Transcript Highlights:

• While he and my granny, Colleen, the North Star of my life, had few resources to make that dream a reality
• We will also collectively need to be creative in a resource-constrained environment to continue progress
• We may not have as many resources as we've had in the past, but how do we try to, I call it a floor,
• Fiscal constraint and workforce strain require discipline, clarity about priorities, alignment of resources
• specificity to submit geolocation data as long as the data allows for the effective deployment of resources

Bills: SB5899 , SB6292 , SB6094 , SB6182 , SB5947 , SJR8206 , SB5933 , SB6138 , SB5823 , SB6210 , SB5921 , SB6226 , SB6159 , SB5924 , SGA9291 , SGA9307

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: chiropractic, animal care, veterinary medicine, license endorsement, nonhuman animals, health care, financing, legislative committee, joint committee, policy management, pediatric care, transitional services, healthcare, licensing, children's health, abortion, reproductive health, pregnancy termination, clinic access, abortion access fund

Transcript Highlights:

• first one is education and research programs on how to reduce water consumption, increase water efficiency
• members, as amended by the House Enru Committee, House Bill 253 requires the Department of Water Resources
• It allows the Department of Water Resources to assess and collect a penalty of $150 from any person who
• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2117 allows members of the State Natural Resource Conservation Board
• increases from $5,000 to $10,000 the amount that the board must distribute annually for natural resource

Summary: The caucus meeting began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder from Rhonda about caucus consent and third-read consent calendars. She explained that bills coming out of rules can be placed on consent if they are not amended, and that pulling a bill from consent means members should be prepared to speak to it on the floor. The meeting then moved through a long Minority Caucus calendar of bills, with staff giving brief descriptions and members frequently noting bills for no further comment, pulling several from consent, or stating opposition. The bills discussed covered a wide range of topics, including appropriations and federal monies (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at public school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning notifications (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighters’ workers’ compensation status (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineer and architect reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and related felony classifications (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting for partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking penalties (HB 2131), fentanyl sentencing thresholds (HB 2132), drive-by shooting definitions and forfeiture (HB 2045), probation review notices for sex offender hearings (HB 2046), venue changes in superior court when judicial employees are parties (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Water-related bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), WIFA grant disclosures (HB 2029), removing water conservation education as an eligible use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource board changes and education funding (HB 2117). Election-related measures included moving the primary date and adjusting cure periods and observer rules (HB 2022), and a proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship, ID, foreign contributions, early voting, and mail voting (HCR 2001). The committee also heard two memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CARE (HCM 2001 and HCM 2002). Members and staff offered substantive objections to many bills, often arguing they were anti-student, anti-abortion, overly punitive, unfunded mandates, or unfair tax policy. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2008, HB 2110, HB 2142, HB 2249, HB 2043, HB 2074, HB 2108, and HB 2144. Supportive remarks were also made for some measures, such as the cesspool remediation bill, which was noted as having unanimous support, while other bills were flagged for stakeholder meetings or future amendments. The meeting ended with announcements recognizing members’ birthdays and noting Muslim Day at the Capitol, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our community-based organizations with limited resources having a reimbursement payment method caused
• We have to be more efficient; projects are not slowing down any, but we also need to be good fiscal stewards
• They may not have the economic resources, and they're waiting on resources from the state so they can
• Institute partner and get in with our major university systems on bringing in all the resources.
• So again, state funds are a great resource to allow us to continue that outreach mission in a way that

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the constants through several iterations of student discipline systems has been the lack of resources
• Each school district has different resources, and AB 277 gives each district the flexibility to create
• Each school district has different resources, and AB 277 gives each district the flexibility to create
• Comas say, that we take the necessary steps to protect our students and provide them with the proper resources
• SB 175 will ensure that qualified and certified veterans and service members can efficiently become licensed

Committee: Assembly Education

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a resource, Chair calls Chuck Penny, Secretary of State's Office. Introduce yourself.
• I'm testifying on the bill as a resource witness. I want to ask you about the bill.
• Senator Hall, any questions for the resource witness? Thank you very much. Thank you.
• I'm here as a resource on the bill.
• I'm here as a resource on the bill.

