Transcript Highlights:

• As a matter of pending business, the chair lays out Senate Bill 2403.
• Is there an objection to the adoption of the substitute? It is adopted.
• As a matter of pending business, full Senate, all right.
• As a matter of pending business, the chair lays out Senate Bill 2943.
• With great thanks to each of you, especially this time of year.

Bills: SB 18 , SB 34 , SB82 , SB1807 , SB2254 , HB119 , HB130 , HB581 , HJR98 , SB1988

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• We passed it out of the Senate when it passed out of the House.
• of the threat.
• One of those is, of course, if it's a small business; they don't have that kind of retail space to put
• Department of Health or the Attorney General.
• Are there questions of the author, of the sponsor?

Bills: SB82 , SB1807 , SB2254 , HB119 , HB130 , HB581 , HJR98 , SB1988 , SB 18 , SB 34

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: business liability, concealed carry, handgun policy, premises liability, criminal acts, civil liability, business premises, concealed handgun, property liability, property rights, gun regulations, criminal liability, protective order, confidentiality, personal information, court records, victim protection, charitable raffle, nonprofit, wildlife conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• of the natural gas.
• A couple of years back, we were running 15% of all fatalities in the state of Texas, right up there with
• On behalf of the residents of Pecos, I thank you.
• of House Bill 188.
• I think each of them recognizes the needs of our areas.

Bills: HB188 , HB265 , HJR35 , HJR47 , SB1901 , HB188 , HB265 , HJR35

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Texas STRONG defense fund, severance tax revenue, oil and gas revenue, constitutional transfers, rainy day fund, economic stabilization fund, state highway fund, oil and gas production, qualifying county, county grants, water infrastructure, first responders, public safety, DPS staffing, commercial motor vehicle safety, gang violence prevention, human trafficking prevention, economic development, TxDOT grants, school districts

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Jeff Yarborough, Chief of police for the Huddle Police Department, and I'm also the former chief
• of police of Bastrop ISD and Round Rock ISD Police Department, both of which I created and served as
• of power.
• Morris serves on the Texas Department of Transportation's Texas Technology Task Force.
• Members, any other questions of of our Of Mr. Drake, seeing none. Thank you for being here.

Bills: HB 1951 , HB 2715 , HB 3092 , HB 3237 , HB 3278 , HB 3511 , HB 3592 , HB 3675 , HB 3778 , HB 3782 , HB 3826 , HB 3970 , HB 4016 , HB 4049 , HB 4341 , HB 4344 , HB 4406 , HB 4427

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things that we've seen of late is that a couple of the applicants for the Texas Energy Fund
• Good evening, I'm Jeffrey Yarbrough, Chief of Police for the Hutto Police Department, and I'm also the
• former Chief of Police of Bastrop ISD and Round Rock ISD Police Departments, both of which I created
• You're here on behalf of the Texas Chapter of the U.S.
• Morris serves on the Texas Department of Transportation's Texas Technology Task Force.

Bills: HB1951 , HB2715 , HB3092 , HB3237 , HB3278 , HB3511 , HB3592 , HB3675 , HB3778 , HB3782 , HB3826 , HB3970 , HB4016 , HB4049 , HB4341 , HB4344 , HB4406 , HB4427

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the main components of this are Helmets of Hard Hats.
• Paid for by the unions at no cost to the Department of Defense or anybody, or to the military, and so
• Department of Veterans Affairs recently halted its policy of mandating PLAs after recognizing that such
• I'm not aware of any of those.
• In Texas, I'm not aware of nine; I'm aware of two. Both of them are private projects.

Bills: HB1951 , HB2715 , HB3092 , HB3237 , HB3278 , HB3511 , HB3592 , HB3675 , HB3778 , HB3782 , HB3826 , HB3970 , HB4016 , HB4049 , HB4341 , HB4344 , HB4406 , HB4427

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• of a public institution of higher. our education.
• We're very proud of it. Very proud of it.
• So of your current freshman class, how many of those students came out of private schools?
• out of.
• in front of them. regardless of the resources of the high school, of the community, if it's a poor or

Bills: HB42 , HB 125 , HB 1233 , HB2853 , HB3148 , HB3326 , HB3701 , HB4066 , HB4361 , HB4762 , HB4909 , HB4912 , HB42 , HB125

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• President, of the University of Texas.
• They would be seeking in the DO school to mimic the other departments of Tarleton's strong Texas demographic
• One of the things that we will do as a college is have a Department of Graduate Medical Education within
• We have multiple multiple surgical specialties, a very busy emergency department, and a broad range of
• of that.

