Transcript Highlights:

• I would highly suggest that they look at schools that are close to these grade crossings and closing
• The department works very closely.
• We've closed that out.
• rules.
• The rules became effective January 1.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee first heard opening remarks on its interim charges: rail grade crossing safety, autonomous vehicle deployment, and commercial driver’s license oversight. Members emphasized transportation’s importance to safety, mobility, and the economy, and the chair outlined the plan to take invited testimony first on each charge, followed by public testimony. For the rail grade crossing charge, TxDOT’s Don Franks described implementation of SB 1555, the Texas Off-System Rail Grade Separation Program, including rules, applications, and awards. He said 36 local governments submitted 57 applications requesting about $2.3 billion against the $250 million state program, and TxDOT awarded $160.4 million to five projects in four districts. He also explained that the state set aside remaining funds as federal match, helping Texas secure nearly $756 million in federal FRA funding for 12 projects, bringing the total value of the rail crossing projects to more than $1.2 billion. French Thompson of the Texas Railroad Association supported continuing the program, said the demand far exceeded available funding, and recommended maintaining the $250 million investment while also considering other mitigation tools such as siding relocations and digital traffic-routing solutions. Members asked about how projects were selected, how success should be measured, blocked crossings, maintenance responsibilities, and whether railroads should share costs. Franks said projects were chosen based on safety, economic development, mobility, readiness, community support, and match leverage, and said future success should be measured by reduced crashes and fatalities at treated crossings and by getting projects to construction within about three years. Thompson distinguished between occupied and blocked crossings and said railroads are working on capacity, communication, and alternative solutions. He and Franks explained that railroads maintain crossing equipment, while the public can report malfunctions using the blue ENS sign. Public testimony on rail grade separations included support from the North Houston Association, Bay Area Houston Transportation Partnership, and Texas Rail Advocates for continued and expanded funding, while Rhonda Ward argued taxpayers should not subsidize railroad infrastructure and said railroads should bear more of the cost. The committee then closed testimony on the rail charge. The committee next took up autonomous vehicle deployment under SB 2807. Clint Thompson and Corey Thompson of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles explained the new authorization system for Level 4 and Level 5 automated motor vehicles used in commercial passenger or freight operations. Clint Thompson described the differences between SAE levels, the requirement for an authorization in addition to title, registration, insurance, and other credentials, and the need for a first responder interaction plan filed with DPS. He said DMV adopted rules, built a web-based application system, and began accepting applications in April, with enforcement beginning after the statutory rulemaking timeline. He reported 16 companies currently hold authorizations, including both passenger and freight operators, and said the department uses existing staff and its motor carrier credentialing system to administer the program. Corey Thompson then showed how law enforcement and the public can verify AV authorizations through the DMV’s truck stop database, which displays company status, vehicle information, and related motor carrier credentials where applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, Senator Shope, do you want any closing comments?
• The Committee on Rules recommends the following bill for proper consideration.
• The system is closed. Secretary, record the vote. The system is closed.
• Senator Bravo, Senator Gabaldón, the system is closed.
• The system is closed. Secretary, record the vote: 17 ayes, 12 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• 6 of rule 20.
• . closing. closing.
• </c> purpose of closing. purpose of closing.
• </c> the rules and pass HR2635. the rules and pass HR2635.
• </c> rules and pass HR4216 rules and pass HR4216 and<06:36:30.160><c> HR747.