Bills: HB223

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills, with most measures left pending after testimony and later taken up in a batch of votes. Early in the meeting, HB 5624 on liability protections for motocross/off-road vehicle tracks, HB 223 on requiring competitive procurement for municipal lobbying contracts, HB 3709 on post-election audit procedures, and HB 5081 on protecting personal information of judicial officers and court staff were all discussed and left pending after testimony. Witnesses on HB 223 supported greater transparency in municipal lobbying contracts. HB 3709 drew sharp opposition from an election integrity advocate who argued the bill would reduce precinct-level granularity and make it harder to detect ballot errors, while a Secretary of State resource witness said the bill would simplify and standardize the audit process by location. HB 5081 received strong support from court administration and a district judge who described prior threats and an attack tied to publicly available personal information. The committee also heard HB 3546 on allowing school districts to move elections to November, HB 493 on barring certain felony offenders from serving as poll watchers, HB 5115 on increasing penalties for election fraud and related conduct, HB 4081 on trade secret filing procedures, HB 3909 on limiting restrictions on wireless devices at polling places, HB 2702 on limiting gubernatorial closure authority for certain veterans organizations during pandemics, HB 119 on foreign adversary lobbying, and HB 5138 on the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes. Several of these bills were explained with committee substitutes and then left pending before final action. Testimony on HB 493 and HB 5115 came from an election integrity advocate who supported both bills, saying the poll watcher restriction was appropriately narrowed and that the election fraud bill would help address invalid votes and refusal to count valid votes. Later, the committee took up pending business and voted out a large number of bills, generally along party lines or with broad support. HB 186 on minors’ social media use, HB 229, HB 2885, HB 3909 as substituted, HB 4285, HB 1661, HB 2820, HB 3181, HB 4157, HB 223, HB 521, HB 640, HB 1234, HB 2253, HB 2294, HB 3053, HB 3697 as substituted, HB 4281, HB 4463, HB 4995, HB 5081 as substituted, HB 5624 as substituted, HB 119 as substituted, HB 3225, HB 5138 as substituted, HB 5115, HB 481 as substituted, HB 3546, HB 493, and HB 4145 were reported favorably to the full Senate, with several also placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted committee substitutes for multiple bills, including HB 3909, HB 5081, HB 5624, HB 119, HB 5138, and HB 481. At the end, the chair noted another committee meeting would likely be needed before deadlines, possibly on a weekend, and recessed the committee subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• that by directing the Texas Workforce Commission to maintain a prominent webpage with child care resources
• Reagan Miller available as a resource witness for any questions. Members?
• And it's not going to require any other resources for many of these agencies.
• So we see this very much as a bill to make our existing government more efficient. versus creating new
• It was stated that states should provide resources and expedite processes for victims to unwind a fraudulent

Bills: HB2226 , HB2269 , HB2343 , HB2760 , HB3621 , HB4079 , HB4204 , HB4518 , HB4531 , HB4555 , HB4850 , HB4876 , HB4903 , HB4996 , HB5122

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: construction trust funds, Property Code, Chapter 162, construction payments, mechanics lien, contractors, subcontractors, laborers, material suppliers, materialmen, real property improvement, assignment of payment rights, unpaid trust funds, trust fund beneficiaries, construction industry, payment protection, Texas construction law, property owners association, landscaping, grass maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, that's a resource.
• Members, there's a resource witness also from TWC who...
• I believe there is a resource witness here from TDLR, and I respectfully request the right to close.
• This bill allows us to continue to do just that efficiently and effectively while maintaining the protections
• I'm here as a resource witness if you have any questions. Members, any questions? No.

Bills: HB 112 , HB199 , HB621 , HB1349 , HB2214 , HB3466 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HCR9 , HB112 , HB199 , HCR9

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration, infrastructure development, Texas Economic Development Office, workforce development, unemployment benefits, state average unemployment rate, benefit year, economic support, Texas Workforce Commission, property owners' association, free speech, assembly rights, government officials, political candidates, floodplain, landlord, tenant

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe there are some resource witnesses here. Do you have any questions, members? Questions?
• Does anybody have a question for the resource witnesses? Oh, who do we have?
• Again, it provides efficiency. I will pause there. We may have a witness or two.
• Texas laid out an incredible amount of time, money, personnel, and other resources to secure our border
• We do have resource witnesses from the PUC here. Nope, okay.

Bills: HB246 , HB796 , HB 1056 , HB1544 , HB1846 , HB2001 , HB2618 , HB2625 , HB2869 , HB2898 , HB3069 , HB3114 , HB3157 , HB3228 , HJR98 , HB246

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, any questions for the resource or the public? Thank you for being here.
• So I'm not sure where this bill is going, but we do have those resources.
• I also have resource witnesses, Carlos Rubenstein and Walt Smith.
• to protect our water resources.
• We do have the Texas Water Development Board as a... resource witness.

Bills: SB1169 , SB1285 , SB1583 , SB1611 , SB1898 , SB1976 , SB2160 , SB2161 , SB2658 , SB2661 , SB2662 , SB2692 , SB1055 , SB1359 , SB2660

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• Or reduce the efficiency of operating a solar collector by more than 10%.
• A joint memorial requesting the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department and the Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will properly and efficiently.
• Representative Crowe and resources.
• ,</c> educators get the respect, resources, educators get the respect, resources, support<07:20:30.558
• </c><08:01:07.040><c> But</c><08:01:07.280><c> those</c> resources that they have.
• But those resources that they have.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think if we took a real honest look at how we're deploying resources, we'd probably see that a
• Or is it more of a hardware issue and resource expertise needed from a consultant, let's say, or from
• So working with NDIT's project management team, we do have a limitation on the resources that...
• And we also maintain a statewide community directory of resources.
• And we also maintain a statewide community directory of resources.

