Bills: HB2242 , HB2446 , HB2799 , HB4502 , HB2920 , HB2790 , HB5620 , HB5060 , HB5076 , HB5080 , HB5081 , HB5128 , HB5130 , HB3847 , HB5116 , HB2969 , HB4546 , HB4202 , HB5624 , HB3964 , HB4803 , HB872 , HB4775 , HB4777 , HB4961 , HB5570 , HB2988 , HB4260 , HB1375 , HB5009 , HB5411 , HB5134 , HB4388 , HB3095 , HB1387

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Transcript Highlights:

• extension of the 2019 law. and that it continues to address construction litigation lawsuits by government
• and non-government entities.
• of the United States Constitution provides a cause of action for damages against state and local governments

Bills: HB2242 , HB2446 , HB2799 , HB4502 , HB2920 , HB2790 , HB5620 , HB5060 , HB5076 , HB5080 , HB5081 , HB5128 , HB5130 , HB3847 , HB5116 , HB2969 , HB4546 , HB4202 , HB5624 , HB3964 , HB4803 , HB872 , HB4775 , HB4777 , HB4961 , HB5570 , HB2988 , HB4260 , HB1375 , HB5009 , HB5411 , HB5134 , HB4388 , HB3095 , HB1387

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Transcript Highlights:

• this legislature determined a set of boards and commissions that had substantial fiscal oversight, procurement

Bills: SB2543 , SB2014 , SB2115 , SB3095 , SB3264 , SB2114 , SB2117 , SB2246 , SB2519 , SB3055 , SB3131 , SB3144

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies

Bills: HB213 , HB136 , HB182 , HB213 , HB136 , HB182

Committee: Senate State Governmental Affairs

Keywords: HB213, Calhoun County, board of registrars, registrar compensation, county commission, local legislation, election administration, county general fund, expense allowance, officeholder compensation, public officials pay, county election officials, Alabama Code 45-8-110, Teacher's Retirement System, TRS, DROP, Deferred Retirement Option Plan, retirement benefits, teacher retirement, classroom teacher

Transcript Highlights:

• First to testify on this measure, we have Bonnie Kahakoy, administrator for the State Procurement Office
• administrator<00:39:19.680><c> for</c><00:39:19.920><c> the</c><00:39:20.079><c> state</c><00:39:20.320><c> procurement
• </c> administrator for the state procurement administrator for the state procurement office<00:39:21.200
• Bonnie Kahakoy, administrator, State Procurement Office, will stand on our written testimony providing

Bills: SB2119 , SB3131 , SB3069 , SB3180 , SB2137 , SB2993 , SB2778 , SB2672 , SB2014 , SB2967

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: reimbursement, public employees, travel costs, government travel policy, finance management, job title, administrative assistant, executive assistant, state personnel, civil service, modernization, employment standards, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, comptroller, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, public works special project branch, specialized public works, information technology modernization

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties are the least revenue-diversified major government in the state.
• We rely heavily on two sources to support general government functions, and sales tax is one of the biggest
• preferences, not to mention the numerous other tax exemptions approved by the legislature on local government
• Very conservatively, these sales tax exemptions result in local government revenue losses of $300 to
• across Pierce County, supporting those governments and reaching their housing goals.

Bills: HB2376 , HB2584 , HB2610 , HB2615 , HB2089 , HB2194 , HB2257 , HB2528 , HB2175 , HB2334

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: property tax, reform, local government, taxpayer, funding, agriculture, tax exemption, farm machinery, equipment, sales tax, HB 2610, property tax exemption, nonprofit housing, affordable housing, low-income housing, community use, temporary use, charitable property, Washington property tax, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• classification began in '82, a significant portion of the Arsenal Street corridor was owned by the federal government

Bills: H3012 , H4008 , H4435 , H4444 , H4526 , H4547 , H4574 , H4575 , H4576 , H4577 , H4585 , H4605 , H4687 , H4703 , H4722 , H4754 , H4755

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: fines, property valuation, commercial property, real estate, tax penalties, property taxes, local option tax, marijuana sales, Salem, revenue generation, taxation, recreation, local government, commercial activities, Charlemont, property exemption, disabled persons, Swampscott, senior exemption, property tax

Bills: SB7 , SB13 , SB14 , SB15 , SB7 , SB13 , SB14 , SB15 , SB7 , SB13 , SB14 , SB15

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects, developers, builders, local government, infrastructure, water efficiency, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, real property, fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 863 clears up a rule in the law that governs the Edward Aquifer Authority.
• Senate Bill 1243 is getting rid of a layer of government that we don't need.
• Otherwise, it's a victory for smaller government.
• So members, any questions for victory for smaller government.
• In response, local governments are turning to innovative strategies to safeguard.

