Transcript Highlights:

• A geothermal grant and loan program administered by MNERD, a pool of $15 million now, that will provide

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so we are looking at doing voucher style as opposed to having the open fund pool.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• If its recharge rate doesn't allow for that water to come back... ...pooling from that same area of that

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• The flashbacks, nightly nightmares waking up in pools of sweat, and daily intrusive thoughts.

Bills: HB4806

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sponsored by Senator Simon; Chloe Lawrence of Winter Haven, sponsored by Senator Burton; and Grace and Poole

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into a series of special-order bills and House messages. Early floor action included passage of a claim bill for Mandy Penny Lemon (HB 6503) and bills on sewer collection systems (HB 1123) and farm products (HB 211), all passing unanimously. The chamber also took up an ad valorem tax exemption resolution for agricultural tangible personal property (CS/HJR 1215), which passed 37-0. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the Senate recessed and later returned to House messages and additional special orders. The Senate then addressed multiple House amendments and conference-style motions. It concurred in amended versions of SB 994 on driver safety, SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, and HB 1609 on waste incineration/auxiliary containers after extended debate over hurricane recovery rules, local government restrictions, and plastic container preemption. The chamber also concurred in CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiative petitions, increasing the number of petitions a volunteer may carry from 2 to 25, and in CS/HB 733 on Brownfields. Other House amendments were rejected or sent back, including SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, SB 116 on veterans policy, SB 168 on mental health, and HB 1101 on out-of-network provider referrals. Later, the Senate approved CS/HB 1255 on education and CS/HB 875 on educator preparation, with discussion focused on school readiness, teacher training, and changes to certification and testing requirements. It also concurred in CS/HB 1427, a broad health care bill, after the House added a major nursing education amendment that tightened Board of Nursing oversight, required standardized evaluation and remediation, and imposed accountability measures tied to NCLEX pass rates and program performance. Several members raised concerns or praised negotiated compromises throughout the day, but the recorded actions were mainly concurrence motions, refusals to concur, and final passage votes on the bills considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Columbia disaster in 2003, which I remember like it was yesterday, as I was preparing to enter the pool

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: state policy, governance, legislative processes, public concerns, policy improvement

Summary: During the committee meeting, various issues surrounding state policy and governance were deliberated. Although the specifics of bills under discussion were not highlighted, comments from several committee members indicated a focus on improving legislative processes and addressing public concerns. The chairman facilitated discussions that included several points of critique as well as suggestions for enhancement of existing laws. The atmosphere remained constructive despite the complexity of the topics at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Taking a step back to our existing Senate Bill 1 sea level rise grant program, it is a separate funding pool

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• benefits, we are generally speaking about Social Security, but we have a few other smaller benefit pools

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• The truth is, the beef checkoff works for producers, and it does all this with the pooled resources.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Keywords: agriculture, avian flu, bipartisan farm bill, economic challenges, poultry, dairy, specialty crops

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial discussions surrounding the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, particularly concerning avian flu and its impact on poultry and dairy producers. Members provided insights into the economic struggles within the industry, emphasizing the need for a new bipartisan farm bill that addresses the diverse needs of specialty crop and livestock producers. Witnesses from various agricultural sectors spoke about their experiences, illustrating the high costs, regulatory burdens, and emerging diseases that threaten their operations. The meeting underscored a commitment to exploring solutions that will help maintain market stability and ensure food security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Swimming pool.

Bills: SB9 , SB1047 , SB1048 , SJR17 , SJR49 , SB40 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB 9 , SB 40 , SJR 1

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, criminal procedure, public safety report, victim notification, family violence, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunction, taxpayer rights, violent crimes, sexual offenses, community safety, constitutional amendment, trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• There's Albuquerque Public Schools; they have their own pool.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to flag that people building residential homes, they aren't going to qualify to pay the gravel
• :28.719><c> that</c><01:14:29.600><c> people</c><01:14:29.920><c> building</c><01:14:30.320><c> residential
• </c> flag that people building residential flag that people building residential homes,<01:14:31.440>
• So then smaller people that might be doing a larger residential development who accidentally meet the
• when</c><01:27:57.360><c> you</c> Witness: "So, then smaller people that might be doing a larger residential