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Summary: The Information Technology Committee approved the March 26 minutes and received a series of reports from NDIT on major IT projects, the annual report, mainframe modernization, and cybersecurity services. The project portfolio was reported at 116 major projects with a baseline cost of $546 million, overall under budget but modestly behind schedule. Several projects that had been in variance status last quarter were said to have closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning. New startup reports were mostly HHS efforts tied to refugee data management, technical debt cleanup, and legacy application decommissioning, while closeouts included HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT projects with mixed budget and schedule results. In the annual report discussion, NDIT described its service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management reporting, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how revenues and grants flow through the service fund, how NDIT charges agencies for services, and whether customer satisfaction or CSAT scores are tracked and could be reported more regularly. NDIT said it does track service-team CSAT and survey data, and committee members encouraged more regular reporting of those metrics. The committee also discussed application portfolio management, statewide IT planning, and whether agencies should slow new system replacements while the state pursues an ERP system. The mainframe update focused on the state’s ongoing effort to retire legacy systems by about 2030. NDIT and HHS said the work is being managed as a tech-debt program, but progress is slowed by data cleanup, integration complexity, staff retirements, vendor capacity, and federal requirements. Members asked whether there is a coordinated commitment and whether additional vendor support or consultants are needed; NDIT said it is working jointly with HHS and is seeking an RFP to help accelerate modernization. The cybersecurity presentation then shifted to statewide maturity assessments and services. NDIT said it provides endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that assessments are based on CIS controls. Members raised concerns about low participation in the self-assessment process, the lack of mandatory reporting or audit authority, and whether insurance incentives through Enderf or possible State Auditor involvement could improve compliance. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:48.720><c> because</c> capacity and facility resources because capacity and facility resources
• </c> resources in the day. resources in the day.
• </c> but who nonetheless are very resource but who nonetheless are very resource intensive<00:15:27.519
• </c><00:16:29.600><c> on</c> disproportionate time and resources on disproportionate time and resources
• </c><00:54:19.359><c> inensive</c> that are is not so resource inensive that are is not so resource inensive

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on best practices for medical or compassionate release programs used by correctional systems nationwide and how Hawaii’s current approach compares. Kristen Johnson of the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission introduced Molly Crane of Families for Justice Reform, noting that the commission, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Hawaii Paroling Authority have all been involved in developing proposed legislation, though the bill itself was written by community advocate Bob Merse. Crane described FAM’s work on justice reform and said the group has studied compassionate release programs across the country, including federal reforms, to help Hawaii align with best practices. Crane argued that compassionate release is intended for people who are too ill or cognitively impaired to pose a public-safety risk and who are often the most expensive and resource-intensive people to incarcerate. She said Hawaii is the only state without a compassionate release statute and currently relies on an agency policy, which she described as complex and slow. She cited examples of severe medical cases in custody, including people with advanced dementia, multiple sclerosis, kidney failure, and hospice needs, and said the burden on correctional medical staff, overtime, off-site transport, and specialized care can consume a disproportionate share of staff time and state resources. She also said the recidivism rate for this population is under 1 percent, citing Vera Institute research. Members asked about the source of the recidivism figure, how a statute would streamline the process, and why the issue had not advanced in the past. Crane said the proposed bill would reduce layers in the process by moving cases from the medical director to the director and then to the Hawaii Paroling Authority, with a target timeline of about 30 business days from petition to hearing. Johnson said prior efforts failed in part because the agencies most affected were not included early in drafting and revision, and she said one attempt was vetoed, another was removed in conference committee, and another passed one chamber but did not advance. Johnson also explained that incarcerated people’s medical care is paid entirely by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, with no private insurance or Medicaid/Medicare coverage while incarcerated, making severe cases a direct burden on state funds. No votes or formal actions were taken because the briefing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like the Senator, we believe that every child deserves a safe, healthy environment and the resources
• Like the Senator, we believe that every child deserves a safe, healthy environment and the resources
• It provides protections for tribal resources and for workers, including those who work in these advanced
• It provides protections for tribal resources and for workers, including those who work in these advanced
• California has some of the cleanest energy, highest energy efficiency standards, and cleanest fuels in

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In Section 4 of the bill, a person who knowingly provides material support or resources to a designated
• combination of the following options to satisfy the safe school officers required in law: school resource
• The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might
• This bill streamlines this process by balancing efficiency with accountability, enabling experienced
• This minimizes front-end delays to support a more efficient pathway into the classroom.

