Transcript Highlights:

• And so this is a measure that can help to stabilize transparency and availability and pricing for these
• </c> that can help to stabilize that can help to stabilize um<01:25:24.160><c> transparency</c><01:25
• </c><02:25:31.439><c> adjudicate</c><02:25:32.080><c> any</c> remedy and educ adjudicate any remedy and
• Um, I don't see the need to actually spend money to disseminate and educate people about this.
• and educate people about this.<04:24:28.400><c> Um,</c><04:24:28.798><c> so</c><04:24:29.040><c> it<

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, of course, there's the rainy day fund, which is formerly called the revenue stabilization reserve
• </c> stabilization reserve account. stabilization reserve account.
• Um, I am the interim director of the Office of the Advocate for Special Education, but I'm not here in
• ><02:29:01.520><c> foster</c><02:29:02.000><c> care</c><02:29:02.319><c> or</c><02:29:02.640><c> education
• </c> a kid a leaves foster care or education a kid a leaves foster care or education costs<02:29:04.160

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session opened with routine announcements, including new and absent members, a tribute to former chair Rep. Jess Edwards, and an explanation that Division 3 is advisory and will make recommendations to full Finance. Chair Mooney also distributed a self-created index to the budget binder and reviewed the committee’s options under House Rule 45. Members discussed scheduling a future visit to the Veterans Home in Tilton, with several October dates unavailable, and the chair said she would circulate possible dates. The committee also reviewed the second-year budget context and sources of funding, including surplus monies, existing and new revenue streams, grants, reappropriations, and the rainy day fund. The committee then took up several retained bills and repeatedly heard that their substance had already been addressed in the budget. House Bill 519, funding the Waypoint Youth and Young Adult Shelter, was moved ITL and passed 10-0. House Bill 547, county reimbursement funds, was also moved ITL and passed 10-0 after members noted the reimbursement had been included in HB 2. House Bill 570, repealing the prescription drug affordability board, was moved ITL and passed 10-0, with minority members saying they still believed the board had value but acknowledging the repeal had already occurred in HB 2. House Bill 704, concerning caregiver respite and senior volunteer programs, received the most discussion. Mr. Ripple explained that most items were already funded or suspended in the budget, leaving only the senior volunteer grant program unfunded. Chair Mooney offered amendment 2963H to fund the RSVP program at $180,000 for one year, contingent on surplus funds, and DHHS witnesses explained that RSVP is a federally funded AmeriCorps program that would be added to existing state licensing structures. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was reported ought to pass as amended on a 10-0 vote. The committee then heard House Bill 751, which would require licensure of outpatient substance use disorder treatment facilities and create an ombudsman-related complaint process. DHHS witnesses said the bill had been narrowed substantially from an earlier certification model with multiple positions and IT costs to a licensing model using existing department infrastructure, reducing the fiscal note to $211,000 for one position. They also said the ombudsman section was no longer needed because licensed facilities would fall under existing oversight. Members questioned how many facilities exist and whether licensing fees would cover costs; DHHS said it did not know the full provider landscape and that licensing revenue across the board does not cover the department’s costs. Rep. Daniels then proposed amendment 2964H to form a study committee because of the remaining questions and lack of a clear revenue stream, and the committee was still discussing that amendment when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, as an educator, it is my job to teach my students and protect my students from harm's way.
• Could we have figured out more comprehensive solutions to the education of our youth?
• Did you say Did you say you were an educator? Correct. And how long have you been one?
• We have you registered on behalf of Transgender Education Network of Texas and South against SB 8.
• And I would just close by saying there's a very important educational piece to that.

Bills: HB7 , SB 8

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• payment timelines, not just because the vendor wasn't able to, but because we made decisions to stabilize
• because we made were able to but because we made decisions<00:54:24.600><c> to</c><00:54:24.880><c> stabilize
• </c><00:54:25.560><c> and</c><00:54:26.000><c> functionally</c> decisions to stabilize and functionally
• decisions to stabilize and functionally look<00:54:26.840><c> at</c><00:54:27.040><c> how</c><00:54:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 20 minutes and then adopted the remainder of the consent calendar, after removing two items for separate discussion. On item 26071, members questioned a $95,000 DoubleTree Manchester contract for a two-day conference. Department staff said the hotel was the only bidder, the conference typically draws more than 500 attendees, most of the cost is food offset by registration fees, and attendees pay their own lodging except for presenters. The committee then approved the item. On item 26068, members asked for clearer reporting on remaining federal funds in continuing items. DHHS said about $10.3 million remained as of February 28, 2026, and agreed to provide the original award amounts and a reconciliation later. The committee approved the item. The committee then took up a DHHS transfer item for the developmental disability system, where officials said projected costs had risen because of delayed pandemic-era billings, new individuals entering the system, and higher individual service budgets. They said the budget was built on older assumptions, that carryforward funds had fallen from about $94 million to $72 million, and that the transfer would not affect lapse because it shifts general funds while federal Medicaid funds are accepted in return. The item was adopted. The committee also approved a hiring request and then a late Corrections item tied to overtime and recruitment. Corrections officials said the department is about 50% staffed for corrections officers, typical overtime is an eight-hour shift, inmate populations are beginning to rise again, and the department is using academy blitzes, out-of-state recruiting, targeted advertising, and a $10,000 sign-on bonus paid after academy completion and one year of service. Senator Gray said the late item was intended to help reduce a larger request expected in June, and the committee adopted the item. Finally, members questioned DHHS item 26074 on the New Hampshire Care Connection system and its interoperability with provider and managed care systems. DHHS said the system already has SMART on FHIR integration, single sign-on, and deeper integration options, and that managed care organizations are working with the contractor on use cases and data exchange. Officials said the project has been multi-phase, including the 988 crisis-response migration, privacy/security work, a provider network of more than 100 organizations, and a searchable resource portal managed by Granite United Way. They said the closed-referral solution is funded largely with Medicaid federal funds and is planned to continue in the base budget, not the rural health grant. The discussion ended without further action noted in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• would really be pinched if the federal contract that they were counting on, the reliability, the stability
• 57:18.799><c> the</c> were counting on the reliability, the were counting on the reliability, the stability
• stability stability um<00:57:20.799><c> that</c><00:57:21.119><c> is</c><00:57:21.359><c> supposed</