Bills: HR539 , HR747 , HB4216 , HB2635 , HB4233 , HB4490 , HB2503 , HB2643 , HB4215

Keywords: LaMonica McIver, censure, House of Representatives discipline, Homeland Security Committee, removal from committee, Newark, Delaney Hall, immigration detention facility, federal officers, assault on federal officer, resisting arrest, interfering with federal officers, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, HSI, congressional ethics, House resolution, disciplinary resolution, 18 U.S.C. 111, immigration enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Rules matter.
• with that core rule.
• that core rule.
• The clerk will close the roll. Allen changes vote to no. The clerk closes the roll.
• The clerk closes the roll.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leroy, our closing speaker will be Representative Matthias.
• Hearing none, debate is closed. Question is, House Concurrent Resolution No. 31 pass the House.
• Hearing none, debate is closed. Question is, House Concurrent Resolution No. 31 pass the House.
• House Bill 608 will refer to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for enrolling.
• Senate Bill 1296 was referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assemblymember Bonta, would you like to close?
• That's my favorite close. Thank you.
• Assemblymember, would you like to close?
• Seeing none, would you like to close?
• On the adoption of the committee rules, Elhori.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• , rules, rules, normally<00:08:55.920><c> the</c><00:08:56.040><c> person</c><00:08:56.480><c> would<
• </c> not setting the rules in place per se. not setting the rules in place per se.
• us to fix our rules.
• ><c> let</c><00:57:05.920><c> the</c><00:57:06.040><c> Rules</c> into House Rules, let the Rules into
• </c> we would move it to rules. we would move it to rules.

Bills: HF3643 , HF4470 , HF4462 , HF4366 , HF4172 , HF3629 , HF4356 , HF3093

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• we could temporarily close the beach.
• It's not on this calendar today, but it looks pretty close. Close to Senate Bill 2188.
• Members, just to clarify and close.
• Gates to close. Thank you, members.
• Leach to close.

Bills: HCR158 , HCR159 , HCR160 , HCR161 , HCR162 , HCR163 , HCR164 , HR174 , HR427 , HR790 , HR810 , HR857 , HR866 , HR882 , HR883 , HR962 , HR966 , HR1001 , HR1045 , HR1085 , HR1097 , HR1127 , HR1138 , HR1141 , HR1150 , HR1152 , HR1292 , HR1296 , HR1304 , HR1305 , HR1306 , HR1308 , HR1309 , HR1310 , HR1311 , HR1312 , HR1313 , HR1315 , HR1317 , HR1318 , HR1320 , HR1321 , HR1322 , HR1323 , HR1324 , HR1325 , HR1327 , HR1328 , HR1329 , HR1330 , HR1331 , HR1332 , HR1333 , HR1334 , HR1335 , HR1338 , HR1340 , HR1341 , HR1342 , HR1343 , HR1344 , HR1345 , HR1346 , HR1347 , HR1348 , HR1349 , HR1352 , HR1353 , HR1354 , HR1355 , HR1358 , HR1359 , HR1360 , HR1361 , HR1362 , HR1363 , HR1364 , HR1365 , HR1366 , HR1368 , HR1369 , HR1370 , HR1380 , HR1383 , HR1384 , HR1385 , HR1386 , HR1387 , HR1388 , HR1389 , HR1390 , HR1392 , HR1393 , HR1396 , HR1397 , HR1398 , HR1399 , HR1400 , HR1402 , HR1403 , HR1404 , HR1405 , HR1406 , HR1407 , HR1408 , HR1409 , HR1410 , HR1411 , HR1412 , HR1413 , HR1414 , HR1415 , HR1417 , HR1418 , HR1419 , HR1420 , HR1421 , HR1422 , HR1424 , HR1425 , HR1426 , HR1427 , HR1428 , HR1429 , HR1430 , HR1431 , HR1432 , HR1433 , HR1434 , HR1435 , HR1436 , HR1437 , HR1438 , HR1440 , HR1441 , HR1442 , HR1443 , HR1444 , HR1445 , HR1447 , HR1448 , HR1449 , HR1450 , HR1452 , HR1453 , HR1454 , HR1455 , HR1456 , HR1458 , HR1459 , HR1460 , HR1461 , HR1462 , HR1463 , HR1464 , HR1465 , HR1466 , HR1467 , HR1469 , HR1470 , HR1471 , HR1472 , HR1473 , HR1475 , HR1477 , HCR132 , HCR154 , HR17 , HR49 , HR170 , HR275 , HR355 , HR356 , HR364 , HR369 , HR672 , HR690 , HR755 , HR756 , HR759 , HR762 , HR763 , HR781 , HR785 , HR848 , HR1240 , HR1265 , HR1303 , HR1307 , HR1314 , HR1316 , HR1319 , HR1326 , HR1336 , HR1337 , HR1350 , HR1351 , HR1367 , HR1371 , HR1372 , HR1373 , HR1374 , HR1375 , HR1376 , HR1377 , HR1378 , HR1379 , HR1382 , HR1391 , HR1395 , HR1451 , HR1457 , HR1468 , HR1474 , HR1476 , SB1637 , SB2878 , HB2885 , HB2017 , HB5246 , SB8 , SB2308 , SB1405 , HB 119 , SB3059 , SB15 , SB568 , SB2900 , HB3642 , HB3909 , SB268 , HB493 , SB2217 , HB2516 , SB650 , HB2963 , SB1610 , HB705 , SB2972 , SB1540 , HB40 , SB2753 , SB1660 , SB2024 , HB1545 , HB46