Bills: HB42 , HB 125 , HB 1233 , HB2853 , HB3148 , HB3326 , HB3701 , HB4066 , HB4361 , HB4762 , HB4909 , HB4912 , HB42 , HB125

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• It is one of the cornerstones of our nation, is one of the things that sets America apart from many other
• belief of, of Islam, uh, is a, is a complete way of life.
• of this.
• We kind of.
• of.

Bills: HB 346 , HB 1360 , HB 1510 , HB 1606 , HB 1804 , HB 1805 , HB 2156 , HB 2391 , HB 2767 , HB 3022 , HB 3044 , HB 3272 , HB 3293 , HB 3493 , HB 3809 , HB 3824 , HJR 110 , HB 2463

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line

Transcript Highlights:

• The area of concern on it is that it seems like it's just a breach of the separation of powers.
• or by the state through the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• It allows health departments in the four major metros to charge up to 120% of the state's fee cap under
• Tarrant County has over 40 different municipalities, 10 of which have their own health department.
• The Department of Licensing and Regulation has adopted the 2023 National Electric Code.

Bills: HB346 , HB1360 , HB1510 , HB1606 , HB1804 , HB1805 , HB2156 , HB2391 , HB2767 , HB3022 , HB3044 , HB3272 , HB3293 , HB3493 , HB3809 , HB3824 , HJR110 , HB2463

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line

Bills: HB346 , HB1360 , HB1510 , HB1606 , HB1804 , HB1805 , HB2156 , HB2391 , HB2767 , HB3022 , HB3044 , HB3272 , HB3293 , HB3493 , HB3809 , HB3824 , HJR110 , HB2463

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Justice.
• Department of Justice. What communications have you had with the Department of Justice? None.
• federal government, Department of Justice contests...
• Department of Justice, right?
• I don't know off the top of my head how many have been against the Department of Justice, the State of

Bills: SR5 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35

Keywords: redistricting, Senate procedures, public input, Texas Legislature, amendments, Texas Senate, congressional districts, legislative procedures, legislative transparency, Senate rules, public hearings, committee procedures, hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes

Summary: The meeting centered around the discussion of congressional redistricting, where the committee established the procedures to ensure a fair and transparent process. Led by Senator King, the session focused on adopting a resolution that authorized a special committee dedicated to congressional redistricting and allowed for regional hearings to gather public input via videoconferencing. Concerns were raised about ensuring adequate notice for public participation, especially from marginalized communities potentially affected by proposed changes. Disagreements emerged regarding the timeline for regional hearings and how to address the implications of the redistricting process on minority districts. Overall, participants acknowledged the complex nature of redistricting and the importance of engaging constituents in the legislative process.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I guess one of the questions I have when it comes to affordability and the evaluation of some of the
• to affordability and the evaluation of some of the larger projects that are in there is the nature of
• The comment is really to shout out the Department of Conservation and Recreation and how much we ask
• I think you've just answered part of it, which is identifying the sources of funds for some of the CSO
• Because of that, cities and towns are paying to export trash hundreds of miles, sometimes as far as Alabama

Bills: S2542

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Keywords: climate resilience, resilience bond bill, environmental bond, infrastructure spending, flood control, coastal resilience, PFAS, clean water, wetlands, nature-based solutions, housing permitting, flood disclosure, land conservation, biodiversity, forest reserves, municipal vulnerability preparedness, MVP grant program, food security, agricultural resilience, solid waste

Transcript Highlights:

• So, all right, if our representative from the California Department of Social Services is ready, you
• Division at the California Department of Social Services.
• In terms of our work with the Department of Health Care Services, who are similarly going to be implementing
• Earlier this year, the California Department of Health Care Services estimated that about 3.4 million
• And so I just want to acknowledge that our department is moving as quickly as possible to get ahead of

