Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the legislative chairman, and obviously I've been before many of you before, and...
• I'm the legislative chairman, and obviously I've been before many of you before.
• Then we gave it to Legislative Council, and we got it about 10 o'clock last night, and that was sent
• That's a pretty good forecast for a legislative body and a committee.
• We do recognize that the legislation is complex, and as a result of many months of stakeholder engagement

Bills: SB1493 , SB1598 , SB1895 , SB1919 , SB2039 , SB2226 , SB2243 , SB2425

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB 1493, Texas Transportation Code, motor vehicle lighting, vehicle lighting standards, high-mounted stoplamp, center high mount stop lamp, CHMSL, brake light, stop lamp, federal motor vehicle safety standards, 49 C.F.R. 571.108, FMVSS 108, vehicle inspection, automotive compliance, Transportation Committee, Texas vehicle equipment, motor vehicle collision report, crash report, accident report, traffic accident

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard and advanced a wide range of transportation-related bills. Early in the meeting, SB 1598 by Senator Hagenbuch was heard on allowing collision report information to be used and shared more clearly for law enforcement investigations, including through records-management partners and nonconfidential VIN data; the bill drew support from the Sheriff’s Association and Carfax for Police and was left pending before later being reported favorably. SB 1493 by Senator Parker, which would codify DPS’s position on flashing/pulsing stop lamps as compliant with federal standards, also received supportive testimony and was reported favorably. SB 1895 by Senator Perry would designate Loop 88 in Lubbock as a First Responders Memorial Loop and was reported favorably, and SB 1919 and SB 2243 by Senator West, dealing with TxDOT liability claim settlements and TxDMV authority to require VIN inspections for certain trailers, were likewise heard without opposition and later reported favorably. SB 2039, concerning right-of-way and traffic rules for sidewalk users such as bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, and scooters, was heard and left pending before being reported favorably later in the meeting. SB 2226 by Senator Nichols, reducing the local match requirement for aviation grants in economically disadvantaged counties from 10% to 5%, was discussed with TxDOT testimony explaining how federal and state airport funding interact; it was reported favorably. SB 2499 by Senator Flores, involving memorial markers and an account for donations, and SB 1394 by Senator Hall, concerning concrete truck axle rules, were also reported favorably. The committee recessed after handling the pending items and leaving some additional matters for a later hearing. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2425 by Senator Nichols, a comprehensive bill on commercial autonomous vehicles. The author said the bill was developed through extensive stakeholder meetings with industry, agencies, insurers, and lawyers, and it would require AV companies to provide information to TxDMV, submit first-responder interaction plans to DPS, and allow DPS and DMV to suspend or revoke operations in certain circumstances. The committee substitute also updated definitions, addressed Level 3 systems, clarified commercial use and fleet penalties, and created an expedited process for reinstating operating authority after disputes. Supporters included the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Tesla, GM Cruise, Bot Auto, and the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, who said the bill balances innovation and safety and helps Texas remain a leader in AV deployment. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that it would improperly shield manufacturers from liability, but committee members and the industry witnesses said liability would continue to be governed by state law and that the bill was intended to clarify, not eliminate, responsibility. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and reported SB 2425 favorably on a 6-0 vote. Throughout the hearing, members asked questions about practical effects and funding. On SB 2226, TxDOT’s aviation director explained that some airports already receive federal and state support and that the bill would mainly help state-only airports in disadvantaged counties that struggle to meet local match requirements. On SB 2425, members asked about reliability metrics, commercialization, and liability; industry witnesses said the technology is still being refined but that Texas’s framework has attracted investment and could improve road safety over time. Several bills were recommended to the local and uncontested calendar after favorable votes, and the committee also agreed to keep motions in writing open briefly for members who were absent, so long as doing so would not change any bill outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation today isn't addressing what Floridians are suffering through now.
• So we are doing in several different bills this legislative session support for teacher training and
• That I had about the impact of this bill, because there is good in this legislation.
• There are many, many elements in sections of this legislation.
• So to let you know that that is the guiding light of all legislation we're putting forward, and that

