Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on State Affairs will come to order. Good afternoon. Will the clerk call the roll?
• And with this, um, I think we need everyone to understand in the state that's involved in elected politics
• Of course we don't do that in Texas.
• We're never gonna do that in Texas, at least I'm never gonna vote for it.

Bills: SB 53, SB 54, HB16, SB 19

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, voting rights, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, political contributions, special legislative session, election code, transparency, campaign finance, election law

Bills: HB 11, HB 14, HB 132, HB 1584, HB 1606, HB 5061, HB 1041, HB 2286

Keywords: licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, electric utilities, priority facilities, public safety, disaster response, emergency management, insurable interest, individuals with disabilities, life insurance, care providers, insurance regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• As the fire department told you two weeks ago that they were the best funded in the state of Texas for
• The rest of the state is anywhere between 39% and 86%.
• The state does not contribute.
• Texas ranks number one amongst all states for a population of living veterans.
• SJR 57 amends the Texas Constitution with voter approval. to make absolutely clear that the state is

Bills: HB3015, HB3521, HB5632, HJR182, SJR57

Keywords: healthcare, direct primary care, insurance deductibles, Texas Health Benefit Plans, telemedicine, police retirement, disability pension, municipalities, law enforcement, retirement benefits, retirement, beneficiary, Employees Retirement System of Texas, divorce decree, beneficiary designation, Veterans' Land Board, general obligation bonds, constitutional amendment, veterans, housing assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Seventy-plus percent of people in Texas prisons, as well as prisons across the United States, are functionally
• We are proud to be co-hosting this event with The Arc of Texas, the Texas Council of Administrators on
• Special Education, the Autism Society of Texas, the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Texas Parent
• We need to optimize and serve our students as best as we can, especially in the state of Texas.
• It's time for the state to match that commitment with action, and Texas students, families, and educators

Keywords: special education, funding, equity, advocacy, Texas Legislature, SB568, HB2, disabilities

Summary: This was a press conference calling on the Texas Legislature to increase and reform funding for special education, with speakers arguing that the current system leaves a roughly $1.7 billion gap and forces districts to stretch general education dollars to cover mandated services. Sabrina Gonzalez Ocedo of The Arc of Texas opened by framing the issue as one of equity and self-determination for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and noted support for legislative efforts including Senate Bill 568 and House Bill 2. She also thanked a coalition of advocacy groups and legislators involved in special education funding work. Representative Steve Toth spoke in favor of investing surplus dollars in special education, citing high rates of functional illiteracy and dyslexia among prison populations and saying earlier intervention could change life outcomes. Amy Litzinger described how accommodations and assistive technology helped her succeed in school and urged continued investment so other students can access similar supports. Sarah Harden, a parent and disability advocate, shared her daughter’s positive experience in a well-supported district but warned that many Texas districts cannot provide comparable services because of funding shortages and that families are increasingly worried about cuts. Rachel Hull, a special education director, said well-resourced special education is transformational and outlined the need for individualized services, therapies, vocational training, and college readiness supports. Jean Mayer, a school trustee, said districts are struggling to meet state and federal requirements because funding does not match actual costs, pointing to staffing shortages and the need for parent engagement and professional development. The speakers repeatedly urged lawmakers to fully fund Senate Bill 568 and broader special education reforms this session; no votes were taken, as this was an advocacy event rather than a committee hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• how beautiful and diverse the state is.
• I am a third-year law student at Texas Law. Texas at Austin.
• of either staying in the state that they grew up in or moving to the state.
• University of Texas at Austin.
• My mom went to Kent State after the National Guard murdered four students; the pain of what happened

Bills: SB2972, SB1909, SB2815, SB735, SB2233, SB800, SB1069, SB2683, SB2986, SB2058, SB2310, SB2055, SB1032

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education

Transcript Highlights:

• GURI, to private and independent universities in the state of Texas. Established in 2015...
• I was recruited to the state of Texas from Vanderbilt University. in Nashville.
• Baylor is one of four private institutions in the state of Texas.
• The fund typically targets recruitments from outside the state of Texas. Okay.
• The very views the First Amendment and the state of Texas espouses to protect.