Bills: HB 5208 , SB 863 , SB 1243 , SB 1624 , SB 1965 , SB 2660 , SB 2702 , SB 2885

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 863 clears up a rule in the law that governs the Edwards Aquifer Authority.
• Bill 1243 is getting rid of a layer of government that we don't need.
• For smaller government. So, members, any questions for victory for smaller government?
• Testers who potentially get this certification from a nonprofit that has no government oversight coming
• In response, local governments are turning to innovative strategies to safeguard their water supply.

Bills: HB5208 , SB863 , SB1243 , SB1624 , SB1965 , SB2660 , SB2702 , SB2885

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• Government affairs. Okay. Thank you. Members, any questions for this witness?
• Has no direction or no authority coming from the county court, then we've lost what I would call governance
• VSO is in question if you let it be dictated or let it be run by somebody that's outside of the government
• When I say the government, I mean the commissioner’s court.

Bills: HB4458 , SB651 , SB1227 , SB1931

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: veterans, service members, military transition, Texas Veterans Commission, pilot program, self-reliance, employment assistance, housing assistance, mental health services, career training, veterans service organizations, spouses and dependents, military families, Texas military forces, post-separation support, reentry services, workforce development, benefits navigation, transition assistance, SB 651

Transcript Highlights:

• These people, per the constitution, per all of the governing documents of the NAR, have zero authority
• My name is Mary Elizabeth Castle, and I'm Director of Government Relations for Texas Values.
• Mary Elizabeth Castle, and I'm Director of Government Relations for Texas Values.

Bills: SB2101 , SB2334 , SB2633 , SB2637 , SB2713 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB3059 , HB 1130

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you say laws, you've now gone from association to government, because an association has a charter
• As a rule, the First Amendment limits the government, not private associations.
• Eighth, governance localizes.
• In library school, I learned that librarians are governed by certain principles.
• It is government overreach into my family and our choices. Thank you.

Bills: SB2101 , SB2334 , SB2633 , SB2637 , SB2713 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB3059 , HB 1130

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The committee first reopened public testimony on Senate Bill 2713, which concerned protections for freedom of conscience in the context of Realtor association discipline. Texas Realtors representatives testified that their organization is a separate Texas legal entity but affiliated with the National Association of Realtors through a charter and code of ethics. They said Texas Realtors is neutral on SB 2713, that their ethics process is focused on fair housing and equal professional service, and that they have not suspended or terminated anyone in Texas for religious or political speech. Senators pressed them on whether national standards could override Texas law and on examples from other states; the witnesses said state and federal law control and that they would comply with Texas law if the bill passed. Public testimony then closed and SB 2713 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1698 on e-cigarettes. Senator Parker explained a committee substitute that tightened enforcement, required distributor registration, expanded regulation to nicotine from any source, added restrictions on child-appealing packaging, authorized inspections and audits, and set compliance deadlines later in 2025 and 2026. After questions, the substitute was adopted and SB 1698, as substituted, was reported favorably to the full Senate on a 6-0 vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 2487 on crisis and mental health facilities. Senator Parker described a substitute that renamed the program a crisis service model, allowed multiple county facilities, added local siting limits, expanded staffing options, shortened clinical timelines, required discharge referrals, directed law enforcement and EMS to transport people there first, and created local boards and expanded reporting. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-0 vote, also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2819, dealing with political activities of county elections administrators, was then reported favorably on a 6-0 vote and likewise sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2043 was withdrawn. The committee spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2101, which would require municipal public libraries to move sexually explicit materials out of minors’ sections and impose age-verification and review requirements. Supporters argued the bill would protect children from explicit material in public libraries and that libraries should not be left to self-regulate. Opponents, including librarians, parents, authors, and ACLU representatives, argued the definitions were vague, the bill would be costly and burdensome for small libraries, could function as a book ban, and would restrict teens’ access to classics, research materials, and other books. Several witnesses said parents should make those decisions, not the state. The bill’s author said the committee substitute was still being worked on and asked witnesses to review it; public testimony remained open in the portion provided, with no final action on SB 2101 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• that monitors earthquake activity, analyzes associated data, and distributes findings and data to governments
• . government, industry, and the public for their benefit and the benefit of the state of Texas. currently
• I serve as the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Affairs at Target Resources.
• Government Code already provides the Railroad Commission the authority to use drones to capture... images
• I'm the government affairs consultant for Texas.