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• navigators are impartial participants in these cases, and they're charged with helping defendants attain stability
• helping and they're charged with helping defendants<00:50:57.680><c> attain</c><00:50:58.160><c> stability
• </c><00:50:58.720><c> and</c> defendants attain stability and defendants attain stability and competency

Bills: HF2233 , HF1524 , HF1893 , HF1396 , HF2456 , HF2959 , HF2300 , HF2412 , HF3022 , HF2825 , HF1862 , HF1373 , HF1039 , HF3070

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• But now I'm finding stability again at Mosaic and with people who are getting to know me.
• <00:38:30.359><c> now</c><00:38:30.520><c> I'm</c><00:38:30.680><c> finding</c><00:38:31.359><c> stability
• </c><00:38:31.960><c> again</c><00:38:32.160><c> at</c> but now I'm finding stability again at but now
• I'm finding stability again at mosaic<00:38:32.800><c> and</c><00:38:32.960><c> with</c><00:38:33.160

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to support a strong middle class, create thriving communities, and ensure household and workforce stability
• 14.799><c> and</c><00:26:14.960><c> Workforce</c> households and Workforce households and Workforce stability
• please</c><00:26:17.480><c> support</c><00:26:17.919><c> investments</c><00:26:18.480><c> in</c> stability
• please support investments in stability please support investments in housing<00:26:19.080><c> infrastructure

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> relates to the language of um education relates to the language of um education and<00:17:34.799
• As I read the language, qualified by education and ...
• </c> stabilize and support everyone involved. stabilize and support everyone involved.
• </c> multiple government and educational multiple government and educational agencies,<01:55:51.280><
• I'm a trauma educator who alcoholism.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes public education, research for more effective treatments, and surveillance activities.
• what the response will look like and share our public information along with public outreach and education
• So we're doing these education things ahead of time, building the plans should the fly arrive, but it
• But 11 other associations, some of which are represented here today, are working together to educate,
• Secondly, additional outreach and education for the livestock producers and hunters.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:30:54.480><c> Educated</c><00:30:55.200><c> at</c><00:30:55.840><c> North</c><00:30:56.240><c
• Educated at North Carolina was he.
• Speaker, as a former educator myself, I know a good teacher when I see one. Fergie taught us all.
• Whether it's early childhood education, enriching after-school programs, fitness classes, summer day
• . education. education.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also included a requirement for the Commission to develop educational information.
• I should know who the education is. I should know where they train.
• We started in about 2012 educating you all.
• You may have the education but not be able to practically apply it in a safe and meaningful way.
• You may have the education but not be able to practically apply it in a safe and meaningful way.

Bills: HB216

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: HB216, Texas abortion law, abortion-inducing drug, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, telemedicine, in-person exam, physician presence, out-of-state physician, reproductive healthcare, abortion regulation, Health and Safety Code, Occupations Code, consultation services, remote prescribing, pro-life, pro-choice

Summary: The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed. A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending. The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well. Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.

Transcript Highlights:

• From the Committee on Education Policy: Senate Bill Number 85 receives a favorable report by a vote of
• From the Committee on Education Policy: House Bill Number 266 receives a favorable report by a vote of
• Last year, I introduced the bill for education employees only.
• Let me clarify that because we are saying all educational systems... ... we are saying all educational
• Let me also add that it was my son who found out that education employees in the state of Alabama did