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re trying to set up a residential hospice there.
• We're trying to set up a residential<00:57:19.200><c> hospice</c><00:57:19.680><c> there.
• Um we set up residential hospice there.
• Um, we have funding reductions in day services, funding reductions in residential services, everything
• Um, we have funding reductions in day services, funding reductions in residential services, everything

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's say a guy named Joe wants to start raising chickens on his property in a residential neighborhood
• A guy named Joe wants to start raising chickens on his property in a residential neighborhood, and he
• These 2,500-plus public water systems actually serve municipalities, smaller residential communities,
• <05:07:00.920><c> communities</c><05:07:01.718><c> large</c><05:07:02.120><c> workplaces</c> residential
• communities large workplaces residential communities large workplaces institutions<05:07:04.160><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up several bills in executive session, beginning with HB 568 on subdivision regulations concerning water supply. Representative Donnelly moved ITL, arguing the bill would create costly studies, that towns already have jurisdiction over needed studies, and that the issue was not widespread. The committee voted ITL 9-7. HB 582, dealing with safety requirements for personal watercraft, was also moved ITL on the grounds that existing law already covers the issue and the bill was unnecessary after recent action on personal flotation devices. Representative Derby opposed the ITL, saying the bill was a common-sense safety measure and would restore a misdemeanor penalty, but the committee voted ITL 9-7. The committee then retained HB 595, relative to coastal resilience zones, after members said the bill was important but needed more work and time because of its complexity. Members noted it should be revisited later, and the motion to retain passed 16-0. HB 607, funding the Hampton Beach Area Commission and making appropriations, received an ought-to-pass recommendation 15-1, with support from members who described Hampton Beach as an important economic driver and one dissenting member saying the state should not bear the full cost. The committee also adopted Amendment 2025-3 on HB 624, establishing a local river management advisory committee grant program, by a 16-0 vote; the amendment shifted funding decisions to the Department of Environmental Services based on demonstrated need and a first-come, first-served process. The bill as amended then received an ought-to-pass recommendation 16-0 and was placed on consent. Later, the committee retained HB 629, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams, after members said the dams need attention but the bill required more work because suggested amendments had just been received. That motion passed 16-0. HB 644, concerning drones in state parks, was ITL’d because the Department of Parks and Recreation is already working through rulemaking on UAS use in remote areas, and the committee voted 16-0 for ITL. HB 657, the short notice booking act access for New Hampshire residents to state parks, was also ITL’d at the request of the prime sponsor, passing 16-0. The committee then adjourned and announced a later hearing on HB 663, which would allow the Division of Historical Resources to use a portion of Moose plate funds for administering its grant program; testimony from the sponsor and the division supported the bill as clarifying existing authority, and no final vote on HB 663 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• for clarification, this bill does not take any transportation support services, placement in a residential
• educational environments, such as regular classroom, hospital homebound, separate classroom, school residential
• educational environments, such as regular classroom, hospital homebound, separate classroom, school residential
• c> it</c><01:10:35.239><c> does</c><01:10:35.400><c> not</c><01:10:35.560><c> remove</c> School residential
• it does not remove School residential it does not remove any<01:10:36.159><c> of</c><01:10:36.400><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Policy and Administration Committee heard testimony on HB 222, which would repeal the requirement that a chartered public school and the resident school district sign a memorandum of understanding on how students with disabilities will receive special education services. The prime sponsor, Rep. Peggy Balboni, said the bill was requested by the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators and the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools. She argued that federal and state law already require districts to provide FAPE and that the MOU requirement has created extra work, legal costs, and delays without improving services. She said many MOUs remain unsigned, but students are still receiving services and complaint numbers have not changed. Rep. Mooney also supported repeal, calling the MOU duplicative and impractical because IEPs and 504 plans already govern services. Testimony from Jane B. Brulu of the special education administrators’ association and Beth McLure of the charter schools alliance echoed that view, saying the MOU has not helped students, has added hours of work and legal fees, and has mostly been a source of disputes over funding and service costs. McLure said her school has worked with more than 15 districts and has always been able to reach agreements, though the first year of the requirement took substantial time and money. Committee members asked about the original purpose of the law, unsigned MOUs, and whether disputes could be resolved without the requirement. A representative from the Department of Education said the MOU was originally proposed to address reports that some students were not getting services on time and to provide some oversight, but the department has no authority to order charter schools or districts to agree and no appeal process if they cannot. The department also said it does not currently audit charter school special education services because it lacks authority to monitor charter schools directly, and it urged the committee to consider some alternative oversight if the MOU requirement is repealed. The hearing on HB 222 was then closed, and the committee announced it would begin the hearing on HB 699 after a short break.

