Transcript Highlights:

• You can track all of them again. Mitch Fuller here. Sorry. You can track all of them again.
• The qualified hotel project aspect of the bill is vitally important to a lot of our community.
• The qualified hotel project aspect of the bill is vitally important to a lot of our communities.
• We're here in support of all of those. I'll answer any questions you may have. Thank you.
• The chair lays out, as a matter of pending business, HB 4320, in lieu of Senate Bill 1520, which was

Bills: HB346 , HB1851 , HB2974 , HB5596 , HCR118 , HCR127 , HCR141

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, surplus vehicles, law enforcement equipment, school districts, Texas Facilities Commission, economically disadvantaged areas, HB 5596, voter-approval tax rate, property tax, ad valorem tax, Tax Code, Texas municipalities, coastal municipality, eligible coastal municipality, municipal hotel occupancy tax, hotel occupancy tax revenue

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee heard and laid out several measures focused on school safety, Texas-Taiwan relations, defense manufacturing, business formation, hotel tax policy, and NASA relocation. HB 1851 would allow surplus DPS vehicles and law enforcement equipment to be transferred to school districts in economically disadvantaged areas for use by school police and security personnel, with a two-year resale restriction. HCR 127 expressed support for the Texas-Taiwan relationship and trade ties, HCR 118 supported expanding warship manufacturing in Texas, HCR 141 urged Congress to move NASA headquarters to Houston, HB 346 (with a committee substitute) revised business filing and fee authority while making permanent a franchise tax exemption for new veteran-owned businesses, HB 2974 was an omnibus hotel occupancy tax and qualified hotel project bill, and HB 5596 addressed accountability for municipal hotel occupancy tax revenues in coastal communities. Witnesses generally supported the measures, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association on HB 2974 and resource witnesses from the Texas Veterans Commission and Secretary of State on HB 346; no opposition testimony was registered on the laid-out bills. After public testimony, the committee took up pending business and adopted committee substitutes where applicable. HB 1851, HB 346, HB 2974, and HB 5596 were each reported favorably to the full Senate, with HB 346 and HB 2974 also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HCR 127 and HCR 118 were reported favorably as well, and HCR 127 and HCR 141 were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also reported HB 4320 favorably, though the transcript repeats that motion several times. The meeting ended with the committee standing in recess until 7:00 a.m. subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides the Secretary of State's office with the authority and flexibility to meet modern needs of
• The qualified hotel project aspect of the bill is vitally important. ...to a lot of our communities.
• Texas... ...of Texas has received more money from hotel development than the state of Texas rebated
• We're here in support of all of those. I'll answer any questions you may have. Thank you, Mr.
• As a matter of pending business, House Bill 4230 in lieu of Senate Bill 1520, which was heard in a previous

Bills: HB346 , HB1851 , HB2974 , HB5596 , HCR118 , HCR127 , HCR141

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, surplus vehicles, law enforcement equipment, school districts, Texas Facilities Commission, economically disadvantaged areas, HB 5596, voter-approval tax rate, property tax, ad valorem tax, Tax Code, Texas municipalities, coastal municipality, eligible coastal municipality, municipal hotel occupancy tax, hotel occupancy tax revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• the voters of Dallas County, of the city of Dallas.
• city of Dallas.
• Two of the counties selected must have a total population of less than 300,000, and two of the counties
• I think legislate for the Secretary of State you're most afraid of, not the Secretary of State you have
• , out of the picture.

Bills: HB3097 , HB3691 , SB108 , SB827 , SB1541 , SB1862 , SB2166 , SB2216

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: Texas elections, Election Code, uniform election date, November election, local elections, political subdivisions, general election date, election administration, municipal utility district, county elections, local government, ballot scheduling, candidate filing, voter turnout, election calendar, HB 3097, early voting, electronic application, mail-in ballot, voting accessibility

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got food vendors and different types of food trucks that are circumventing health department checks
• than a direct insurer of risk role.
• They weren't subject to Texas Department of Insurance regulation to ensure oversight.
• In a state that has the eighth largest economy in the world and the lowest rate of insured people, I
• Do you know of any counties or sheriff's departments that have been sued because of their participation