Bills: HB206 , HB 1285 , HB1335 , HJR107 , HB206

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, HB 1285, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, drones, unmanned aircraft, UAS, drone inspections, oil and gas, pipeline inspection, surface mining, well sites, tank batteries, disposal wells, injection sites, natural resources

Bills: SB14 , SB217 , SB586 , SB856 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SB 14

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: regulatory reform, state agencies, efficiency, rulemaking, judicial review, SB 217, Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program, Texas Historical Commission, Freedmen's cemetery, freed slave burial site, cemetery designation, historic cemetery, African American history, Black cemetery, burial grounds, cemetery preservation, historical marker, medallion, property owner notice, adjacent landowners

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding the supply chain and the procurement, having to see. sign long, significant contracts without

Bills: SB 6 , SB6 , SB504 , SB765 , SB815 , SB929

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Transcript Highlights:

• We simply can't out-subsidize the federal government when it comes to renewable energy.
• I think certainly there should be some light shown on, especially government...
• government purposes.
• Non-profits are kind of in the same code as 2254.004 and local government code chapter 1.
• That's governed by the Prompt Pay Clean Claims Act. You would now be dragging...

Bills: SB 6 , SB6 , SB504 , SB765 , SB815 , SB929

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Bills: SB2097 , SB2317 , SB2319 , SB2177 , SB2190 , SB2424 , SB2524 , SB2627 , SB3084 , SB895 , SB896 , SB3102 , SB3157 , SB3215 , SB2050 , SB2090 , SB2211 , SB2572 , SB2096 , SB2025 , SB2127 , SB2046 , SB2262 , SB2354 , SB2387 , SB2487 , SB2955 , SB3234 , SB2851 , SB2573 , SB2391 , SB3282 , SB3055 , SB2189 , SB2194 , SB3152 , SB2635 , SB888 , SB2203 , SCR1 , SCR2 , SCR3 , SCR4 , SCR5 , SCR6 , SCR7 , SCR8 , SCR9 , SCR10 , SCR11 , SCR12 , SCR13 , SCR14 , SCR15 , SCR16 , SCR17 , SCR18 , SCR19 , SCR20 , SCR21 , SCR22 , SR3 , SR5 , SR6 , SR7 , SR8 , SR9 , SR10 , SR11 , SR12 , SR13 , SR14 , SR15 , SR16 , SR17 , SR18 , SR19 , SB2010 , SB3118 , SB3276

Keywords: sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, insurance, small producers, state support, biosecurity, farm coverage, public-private partnerships, agricultural policy, grant funding, food security, climate resiliency, housing development, zoning exemption, government assistance, affordable housing

Bills: SB2097 , SB2317 , SB2319 , SB2177 , SB2190 , SB2424 , SB2524 , SB2627 , SB3084 , SB895 , SB896 , SB3102 , SB3157 , SB3215 , SB2050 , SB2090 , SB2211 , SB2572 , SB2096 , SB2025 , SB2127 , SB2046 , SB2262 , SB2354 , SB2387 , SB2487 , SB2955 , SB3234 , SB2851 , SB2573 , SB2391 , SB3282 , SB3055 , SB2189 , SB2194 , SB3152 , SB2635 , SB888 , SB2203 , SCR1 , SCR2 , SCR3 , SCR4 , SCR5 , SCR6 , SCR7 , SCR8 , SCR9 , SCR10 , SCR11 , SCR12 , SCR13 , SCR14 , SCR15 , SCR16 , SCR17 , SCR18 , SCR19 , SCR20 , SCR21 , SCR22 , SR3 , SR5 , SR6 , SR7 , SR8 , SR9 , SR10 , SR11 , SR12 , SR13 , SR14 , SR15 , SR16 , SR17 , SR18 , SR19 , SB2010 , SB3118 , SB3276