Bills: SB2972, SB1909, SB2815, SB735, SB2233, SB800, SB1069, SB2683, SB2986, SB2058, SB2310, SB2055, SB1032

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the Texas, one state, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all
• On the dais and in the gallery, we have several BAPS members from across the state of Texas.
• largest stormwater tunnel in the country, to helping craft Texas first. ever state floodplain.
• I will say to you that dissing any taxpayer in the state of Texas is disrespectful. to them.
• Members, I want to remind you, everyone, that the TSTC caucus That's the Texas State Technical College

Bills: HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392, HB195, HB 13, HB143, HB135, HJR1, HJR2, HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Brian Adamek, and I serve on the Texas Farm Bureau State Board.
• We're the oldest trade association in the state of Texas.
• Trade Association in the state of Texas.
• We're the oldest trade association in the state of Texas.
• Trade Association in the state of Texas.

Bills: HB43, HB519, HB 1275, HB1592, HB2842, HB3088, HB3479, HB4163, SB823, HB609

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with only four members initially present, so quorum was not established until later in the hearing. The committee heard several agriculture-, wildlife-, and food-labeling-related bills, including HB 3479 on expanding the Rio Grande vegetative management program beyond carrizo cane to other noxious vegetation, SB 823 on shrimp origin labeling and restrictions on misrepresenting imported shrimp as Texas or Gulf shrimp, HB 3088 on giving Texas Parks and Wildlife more flexibility to procure resale goods for park gift shops, HB 1275 on permits for non-bovine dairy farms in certain TB-affected areas, HB 519 on honey production and packaging rules, HB 609 on cleaning oyster cages in-bay with bay water only, HB 1592 on a voluntary AgriLife pest and disease alert system, HB 2842 on targeted urban deer depredation permits, and HB 4163 on limiting city requirements that agricultural operators maintain roadside rights-of-way. Testimony generally came from industry groups, agency resource witnesses, and affected producers, with most witnesses supporting the bills and several bills drawing questions about enforcement, labeling responsibility, and the scope of local authority. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 823, where Vice Chair Hancock and others questioned why wholesalers would be covered if they cannot relabel products. The bill author and restaurant association witness said the measure was intended to improve transparency and allow enforcement against intentional mislabeling, while preserving a good-faith defense and clarifying that the bill does not create a private cause of action. HB 519 also drew supportive testimony from beekeepers and a family farm, who argued that current rules treat honey extraction and bottling too much like food manufacturing and burden small operations. HB 609 was presented as a way to save time and resources for cultivated oyster mariculture by allowing cage cleaning in the bay without soaps or chemicals, and HB 1592 was described as a voluntary opt-in alert system for pests and diseases coordinated through AgriLife and other state agencies. HB 43 generated the most detailed policy debate. The bill would restructure and expand the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, update grant and loan programs, and create a pest and disease control depredation program. The committee substitute reduced some funding caps, changed references from predators to depredating animals, and made the financial provisions contingent on appropriations. Supporters from Texas Farm Bureau, cotton growers, grain and feed interests, and young farmers described severe drought, inflation, land loss, rising input costs, and shrinking infrastructure as major threats to agriculture, while one witness urged preserving priority for young farmers. After testimony, the committee adopted the committee substitute and reported HB 43 favorably. The committee also voted HB 519, HB 609, HB 1275, HB 1592, HB 3088, HB 3479, HB 2842, and HB 4163 favorably, with several recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 823 was reported from committee on a 6-2 vote after adoption of the committee substitute. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would tentatively reconvene Friday morning and then recessed subject to the chair's call.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Guy Herman, presiding statutory probate court judge here in the state of Texas. Thank you.
• Members, in 2023, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services reported over...
• elder abuse in Texas, up from 60,000 cases reported in 2022.
• Get the Texas Rangers to investigate the probate mafia.
• I have supervision status in Texas.