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on CalFresh enrollment, food insecurity in California, the recent federal shutdown’s disruption of SNAP benefits, and the long-term effects of H.R. 1 on eligibility, benefits, and state and county costs. Opening remarks emphasized that millions of Californians rely on CalFresh, that the shutdown briefly delayed benefits for the first time in the program’s history, and that state and local governments, including Alameda County, stepped in with emergency food aid and funding. Members also framed the issue as both a hunger and affordability problem, with several noting that California’s agricultural abundance contrasts sharply with persistent food insecurity. The first panel presented research and advocacy perspectives on food hardship. PPIC’s Tess Thorman described food insecurity rates, disparities affecting households with children and Black and Latino households, and the role of nutrition programs in reducing poverty. Nourish California’s Betzabel Estudio argued that hunger is a policy choice and highlighted campaigns to expand state-funded food assistance for immigrants, support reentry populations, and continue the CalFresh fruit-and-vegetable incentive program. The California Association of Food Banks’ Josh Wright said food banks are seeing sustained high demand, lower federal food supplies, and cannot replace CalFresh, while urging more state support for food purchasing, school meals, and SunBucks. The second panel reviewed CalFresh operations and participation. The California Department of Social Services reported that CalFresh participation has risen over the past decade, with the state closing much of the participation gap through outreach, simplified applications, and demonstration projects such as the Elderly Simplified Application Project and a minimum nutrition benefit pilot. Alameda County Social Services described local caseloads, application trends, and emergency food distributions during the shutdown, while also warning that H.R. 1’s work requirements, immigrant eligibility restrictions, and possible cost-sharing could reduce enrollment. A student CalFresh ambassador testified about the burdensome application and recertification process and urged more funding for campus basic-needs centers and outreach to reduce stigma and administrative friction. In the final panel, county, food bank, and policy witnesses described the shutdown response and the expected impact of H.R. 1. Alameda County Community Food Bank and the County Welfare Directors Association said counties, food banks, and community partners mobilized emergency funds, pop-up pantries, and food purchasing to bridge the shutdown gap, but warned that hundreds of thousands of Californians could lose benefits under the new federal rules. The California Budget and Policy Center began outlining the scale of federal cuts, noting that H.R. 1 will significantly reduce SNAP funding and shift costs to states. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible state responses, including backfilling benefits, preserving outreach funding, and improving administrative systems to protect enrollment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
• I am aware through the committee process that there was a Department of Justice letter.
• I've had no communication with the Department of Justice.
• One of the challenges that they brought forth with redistricting is that the CVAP and the Justice Department
• HB244 by Martinez relating to flood control measures and Texas Department of Transportation highway projects

Bills: HB4 , HB 4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's a branch of the Department of Census.
• Department of Census in 2021.
• And finally, In 2021, one of the high officials in the Department of Census said, 'I had no idea that
• It was the Department of Education or whatever it was before.
• So they changed the bill that says the Department of Interior, the Secretary of Interior could.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for the current operations of the Department of Corrections.
• Department of Corrections.
• Department of Corrections.
• things around the Department of Correction.
• things around the Department of Correction.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first adopted revised JBC rules, which staff said were updated to reflect legislation passed in the 2025 session. It then heard a presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s proposed balanced budget for FY27, with no action taken. Hudson said the budget reflects three priorities: limiting state-government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income-tax cuts. He highlighted increases for education funding through EFAs, pay-plan costs for Corrections, DPS, and the Attorney General, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, a Corrections medical contract, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction efforts, and an additional $100 million set aside for Medicaid sustainability. Committee members questioned the size of the tax cuts, the balance requirement, public education funding, Medicaid trust-fund levels, EFA funding, and the expected impact of new SNAP cost-sharing rules. The Division of Higher Education then presented its productivity-based funding recommendations. Officials said institutions were 2.61% more productive overall, with funding changes driven by a statutory formula that rewards degree production, underserved populations, and high-demand fields. Members asked about declines at UA Little Rock, the formula’s multipliers, the role of the Arkansas Access Act and a new return-on-investment metric, and how two-year colleges are adjusted for size. The committee also reviewed special items and approved two letters: one authorizing 17 net personnel changes across nine institutions, and another adding special language for North Arkansas College’s entry into the University of Arkansas system. The committee then adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on the University of Arkansas system, especially Fayetteville’s athletics funding and the broader impact of the House/NIL settlement. Chancellor Charles Robinson and system officials explained that the board had waived a longstanding campus transfer and directed the university to provide an additional $6 million to athletics, with some costs likely to be passed through to students but partially offset by existing budget growth. Members debated whether the university should prioritize academics or athletics, how the transfer originated, and whether the athletic changes would affect affordability. The committee also discussed the 1890 extension program at UAPB and the Division of Agriculture’s land-grant funding. UAPB officials said the state match is intended to be one-to-one, that the current recommendation aligns appropriation with actual spending, and that a $2 million set-aside remains available if needed. The Division of Agriculture later clarified that its Smith-Lever extension and Hatch research funds are part of the UA system’s separate budget and that the state matched about $6.2 million in federal extension funding last year. The committee then moved to the Department of Corrections. It approved G1, transferring 51 positions to the secretary’s office to activate a recidivism program, with an estimated cost of about $4 million. Staff then began walking through the department’s FY27 budget, noting an increase of about $8 million for administration and shared services, including a $170,000 sex-offender assessment appropriation moved under Act 723 of 2025 and roughly $6 million more for medical contracts. Questions on the Corrections budget had just begun when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is one of my favorite days of the year, and you may think, well, why?
• 5,600 of you that are attending Boys State, it brought back a lot of memories for me.
• I loved every single minute of it. Now, some of you may have had a fabulous week.
• Some of you have just kind of been there.
• , you did get out of the last week of school across most of the schools in the state, or whether this

