Transcript Highlights:

• People aren't moving to these rural areas in Texas.
• The constituents in Belleville, Texas, aren't too far out from Houston, Texas, or they can drive in and
• . ...are Texas online programs that are affiliated with Texas brick-and-mortar universities.
• Texas Senators, I support the bill.
• I'm from Dallas, Texas. You're from Dallas, Texas. Okay.

Bills: SB128 , SB640 , SB672 , SB904 , SB1141 , SB1263 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB2041 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2357 , SB2446 , SB2695 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2583

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, SB 640, Texas Family Code, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, child welfare, foster care, managing conservatorship, suicide attempt, youth suicide, mental health, child protective services, state custody, annual report, reporting requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with Texas CASA.
• Texas' commercial stake in intellectual property development.
• I'm American-made, Texas edition. I was born down here in Houston.
• At least 100,000 of those deaths were in Texas alone.
• Nora Cox, Texas E-Health.

Bills: SB128 , SB640 , SB672 , SB904 , SB1141 , SB1263 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB2041 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2357 , SB2446 , SB2695 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2583

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, SB 640, Texas Family Code, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, child welfare, foster care, managing conservatorship, suicide attempt, youth suicide, mental health, child protective services, state custody, annual report, reporting requirements

Bills: SB 384 , SB 503 , SB 565 , SB 616 , SB 740

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: hunting license, fishing license, donation, operation game thief fund, wildlife conservation, livestock, electronic registry, marks and brands, Texas Animal Health Commission, animal identification, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework

Transcript Highlights:

• Without a doubt, Texas needs more water.
• Texas needs to strike a balance and quickly.
• I'm with the Nature Conservancy in Texas.
• Texas is home to a rich diversity of plants and animals.
• Uh Texas has done a great job of growing.

Bills: HB 937 , HB 2078 , HB 2080 , HB 3322 , HB 3350 , HB 4212 , HB 4630 , HB 4896 , HB 4951 , HB 5348 , HB 5675 , SB 565 , SB 971 , SB 1662 , SB 2124

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's really important out there in West Texas as well.
• Without a doubt, Texas needs more water.
• I'm with the Nature Conservancy in Texas.
• Texas is home to a rich diversity of plants and animals.
• There's not enough water in Texas.

Bills: HB937 , HB2078 , HB2080 , HB3322 , HB3350 , HB4212 , HB4630 , HB4896 , HB4951 , HB5348 , HB5675 , SB565 , SB971 , SB1662 , SB2124

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• They can very readily be evicted in Texas.
• Other states are ahead of Texas in this area.
• State Fair of Texas testifying on the bill.
• I'm representing the State Fair of Texas.
• I'm with the Texas State Association of Firefighters.

Bills: HB164 , HB164 , HB411 , HB627 , HB 1226 , HB1677 , HB1865 , HB1997 , HB2985 , HB3462 , HB4188 , HB4685 , HB4840 , HB5370 , HB5424 , HB5466 , HB5509 , HB5660 , HB5673

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers, as well as the Texas Association of Builders.
• I'm a builder and developer from El Paso, Texas.
• It's the low-income families of the state of Texas, and I've done an analysis on that.
• As we all know, Texas is currently experiencing an affordable housing shortage.
• Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers for the bill.

Bills: HB164 , HB411 , HB627 , HB 1226 , HB1677 , HB1865 , HB1997 , HB2985 , HB3462 , HB4188 , HB4685 , HB4840 , HB5370 , HB5424 , HB5466 , HB5509 , HB5660 , HB5673 , HB164

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: migrant labor, housing regulations, civil penalties, complaints, occupants' rights, remediation, education, retaliation, housing, rental regulation, municipal authority, local government, leasing, housing regulation, local control, rental properties, leasing laws, landlord, tenant rights, municipal regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with Texas Right to Know.
• Um, so we're also located in Leonard, Texas, where Leonard. Texas. What county is that in? Fannin.
• Texas we are for SB 1232.
• AARP Texas is pleased to support.
• I am president of True Texas Project and I am here representing True Texas Project.

Bills: SB500 , SB719 , SB912 , SB1232 , SB1467 , SB1777 , SB1864 , SB2023 , SB2119 , SB2458

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as a public policy director for NAMI Texas, the Texas state affiliate of the National Alliance
• I serve as a public policy director for NAMI Texas, the Texas state affiliate of the National Alliance
• We're also located in Leonard, Texas. Where? Leonard, Texas. What county is that in? Fannin. Okay.
• in the state of Texas.
• Teaching Hospitals of Texas are 4% of Texas hospitals.