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The committee first took up CS for CS for HB 1471, which would bar Florida courts from enforcing foreign or religious law that conflicts with the U.S. or Florida Constitution, create a process for designating domestic terrorist organizations, and prohibit public funds from supporting such organizations. The sponsor said the bill protects constitutional supremacy, due process, and taxpayer dollars, while opponents argued it was vague, targeted religion, and could be used to suppress dissent and protected speech. Members debated whether a conviction was required, who would make designations, and what consequences would follow; an amendment changing student expulsion language from “may” to “shall” was adopted. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the bill passed 16-4 and was reported favorably with amendment. The committee then heard CS for CS for HB 1071, an education bill covering parental opt-outs for certain health instruction, required instruction on embryology, fetal development, and HIV/AIDS, math plan requirements, student-led organizations, epinephrine access, instructional material review, safe-school officer options, and chronic absenteeism reporting. The sponsor framed it as a parental rights, academics, accountability, and safety measure, while opponents said parts of the bill would restrict sex education, chill student organizations, and undermine DEI-related activities and LGBTQ student groups. Several amendments were offered by the ranking member to remove or soften the provisions restricting funding for DEI and social/political activism, but those amendments failed. The committee adopted a Trabulsy amendment requiring districts to publicize virtual instruction options, and another amendment clarifying reading-coach language and safe-school officer options, as well as an amendment giving publishers an appeals process if removed for noncompliant materials. A final Trabulsy amendment requiring annual reporting of chronic absenteeism by grade level was also adopted. Public testimony on the bill remained sharply divided, with supporters emphasizing embryology, parental rights, and school safety, and opponents warning about censorship, reduced reproductive health education, and harm to student expression. The transcript ends during continued public testimony on HB 1071, before final committee action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Depending on the taxpayer, you know, there are a lot of resources that state, county, local government
• So some of this burden is going to fall to the assessor to utilize the resources of their office efficiently
• and effectively, to prioritize those higher-value assessments, to put the resources on the higher-value
• So some of this burden is going to fall to the assessor to utilize the resources of their office efficiently
• , effectively, to prioritize those higher value assessments to put the resources on the higher value

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a resource? It's a resource. Do we have resource witnesses?
• I show five registered and two resources.
• Members, we do have a resource witness. I'm not sure that we need a resource witness.
• are efficiently and effectively allocated.
• And if needed, members, we have a resource witness.

Bills: HB35 , HB138 , HB754 , HB1314 , HB1612 , HB2254 , HB2510 , HB2789 , HB3560 , HB3597 , HB4224 , HB4273 , HB4643 , HB4783 , HB138

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, human trafficking, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will mention real quickly that this bill actually saves a little money through its efficiency.
• actually saves a little money through actually saves a little money through its<01:19:23.199><c> efficiency
• </c> its efficiency. So that's a good thing. its efficiency. So that's a good thing.
• The overwhelming majority of my constituents would not have the resources to do that.
• </c> resources to do that. resources to do that.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, this does not ensure that they are able to successfully and efficiently return their ballots
• leaders, we have an opportunity... ...to support innovative solutions and provide veterans with the resources
• that CalVet must... ...have no conflicts of interest, a requirement that CalVet must use current resources

Summary: The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee met and considered several measures, with most of the discussion focused on veterans’ access to food assistance, overseas voting, and veteran mental health research. SB 1201, the “No Hungry Heroes Act,” would seek federal waivers to protect certain veterans from CalFresh time limits and require referrals to county veteran service officers; supporters said federal SNAP cuts are leaving vulnerable veterans at risk of hunger, while no opposition testified. Members spoke strongly in favor, emphasizing the need to support service members and their families. SB 970 addressed ballot access for military and overseas voters after the federal DOD fax service was discontinued. The bill would direct the Secretary of State to develop regulations for a secure ballot return method. County election officials and veterans groups supported the measure, while the Secretary of State’s office and Verified Voting raised concerns about cybersecurity and urged a more deliberate process, including a possible task force. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 970 and send it to Appropriations. SB 1224 proposed a California Emerging Therapies Research Partnership to help the state compete for federal research funding for alternative therapies, including treatments relevant to PTSD, depression, and substance use among veterans. Veterans advocates described the bill as a way to expand options for those not helped by traditional treatment, and the author noted amendments to address conflicts of interest and administrative issues. The committee approved the bill and referred it to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar, including HR 120, SB 892, SB 1188, SJR 14, and SJR 17, and later voted SB 1201 and SB 970 out of committee as well. Overall, the meeting reflected broad bipartisan support for veteran-focused measures, with the main policy debate centered on how to balance access and security in overseas voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, this does not ensure that they are able to successfully and efficiently return their ballots
• leaders, we have an opportunity... ...to support innovative solutions and provide veterans with the resources
• requirement that CalVet must have no conflicts of interest, a requirement that CalVet must use current resources

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: 988, house, all