties from imposing subdivision platting requirements on condominiums, received support from builders and a condominium attorney who said current county practices create duplicative hurdles and higher costs; it too was left pending. Finally, House Bill 5148, which would allow certain single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories, generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including housing advocates and architects, said the bill would lower costs, improve unit design, and expand affordable, family-friendly housing while maintaining safety through sprinklers and other safeguards. Fire officials from Corpus Christi opposed the bill, warning that a single stairwell could hinder firefighting and occupant evacuation, especially if sprinklers fail or smoke spreads. The author said the bill was aimed at new construction only and was part of a broader effort to reduce outdated housing regulations; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending at adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it comes to the rising costs of utilities, it has been enormous.
• Utility costs are hurting families right now, and we need to introduce that security.
• Increased their utility rates by no more than 12% over the last four years.
• Now, many have said, well, what about local control?
• This is out of control. And Representative Olson's bill brings this to the surface.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a series of guest introductions and proclamations, including recognition of Dr. Eric Osowski as Doctor of the Day, Donate Life Day participants, State Farm Day guests, and proclamations honoring Ganado Unified School District and Chinle Unified School District for academic and cultural achievements. The chamber also handled routine business such as committee assignments, Senate messages, and motions to adjourn and to refer bills to additional Committee of the Whole consideration. The main floor action centered on several bills and a concurrent resolution. HB 2093 was amended to restore mental health instruction while removing social-emotional learning, and HB 2229 was amended after debate over abortion-related language and public funding restrictions; both received do-pass recommendations. HB 2429, HB 2950, and HB 4136 also received do-pass recommendations after floor amendments, with HB 2950 amended to make tourism improvement areas voluntary and add notice requirements. HB 4001 advanced after extensive debate over regulating alternative nicotine products, with supporters arguing it would help curb youth vaping and opponents urging taxation and stronger public-health provisions. HB 4030 and HCR 2052, both focused on limiting municipal tax and fee increases tied to affordability, inflation, and utility costs, were heavily amended and advanced after debate over local control, data centers, water costs, and the scope of the amendments. The House also took up procedural challenges, including a failed appeal of the chair’s ruling that a health-care claims amendment to HCR 2052 was out of order under the single-subject rule. On final adoption of the Committee of the Whole report, the House ordered HB 4001 and HB 4030 and HCR 2052, as amended, to engrossing and signing. In third reading, HB 2170 passed 36-16, HB 2380 passed 31-21, HB 2389 passed 31-21, HB 2784 passed 31-21, and HB 2902 passed 31-21, while HB 2388 failed 23-29. The transcript ends as the House was moving on to HB 294.

Transcript Highlights:

• To build anything anymore is just out of control. It really is.
• You may want to include utilities.
• Electrical overhead line utilities, and watching what we're seeing in California, probably gas utilities
• Having electrical representatives of large utilities probably makes some sense.
• All we're saying is that we just need to add lampshades for outside lighting or control it as we control

Transcript Highlights:

• outside of their ability to control. outside of their ability to control.
• improve upon. on that we do have control improve upon. on that we do have control over over over
• <00:39:45.839> and in two buckets controllable and in two buckets controllable and uncontrollable
• It wasn't very well utilized.
• It also it wasn't very well utilized.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The work session was limited to House Bill 1750, a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Health and Human Services’ SNAP administration. Before testimony, Representative Terski distributed a written statement from Representative Priest for the record. Department officials Karen Heert and Nathan White then walked the committee through a chart showing SNAP participation, federal benefit dollars, and state administrative costs, emphasizing that the benefits themselves do not flow through the state budget. They explained that the reported administrative cost includes overhead and cost-allocation methods used to maximize federal reimbursement, and that the current participant count is about 75,000 with the trend steady in recent years. Members questioned whether the reported costs were stable, how much of the administrative expense was directly tied to SNAP, and whether reducing overhead would lower the need for the appropriation. The department said the cost per participant and per dollar distributed would be lower if SNAP were isolated, but that the broader allocation system also supports federal claiming across multiple programs. Officials said SNAP eligibility is redetermined every six months, that the department processes nearly 50 eligibility programs with about 250 field staff, roughly 70 unfunded positions, and a vacancy rate around 25%. They also said most errors in the program are unintentional and can come from either staff or participant mistakes, and that the department reviews errors to identify systemic fixes. The committee discussed the fiscal impact of the bill and related budget issues. DHHS said the current adjusted authorization for 2026 is about $31 million, but actual spending is expected to be closer to $25–26 million because of vacancies and unfilled positions. Members asked whether the $4.4 million shortfall identified in the fiscal note would come from the rainy day fund; staff said it would not be taken directly from that fund, but would reduce the amount available to flow into it at the end of the biennium. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 603 FN, which was described as an alternative approach that would require DHHS to transfer funds within its existing budget rather than provide new money; officials said it would simply codify an option the department already has. No vote or final action on House Bill 1750 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:42.559> resources<00:26:43.120> most map out and utilize resources most map
• out and utilize resources most effectively.<00:26:44.400> With<00:26:44.640> fewer<00:26
• the inter agency stabilization utilize the inter agency stabilization group<00:27:04.000> most
• And as I've testified before, publicly owned and locally controlled housing has a number of advantages
• Um, and I actually think that those are some of the places where if we don't get it under control now