Keywords: sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, insurance, small producers, state support, biosecurity, farm coverage, public-private partnerships, agricultural policy, grant funding, food security, climate resiliency, housing development, zoning exemption, government assistance, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill gives local government more control over these taxes and the ability to right-size government
• Local governments are also accountable.
• Local government is accountable to the voters.
• they want to downsize the size of government?
• It was an exemption, but it helps fund local government.

Bills: HB 118 , HB 388 , HB 114 , HB 205 , HB 2789 , HB 2791 , HB 499 , HB 2960 , HB 3163 , HB 3135 , HB 2427 , HB 1618 , HB 1672 , HB 1722 , HB 1338 , HB 787 , HB 2618 , HB 879 , HB 1126 , HB 4134 , HB 3513 , HB 718 , HB 1536 , HB 1445 , HB 1640 , HB 1893 , HB 1734 , HB 3229 , HB 3306 , HB 1276 , HB 3272 , HB 3276 , HB 3516 , HB 4145 , HB 1585 , HB 4810 , HB 2989 , HB 2558 , HB 3014 , HB 2742 , HB 1695 , HB 29 , HB 125 , HB 145 , HB 171 , HB 255 , HB 50 , HB 363 , HB 116 , HB 491 , HB 1495 , HB 368 , HB 1285 , HB 1905 , HB 2002 , HB 917 , HB 2723 , HB 2067 , HB 1238 , HB 745 , HB 1188 , HB 1606 , HB 2003 , HB 2147 , HB 2355 , HB 2546 , HB 2495 , HB 2818 , HB 2249 , HB 3228 , HB 3240 , HB 1507 , HB 658 , HB 1748 , HB 1851 , HB 1922 , HB 2798 , HB 107 , HB 1587 , HB 3684 , HB 118 , HB 388 , HB 114 , HB 205 , HB 2789 , HB 2791 , HB 499 , HB 2960 , HB 3163 , HB 3135 , HB 2427 , HB 1618 , HB 1672 , HB 1722 , HB 1338 , HB 787 , HB 2618 , HB 879 , HB 1126 , HB 4134 , HB 3513 , HB 718 , HB 1536 , HB 1445 , HB 1640 , HB 1893 , HB 1734 , HB 3229 , HB 3306 , HB 1276 , HB 3272 , HB 3276 , HB 3516 , HB 4145 , HB 1585 , HB 4810 , HB 2989 , HB 2558 , HB 3014 , HB 2742 , HB 1695 , HB 609 , HB 630 , HB 420 , HB 767 , HB 1708 , HB 1404 , HB 2457 , HB 140 , HB 227 , HB 913 , HB 2198 , HB 2763 , HB 1261 , HB 1135 , HB 1318 , HB 2358 , HB 2765 , HB 2735 , HB 3307 , HB 1242 , HB 2842 , HB 333 , HB 201 , HB 694 , HB 2415 , HB 155 , HB 272 , HB 405 , HB 519 , HB 1136 , HB 1275 , HB 1437 , HB 1532 , HB 1675 , HB 1868 , HB 1888 , HB 1990 , HB 2286 , HB 2523 , HB 3129 , HB 3251 , HB 3354 , HB 3479 , HB 3803 , HB 3804 , HB 3805 , HB 3806 , HB 3887 , HB 4163 , HB 4238 , HB 1240 , HB 1842 , HB 2029 , HB 2622 , HB 3255 , HB 654 , HB 4643 , HB 4945 , HB 3611 , HB 3724 , HB 3623 , HB 3810 , HB 4127 , HCR 78 , HCR 12 , SB 767

Keywords: HB 388, HB388, coordination of benefits, COB questionnaire, health benefit plan, health insurance, insurance commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance, uniform form, primary payer, secondary payer, multiple coverage, dual coverage, Medicaid, CHIP, managed care, HMO, small employer health plan, school district health coverage, self-funded plan