Keywords: World War II, V-J Day, Victory over Japan Day, Japan surrender, atomic bomb, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, USS Missouri, Douglas MacArthur, Harry S. Truman, Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Potsdam Conference, Pacific Theater, Greatest Generation, veterans, military history, commemoration, concurrent resolution, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a three-minute rule in this committee, and there will be no circumventing of that rule by members
• We will be enforcing this rule.
• Cox, if you want to close on your bill.
• If you want to close on your bill.
• You want to go close on your bill?

Bills: HB36 , HB52 , HB56 , HB68 , HB92 , HB119 , HB140 , HB147 , HB160 , HB171 , HB289 , HB351 , HB552 , HB784

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: HB 52, Act 192, Louisiana criminal procedure, misdemeanor jury trial, six-person jury, bench trial, trial without jury, Article 779, Code of Criminal Procedure, criminal justice, defendant rights, retroactive application, prospective application, fine threshold, court procedure, misdemeanor prosecution, driving, impaired, fines, legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in closing, Mr.
• So in closing, I just want to... ...outlier from the global payment system.
• Award-winning restaurants that are probably in your neighborhoods are closing.
• Chickadee, Nine, right down the street, Fido and Davio's have closed.
• And then I just close by saying that litigation is ongoing.

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission studying the future of credit card payments and their impacts on small businesses held what leaders described as its last public hearing, though they said the commission would continue meeting to develop a report and recommendations. Chair Paul Feeney and other members noted the issue is complex and that they had sought testimony from a wide range of stakeholders before moving into a more deliberative phase. The commission adjourned after hearing from several in-person and virtual witnesses. Banking and card-industry witnesses, including the Massachusetts Bankers Association, the Card Coalition, the Electronic Payments Coalition, and others, argued that payment cards provide major benefits to consumers and merchants, including convenience, fraud protection, fast settlement, and broad access to electronic commerce. They warned that state-level changes to interchange rules could create a patchwork of conflicting requirements, disrupt global payment systems, and especially affect state-chartered community banks and small businesses. Several also said recent federal actions and litigation, including OCC and NCUA preemption rules and the Illinois interchange-fee litigation, have limited the practical reach of state laws. Restaurant, retail, and convenience-store witnesses pushed for relief from swipe fees, saying independent businesses operate on thin margins and pay fees on amounts that are not really their revenue, such as sales tax and gratuities. They urged transparency, the ability to surcharge, vendor compensation for tax collection, and limits on interchange or related fees. Some witnesses said merchants bear significant fraud and chargeback costs and that banks and card networks have not offered enough direct relief. Commissioners asked questions about surcharging, fee regulation, fraud, and whether industry should share more of the burden. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond adjourning the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I close.
• Representative McClure, having closed on his bill, the question now And with that, I close.
• Thank you. and with that I close.
• Your time to close is expired. Okay, I will. Okay.
• However, it stalled out in the Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, we will close the 557?
• </c><00:28:08.960><c> knowing</c> looking at these proposed rules knowing looking at these proposed rules
• Basically, that's close to $1 billion dollars.
• Basically, that's close to $1 billion dollars.
• Seeing none, I'll close the 771?