Transcript Highlights:

• We talked to Primax, as everybody knows they're the risk pool.
• 04:27:53.640><c> risk</c> knows they're the risk the good risk knows they're the risk the good risk pool
• . pool. pool.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But basically the pool of money that is available to do this would mean that we would have to award fewer
• Uh but basically the<01:13:18.400><c> pool</c><01:13:18.640><c> of</c><01:13:18.800><c> money</c><01:
• 19.040><c> that</c><01:13:19.600><c> uh</c><01:13:19.760><c> is</c><01:13:20.000><c> available</c> the pool
• of money that uh is available the pool of money that uh is available to<01:13:20.640><c> do</c><01:13

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The industry is supported by a very, very favorable tax structure, a skilled employment pool, and significant
• favorable tax structure, a skilled favorable tax structure, a skilled employment<00:22:06.320><c> pool
• <00:22:07.120><c> and</c><00:22:07.440><c> significant</c><00:22:08.159><c> capital</c> employment pool
• and significant capital employment pool and significant capital investment<00:22:09.200><c> across</

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• residual market mechanism that we've chosen, that the legislature put in place decades ago, was this pool
• > legislature put in place decades ago was legislature put in place decades ago was this this this pool
• 19.720><c> losses,</c><00:22:20.720><c> you</c><00:22:20.799><c> know,</c><00:22:21.039><c> profit</c> pool
• where the losses, you know, profit pool where the losses, you know, profit and<00:22:21.520><c> loss

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think one of the ideas here was to ensure that there was a more available pool of candidates and more
• I think one of the ideas here was to ensure that there was a more available pool of candidates and more
• I think one of the ideas here was to ensure that there was a more available pool of candidates and more
• I just think one of the ideas here was to ensure that there was a more available pool of candidates and

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the Department of Environmental Services on proposed changes in House Bill 2 and related technical changes in House Bill 1 tied to the governor’s permitting realignment initiative. The proposal would move environmental review staff from Fish and Game and DNCR to DES to create a more centralized “one-stop shop” for applicants needing DES permits, especially for wildlife and natural heritage reviews. DES said the goal is to speed permitting, support a 60-day review clock, and improve coordination among agencies while keeping the substantive review work in place. Members asked about staffing impacts, the scope of the transferred duties, and whether the change would create redundancy or weaken the other agencies. DES said most of the affected staff work primarily on these reviews, though Fish and Game staff also handle other state and federal reviews, which is why the proposal was adjusted to keep one of the four Fish and Game positions there and move three to DES, along with two positions from DNCR. DES also described a new supervisory position in HB 2 to manage the transferred staff within its land resources bureau. Officials said the reviews would still be done by specialists, but under DES supervision, and that the agencies would continue to coordinate recommendations on species impacts and mitigation. The committee also discussed fee increases intended to offset costs, including a 50% increase in wetlands fees and a 100% increase in alteration-of-terrain fees, with the department saying the changes would cover the new positions. Members raised concerns about impacts on private homeowners, possible incentives to work without permits, and whether fines should be used more as a revenue source or for mitigation. DES said wetlands permits are roughly split between homeowner-related and commercial projects, that permit-by-notification already creates a two-tier structure for smaller projects, and that enforcement relies partly on public complaints and online permitting systems. The department also said most fines currently go to the general fund and vary widely year to year, with about $75,000 budgeted, and that the proposal would also create permit-by-notification authority for alteration-of-terrain projects between 100,000 and 150,000 square feet, mirroring language in Senate Bill 110. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.