Bills: HB1320 , HB2012 , HB2293 , HB2655 , HB3174 , HB4108 , HB4661 , HB4799 , HB5534 , HB5580

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security found a pattern of civil rights violations
• The model allows the police department to interrogate anyone who is suspected of not being a citizen.
• the day, the Department of Homeland Security has the full right and prerogative to change the scope
• In a moment of rapid and big changes at the federal level within the... department policies and programs
• Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General found in a formal investigative

Bills: HB1320 , HB2012 , HB2293 , HB2655 , HB3174 , HB4108 , HB4661 , HB4799 , HB5534 , HB5580

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• of an owner's home.
• of.
• Of that either.
• And again, I show you Ryan Ray here on behalf of the Board of Trustees. on behalf of yourself and for
• The city of Burleson, located in the south part of Tarrant County and the north part of Johnson County

Bills: HB329 , HB361 , HB546 , HB1547 , HB1745 , HB2786 , HB3235 , HB3370 , HB3575 , HJR83

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: appraisal, property value, residential real estate, tax code, appraisal review board, property owners, property tax, homeowners, property owner rights, property appraisal, taxation, Texas Tax Code, real estate, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, market value, condemnation, tax appraisal, open-space land, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the second part, line 1.3, this was some technical assistance from the Department of Human Services
• the Department of Human Services.
• </c><00:09:09.640><c> Care</c> Department of Human Services Direct Care Department of Human Services
• </c><00:09:22.640><c> the</c><00:09:22.839><c> Department</c><00:09:23.200><c> of</c><00:09:23.320><c
• > Human</c> commissioner of the Department of Human commissioner of the Department of Human Services<

Bills: HF2196 , HF2586 , HF2187 , HF2037

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: mental health, emotional disturbance, terminology update, statutory cleanup, conforming amendments, children's mental health, serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, case management, residential treatment, outpatient services, crisis services, health plan coverage, antipsychotic drugs, medical assistance, Medicaid, foster care, juvenile court, school discipline, county board

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health and DCFS were merged together.
• So most of the authority is with the Department of Education.
• So most of the authority is with the Department of Education.
• So most of the authority is with the Department of Education.
• the department, evolution of GOSEP, or, excuse me, evolution of emergency management in the state of

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster. Laura Sori of the Department of Conservation and Energy said the agency has inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the earthquakes, found no permit violations, and is requiring monthly reporting of daily injection data. LSU and Tulane researchers explained that the swarm includes about 50 earthquakes detected by USGS since December 2025, including a 4.9 magnitude event on March 5, and that better monitoring is needed because Louisiana has very limited seismic station coverage. Dr. Cynthia Ebinger said her temporary array has detected more small quakes than USGS, that the pattern looks more like a swarm than normal aftershocks, and that the data suggest pressure changes in the subsurface, though no definitive cause was identified. Keith Hall of LSU described how other states responded to suspected induced seismicity with more monitoring, more frequent reporting, injection limits or moratoria, and “traffic light” systems that escalate regulatory responses as seismicity increases. Members asked about depths, fault locations, possible links to injection or fracking, and whether more monitoring and data-sharing should be pursued; several speakers said Louisiana likely needs a denser monitoring network and more structured data collection. A Texas geoscientist, William Berger, also testified that Texas uses large-scale data analysis and AI to study injection-related seismicity and argued for secure sharing of operator data to improve forecasting and risk management. The committee then took testimony on UAV and drone incursions over Barksdale Air Force Base. GOSEP said the incident was logged in WebEOC and the common operating picture, but that Barksdale did not request direct GOSEP resources and that the matter was handled through law enforcement channels. Louisiana State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose, but confirmed multiple drone sightings on the morning and evening of March 9 and continued monitoring for several days. State Police said they have created a task force with the Police Chiefs Association, Sheriffs Association, GOSEP, and LSP, and that officers are receiving FBI-related training to help detect and, where authorized, mitigate drones. Members discussed whether the activity was nefarious, what counts as an incursion, and the need for better public education about drone restrictions near military and critical infrastructure sites. No formal action was taken, but members said the issue will continue to be tracked alongside pending legislation. Finally, the committee received a one-year update on the merger of GOSEP with the Louisiana National Guard and Military Department. Major General Thomas Freelieu and Brigadier General Jason Maffus said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, shifted administrative functions to the Military Department, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance. They said the agency has modernized its common operating picture, returned staff to in-person work, and continued statewide preparedness exercises. Freelieu highlighted Guard missions including cyber expansion, the new Air National Guard cyber squadron at Jackson Barracks, modernization of the 159th Fighter Wing, and ongoing support for homeland security missions in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Maffus said GOSEP’s core mission remains emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and that the merger is intended to make state support to parishes faster and more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this came to us from the Department of Defense. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
• It requires the Texas Department of Transportation to design and install markers at each end of the designated
• I'm the legislative director for the VFW Department of Texas.
• I'm the State Adjutant for the American Legion Department of Texas.
• The chair now calls Stephen Price on behalf of the VFW Department of Texas and the Voices of Our Veterans

Bills: HCR92 , HB 114 , HB561 , HB 1171 , HB1894 , HB2026 , HB2143 , HB2337 , HB2564 , HB114

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

Keywords: Tuskegee Airmen, commemoration, African American history, civil rights, military recognition, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, defense, grants, local government, economic support, community development, health and wellness, outdoor recreation, state land use

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Energy actually ran the Dakota Gasification plant for a period of time, and they were
• We work with the Public Service Commission and the Department of DEQ.
• We are working with our Defense Department. We are working with the Department of Energy.
• And the federal government, through the Department of Interior, establishes the list of critical minerals
• Some great news out of the Department of Energy a couple of weeks ago: we received the news that we were

Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine’s production history, customer mix, safety record, reclamation practices, workforce, community involvement, and economic impact. Members asked about how long land stays in production before reclamation, how quickly it returns to agriculture, labor shortages, groundwater impacts, and which skilled trades are hardest to fill. Hawbaker said the mine typically disturbs land for three to five years, reclamation returns much of the land to agricultural use, and the biggest hiring challenges are electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, engineers, and accountants. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation. He reviewed the history of North Dakota and federal reclamation laws, the PSC’s permitting and inspection authority, bonding requirements, contemporaneous reclamation standards, and how the state handles topsoil, subsoil, drainage, and revegetation. He emphasized that North Dakota’s program is well regarded, with frequent inspections and no corrective-action issues in recent federal reviews. Christman also discussed problems caused by federal coal ownership that can delay mine plans, and he answered questions about reclamation timing, wildlife easements, wind and pipeline reclamation, and whether similar bonding concepts could apply to data centers. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council President and CEO Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He highlighted the industry’s long-term role in providing reliable electricity, jobs, and tax revenue, along with North Dakota’s low electricity rates and strong grid reliability. Fortner discussed severance and conversion tax revenues, federal regulatory changes, litigation over EPA rules, carbon capture, critical minerals, and the potential for large-load customers such as data centers to support new coal generation. He said the industry sees a window of opportunity for growth and expressed support for new large-load development, while noting that diversified energy companies are also pursuing natural gas and other resources. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning for the tour.

Transcript Highlights:

• And she's been a tremendous pleasure to work with, Open Space Institute, Department of Environmental
• AND, SHE'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS PLEASURE TO WORK WITH, OPEN SPACE INSTITUTE, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
• Bailey, Chair of Insurance, thrilled to advance this bill, really, in honor of Michelle Gregorio's family
• INSURANCE STAKEHOLDERS AND COLLEAGUES, INCLUDING SENATOR BAILEY, CHAIR OF INSURANCE, THRILLED TO ADVANCE
• THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS NOT MAINTAINING THEM.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the journal, and then moved through a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate bills for third reading. The chamber also received and accepted a Finance Committee report on nominations for Kathleen Mosier as Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Terrence O’Leary as Commissioner of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and John Kagia as Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management. All three nominees were confirmed, with Mosier and O’Leary confirmed unanimously and Kagia confirmed 57-1, with Senator Walczyk voting no. The Senate adopted previously approved resolutions recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and mourning the death of Susan Irene Wright of Harlem. Senators Brisport and Bottcher spoke at length in support of Pride Month, emphasizing LGBTQ+ history, resilience, and ongoing threats to the trans community. On the Susan Wright resolution, Senators Cleare, Bailey, and Bottcher praised her community leadership, philanthropy, and family legacy, and Assembly Member Jordan Wright was recognized in the chamber. The body then considered and passed many bills on the calendar, including measures on insurance, environmental conservation, public health, education, business law, labor, social services, highway law, and local tax exemptions. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote, including a measure to end higher insurance premiums for widows, a bill to prohibit correctional facilities from denying visitation because of menstrual products or IUDs, and a Medicaid-related bill to expand access to blood pressure monitors for pregnant people. Most bills passed with broad support, though some had notable opposition from a small group of senators. Late in the session, the Senate took up a proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting. Senator Stewart-Cousins sponsored the measure, and Senator Walczyk questioned it extensively, arguing voters had previously approved an independent redistricting process and objecting to changes that would remove the Legislature’s two-thirds map-approval requirement and alter the commission’s role. The sponsor said the changes were needed in response to aggressive partisan redistricting in other states and would still require voter ratification in future sessions. The transcript ends during that debate, with no final vote on the amendment shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mike Woods of Boston moved suspension of Rule 7A.
• And Madam Speaker, it directs the Department of Fire Safety to establish a public notification record
• And Madam Speaker, it directs the Department of Fire Safety to establish a public notification record
• And of course, just last week, Boston Fire Department Local 718 laid to rest one of their own, Robert
• of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. $14 million for increased utilization of the Bureau of