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education first took up a block of confirmation hearings for trustees and board members at several public universities and state colleges. Appointees from Florida A&M University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, South Florida State College, Valencia College, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Florida described their backgrounds and emphasized themes such as governance, student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, research growth, and institutional reputation. Members asked a few questions, but most nominees received no substantive opposition. The committee then voted unanimously to recommend confirmation of the group of appointees on tabs 3 through 18 and forwarded them to Ethics and Elections. The committee next heard Senate Bill 114 by Senator Trumbull, which would create the Florida Center of Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at Florida State University, move the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide funding for the effort. Trumbull said the bill is intended to strengthen the state’s insurance research capacity and broaden study of insurance lines beyond wind risk. Senators asked about the impact on FIU and the distinction between the new center and existing FIU work; Trumbull said FIU’s Wall of Wind would remain and that the state-owned model would simply be contracted to FSU instead of FIU. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1624 by Senator Calatayud, a wide-ranging higher education bill addressing tuition, workforce programs, institutional operations, and naming changes. Amendments were adopted to create state college regional consortium service organizations for rural colleges, remove a proposed out-of-state fee change for nonresident online students, extend university master plan update cycles from five to 10 years, and rename Hillsborough Community College as Hillsborough College. The bill also changed several references from specific minority categories to “underrepresented,” revised aid and waiver provisions, adjusted adult education and career program rules, and made other technical changes. Senators Smith and Davis questioned the shift away from enumerated categories, arguing it could obscure disparities affecting groups such as Black students, women in STEM, and students with disabilities; Calatayud said the intent was to focus on socioeconomic access and flexibility for institutions. After debate, the committee voted 6-2 to report the bill favorably, with Senators Davis and Smith voting no, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy to continue working on the legislation, uh, with the, with the witness, uh, may bring you back
• This legislation is designed to give property owners a less obstructed path to the courthouse from the
• A legislative package that we designed to address inefficiencies and level the playing field for all
• Appreciate the opportunity to hit for the legislative cycle today.
• This legislative session we all value education and you guys are going to spend a lot of time talking

Bills: HB148 , HB203 , HJR30

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: HB 148, Texas Education Code, Texas Education Agency, TEA, artificial intelligence, AI, machine learning, automated scoring, constructed response, open-ended answers, student assessments, state testing, standardized tests, public schools, education policy, assessment instruments, school accountability, test scoring, 2026-2027 school year, ad valorem tax

Transcript Highlights:

• tax bill when it was presented, and to my knowledge, the impacts were not readily clear to the legislators
• By supporting this legislation, we are investing in local governments, empowering them to deliver better
• process and would help to stabilize unpredictable funding structures like capital outlay for the legislators
• Chair, is, you know, unintended consequence or not, I think part of what we're here to do as legislators
• Being new as a new legislator, I understand this is just the capital outlay that legislators have put

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is one of the first bills we are passing off in Senator Burgess: the 2025 legislative session
• There are 30 states right now trying to pass the same legislation that...
• It feels good to get behind something good like this legislation.
• And I'm proud to support this legislation today. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Smith.
• I'm so proud of this piece of legislation.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• its Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence about how it is implementing recently passed legislation
• before using this hearing or any hearing as an impetus for future legislation. legislation.
• The Senate should consider legislation mandating security policies that require administrative policies
• And the legislation that we introduced and passed with the Intelligence Committee last year, although
• We have passed legislation to do just that.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Keywords: national security, Department of Energy, foreign espionage, security protocols, Chinese Communist Party, national laboratories, research security

Summary: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened to address pressing issues related to research security risks at the Department of Energy, focusing specifically on foreign nationals' access to sensitive information. The meeting highlighted the increasing threats posed by espionage from the Chinese Communist Party, which has sought to infiltrate U.S. national laboratories and exploit American research for military purposes. Discussions included the importance of tightening security protocols to safeguard national interests and maintain technological advantages. Witnesses provided insight into historical contexts and current vulnerabilities, emphasizing that without proper measures, the gaps could jeopardize national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• location, and immediately before and throughout the year they are there to provide help to any legislators
• Andrews Priory, and I got to meet her during our Women's Legislative Breakfast.
• Today is her first day, and joining her is our legislative aide, Ainkez Enriquez, and it also happens
• breakfast um uh she women's legislative breakfast um uh she is<00:18:25.679><c> going</c><00:18:25.840
• Aid uh Ain kez her is our legislative Aid uh Ain kez Enriquez<00:18:34.400><c> and</c><00:18:34.520>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this was trying to put some constraints on it. ...equal representation in the legislative body.
• And having that legislative control over that for the majority party does not make it fair.
• being legislation for it, having there's not a process.
• oversight when they're not the legislators.
• I would like to speak to legislators and possibly legislative council and all.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, guest introductions, and approval of the journal. The chamber then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills and resolutions, mostly on second reading or in committee-of-the-whole format. Most measures were advanced with do-pass recommendations, often after adopting committee or floor amendments. Among the early items, SB 1515 (Industrial Commission revisions), SB 1645 (Auditor General performance audit), SB 1678 (health facilities), and SCR 1023 (Independent Redistricting Commission changes) were debated and approved. SCR 1023 drew the most discussion, with supporters arguing it would add geographic diversity, expand the commission to three Democrats, three Republicans, and three independents, and tighten population deviation standards to 5,000 people; opponents warned it could skew the commission and reduce nonpartisanship. The Senate also adopted amendments and advanced SB 1399, SB 1507, SB 1564, SB 1621, SB 1629, and SB 1811, with topics including AHCCCS cost reports, school district consolidation, electronic monitoring in long-term care, obesity prevention, behavioral health network adequacy, and public-school internet/wireless device issues. Later calendars addressed elections, public safety, and criminal justice. The Senate advanced SB 1134 (political signs) with an emergency clause, SB 1489 (ballot measures and circulators) after removing certain paid-circulator disclosure requirements, and SB 1725 and SCR 1048 concerning marijuana smoke as a public/private nuisance, shifting much of the issue into civil law and leaving only substantial, deliberate conduct on the criminal side. In public safety, SB 1416 on missing and kidnapped children reporting was amended to require law-enforcement training every two years and documentation of online information-sharing decisions; senators clarified it did not alter the Turquoise Alert. SB 1751 and SCR 1049, both related to capital punishment, were amended to make firing squad an available option rather than a mandatory method in certain cases, with one senator speaking in opposition to the death penalty. The Senate also advanced SB 1012, SB 1573, SB 1661, SB 1662, SB 1569, SB 1634, SB 1647, SB 1655, and SB 1664, covering concealed weapons notice appeals, judicial determinations and religious secular laws, paternity/genetic testing support, probation conditions, election-related voter registration and signature handling, foreign campaign contributions, election worker summonsing, and nomination petition signatures. Several bills were retained or moved between calendars, and the Committee of the Whole reports were adopted, sending the listed bills forward as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally fixed in this legislation.
• . legislation. legislation.
• </c><00:10:00.880><c> struck</c> got the Missouri legislation struck got the Missouri legislation struck
• So, I too legislation. Not even close.
• </c> legislators have said let's not do that. legislators have said let's not do that.