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My intention is to discuss the Municipal Utility Districts that were just referred to us.
• If you'd like to approach the bench, you'll be the first of the Municipal Utility District bills.
• In 2017, the district was designated as a municipal utility district, and it is part of a golf course
• It creates Fort Bend County Water Control and... Improvement District Number 12.
• Municipal Utility District 263.

Bills: HB103

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, SB 236 transfers the control of the electric assistance program from the Public Utilities
• you consult with the Public Utilities you consult with the Public Utilities Commission,<00:08:08.000
• clearing house. the all the utilities clearing house. the all the utilities collect<00:12:31.839
• utilities? I don't see how this works. utilities? I don't see how this works.
• can manage or try to control, and there are costs that you cannot control with.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• internal control internal control environments<00:09:38.120> additionally<00:09:38.680>
• division of the Attorney General's office in rate utility cases and other matters at the Public Utilities
• > Public<00:37:01.800> Utilities<00:37:02.280> Commission at the Public Utilities
• holders but also controlling holders but also controlling individuals<01:31:03.159> and<01
• <01:32:09.360> individuals tools to check controlling individuals tools to check controlling

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• necessarily have control over them. necessarily have control over them.
• control it, but they'd influence it. control it, but they'd influence it.
• comm utilities the public utilities comm utilities commission.<04:51:24.000> We<04:51:24.240>
• For utility service, so as a result of that shift and who determines the appropriate rate, a utility
• for utility service. So, as a result of for utility service.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• deregulation with the p Public Utilities deregulation with the p Public Utilities Commission<00:
• Utilities Utilities Commission<00:03:23.959> so<00:03:24.159> we'll<00:03:24.360> begin
• Commission. cases at the Public Utilities Commission cases at the Public Utilities Commission but<02
• I love it as a ratepayer advocate, letting the ratepayers control their own utility without the government
• . control their own utility without the control their own utility without the government<03:00:15.560

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Increasing costs over factors businesses do not control.
• For any utilities, affordability is top of mind. Not all rules are command and control.
• For any utilities, affordability is at top of mind.
• Not all rules are commanded control for utilities by way of example, beginning to be able to.
• Not all rules are command and control.

Bills: SB12, SB36, SB92, SB120, SB133, SB151, SB18, SB96

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• or municipal utilities.
• that um the PUC has a lot of control that um the PUC has a lot of control over<01:02:04.000>
• of a free-for-all for the utility of a free-for-all for the utility companies.<01:02:26.799>
• natural gas utilities and our customers. natural gas utilities and our customers.
• Thank you, Chair Swedzinski. the utility a blank check. The public the utility a blank check.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's called a Sustainable Energy Utility. Why can't they do this?
• It's called a Sustainable Energy Utility. Why can't they do this?
• It's called a Sustainable Energy Utility. Why can't they do this?
• You have the state have control over it. And if we can't, we're done tomorrow.
• Because the NRC will take on the responsibility of controlling all those things.