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

Keywords: statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary, revenue distribution, SB 2933, elder abuse, neglect, judicial training

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence heard testimony on Senate Bill 1015, which would clarify that the comptroller is responsible for distributing excess judicial fund payments back to statutory probate courts. Judge Guy Herman testified in support, saying the bill would help ensure probate courts receive funding they are entitled to, while Ed Heimlich testified against the bill with broad criticism of probate courts and judicial practices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2933, which would add elder abuse training to required judicial education for several categories of judges and judicial officers; Dr. Bruce Hargrave supported the bill, citing the prevalence and underreporting of elder abuse and the need for judges to recognize warning signs. No votes were taken on either of those bills, and SB 2933 was left pending. The committee then reconsidered Senate Bill 38, an eviction-related bill, and Vice Chair Hayes described two agreed floor amendments: one limiting the summary disposition procedure to forcible entry and detainer cases involving squatters, and another requiring a notice to pay rent or vacate for tenants who had been timely payers but missed a payment. After discussion, the committee voted 6-4 to report SB 38 without amendments. The committee also adopted or advanced a series of other bills and resolutions, including SB 293, SB 1141, SB 1448, SB 1536, SB 1558, SB 1838, SB 1940, SB 2127, SB 53, SB 251, SB 311, SB 387, SB 441 (with a substitute), SB 1164, SB 1335, SB 1574 (with a substitute), SB 1719, SB 1760, SB 1839, SB 1923 (with a substitute), SB 2807, and SJR 27 (with a substitute). Most measures were reported favorably on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with a few close votes on SB 942, SB 311, SB 2807, and SJR 27. SB 942, relating to retroactive child support beginning at conception, initially failed 5-5 but was reconsidered and then passed 6-5. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a landowner in Childress and Donley counties of Texas and here also representing the Texas Southwestern
• Members and landowners in the state of Texas.
• I'm here on behalf of the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and myself.
• Go ahead, if you state your name, who you represent, and position on the bill.
• State your name, who you represent, and position on the bill.

Bills: HB1237, HB2663, HB3071, HB4384

Keywords: occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029

Summary: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard several House bills dealing with environmental regulation, oil and gas safety, landfill permits, and utility cost recovery. HB 1237, by Rep. Geren and sponsored by Sen. Zaffirini, would extend TCEQ occupational license renewal deadlines from 30 days to 90 days, allow renewal up to one year with higher fees, and require a new application after longer expiration; the committee substitute clarified that applicants may continue working only until renewal is approved or denied and set a 180-day cutoff for renewal. HB 3071, sponsored by Sen. Hancock, would require TCEQ to cancel certain long-dormant municipal solid waste permits; members discussed concerns about precedent, ownership changes, and whether the bill should be narrowed, and the bill was left pending with a committee substitute expected. The committee also heard HB 2663, sponsored by Sen. Birdwell, which would require operators of inactive oil and gas wells to remove or de-energize electrical equipment after 10 years and authorize Railroad Commission penalties for false compliance. Testimony from landowners, cattle raisers, and the Sierra Club supported the bill as a wildfire-prevention measure, and the bill was left pending. HB 4384, also by Rep. Darby and sponsored by Sen. Birdwell, would let natural gas utilities defer certain infrastructure costs for later recovery through the GRIP process; utility representatives supported it as credit-positive and consistent with existing accounting, while consumer advocates opposed it as increasing rates without enough oversight. The committee discussed possible amendments to add more cost controls, and the bill was left pending. Later, the committee voted HB 2563, the companion to SB 2510, favorably to the full Senate by a 5-0 vote and ordered it certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up HB 143, which would codify interagency procedures for addressing electrical power line safety at well sites and related facilities after wildfire concerns; members said a committee substitute had been negotiated with agencies and stakeholders to clarify responsibilities, timelines, and inspection authority while reducing fiscal impact. No final vote was taken on HB 143, and the committee recessed with several bills still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Guy Herman, presiding statutory probate court judge here in the state of Texas. Thank you.
• Guy Herman, presiding statutory probate court judge here in the state of Texas.
• elder abuse in Texas, up from 60,000 cases reported in 2022.
• Get the Texas Rangers to investigate the probate mafia.
• I have supervision status in Texas.

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

Keywords: statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary, revenue distribution, SB 2933, elder abuse, neglect, judicial training

Transcript Highlights:

• , with my School pages with thousands of homeschoolers throughout the state.
• You make me nostalgic for my days on the State Powers Committee.
• We have many states that are looking at legislation similar to this.
• Many states are looking at legislation similar to this or have already passed it.
• Upon that review, we came across a college, Rose State, who had this explicit policy.

Bills: HB2950, HB2978, HB3132, HB3242, HB3467, HB3700, HB3701, HB4115, HB4274

Keywords: postsecondary education, standardized test scores, educational equity, higher learning access, Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, HB2978, school libraries, library media center, library media program, community standards, sexually explicit conduct, obscene material, age-appropriate materials, school curriculum, book challenges, book banning, censorship, public schools, school board, education committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida Statutes as an official document and, more importantly, adopts as official statute law of the state

Bills: S0100, S0102, S0104

Keywords: Florida Statutes, codification, revisers bill, statutory adoption, official law, general laws, repeal by omission, statutory compilation, Florida Legislature, legal code update, session law, statute revision, F.S., codified laws, legislative services, pending civil remedies, accrued rights, reviser bill, statutory cleanup, technical corrections

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and heard three housekeeping/statutory revision bills. Chair Passidomo introduced the committee’s new staff director, and the committee proceeded quickly through the agenda with no public appearance forms, questions, or debate on any of the bills. SB 100, the Adoption Act, prospectively adopts the 2026 Florida Statutes as an official document and adopts the statute materials passed by the 2025 regular session as official state statute law. SB 102 deletes statutory provisions that were previously repealed or expired and are now without effect. SB 104 is the General Reviser's Bill, which removes obsolete language, updates cross-references, and corrects grammatical and typographical errors in the Florida Statutes. Each bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. After the votes, several senators asked to be recorded as voting favorably on tabs 1 and 2, and the committee adopted that request without objection. The meeting then adjourned, with members reminded that the committee would meet again on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is something that we're seeing around the state.
• And that's the best sheriff in Texas right there too.
• That, that would be wholly untenable in, in the state of Texas, that somebody else has to investigate
• the state of Texas in rural Texas is that public corruption, public investigation, public integrity role
• They can utilize the Texas Rangers.

Bills: SB 15

Keywords: law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code

Transcript Highlights:

• On the Texas flag, I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas. One state, under God, one...
• House of Representatives from the state of Texas.
• We got close to 30 million people in the state of Texas.
• Supreme Court is binding on the state of Texas.
• For congressional candidates here in the state of Texas.

Bills: HB4, HB 4

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the United States House of Representatives from the State of Texas to the Special Committee

Bills: HB4, HB4, HB4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are further blessed to live in the great state of Texas. You have blessed our state so much.
• I pledge allegiance to the Texas flag, one state, under God, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and
• The Texas Division of Emergency Management aims to improve emergency response across the state and create
• We are further blessed to live in the great state of Texas. You have blessed our state so much.
• I pledge allegiance to the Texas flag, one state, under God, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let your peace, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and our minds.
• and Texas flags.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• of Illinois, seeking to make them enforceable beyond Texas state lines.
• I expect suits in other states will be forthcoming.

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In this great state of Texas, Father, we thank you for the blessings that come with it, for the joy of
• Texas, Father. Thank you, Father, for this great special session.
• The Pledges of Allegiance to the United States and Texas flags.
• Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state, under God, indivisible, for the
• State your inquiry. Mr.

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, 997, house, all

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, 997, house, all