Bills: SJR 3 , SB 5 , SB 21 , SB 72 , SB 703 , SB 764 , SB 790 , SJR 36 , SJR 3 , SJR 34 , SJR 18 , SCR 9 , SB 616 , SB 565 , SB 384 , SB 5 , SB 21 , SB 72 , SB 140 , SB 262 , SB 370 , SB 372 , SB 495 , SB 627 , SB 703 , SB 764 , SB 842 , SB 971 , SB 790 , SB 767 , SB 480 , SB 1066 , SB 929 , SB 765 , SB 523 , SB 62 , SB 19 , SB 18 , SB 666 , SB 688 , SB 707 , SB 888 , SB 687 , SB 706 , SB 847 , SB 869 , SB 890 , SB 992 , SB 1145 , SB 494 , SB 290 , SB 766 , SB 11 , SB 10 , SB 13 , SB 263 , SJR 3 , SB 5 , SR 172 , SR 176 , SR 177 , SR 190 , SR 193 , SR 194 , SR 202 , SR 203 , SR 208

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver

Transcript Highlights:

• In education, of course, Wichita Falls has Midwestern State University.
• Its economy thrives on a balance of industry, tourism, and higher education.
• President, as Chair of Education, was to kind of put a pause on the A through F.
• That is incredible and that is leadership in our public education system.
• So Sylvester was a champion for education.

Bills: SJR3 , SB5 , SB21 , SB72 , SB703 , SB764 , SB790 , SJR36 , SJR3 , SJR34 , SJR18 , SCR9 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB5 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842 , SB971 , SB790 , SB767 , SB480 , SB1066 , SB929 , SB765 , SB523 , SB62 , SB19 , SB18 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB869 , SB890 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB494 , SB290 , SB766 , SB11 , SB10 , SB13 , SB263 , SJR3 , SB5 , SR172 , SR176 , SR177 , SR190 , SR193 , SR194 , SR202 , SR203 , SR208

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 2740 creates a pediatric disease task force within the Department of Higher Education
• This bill came through your Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee.
• It just creates a new board and provides some more stability for bail bond agents with some better oversight

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And now the chair appoints the member from Milton to the Committee on Education.
• The social workers, the educators, the law enforcement folks, the health care providers, the neighbors
• substance use treatment, home visiting, quality child care, and economic support so parents can provide stability

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At least 50% of the funds must be spent on prevention, including education programs for persons who commit
• And by contrast, buyers are disproportionately men of privilege, financial stability, and resources.
• Their profession, education, or status never stopped them from harming me either.

Bills: HB1591 , HB2209 , HB2403 , HB2526

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, survivor protections, legal remedies, defendants, theft, robbery, sentencing enhancements, criminal justice, property crimes, failure to register, registration requirements, public safety, law enforcement, prostitution, public health, criminal justice reform, community safety, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• includes offering policy actions that boost residential construction, support the workforce, provide education
• Thank you for thinking of innovative approaches for homeowners because it is the key for financial stability
• And it has benefits that go far beyond just housing, to your health, education, and employment.

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• If you can get turbines, the supply chains are well stabilized, right?
• In the process, they're training and educating, creating a workforce, and then turn the results of that
• They would construct and operate power plants, and I assume y'all would have some concurrent educational

Bills: SB1468 , SB1612 , SB1789 , SB2530 , SB2571 , SB2717 , SB2967

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• We must educate workers about their rights and enforce these protections.
• And outreach and education through various programs like the Domestic Worker Education and Outreach Program
• But we can't educate our way out of a disaster.
• I appreciate the education aspect.
• And so the education piece is critical, I think, in those cases.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly labor committees held a hearing on the Los Angeles wildfires and their impact on workers, employers, and recovery efforts. Chairs and members emphasized that rebuilding should prioritize worker safety, equity, local hiring, and strong labor standards rather than simply moving quickly or relying on the lowest bidder. They also stressed the need to learn from past disasters and to create a more coordinated state response for future emergencies. Worker advocates described how domestic workers, day laborers, firefighters, and other frontline workers were affected by the fires. Testimony focused on workers being trapped in evacuation zones, lacking timely information in Spanish, losing jobs and income, and facing exposure to toxic debris without adequate PPE. Speakers called for expanded outreach and education, stronger Cal/OSHA enforcement, broader occupational safety coverage for domestic workers and day laborers, recall and transfer rights, childcare and transportation support, and a centralized disaster relief system that can quickly deliver cash aid and equipment regardless of immigration status. Firefighter Derek Irwin said California firefighters face serious carcinogenic exposure and urged continued funding for the firefighter cancer prevention and research program, along with a long-term state health monitoring and research effort similar to the World Trade Center Health Program. Building trades and labor representatives argued that cleanup and rebuilding should be done through community workforce agreements, prevailing wage, apprenticeship requirements, and local hire provisions, and said the state already has trained workers available. They also said federal debris-removal work through the Army Corps has limited the state’s ability to impose some standards, but that state and local funding or subsidies should trigger labor requirements. Employer and business representatives described major losses to property, inventory, revenue, and jobs, especially in Altadena and nearby areas. The Altadena Chamber said it is coordinating recovery resources, while a construction business owner said small local firms are being shut out of disaster contracts and proposed a more accessible procurement process for local and minority businesses. LAEDC presented preliminary estimates of billions in property damage and business disruption, tens of thousands of potential job losses, and a recovery timeline of five to ten years, warning that low-income communities will be disproportionately affected and that workforce retraining and upskilling will be needed alongside the broader economic recovery.