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Then I'll address it a little further in closing. Senator Umberg.
• Senator Archuleta, you may close. Thank you.
• So I will tell you, it's simply having everyone play by the rules, the rules of law, and that's the point
• Our family child care center also closed.
• Senator Cabaldon, you may now close. Thank you, Madam President.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the rules that we adopt, we've violated our own rules.
• So the rules are definitely and rules.
• rules.
• rule, it can be ruling, but based on the rule, it can be interpreted<01:08:05.760><c> differently.
• Thank you. to rule 62.6. My appeal was appealing to rule 62.6.

Bills: HB2117 , HB2155 , HB1832 , HB1601 , HB2297 , HB2397 , HB1893 , HB2533 , HB1890 , HB2004 , HB1810 , HB2323 , HB1691 , HB1671 , HB2619 , HB1481 , HB2314 , HB2319 , HB2214 , HB2488 , HB2009 , HB2007 , HB1964 , HB2218 , HB1535 , HB1977 , HB2054 , HB2046 , HB146 , HB2094 , HB2181 , HB2515 , HB2444 , HB2385 , HB1724 , HB1733 , HB2416 , HB2001 , HB1603 , HB1753 , HB2140 , HB1962 , HB1963 , HB2096 , HB1959 , HB1960 , HB2293 , HB2288 , HB1752 , HB1573 , HB469 , HB2091 , HB1851 , HB1688 , HB1696 , HB2417 , HB2375 , HB2333 , HB2152 , HB1881 , HB2395 , HB1721 , HB1921 , HB1730 , HB1697 , HB1824 , HB2282 , HB2078 , HB2321 , HB2279 , HB1522 , HB2097 , HB2433 , HB2106 , HB2274 , HB2452 , HB1764 , HB2438 , HB1860 , HB2604 , HB2118 , HB2017 , HB2216 , HB1934 , HB2454 , HB2427 , HB2207 , HB1840 , HB1644 , HB1645 , HB1946 , HB1648 , HB2324 , HB1509 , HB1514 , HB1515 , HB2164 , HB2165 , HB2283 , HB2386

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator DiCeglie to close. We close.
• Senator Kalata, you'd to close. We close.
• Senator Burgess to close. Wave closed.
• Senator Burgess to close. Wave closed. Wave closed.
• Senator McLean to close? We've closed.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including a resolution honoring the late Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber also adopted a resolution designating August 9, 2026, as Bob Graham Day in Florida. Later, the Senate adopted a memorial-style recognition of the Florida Channel’s 30 years of legislative coverage. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on health care coverage, veterinary licensure, and affordable housing. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a public assistance/Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described five major changes: stronger anti-fraud authority, a Medicaid work requirement for able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services through a waiver, pharmacy program changes to reduce costs, and a SNAP fraud-reduction plan with photo ID and work requirements. Democrats offered amendments to condition the work requirement on Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP photo ID use by caregivers, seniors, disabled people, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators then questioned implementation details, exemptions, and eligibility impacts. The bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed CS/HB 7031 on taxation, substituting it for the Senate bill and adopting a technical amendment, by a vote of 34-0. The chamber passed a series of other bills, generally after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. These included a computer science education bill adding digital literacy and AI instruction, a Parkinson’s disease registry bill and related public records exemption, a bill designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official flagship, a local government electronic payments bill, a legal tender bill repealing a sunset on gold and silver recognition, public records exemptions for gold/silver custodians and stablecoin-related entities, a stablecoin pilot program, local government spending transparency requirements, a digital voyeurism bill expanding privacy protections to private fenced yards, an insurance licensing bill allowing high school students to complete insurance/personal finance coursework, and a medical freedom bill addressing vaccine information, conscience exemptions, ivermectin access, and the mRNA mandate sunset. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, with recorded votes ranging from 31-3 to 34-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> appeal a court ruling. appeal a court ruling.
• </c> a court ruling. a court ruling.
• We're going to defy the court's rules. We're going to defy the 11th Circuit rule.
• </c> the Louisiana's ruling. the Louisiana's ruling.
• AND I'MMA CLOSE WITH THIS. us. AND I'MMA CLOSE WITH THIS.

Bills: SB1

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I close.” “There being no objection, the bill would be left pending.”
• Hearing none, the chair recognizes Representative Verdell to close on the bill.
• And with that, I close. Thank you all. Thank you. Members, any questions? All right.
• Hearing none, I will close on the bill. Is there objection?
• Hearing none, I close and appreciate it, members.

