Transcript Highlights:

• THSC has worked on this issue locally since the 1990s, and in 2023, we worked on HB 1819.
• local control.
• because in the past, when we allowed local law enforcement and local municipalities to handle this,
• I'm testifying in support of House Bill 1831, and I support local control.
• Determining which young people could benefit from local drug court programs, ultimately the local prosecutor

Bills: HB1511, HB1831, HB1988, HB2147, HB2234

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, state regulations, zoning, local government authority, drug court, juvenile justice, diversion programs, rehabilitation, criminal justice reform, remote proceedings, depositions, virtual hearings, court technology, criminal responsibility, age of maturity, expungement, mental health services, juvenile record sealing, 1184

Transcript Highlights:

• mission to Texas 811, but structured with 23 regional councils throughout the state of Texas with local
• And so we are prepared to adjust that, uh, you know, kind of the local level approach as well.
• That's assuming that there's signage, that's assuming that they're, you know, local or have experience
• And I think the last thing that we should do, whether we're a local or a state regulatory entity, is
• I think we owe it as a state, and at the local level also, that we owe it to this private industry and

Bills: HB206

Keywords: HB206, school district bonds, bond election, voter approval, Education Code, Chapter 45, Section 45.003, Section 45.0034, Texas schools, school finance, local tax election, bond referendum, school construction, capital improvements, election frequency, five-year waiting period, district bonds, public school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current statute, based on agreements under the local, Texas Local Government Code between a city
• Under Texas Local Government Code chapter 242001D2.
• And under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 232008, a county may cancel a subdivision, but only if
• And then um you said you mentioned you work with the, you know, local stakeholders.
• And so, and you're dealing with the local government entities regarding that as well, correct?

Bills: HB23

Keywords: property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest, county property tax, nonprofit-owned property

Transcript Highlights:

• Local displays of support or opposition from visitors and the audience are prohibited.
• I believe this is a very simple bill, should probably go to local and consent today, Chairman.
• The 216 soil and water conservation districts are led by 1,080 locally elected district directors.
• The state board is truly an example of locally led.
• Each one is operated by five locally elected directors.

Bills: HB294, HB405, HB519, HB294

Keywords: food production, property owners' association, home gardening, cottage food, urban agriculture, livestock, community standards, renewable energy, ethanol, biodiesel, incentives, agriculture, grants, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd like to be able to serve a local beer at the bar.
• We want to work with local agriculture.
• And he said, "I guess everybody gets their local bills up." So, here we have this local bill.
• I don't have a problem with all these different local...
• So it's not everything is already local.

Bills: SB312, SB316, SB90

Keywords: alcoholic beverages, ABC Board, Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control, special event license, special events retail license, nonprofit special events retail license, special retail license, event storage license, government venue license, alcohol storage, alcohol transfer, beer, wine, liquor, on-premises consumption, public venue, government-owned property, municipal property, county property, state property

Transcript Highlights:

• money no one knows better than the local money no one knows better than the local charities<00:05
• at quite a few it appears that local at quite a few it appears that local jurisdictions<00:32:31.600
• to our local to our local community<00:37:12.640> um<00:37:13.319> the<00:37:13.680
• That's where local communities meet the needs.
• That's where local communities meet the needs.

Bills: HF169, HF195, HF194, HF1756, HF2133

Keywords: HF169, Minnesota insurance, health plan, summary of benefits and coverage, SBC, patient assistance program, deductible, health insurer, consumer disclosure, out-of-pocket costs, medical assistance funds, copay assistance, health coverage transparency, chapter 62Q, enrollee, HF195, Fairmont, street reconstruction, bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, this is a statewide statute with local application for Coleman County only.

Bills: SB25, HB243

Keywords: SB25, community development district, community development districts, alcoholic beverage tax, alcohol sales tax, sales tax proceeds, county treasury, special fund, grant distribution, tourism funding, economic development, local grants, education grants, civic activities, community activities, tourism activities, Alabama Code 35-8B-5, county revenue, legislator recommendation, local government finance

Bills: SB1265, SB2154, SB1775, SB2139, SB1552, SB483, SB1198, SB2135, SB2118

Keywords: municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, local government, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI, driving under the influence, alcohol-related offenses, drug-related offenses, prostitution, solicitation

Bills: HB287, HB340, HB412, HB440, HB514, HB515, HB521, HB543, HB553, HB570, HB961

Keywords: HB 287, Louisiana Tax Commission, ad valorem, property tax, property assessment, assessment fees, fee extension, sunset extension, public service property, utility property, insurance company property, financial institution property, tax administration, R.S. 47:1838, Act 296, reappraisal, ad valorem tax, valuation, Louisiana tax law, homestead exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• By providing clear direction to both local governments and TCEQ, this bill promotes responsible land
• This is a list of over 2000 of these flood control structures that are regulated by local sponsors, which
• The local districts and the state soil and water board provide money for rehabilitation, but we're trying

Bills: SB 612, SB 1855, SB 2568, SB 3058

Keywords: SB 612, Texas Water Code, Section 49.2127, conservation and reclamation district, water district, reclamation district, developer fees, pipeline construction, water pipeline, sewer pipeline, associated infrastructure, subdivision infrastructure, cost recovery, fee cap, actual reasonable documented costs, engineering fees, legal fees, inspection fees, infrastructure relocation, utility connections

Transcript Highlights:

• bill that addresses vagueness and closes loopholes that exist in Chapters 232 and 233 of the Texas Local
• Texas must have sufficient housing to meet workforce demands.
• control density through setback requirements, which is in direct contradiction to Chapter 232 of the Local
• Legacy regulations at the local level have artificially restricted what is a market-based solution for
• This substitute adds provisions subject to a development agreement under Chapter 212.171 of the Local

Bills: SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666

Keywords: HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• the full House with the recommendation that it do pass, be printed, and be sent to the Committee on Local
• to the full House with the recommendation that it do pass, be printed, and sent to the Committee on Local
• Because currently, as the local government code states for tree ordinances, you are allowed to cut trees
• So the way this code is, the local government code, this section, this 212.905, in it, it talks about
• Yeah, so in the, for example, city of Austin, if you decide to cut down a tree and according to their local

Bills: SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666

Keywords: HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• funds to cover their local share of the ETF.
• The program provides eligible local governments with a match of $6.25 for every dollar the local government
• This section requires local governments to remit their local match of tax revenue to the office to be
• This change will instead allow a local government to submit local money to the office within three months
• Local fishery management biologists are concerned about the river.

Bills: HB2385, HB3349, HB3962, HB3883, HB4396, HB4811, HB5088, HB4588, HB4867, HB4895, HB5398, HB5616

Keywords: NRA, funding, major events reimbursement, annual meetings, exhibits, events trust fund, Pan American Games, Olympic Games, motor sports racing, local control, event support contract, INDYCAR, Arlington, tourism, funding eligibility, sporting events, economic impact, local governments, American Performance Horseman, American Rodeo

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 934 authorizes but does not require local governments in the local, in the Florida case,
• Those local towers can go and share their specific problems, and then that commission or the local governmental
• Those local towers can go and share their specific problems, and then that commission or the local governmental
• I am a... ...local toers can go and share their specific problems, and then that commission or the local
• local utility services.

Bills: S0018, S0028, S0260, S0848, S0934, S1014, S1102, S1264, S1566, S1622, S1724

Keywords: negligence, compensation, child welfare, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, police negligence, law enforcement, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills focused on water safety, utilities, housing, transparency, and claims relief. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was presented as a follow-up to prior water-quality legislation and reported favorably with one support waiver. SB 28, a claims bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child-drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy and drowning-prevention groups in strong support; amendments required rental license applicants to certify compliance and removed local-government add-on authority, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 18, a claims bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, prompted questions about settlement and responsibility but was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from a waiver form. Several utility and infrastructure measures were considered. CS/SB 1724 would regulate municipal utility service outside city limits, limit revenue transfers, require public meetings, and cap rate differences; an amendment added gas utilities, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from municipal utility representatives and small-county advocates. CS/SB 1014 would require municipal utilities to extend water and wastewater service to certain nearby residential properties without conditioning service on annexation; an amendment narrowed the bill to residential uses and clarified capacity and grandfathering provisions, and it passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 would allow local infrastructure surtax revenue to fund body camera programs, with an amendment making the surtax authorization prospective and requiring a new referendum; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 260 on electric-vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to focus on storage only and to tie the higher fee to the period before fire-risk inspection, then reported favorably after testimony from insurers, fire officials, and EV industry representatives. The committee also advanced education, housing, and ethics-related bills. SB 1264 would ease zoning and code barriers for small private schools and micro-schools, with supporters arguing it would expand school choice and opponents raising implementation concerns; it was reported favorably. SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a tax-exemption section that conflicted with the Live Local Act, then reported favorably. SB 1622 would provide a one-time waiver of late financial-disclosure fines under specified conditions and was reported favorably. Finally, CS/SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related materials, and an amendment added utility revenue reinvestment and other changes while removing DEI spending restrictions; the bill drew support for transparency but concern from small cities and counties about cost and workload, and it was reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment after senators recorded votes on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So right now we have allowed as much local control in this bill as possible.
• About 9 other states have passed this, and, and again, it's Similar to allowing as much local control
• Um, you know, um, concerning local, local control of that, I would argue that some things are so detrimental
• They're an absolute problem in our school, but this is something that needs to be handled locally.
• That's local, um, That's local responsibility. I think that this body.