Bills: HB0130 , HB0095 , HB0096 , HB0097 , SF0101 , SF0106 , SF0067 , SF0123

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, concealed carry, public colleges, university facilities, weapons legislation, self-defense, campus safety, weapons, age requirement, permits, HB0097, Wyoming firearms privacy, merchant category code, MCC

Transcript Highlights:

• Ryan Woolsey with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• In conclusion, I'll highlight a few issues for legislative consideration.
• In conclusion, I'll highlight a few issues for legislative consideration.
• Yes, Ann Hollingshead with the Legislative Analyst's Office.
• I am introducing legislation today.

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• which we'll get to, but I wanted to give you a hard copy of it as we're providing those to all legislators
• This is something that came up a lot During the legislative session when we were debating House Bills
• I think it was a continuation of a legislative Initiative from 2024.
• Chair, in this legislation, there are efforts in New Mexico to replicate what Colorado has done.
• I had one legislator tell me, 'You know, it's nothing you wouldn't have,' and this is a legislator who

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• May I just ask you some legislative questions? Absolutely. Okay.
• Thank you for the opportunity to present this meaningful piece of legislation.
• Bonham thank you mr. speaker this legislation will repeal the Texas research research Dr.
• Sir, I'm not advised that's applicable to this legislation. Okay, thank you.
• Sir, I'm not advised that's applicable to this legislation. Okay, thank you.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have you invited him to be a joint author on your legislation? Representative Wally: Thank you.
• Commission's legislative work group process and this is a consensus based process that we have.
• We advocate, we legislate, and we do everything we can to prevent another tragedy.
• We thank Representative Buckley for filing this legislation and ask you to support HB 200.
• Thank you, Chairman, for bringing forth this important legislation. I'll keep this brief.

Bills: HB200

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're in support of this legislation.
• Our members are also supporting legislation.
• So I think that's being addressed in other legislation.
• So we're happy to support your legislation.
• This legislation is directly antithetical to that.

Bills: SB458 , SB819 , SB1238 , SB1642 , SB1643 , SB1644 , SB1791 , SB1810 , SB1824 , SB1825 , SB758 , SB1455 , SB1706

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Susan Laraby, and I am general counsel and legislative liaison for DCF.
• </c><00:04:53.560><c> leaon</c> general counsel and legislative leaon general counsel and legislative
• For those reasons, she said, they put forward this legislation and thanked the senator for sponsoring
• Good morning again, Susan Laraby, DCF General Counsel and legislative liaison.
• </c><00:21:27.400><c> session</c> some context last legislative session some context last legislative

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• directly for CIP for legislative things versus working through your department.
• It should mirror the legislative auditor, focusing on DOE.
• It depends on the condition of funds or the legislation, or it's not consistent.
• </c><00:38:59.440><c> and</c> is to assist with policy legislation and is to assist with policy legislation
• So these are all line-item projects, legislative line-item projects.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:57.480><c> session</c> way through um next legislative session way through um next legislative
• We're the legislative branch. They are the executive branch.
• We write legislation; they put it into play.
• We write legislation; they put it into play.
• </c> dental safety network if legislation dental safety network if legislation failed<02:00:34.800><c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need 12 members for a quorum, and this will be our last policy hearing of the legislative session.
• Without legislative action, a handful of legally established LED messaging centers will be forced out
• This legislation is not about replacing one system with another.
• If this is the case, we do encourage further conversation with the DGS and legislators.
• If this is a case, we do encourage further conversation with the DGS and legislators.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because a quorum was initially absent, and it heard several bills focused on nonprofit support, alcohol regulation, immigration-related funding restrictions, outdoor advertising, and green building standards. SB 1240 by Senator McNerney would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement, grants, and reimbursement processes; supporters, including the Child Care Resource Center and the Little Hoover Commission, said nonprofits provide essential services but face delayed payments and burdensome bureaucracy. Committee members raised accountability concerns, but the author emphasized the bill does not dispense grants and would cost about $1.7 million in the first year. The bill was later approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 917 by Senator Laird, which would remove the estate-grown grape requirement for wineries selling at farmers markets, allowing more family wineries to participate; winery and grape grower representatives said the change would help direct-to-consumer sales and local growers. SB 1171 by Senator Caballero would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants; supporters from immigrant-rights groups described ICE detention and raids as harmful and inhumane, while some members spoke in favor of using state funds to avoid indirectly supporting ICE-related activity. Both bills advanced on party-line or near-party-line votes and were sent to Appropriations or Local Government as noted in the roll calls. Senator Rubio presented SB 1195, which would expand tied-house exemptions for certain entertainment, convention, and sports venues in specified counties, and SB 1228, which would allow a small number of existing outdoor advertising displays to continue operating despite a statutory sunset. Supporters said SB 1195 would create economic opportunity and clarify current law, while SB 1228 was described as a narrow fix to preserve legally permitted signs and local revenue; both bills passed the committee and were sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1398, which would recognize Green Globes as an alternative green building certification for state projects alongside LEED; supporters argued it would add flexibility and competition, while the U.S. Green Building Council opposed bypassing the Department of General Services’ equivalency review. The bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent calendar and adjourned at 2:55 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need 12 members for a quorum, and this will be our last policy hearing of the legislative session.
• Without legislative action, a handful of legally established LED messaging centers will be forced out
• This legislation is not about replacing one system with another.
• If this is the case, we do encourage further conversation with the DGS and legislators.
• If this is a case, we do encourage further conversation with the DGS and legislators.

Committee: House Governmental Organization

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What Rochelle meant is that sometimes we do legislative fixes during times when we're discussing the
• What Rochelle met is like sometimes we do legislative fixes during times when we're discussing the budget
• Vieira knows about this, as well as, I think, Representative Cabral before the other legislators got
• And for all the folks that are on the call that aren't legislators, sometimes we do our budgets and then
• We'll do some internal work as legislators.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission approved the minutes from its March 11 meeting after a motion by Jeannie Costa and a second by Senator Michael Brady, with members noting a few possible corrections to attendance and wording. The meeting then focused on updates about the commission’s timeline and funding. Staff reported that an amendment to extend the commission’s deadline from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027 was filed in the Fair Share budget but was not accepted, and members discussed pursuing the extension through other budget vehicles, including the regular budget, a supplemental budget, or other legislation. Commissioners also discussed the need to fill a vacancy left by Julius Brito and to potentially extend the deadline for appointing new commissioners. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to brainstorming the commission’s community engagement plan for the proposed Cape Verdean Culture Center. Members revisited a three-part approach involving site visits, traditional listening sessions, and outreach at existing Cape Verdean events, while also emphasizing historical accuracy, youth engagement, visibility, and regional collaboration. Commissioners suggested using surveys, canvassing, social media, a website, and other digital tools to reach people across the diaspora, including those unable to attend in person. Several members recommended specific locations and institutions for engagement, including New Bedford, Brockton, Boston, Cape Cod, and Rhode Island, with references to museums, historical societies, clubs, and cultural organizations already doing related work. Testimony and comments also addressed funding and organizational structure for the future center. Legislators described possible funding sources such as House and Senate earmarks, a bond bill, and a nonprofit structure that could later support fundraising and operations. Members discussed examples from other cultural institutions, including the Holocaust Museum, the African American History Museum, and the Haitian Toussaint Louverture Cultural Center, as models for governance and public support. The group also raised the possibility of future collaboration with the Cape Verdean government and institutions in Cabo Verde, though one member urged waiting until after upcoming elections there before making formal contacts. No additional votes were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning the meeting.