Summary: The meeting focused on finalizing recommendations from the Delaware Nuclear Energy Task Force, with most of the discussion centered on how the state should organize itself to evaluate and potentially pursue nuclear power. Public commenters strongly supported nuclear energy, emphasizing energy reliability, economic competitiveness, data center demand, and the need for Delaware to act quickly. Several speakers argued that Delaware is falling behind neighboring states and should not delay if it wants to attract developers and preserve access to federal tax incentives. Members then worked through revisions to the recommendations, especially the section on state actions moving forward. There was broad agreement that Delaware needs a clearly empowered leadership structure, but disagreement over the best form: a cabinet-level energy agency, an expanded existing agency such as DENREC, a dedicated coordinator, an expanded Sustainable Energy Utility, or a separate quasi-independent authority. Some members favored a nimble, one-off entity with bonding and financing authority; others cautioned against creating a new body outside state government and stressed the need for coordination with existing agencies, public oversight, and cost discipline. The group also discussed adding responsibilities such as site identification, public engagement, coordination with PJM and federal agencies, and financing tools, while removing or folding in items that seemed duplicative or too broad. The committee also revised earlier modules to broaden the focus from small modular reactors to nuclear power more generally, while keeping the task force’s original SMR work in view. Members agreed to keep recommendations on state and local regulatory readiness, financial mechanisms, permitting coordination, and public engagement, and to add a recommendation for Delaware to participate as an observer in the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative through NASEO and NARUC. The committee approved the revised Module Four recommendations by vote, with one abstention from Tom Noyes. Minutes from the prior meeting were also approved with minor corrections.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is SB 818, Utility Relocation. You are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senate Bill 818 is utility relocation.
• It aims to streamline utility relocation for public road and rail corridor projects, ensure utility owners
• So it just shifts costs of relocating broadband, cable, and video utilities.
• I think this is the utilities... Utilities, and I would like to do it afterwards.

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several bills and amendments related to traffic safety, utilities, schools, and motor vehicle administration. Senator Pizzo’s SB 1782, as amended, expanded reckless driving per se to include certain high-speed behaviors; the late amendment removed impound language but kept mandatory court appearance, and the bill was reported favorably. Senator McLean’s SB 818 on utility relocation was amended to include an important state interest finding; after testimony from county groups opposing the cost shift to local governments and Charter Communications supporting the bill, it was also reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1644 on emergency vehicles, after a delete-all amendment broadened warning-signal use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and related vehicles. Senator Trumbull’s SB 1348 on DHSMV services was amended to streamline local delivery of motor vehicle services and remove certain fines, waiting periods, and CDL retesting provisions; it passed favorably with support from Florida Tax Collectors. Senator McLean’s SB 1188 on local governing authorities and charter schools drew the most debate, with supporters arguing local governments were using traffic and site-plan rules to block charter schools and opponents warning the bill would tie the hands of local governments and create a blanket preemption; it was reported favorably. The committee then passed SB 636, which limits use of the far-left lane on high-speed roads except for passing, exiting, move-over compliance, or traffic conditions, and requires FDOT signage. Senator Arrington’s SB 1152 increased the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee from $15 to $25 to raise more money for wildflower research and habitat programs; it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of multiple appointments to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Central Florida Expressway Authority, Jacksonville Port Authority, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and Florida Transportation Commission, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just appreciate it as honesty and his good overview of the utility industry.
• Outside of the control of the EPA as the big Iron Hammer.
• Thus killing off the project and denying local control over it.
• Coal utilizations, we saw some of that, and then hydrogen.
• So not just what we're utilizing today... ...100 million tons per year.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of the Mincota Power Cooperative headquarters before returning for presentations on large energy consumers, especially data centers. The first presentations focused on how North Dakota should respond to rapid growth in energy-intensive projects, with speakers emphasizing the need for reliable transmission, local decision-making tools, and factual information for county and township officials who are being asked to weigh major projects with limited staff and technical support. The North Dakota Transmission Authority director said local governments are being asked to make high-impact decisions on pipelines, transmission lines, large agriculture, wind, solar, carbon dioxide pipelines, direct-air capture, and data centers, and urged development of simple statewide decision tools and support from the League of Cities and Association of Counties. The Department of Environmental Quality’s air division director said North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the nation, but large data centers can create air-quality concerns because of diesel backup generation; he said the department is requiring air monitors at some facilities and expects grid power and, potentially, cleaner natural gas backup to reduce emissions. Members asked about emissions standards, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession at DEQ. The Department of Water Resources director said North Dakota’s water law is based on common ownership and prior appropriation, and that data centers generally use relatively small amounts of water, often in closed-loop systems. He said the Missouri River and groundwater supplies are ample for projected needs, that the department’s permitting process protects senior water rights, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use a very small share of Missouri River flow. Members asked about downstream impacts and compared data center water use with fracking. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd Erickson urged the committee to study how other states regulate data centers, warned against litigation-driven delays and overly broad local ordinances, argued reclamation bonding should be handled at the state level if at all, and said data centers can bring jobs and tax base but should remain subject to local zoning. The committee ended the morning session for lunch and later heard an EERC update from CEO Charles Gorecki on the center’s 75 years of work in energy and environmental technologies, especially oil and gas development and related research.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what, And what that could mean to your utility bill.
• It's common sense that we want to try to keep people's utility bills low.
• And my utility bills dropped by two-thirds.
• No, but we are in the business of controlling what we can control, and that's why we're before you today
• But can we control costs? Thank you so much.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• provided to the wastewater utilities provided to the wastewater utilities that<01:26:54.560>
• :07.360> are Wastewater utilities like farmers are Wastewater utilities like farmers are passive
• , municipalities, wastewater utilities, municipalities, wastewater utilities, and<01:43:21.679>
• utility knows that they're there.
• So if I am on a jen, how does my utility know that? >> That's between the person and the utility.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At Saguaro, where they utilize a SHIP program that places people in restrictive housing for at least
• controls than in the general population. controls than in the general population.
• dictates a need for continuous control dictates a need for continuous control and<00:32:37.760><
• Kulani has 160 beds and they currently have 82, which is another 51% utilized. Next slide.
• We have been extremely concerned about the lack of utilization for the minimum facilities.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How is administrative control defined? Mr. Chair, it's in the Constitution.
• How is it, ma'am, how is administrative control defined?
• How is it, ma'am, how is administrative control defined in the Constitution? Mr.
• If we make a law to define administrative control and due process for such control, would the courts
• It speaks to administrative control.