Bills: HB4530 , HB4931 , HB5559 , HB5560 , HB143

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources met with a quorum present and first took up several pending bills for reconsideration and committee substitute adoption. House Bill 2692, relating to codification and clarification of local laws concerning the San Antonio River Authority, was reported favorably to the full House and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars by an 11-0 vote. House Bills 1407, 1520, 1535, 2970, 4153, 291, 3663, and 3915 were also reconsidered or laid out as pending business, with committee substitutes adopted where needed and each bill reported favorably, generally by unanimous vote, to the full House and then to Calendars or Calendars/Calendars-related referral as applicable. The committee then heard House Bill 4530, which would expand the Texas Water Trust framework to include groundwater rights, require Texas Water Development Board review and approval of groundwater dedications, and notify local groundwater districts when groundwater rights are placed in the trust. The bill’s author and witnesses from the Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Chispa Texas supported the measure as a conservation tool and a way to create a clear process for voluntary donations; a Texas Water Development Board witness testified neutrally. The bill was left pending. House Bill 4931, relating to an aquifer storage and recovery project in Medina County, drew support from the author, the Medina County judge, and a regional water alliance witness, who described severe stress on the Edwards Aquifer, low levels at Medina Lake, and the need for a local water-supply tool. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5559, which would clarify enforcement of drought contingency plans for investor-owned water utilities and involve the PUC in model plan development, received support from groundwater district representatives but also concerns from water company and utility witnesses about enforcement authority, approval procedures, and potential conflicts with existing obligations to provide continuous service; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5560, which would raise the maximum civil penalty for certain groundwater conservation district enforcement actions from $10,000 to $25,000 per violation, prompted debate over whether current law is already sufficient; supporters said the higher cap would better deter overpumping, while opponents argued existing penalties are already severe. That bill was also left pending, and the committee adjourned subject to call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And everyone is welcome to be up close.
• So TSP and Otis work closely together.
• So TSP and Otis work closely together.
• This is just a final closing thought.
• This is just a final closing thought.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Sharif to close. We've closed, Mr. President.
• Senator Sharif to close. We've closed, Mr. President.
• Senator Garcia to close. Wave close.
• Senator Garcia, you're recognized to close. Wave close.
• Senator Grohl to close. Oh, no, you're just going. Senator Grohl to close.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored retiring Senate staffer Susan Miller and recognized a veteran injured in combat. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to returning messages from the House and began taking up bills and amendments. The Senate concurred in House amendments and passed SB 118 on RV park assessments and SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, both by 38-0 votes. It then took up the elections bill, CS/CS/HB 991, which drew extensive debate. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity by tightening citizenship verification and ID rules; opponents argued it would burden eligible voters, especially students, seniors, disabled voters, and others without the newly required documents. The bill passed 27-12. The chamber also passed the education package SB 182 after adopting a Senate amendment to the House amendment, and approved SB 474 on military affairs, SB 425 on historic cemeteries, HB 929 on local regulation of chickees, and HB 35/SB 1370 on habitual traffic offender designation, all with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate then considered SB 902/ HB 733, the Department of Health package. Members adopted an amendment and amendment-to-amendment that preserved most Senate provisions while modifying or removing several House additions, including some early steps and medical marijuana-related changes, and the bill passed 37-0. The chamber also began work on HB 905, the foreign influence bill, with a strike-all amendment offered to expand restrictions on foreign influence, sister-city agreements, linkage institutes, and related activities, but the debate on that measure was still underway when the transcript ended. Several other returning messages and bills were temporarily postponed, and the Senate recessed briefly before resuming business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rule 5, section... section 35 actually authorizes this motion, and rule 5, section 35 establishes that
• Orderings are almost to close. I close the question occurring in the adoption of the amendment.
• Rodriguez, we're almost to close. I close the question occurring in the adoption of the amendment.
• Meyer to close on the resolution.
• Tinderholt to close.

Bills: HJR4 , HJR6 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax