Video & Transcript Research : 'private entity'

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FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

December 2, 2025 - 01:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill adds other public and private entities and governmental agencies to groups.
  • And then what are some of the examples of private entities that Florida virtual may want to contract
  • I'm just really interested in knowing like the specific, like private entities, because of my fear is
  • Private entities is.
  • But you are specifically saying private entities, I don't trust corporations.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Law asks whether there are any other private entities in New Hampshire that are subject
  • <00:14:15.120> entities are there any other private entities are there any other private entities
  • To legislate reporting requirements on a private entity is an unfounded interference with the governance
  • These are funds from these private entities that are then handed to the state, so it's not a public entity
  • entity that is of any other private entity that is subject<00:52:48.960> to<00:52:49.240>
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 233, which would impose transparency and reporting requirements on the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. The prime sponsor, Representative Comto, said the bill and a proposed amendment were intended to increase public access by requiring a physical meeting location, making meetings available online, and publishing a complete list of vaccines and pharmaceutical products purchased. She argued the association should be more transparent because it is involved in vaccine purchasing and public trust is important, especially given controversy around vaccines. Committee members questioned the sponsor about the association’s legal status, who sets vaccine requirements, whether other private entities would be covered, and whether the proposal should instead apply more broadly to all meetings or include recordings. The sponsor said the association was created by the legislature, that childhood vaccine requirements come from DHHS and CDC-related processes, and that she would be open to broader recording requirements. Some members raised concerns about misinformation and whether requiring answers to public questions could be problematic in a contentious policy area. Patrick Miller, executive director of the Vaccine Association, and attorney Mark McHugh testified in opposition. They described the association as a not-for-profit voluntary corporation created by statute in 2002 to serve as a funding mechanism for the state’s universal childhood vaccine purchase program, with no policymaking role and no public funding. They said the association already posts notices, agendas, minutes, and allows public webinar access and comments, while also providing annual audits and reports and other statutory reporting. They argued HB 233 would impose unnecessary administrative costs on a private entity, interfere with its limited charitable purpose, and ultimately increase costs borne by insurers, employers, and consumers. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 03/27/25

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • other government entity. other government entity.
  • If the government entity thought.
  • as private data on individuals.
  • on government entity as private data on government entity as private data on individuals.<01:57:21.440
  • attorney about pursuing private action. attorney about pursuing private action.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-05-13 - 10:00AM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's meant to safeguard against non-licensed individuals or entities such as private equity firms from
  • <00:59:46.000> firms entities such as private equity firms entities such as private equity
  • Then one of the key points on page seven C, a private equity group or hedge fund or an entity controlled
  • One of the key points on page seven C is that a private equity group or hedge fund, or an entity controlled
  • One of the key points on page seven C is that a private equity group or hedge fund, or an entity controlled
Keywords: 927, senate, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 19th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the responsibility for maintenance will be assigned to the private entity, and the entity responsible
  • As a lawyer, I would ask you if there was a defect in that structure, right, and that private entity
  • So the responsibility of the maintenance will be assigned to the private entity and the entire entity
  • Okay, so a private entity now is tasked. Billings, I just have a quick question.
  • Okay, so a private entity now is tasked with the maintenance of this monument going on.
Summary: The House met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present, and began with prayer, the pledge, leave requests, and several personal privileges recognizing visitors and groups at the Capitol, including early education advocates, a poster contest winner, Entergy’s River Bend Nuclear Station on its 40th anniversary, a Children’s Miracle Network champion, Community Action leaders, and Leadership Tangipahoa participants. The chamber also received Senate messages, enrollment reports, a conference committee report on Senate Bill 149 that was allowed to lie over, and a long list of House resolutions and Senate bills that were either introduced, referred, or set aside for later consideration. Several resolutions were adopted without objection, including measures recognizing Early Education Day, World Preeclampsia Awareness Day, Dora’s Voyager, Tourism Day, and National Mississippi River Day, while House Concurrent Resolution 98 on SNAP grocery delivery fees failed on reconsideration by a vote of 46 yeas to 39 nays. The House then took up a series of Senate bills. Among the measures passed were SB 39 on provisional massage therapist licenses; SB 111 on freshwater recreational fish limits in the Atchafalaya Basin; SB 124 on peer review confidentiality for health systems; SB 134 on child sexual abuse material and sexting involving minors under 17; SB 99 on electronic DEQ notifications; SB 190 on special-focus nursing facilities; SB 201 on juvenile life-without-parole sentencing procedures; SB 233 on a statewide data exchange compact; SB 236 on annual kidney disease reporting; SB 258 on juvenile traffic offenses; SB 270 on medical marijuana use by terminally ill patients in health care facilities; SB 273 on hospice care requirements; SB 307 on educational displays and a Ten Commandments monument on Capitol grounds; SB 320 on CODIS hit tracking; SB 321 on electronic bonds; SB 325 on excluding threatening persons from sports wagering; SB 331 on temporary exceptions to the Scenic Rivers Act for lower Pearl River Basin work; SB 339 on gaming-related background checks; SB 345 on annual OJJ reporting; SB 346 and SB 347 on deepfake misuse in schools and on campuses; SB 357 on judiciary cleanup provisions; SB 359 on hospital district commissioner terms; SB 387 on pharmacy benefit managers; SB 393 on explosives regulation; SB 401 creating a Prescription Drug Affordability Board; SB 415 creating the Empower Louisiana Food Purchase Program; SB 419 on pre-charged pneumatic devices for deer hunting; SB 422 on unsupervised probation for certain repeat DWI offenders; SB 426 on the Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority and peer support credentials; SB 435 creating a Commission on Fatherhood Engagement; SB 437 on licensed treatment services in facilities housing judicially referred residents; SB 440 creating a Renaissance District in Rapides Parish; SB 451 on newborn hearing screening and intervention; SB 464 on severe obesity treatment coverage; SB 470 on pregnancy-related rules in correctional facilities; SB 487 on gaming premises rental agreements; and SB 488 creating a school safety drone response pilot program. Several bills were returned to the calendar for later action, including SB 189 on atmospheric releases affecting weather and climate, SB 326, SB 341, SB 353, and SB 495. A number of bills drew debate over policy and fiscal effects. SB 112 on school release time for religious instruction prompted questions about public-school participation, sponsoring entities, and parental consent; SB 189 on prohibiting intentional atmospheric release of substances for climate or weather modification passed 75-21 after questions about aircraft fuel dumping and agricultural exceptions; SB 201 on juvenile sentencing led to discussion of Supreme Court precedent and appellate review; SB 233 raised privacy concerns about interagency data sharing; SB 313 on electronic filing fees in criminal matters was criticized as a possible unfunded mandate and failed 25-68; and SB 451 on newborn hearing screening drew questions about board expansion, Medicaid coverage, and added administrative costs before passing 94-1. Most other bills passed with little or no opposition, and the House repeatedly adopted motions to table reconsideration after final passage votes. The chamber also announced it would stop debate at 5:00 p.m. and continued working through Senate bills as the Natural Resources Committee finished its meeting.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • >> two entities. I'll entities two. Yeah. >> two entities. I'll entities two. Yeah.
  • school to an outside entity. Correct. school to an outside entity. Correct.
  • component of the private private money. component of the private private money.
  • a third-party entity.
  • If private individuals donate to a scholarship organization, then it's private money only.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The meeting focused on Kentucky school choice and innovation, with discussion of the state constitution’s “common schools” requirement and how that has been interpreted alongside newer education models. Chairman Tipton described model laboratory schools, Gatton and Craft Academies, magnet and virtual programs, and said these options show that Kentucky has long expanded opportunity through innovation. He then turned the discussion to Senate Bill 207, which he said was designed to support schools of innovation. Senator Steve West reviewed the history of Kentucky charter schools and explained that SB 207 was modeled on a South Carolina approach. He said the bill allows a local school board to contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, seek waivers from certain state rules, and receive SEEK funding while also allowing outside private investment. He emphasized that the district initiates the process, that the school remains public, and that the bill includes accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school is not performing. Members asked about the difference between SB 207 and the earlier charter school law, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the new model is tied to an existing school rather than a new charter, cannot cherry-pick students, and keeps teachers as district employees. Representative Brown raised concerns that charters and exceptions could leave some children out, especially lower-income students, while West responded that the proposal is intended to expand choice for families who may not otherwise have it and cited examples from other states where similar models improved low-performing schools. No vote or formal action was taken during the discussion.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Aug 11th, 2025

New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, bonds are a form of debt security issued by both public and private entities.
  • Projects can be public or, in some cases, private.
  • So, they're bonds issued to aid private economic development or private businesses, but private businesses
  • But large entities and small entities get the benefit of our reporting.
  • They call themselves a private entity, but I'm looking up their filing in 990 which...
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House energy panel considers bill to boost green ammonia industry 3/27/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This investment will attract significantly greater private capital, generating returns statewide and
  • <00:08:56.120> sector framework that encourages private sector framework that encourages private
  • <00:09:23.520> capital significantly greater private capital significantly greater private
  • attracting private investment, creating jobs,<00:09:56.920> and<00:09:57.040> building
  • He said there may be entities generating ammonia certificates in other states, and that Minnesota is
Keywords: 1183, house
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS House Floor - 25 February, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • care entity, a entity, foster care entity, uh<00:30:55.880> or<00:30:56.440> an<00:30:
  • >> I don't know that I follow what you mean by that. >> Are they... >> The private entities apply to
  • > DOR<00:31:38.240> form >> The private entities apply to DOR form >> The private
  • That's per entity that receives them. >> That's total aggregate per entity. >> Per entity, that's right
  • >> Per entity, that's right. >> Per entity, that's right.
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, dispensed with the reading of the journal, and welcomed several student and FFA groups from around the state, including chapters from Tippah, Forrest, Newton, and Wheeler counties, as well as the Puckett High School student council and an AP government class from Madison-Ridgeland Academy. After announcements, the chamber moved to the Ways and Means calendar and took up a series of tax and finance measures. House Bill 327 would extend Mississippi’s existing film tax credit to television production businesses, with a $42 million aggregate cap and a requirement that qualifying production activity occur in-state. House Bill 343 would create a tax credit for employers offering private health insurance to employees, set at $400 per employee in the first year and $200 in the second, capped at $10 million. House Bill 420 would lower the age threshold for an existing full homestead exemption for honorably discharged veterans and spouses from 90 to 85; members discussed the local cost impact, but the sponsor said the state cost would be zero. House Bill 489 would exempt from income tax any capital gains from a forced sale through eminent domain, so the property owner would not owe tax on that transaction. The House also passed House Bill 715, clarifying that both perishable and non-perishable food sold to food pantries are exempt from sales tax. House Bill 1063 would adjust an alternative energy/local tax provision by allowing a fee-in-lieu rate down to 10% and adding energy storage, such as large-scale batteries, to qualifying projects. House Bill 1793, by committee substitute, would add gun safes to the state’s Second Amendment sales tax holiday. House Bill 1941 would raise the Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund’s administrative fee from 2% to 3% and authorize $5 million in bonds. House Bill 1942 would create a conduit bond mechanism under the TIF code for local development projects. House Bill 1944, by committee substitute, would expand the Children’s Promise Act tax credit program from $18 million to $40 million over three years and add a new $1 million credit for facilities serving adults with mental handicaps; members debated its effects on private schools, foster care entities, and public education funding. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, including several unanimous votes; House Bill 327 passed 115-1, House Bill 343 passed 118-0, House Bill 420 passed 120-0, House Bill 489 passed 120-0, House Bill 715 passed 120-0, House Bill 1063 passed 115-0, House Bill 1793 passed 109-3, House Bill 1941 passed 118-0, House Bill 1942 passed 116-0, and House Bill 1944 passed after extended debate. The discussion on House Bill 1944 featured questions about whether the credits favored private schools over public schools, whether schools could also receive ESA-related funds, and how much money individual institutions could receive; the sponsor said the credits are separate from tuition, are administered by DOR on a first-come, first-served basis, and do not reduce direct public school funding.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Mar 24th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We contract a private security firm.
  • We contract a private security firm.
  • But at the end of the day, if that private entity tells us no, then we have to go to court.
  • The entity has the ability to, and this is our finding number five, The entity has the ability to, and
  • Just in regards to the entities not doing or following through or not, you know, To the entities not
Keywords: 908, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Apr 28th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Oftentimes the ownership of foreign entity entities, whether they're Chinese or Russian, Iranian, it's
  • So what I'll call a fully foreign entity. So, first, non-citizen, 2, a fully foreign entity.
  • Essentially there are no private meaningful Chinese. Private entities.
  • Of, uh, foreign filing entities and filing entities under the Texas Business Organizations code.
  • So under current law, if the entity doesn't provide documents, the entity can be shut down.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Feb 11th, 2025

Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Transcript Highlights:
  • life, at home, in their private lives.
  • Senator Arrington: Just to be clear, I would never support a private individual in their private capacity
  • It lines 35 to 37: "A private individual."
  • The subsection does not limit the ability of a private individual to express private speech or viewpoints
  • We learn this in the... ...a private individual.
Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up two bills and one presentation. Senate Bill 108, on administrative procedures, was presented by Senator Burgess on behalf of Senator Grall. The bill would require agencies to systematically review rules over five years old, submit annual regulatory plans and reports, and take action on reviewed rules; it also would speed publication of proposed rules after new rulemaking authority and expand transparency for incorporated materials and rule histories. Americans for Prosperity appeared in support, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard a presentation from State Board of Administration Executive Director Chris Spencer on implementation of statutory investment restrictions affecting state funds. He reviewed the SBA’s structure and fiduciary duties, said the agency must maximize financial return using only pecuniary factors, and described the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions involving Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He noted recent changes, including expanded Iran restrictions after the October 7 attacks, the addition of China-related divestment requirements, and the SBA’s move to eliminate China and Hong Kong from its global equity benchmarks; he said the agency is ahead of schedule on required divestment and in compliance with the law. Senate Bill 100, on display of flags by governmental entities, was then presented by Chair Fine. The bill would prohibit political flags on government buildings and allow active-duty service members and veterans to use reasonable force to stop flag desecration. The committee heard extensive public testimony, with supporters arguing government buildings should not display political messages and opponents raising First Amendment, vagueness, and enforcement concerns, especially regarding LGBTQ-related flags and school settings. Senators also questioned the bill’s definitions and the reasonable-force provision. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 100 favorably, with Senators Arrington and Polsky voting no and Senators Brodeur, McClain, Rodriguez, Fine, and Chair DeSiglie voting yes. At the end of the meeting, Senator Rodriguez was recorded as voting yes on SB 108, and the committee adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 28th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, Texas is founded on private property rights, and as a private property owner, if somebody wants
  • Citizen, number two, a fully foreign entity, number three, what I'll call a proxy entity.
  • Actually, there are no private, meaningful Chinese private entities.
  • So that kind of captures that situation with entities, and then category four, a governmental entity
  • If the entity doesn't provide documents, the entity can be shut down.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Mar 26th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Particular entity or water service provider.
  • When you look at it, does Texas have money available to a private entity to invest in these projects
  • Private markets. Okay, private debt. All right, well, let me give it a shot.
  • And so, then the question becomes: as a private entity, having purchased an asset, are you compelled
  • I think there is a real problem with public money going to a private entity, so the investor-owned utilities
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Committee, February 11, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • One, um, there are entities out there that love our forests, and they may be private entities, not publicly
  • our forests, and they may be private our forests, and they may be private entities, entities, entities
  • It's private-sector participation in these programs.
  • It's broader than just other granting entities.
  • allow us to partner up with private allow us to partner up with private industries,<00:37:25.440
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Land & Resource Management May 8th, 2025

Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:
  • It just depends who the entity is.
  • That includes private and public entities with eminent domain authority, which includes things like cities
  • , counties, schools, roads, water, and private entities like utilities, electric transmission, and pipelines
  • Do you believe, in your opinion, that those private companies rights Trump, private private private that
  • those private companies rights, Trump, private property owner rights?
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 5695, which would create the Sayers Ranch Municipal Utility District in Bastrop County between Elgin and Bastrop. Representative Gurdis said Bastrop County commissioners unanimously supported the district. There was no public testimony, the bill was left pending, and later reported favorably to the full House on an 8-0 vote. The main debate centered on Senate Bill 291, which would require condemning entities to pay landowner attorney’s fees if they fail to provide 10 years of appraisal reports with an initial offer in an eminent domain case. Supporters, including Rita Beving and Charles Maley, argued the bill would add an enforcement mechanism and better protect landowners in a process they described as intimidating and lopsided. Opponents, including Tom Zabel and Lisa Kaufman, said current law already provides a remedy through abatement and attorney’s fees under Section 21.047 of the Property Code, and warned the bill could create inconsistency, delay public infrastructure projects, and increase costs. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 5699, a simple MUD boundary change in Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 405 that would allow a tract to leave one district and join another. Representative Schofield said the landowner and district agreed to the change and to pay the tract’s share of debt. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on an 8-0 vote. Later, the committee considered House Bill 5489, which would impose a four-year moratorium on impact fees. Representative Dyson framed it as an “active study” to test whether impact fees raise housing costs. College Station officials and other opponents argued impact fees help fund infrastructure for growth and that local governments should retain control; supporters said the fees are regressive and add to housing prices. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 292, which would update the Landowner Bill of Rights to add information on surveys, require separate offers for property not sought in condemnation, and require the rights document to be delivered with the initial offer. Supporters said it would improve transparency and fill gaps in the current document, while opponents said it was unnecessary because the law already exists and warned against revisiting a 2021 compromise. The transcript ends during that discussion.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, February 24, 2026

Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:05:19.840> Chairman, and private lands. Um so, Mr. Chairman, and private lands.
  • if we're dealing with state or private if we're dealing with state or private land,<00:14:42.959
  • right back into the private sector. right back into the private sector.
  • <00:57:10.079> And to governmental entities. And to governmental entities.
  • . entity. entity.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-03-19 - 1:00PM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is meant to safeguard against non-licensed individuals or entities, such as private equity firms,
  • It is meant to safeguard against non-licensed individuals or entities, such as private equity firms,
  • It is meant to safeguard against non-licensed individuals or entities, such as private equity firms,
  • It is meant to safeguard against non-licensed individuals or entities, such as private equity firms,
  • It is meant to safeguard against non-licensed individuals or entities, such as private equity firms,
Keywords: 926, house, all
Summary: The House began with routine business, including referral of Senate Bill 211 on motor vehicle inspections to the Transportation Committee and Senate Bill 298 creating the Vermont Voting Rights Act to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. The chamber also referred House bills reported by Ways and Means to Appropriations, including H. 211 on data brokers and personal information and H. 931 on miscellaneous education law changes. JRH9, a joint resolution urging the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to reconsider its opposition to rapid prompting method communication instruction for students with apraxia of speech or autism, was read and referred to Human Services. Several announcements followed, including a welcome to members of the Vermont chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, a reminder about an education reform meeting, and a correction regarding a prior reference to S. 138 of 2023 and the working group on student protections from harassment and discrimination in schools. The House also recognized guests in the gallery, including Donnie Kanovsky, who was described as a proponent of JRH9. The Speaker announced that H. 606 on firearms procedures, H. 642 on youthful offender proceedings, and later H. 585 would be bumped to later in the calendar. The House then took up H. 537, the right to grow vegetable gardens. The committee explained the bill would protect vegetable gardening in common interest communities and rental housing, while allowing reasonable restrictions and landlord or association oversight; witnesses included a South Burlington resident, HOA and landlord representatives, and legislative counsel. The committee reported an 8-0-0 vote, the House adopted the committee amendment, and ordered third reading. The chamber then passed H. 171 on Attorney General investigations into a law enforcement officer’s use of a firearm and H. 519 allowing Randolph police officers to enroll in Group C of the state retirement system. The House also passed H. 536 on toxic heavy metals in baby food products after extended debate over whether infant formula should be included. Supporters said the bill would help parents make informed choices and noted the amendment was intended to align with federal action; opponents argued formula-specific federal work was still underway and urged waiting. The chamber then passed H. 550 on gender equity in correctional facilities, H. 733 on franchise agreements, H. 775 on housing production tools, H. 887 on crime victim status under the Fair Employment Practices Act, H. 917 on military affairs, and H. 921 on alcoholic beverages. Action on H. 930 addressing chronic absenteeism was postponed one legislative day, and H. 942 on miscellaneous agricultural subjects began second reading with the committee outlining sections on water quality training, non-sewage waste management, and unit pricing.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Administrative Rules Committee Jun 11th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity economic impact statement were prepared and also
  • A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity economic impact statement were prepared and also
  • A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity impact statement were prepared and attached to this
  • A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity impact statement were prepared and attached to this
  • Like if I'm as a private in legislative council need to clarify for us, like if I'm as a private person
Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes. The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process. The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Local Government Apr 14th, 2025

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the roads have to remain private.
  • Or intended for private use? Intended for private use.
  • You don't want it to be private use, or you do want it to be private use?
  • Intended for private use, intended for private use.
  • private sector, public sector entity—will have to conduct a compliance audit through an independent
Summary: The committee heard several local government and property tax bills, with most testimony focused on appraisal disputes, tax administration, and development rules. Senate Bill 1052 by Senator Hinojosa would address coastal county appraisal litigation by requiring property owners in certain large-value disputes to report an uncontested taxable value while appeals are pending, so taxing units can base truth-in-taxation calculations on more realistic revenue. Nueces County, Del Mar College, and Corpus Christi ISD testified in support, describing major budget shortfalls caused by refinery valuation disputes; the committee substitute narrowed and clarified the bill’s scope. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1052 was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1531, which would require local tax collectors to accept common electronic property tax payments such as credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks. Witnesses supported modernizing payment options and the committee substitute removed ACH/electronic funds transfer language to avoid bank-account disclosure concerns. Public testimony closed and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 325, by Senator Perry, would restore platting and groundwater-certification requirements that were unintentionally weakened by prior legislation; supporters from county government, water groups, and builders’ representatives debated whether the real issue was groundwater protection or road standards for private roads. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony and no vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 994 and SJR 46, which would exempt certain livestock feed inventory from property tax and provide the constitutional amendment needed for that change. Feed store and Farm Bureau witnesses supported the measure as relief for seasonal inventory taxes, and the bills were left pending. Senator Paxton presented SB 467 and SJR 84 to create a temporary property tax exemption for homes completely destroyed by fire, with refunds or corrected bills based on the date of loss; both were left pending. SB 1237 would clarify charitable property tax exemptions for senior housing and retirement communities, with testimony from Catholic and Baptist retirement organizations and a resident describing rising costs and exemption revocations; it was also left pending. The committee later voted 6-0 to report SB 2073, a pending bill on appraisal district authority to purchase or finance real property, and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 2172, SB 2173, and SB 2063, all related to property tax administration. SB 2172 would limit when appraisal districts can require homeowners to reapply for homestead exemptions, requiring a specific reason and written notice; SB 2173 would protect new homeowners from surprise tax liabilities caused by prior owners’ erroneous homestead exemptions, with testimony describing large back-assessment bills; both were left pending. SB 2063 would bar appraisal districts from using market-value evidence in unequal appraisal protests, and testimony sharply divided between taxpayer advocates, who said market data improperly overwhelms equity claims, and appraisal district representatives, who argued market value is inherently tied to equal-and-uniform taxation and cited a recent Texas Supreme Court decision; the bill was left pending after testimony.