Bills: HB2226, HB2406, HB2663, HB2695, HB2805, HB2976

Keywords: veteran status, veterans court, treatment court, diversion program, initial appearance, arrestee processing, criminal procedure, DD-214, Department of Veterans' Services, prosecuting agency, court notification, military service, armed forces, veterans benefits, reentry, mental health court, drug court, specialty court, Arizona criminal law, pretrial hearing

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2663, which updates military leave protections for state and non-state employees by aligning statutory language with how service members’ orders are described. Representative Pena said the change was intended to remove confusion without affecting benefits, and members noted it would help protect employees called to training, deployment, or state active duty. The bill passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard HB 2976, a bill addressing administrative control of justice courts and due process for elected justices of the peace when state or county entities take action affecting their statutory authority. Supporters, including two Pima County justices of the peace, described administrative orders that transferred control of their courts without notice, findings, or a meaningful chance to respond, and argued the bill would require notice, a hearing, written findings, and review before such changes. The Arizona Supreme Court’s government affairs director opposed the bill as unconstitutional, arguing the state constitution gives the Chief Justice administrative supervision over all courts and that the legislature cannot impose those procedures by statute. After a lengthy and at times contentious exchange over constitutional authority and the role of elected JPs, the committee voted 6-1 to give HB 2976 a due pass recommendation. After a recess, the committee considered HB 2406, which requires the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services to study how aware veterans are of available state, local, and federal benefits and to report recommendations for improving awareness. Testimony in support emphasized that many veterans do not know the full range of benefits available to them and suggested surveys, outreach, and other low-cost methods to gather information. Some members questioned whether a study was necessary or how it would be conducted, but several said they would support it for now; the bill received a due pass recommendation by a 5-1-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 2226, which requires courts at initial appearance hearings to ask whether a defendant is a veteran and, if so, to consider referral to veterans’ treatment or diversion programs. Supporters said the bill would help identify eligible veterans early in the process and connect them to services, while one member raised Fifth Amendment concerns about asking the question before counsel is present. The sponsor and testifier agreed to work on an amendment clarifying that the answer could not be used against the defendant in later proceedings. The committee moved the bill forward with a due pass recommendation, with members indicating support pending that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also do lose some level of design and control.
• can you build us so that we can control can you build us so that we can control our<00:42:01.160
• It does have budget and cost implications that can help us control costs a lot better.
• For those, we retain control of the design.
• Price is always a factor when we're utilizing that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all