Summary: The House first handled a series of routine actions from the Committee on Rules, including adoption of several congratulatory resolutions and suspension of Joint Rule 12 to allow petitions to proceed, including a Hingham land transfer petition and a veteran rental assistance bridge program petition. The Ways and Means Committee then reported out several bills, including a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, a bill on hot work/fire safety regulation, a free expression/library bill, a bill on ownership and maintenance of certain culverts and dams, a Walsh-Kennedy Commission implementation bill, and a Billerica land transfer for the Yankee Doodle Bike Path. Each was advanced through second or third reading, with the House adopting committee amendments and ordering the bills to third reading or engrossment as appropriate. The most extensive debate centered on S. 2726, an act regarding free expression, which would address book challenges in public and school libraries, require reporting of challenges, protect age-appropriate materials, and establish review procedures. Supporters argued the bill protects intellectual freedom, librarians’ professional judgment, and access to books amid rising censorship efforts; opponents raised concerns about parental rights, local control, and exposure of minors to explicit material. Several amendments were offered and voted on, including one to strike a criminal-law protection, one to streamline the school review process, one clarifying that challenged material is considered in its entirety, and one narrowing who may initiate complaints to parents or guardians; some were rejected and others adopted. The bill ultimately passed to be engrossed by a 151-3 vote. The House also took up H. 5491 implementing the Walsh-Kennedy Commission recommendations on hot work safety after the 2014 Beacon Street fire. Members emphasized firefighter safety, certification and training requirements, stronger penalties for violations, and public notification of violations; the bill passed to be engrossed unanimously. The supplemental fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill, H. 5493, covering snow and ice costs, no-cost calls, substance use services, homeless programs, and several outside sections, also passed after amendment votes. Finally, the House enacted two local bills on Holyoke City Council special meetings and the Reading town charter, and then adjourned to meet the next day in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Audrey O'Neill, I'm the Commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
• Any life insurance she had, she was forced to get rid of that.
• Earl, we really, I think probably should have the Texas Department of Banking here to talk, but since
• Department of Banking.
• We need to take care of veterans. It is 44 a day, Duke University, University of Alabama.