Committee: All BOYS STATE

Summary: The Arkansas Boys State House convened with a quorum, heard opening remarks from legislative leaders and guests, and then considered a series of bills focused on rural services, education, taxes, and zoning. House Bill 1001 would have increased rural health care funding through a 10% tax on individuals earning at least $300,000; supporters argued it would improve access and quality in rural areas, while opponents raised concerns about fairness, long-term funding, and whether it would drive away doctors and taxpayers. The bill failed by a vote of 24 yeas, 51 nays, and 1 present. House Bill 1002 would have limited the number of subjects rural teachers could be assigned and offered sign-on bonuses to recruit more teachers; supporters said it would reduce burnout and improve specialization, while opponents questioned funding and whether it would worsen inequities. After immediate consideration, it passed narrowly, 38 yeas, 36 nays, and 2 present. The House then debated House Bill 1003, which would regulate AI data centers through county zoning authority and a 10% tax on corporations to fund conservation efforts. Supporters said counties should be able to decide whether data centers fit local needs, while opponents warned about lost jobs, higher costs, and federal-state jurisdiction issues. The bill passed 62 yeas, 7 nays, and 3 present. House Bill 1004 would have reduced motor vehicle registration fees to offset high fuel costs, but critics argued it would reduce highway and road funding and strain the state budget; it failed 20 yeas, 46 nays, and 4 present. The chamber then took up Senate bills. Senate Bill 1 proposed incentives tied to SNAP benefits to encourage healthier food purchases and address food insecurity and obesity; supporters framed it as a way to improve access to healthy food, while opponents objected to taxing junk food and burdening SNAP users. It passed 43 yeas and 27 nays. Senate Bill 2 would require reading tests in middle school and state tutoring for students who fail; supporters said it would address literacy problems early, while opponents wanted clearer provisions for older students and implementation. It passed 67 yeas, 6 nays, and 1 present. Senate Bill 3 would cut individual and corporate income taxes to promote economic growth and ease cost-of-living pressures; supporters cited prior tax cuts and business attraction, while opponents said the benefits would mostly go to wealthy corporations and CEOs. It passed 53 yeas, 15 nays, and 16 present. Senate Bill 4 created a mixed-use zoning grant program funded by a 1% hotel tourism tax to encourage affordable housing and downtown redevelopment; it passed 51 yeas, 7 nays, and 13 present. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is one of my favorite days of the year, and you may think, well, why?
• I loved every single minute of it. Now, some of you may have had a fabulous week.
• Some of you have just kind of been there.
• , you did get out of the last week of school across most of the schools in the state—or whether this
• For us, we have to think of the entirety of our state as a whole.

Committee: All BOYS STATE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're sending him with a Secretary of State bill. I believe the Department of State bill is it?
• This bill is for the Department of State Civil Service.
• The Department of State Civil Service, if you apply for a job...”
• It helps their department kind of give some teeth to that part of the job application process, get more
• Will the department be working in some form of fashion with LED, maybe address some of the issues with

Bills: HB9 , HB177 , HB181 , HB202 , HB225 , HB398 , HB459 , HB540 , HB906 , HB1052 , HB1057 , HB1245

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, court reporter, official court reporter