Bills: HB6, HB27, HB123, HB210, HB213, HB222

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp products, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, Texas hemp law, hemp regulation, cannabinoid products, delta-9 THC, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, retail registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, youth access, minor sales

Bills: SF0085, SF0056, SF0084, SF0104, SF0109, SF0120, SF0050

Keywords: internet crimes, children, task force, law enforcement, funding, education, victim assistance, kratom, regulation, healthcare, age restrictions, manufacturing standards, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, irrigation, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, higher education

Bills: SF0085, SF0056, SF0084, SF0104, SF0109, SF0120, SF0050

Keywords: internet crimes, children, task force, law enforcement, funding, education, victim assistance, kratom, regulation, healthcare, age restrictions, manufacturing standards, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, irrigation, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, higher education

Transcript Highlights:

• to the workforce PEL grant program. to the workforce PEL grant program.
• >> Just the workforce portion.
• workforce portion? workforce portion?
• has the workforce development council. has the workforce development council.
• Madam Chair. workforce PEL grant program. Uh chair is workforce PEL grant program.

Bills: SB3179, SB2872, SB2391, SB3282, SB2836, SB2181

Keywords: educational workers, harassment, workplace safety, temporary restraining orders, investigation procedures, retired education employees, teacher shortage, rehired retirants, entry level salary, collective bargaining agreements, pension benefits, education, teacher salaries, automatic increments, collective bargaining, teacher retention, workforce development, Pell grant program, short-term education, eligibility

Summary: The joint committee first heard SB 3179, which would require the Department of Education and charter schools to report harassment incidents involving educational workers and adopt procedures for handling them. DOE supported the bill, while the Attorney General recommended clarifying amendments to limit the measure to harassment directed at workers because of their position, to limit DOE legal assistance to temporary restraining order actions, and to clarify whether the harassment must come from outside the school system. Members also discussed whether the bill should cover non-DOE individuals on campus, whether investigations could be handled in-house, and whether training should be embedded in existing workday or school-year training rather than added as a separate requirement. The committee later voted to pass the bill with amendments as SD1. The committee then took up SB 2872, which would require retired teachers or administrators rehired into shortage or hard-to-fill positions to be paid the entry-level salary for that position. DOE supported the bill, and the Attorney General requested clarifying language about its effective date and that it would not affect already matured rights and duties. The Employees’ Retirement System administration emphasized that the bill should retain a 12-month break in service to preserve the pension system’s tax-exempt status and noted the importance of consistent classification of eligible positions. Members expressed support for using retired educators to help fill staffing gaps, but no final action was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard SB 2391, which would provide annual step increases for public school teachers under bargaining unit 5, subject to funding. The Attorney General said the bill could conflict with collective bargaining procedures and Chapter 89, while DOE said unit 5 includes more than teachers and asked that the benefit be considered for other bargaining units as well, with funding provided if enacted. HSTA strongly supported the measure, arguing that annual step movement is already recognized in the collective bargaining agreement as a recruiting and retention tool. Testimony totals were noted as 16 in support, two in opposition, and three comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 3282, which would establish a statewide framework for the federal workforce Pell Grant program to fund short-term workforce education and training. The Attorney General suggested clarifying that the matter is one of statewide concern because UH is involved. UH and the Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, and DLIR testified that it is coordinating with DOE, the Workforce Development Council, and national groups on implementation. Members questioned whether the Workforce Development Council or DLIR should handle rulemaking and administration, and DLIR said the council is advisory while the department has grant administration expertise. The committee then moved into decision-making after discussion of possible amendments and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• This can translate into... ...increase tuition costs and debt, as well as delays in entering the workforce
• of time this session... ...discussing how we can better prepare our students to meet our state's workforce
• training related to health physics. ...radiation control and waste management, but it does not address workforce
• Senate Bill 1534 would create a study to help prevent workforce shortages in this critical field.

Bills: SB800, SB1534, SB2055, SB2310, SB2431, SB2786, SB3039, SB1242

Keywords: sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, higher education, student safety, orientation policies, health physics, workforce development, nuclear energy, radiological safety, scholarship, education, Texas Leadership Scholars Program, student funding, transparency, degree requirements, certificate programs, student transfer, foreign language

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working to collaborate with the DLI and local workforce boards to get WIOA funds and access to
• We are working to collaborate with the DLI and local workforce boards to get WIOA funds and access to
• We are working to collaborate with the DLI and local workforce boards to get WIOA funds and access to
• We are working to collaborate with the DLI and local workforce boards to get WIOA funds and access to
• We are working to collaborate with the DLI and local workforce boards to get WIOA funds and access to

Bills: HF846, HF1538, HF1959

Keywords: education, special education, apprenticeship, funding, grants, intermediate school districts, teacher apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship, teacher licensure, teacher shortage, workforce development, education finance, K-12 education, higher education, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, Tier 3 license, teacher preparation, mentor teacher, school district