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill requires, I hate to keep putting it on the Department of Education, but it requires the
• Department of Education to prepare a document and explanation that will have to be given to the students
• So this bill requires, I hate to keep putting it on the Department of Education, but it requires the
• Department of Education to prepare a document and explanation that will have to be given to the students
• A violation of one of the conditions of parole has occurred.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 137, which would strengthen penalties for knowingly making threats against schools, school activities, students, or school employees. The author said the bill responds to repeated false threats that disrupt schools, frighten families, and divert law enforcement, and it adds education and parental acknowledgment requirements. Members discussed possible juvenile consequences such as public service or physical work at schools, and the bill drew support from law enforcement, district attorneys, and Catholic bishops. It was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 321 followed, addressing Louisiana’s Safe Harbor law by expressly exempting minors from prostitution offenses and treating them as trafficking victims rather than offenders. The author, clergy, trafficking advocates, and a survivor testified that children involved in commercial sex are typically coerced, groomed, or controlled by traffickers, often family members or caregivers, and should receive protection and services instead of arrest. Witnesses described statewide advocacy and crisis-response services created in 2022, and committee members asked about prosecution of perpetrators and the prevalence of trafficking in rural areas. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved House Bill 1246, a response to a fatal drunk-driving crash involving Jada Bright, which would allow law enforcement to keep intoxicated offenders in jail if they are not safe to release. An amendment was adopted to clean up the language, and the bill was reported favorably. House Bill 1104, creating a misdemeanor for possession of motor vehicle key-programming or emulating devices used to steal cars, also passed favorably with support from prosecutors and police. House Bill 552, a cleanup measure replacing references to intoxication with impairment in prior drug-related statutes, was reported favorably as well. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 310, which would require random reassignment when a defendant waives a jury trial in districts with more than two judges, unless the prosecutor agrees otherwise. Supporters said it would prevent judge shopping and address concerns about unusually high acquittal rates before particular judges, while opponents argued it raises due process concerns and effectively lets prosecutors choose the judge. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably. The last major item was House Bill 1107, dealing with post-conviction death penalty cases involving claims of intellectual disability; the bill would set a 75 IQ threshold and create procedures for Atkins claims. Supporters said it would bring finality to long-pending capital cases and follow U.S. Supreme Court guidance, while opponents argued it would be unconstitutional under Atkins, Moore, and Hall because intellectual disability cannot be reduced to a single number. After extensive testimony and debate over amendments, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> that looked at insurance in the state of that looked at insurance in the state of Minnesota<00:02
• </c><00:02:54.239><c> of</c> nested in the Minnesota Department of nested in the Minnesota Department
• </c><00:04:23.520><c> of</c> longer nested in the Department of longer nested in the Department of Commerce
• </c> department of human services. department of human services.
• </c><00:47:53.520><c> of</c> Department of Commerce pulled off of Department of Commerce pulled off of

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• introduce you as well to some of our leadership team with the Texas Department of Transportation as you
• To give you just an overview of the Texas Department of Transportation, many of you all do know we've
• Those are really the front door of the Texas Department of Transportation.
• the Texas Department of Transportation.
• I have the pleasure of serving as the executive director for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

Committee: House Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't even get any of your You can't even get any of your Democratic.
• We've got a county that's, of course, very unique. A A county that's, of course, very unique.
• We know this is our best estimate of what the... ...is our best estimate of what the magnitude of those
• Thank you for these members and what they do for their district and state of Alabama.
• So, I mean, you know, from a pure kind of purist perspective of our branch of government, I think it

Bills: HB402 , HB402

Committee: House Urban and Rural Development

Keywords: rural impact, legislation, agriculture, school funding, transparency, data assessment, rural communities, land bank authority, property acquisition, tax-delinquent properties, real estate management, local government revenue, floodplain management, stormwater drainage, emergency powers, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The nature of the funding systems that are in place in terms of amounts of funds and lack of disclosure
• Next month is the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, where government tried to beat
• Next month is the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, where government tried to beat
• Bloody Sunday in Selma Al anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma Al Alabama<00:16:27.560><c> where</c
• 49.799><c> and</c> of freedom of fairness and of freedom of fairness and equality<00:25:52.919><c> Mr

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Gary Westcott, Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections.
• Up here is because I just don’t want the appearance of DOC, Department of Public Safety and Corrections
• That’s part of what we, Department of Corrections, local sheriff’s housing offenders—that’s what it’s
• Assistant Secretary Deloge from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections kind of outlined a lot
• There's a model within the Department of Corrections and outside of the Department of Corrections for

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Kentucky, we kind of have this notion of Kentucky, we kind of have this notion of focusing<00:03
• > the pleasure of working with a lot of the pleasure of working with a lot of different<00:08:19.360>
• So, Innovate Alabama came out just in 2021, and you are seeing some amazing changes taking place of how
• </c> of conceptualize a lot of those points. of conceptualize a lot of those points.
• He said people often do not leave W-2 jobs because they are afraid of losing health insurance.

Committee: Joint Economic Development & Workforce Investment

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:00:28 Strengthening Kentucky's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: 00:02:45 Entrepreneur Led Economic Development: Kentucky’s Path Forward: 00:31:45, 958, all