Bills: SB500 , SB719 , SB912 , SB1232 , SB1467 , SB1777 , SB1864 , SB2023 , SB2119 , SB2458

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Summary: The committee first took up several pending bills and reported them favorably: SB 968, SB 636 as substituted, SB 1137, and SB 1138 as substituted. Each was advanced by roll call vote, and the committee also recommended the approved bills for the local and uncontested calendar. The chair then moved to the posted agenda and heard SB 719, a mental health bed-capacity study bill by Senator Eckhart, with a committee substitute that refined the data collection to distinguish state and non-state beds, child and adult beds, include two point-in-time counts, and capture jail diversion data. Testimony on SB 719 was largely supportive from Integral Care, NAMI Texas, and the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, all of whom said Texas needs better data on inpatient psychiatric capacity, workforce needs, and future demand. Several witnesses described long waits for beds, especially for forensic restoration, and argued the study would help target future investments. Senator Perry and others noted the state has already made major investments in new beds and urged the bill to account for beds already coming online; the committee ultimately withdrew the substitute and left SB 719 pending after public testimony closed. The committee then heard SB 1864, which would allow small egg producers to sell ungraded eggs more broadly, including to restaurants and retailers, with the substitute increasing the weekly sales threshold and addressing sanitation and labeling. Supporters said grading is about size, not safety, and that the bill would help small farms reach new markets; opponents from the Texas Poultry Federation argued grading and candling help identify cracks and defects that can affect safety and quality. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. It also heard SB 1467, requiring DSHS to share death record information with hospitals for record accuracy and quality review, and SB 912, which would modernize continuing education tracking for health licensing agencies; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2023, which would create an HHSC grant program to help counties pay for indigent burial costs, with county representatives testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• to Socorro, Texas.
• My name is Syde, and I am the mayor of Chandler, Texas.
• It's a Type A General Law City in East Texas, situated just about 15 miles outside of Tyler, Texas.
• I am the mayor of Chandler, Texas, a Type A General Law City in Henderson County, East Texas.
• I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Bills: SB1079 , SB1243 , SB1504 , SB1579 , SB1708 , SB1844 , SB1851 , SB1879 , SB1921 , SB1951 , SB2237 , SB2238 , SB2406 , SB2407

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas City Manager Association recently did a survey.
• They got 250 responses. 150+ city managers in the state of Texas have employment contracts.
• I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
• Most people need cars and Texas isn't like New York. It's not like those in Austin isn't.
• I, I'm Mayor Tom Kilgore of the city of Lakeway, Texas.

Bills: SB 1079 , SB 1243 , SB 1504 , SB 1579 , SB 1708 , SB 1844 , SB 1851 , SB 1879 , SB 1921 , SB 1951 , SB 2237 , SB 2238 , SB 2406 , SB 2407

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• Please help us change this now and protect our children in Texas.
• He represents the Texas ISD Police Chiefs Association.
• I'm the Texas State Director and Chief of Staff for Right on Crime at the Texas Public Policy Foundation
• Like many other states, Texas is no exception to this trend.
• Texas' current legal protections... ...do not prevent unjust prosecutions.

Bills: SB614 , SB872 , SB1199 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1573 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1660 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2146 , SB2177 , SB2373 , SB2460 , SB2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas will no longer tolerate these crimes.
• In 2017, the Texas Legislature amended the law to require the Texas Commission on Jail Standards... .
• As per data gathered from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and analyzed by the Texas Jail Project
• The Sheriff's Association of Texas fully agrees.
• Texas has the ability to be the gold standard.

Bills: SB614 , SB872 , SB1199 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1573 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1660 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2146 , SB2177 , SB2373 , SB2460 , SB2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• Please help us change, change this now and protect our children in Texas.
• This bill has to do with improving crime clearances rates across the state of Texas.
• Texas is currently solving 55% of murders, 43% of assaults, and 16% of sexual assaults.
• I'm the Texas state director and chief of staff for Right on Crime at the Texas Public Policy Foundation
• Like many other states, Texas is no exception to this trend.

Bills: SB 614 , SB 872 , SB 1199 , SB 1212 , SB 1278 , SB 1573 , SB 1588 , SB 1602 , SB 1660 , SB 1704 , SB 1723 , SB 1833 , SB 1858 , SB 1946 , SB 2009 , SB 2146 , SB 2177 , SB 2373 , SB 2460 , SB 2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• study of the task force's responsibility to also include separation of ownership and control of electric
• uh separation of ownership and control uh separation of ownership and control of<00:04:52.840><c> electric
• </c><00:04:53.640><c> electric</c><00:04:54.080><c> energy</c><00:04:54.440><c> generation</c> of electric
• electric energy generation of electric electric energy generation services<00:04:55.840><c> from</c>
• </c> data centers on Hawaii's electrical data centers on Hawaii's electrical utilities,<00:07:33.520>

Bills: HCR43 , HCR154 , HCR165 , HCR186 , HCR200 , HCR202 , HCR206

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: pedestrian safety, raised crosswalks, Honolulu, traffic infrastructure, school zone, HCR154, Hele-On, Hele-On Shared Ride Program, County of Hawaii, Hawaii County, Mass Transit Agency, shared ride, paratransit, accessible transportation, ADA, mobility devices, wheelchair accessible, kupuna, seniors, elderly

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs reconvened on April 21 and took up a series of House Concurrent Resolutions, with no public testimony. Members first approved HCR 43, urging raised crosswalks near Ala Wai Elementary at University Avenue, Malkiki Street, and Kamoku Street to improve student safety, and HCR 154, asking Hawaii County to expand the Heleon shared ride program islandwide, including rural and underserved areas. They also passed HCR 165, calling for permanent pickleball nets and court lighting at Kamilo Iki Community Park, and HCR 186, urging the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense Health Agency to extend health care authorization renewals for people affected by the Red Hill water contamination crisis. The committee then approved HCR 200, which urges the Department of Defense to reassess prior CERCLA-related closure decisions in light of evolving PFAS science. Members said the measure was intended to help keep PFAS out of the water system. HCR 202, establishing a legislative task force on Hawaii’s future energy pathways, was amended before passage to expand the task force’s scope to include separation of generation from transmission and distribution, add Senate leadership representation, and include representatives from the Agricultural Development Corporation and the Farm Bureau. Several members supported the amended version with reservations, expressing concern about possible cost impacts from separating generation and distribution. Finally, the committee passed HCR 206 HD1, which requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a working group to study the impacts of large data centers on utilities, ratepayers, natural resources, and climate goals. All measures were adopted by the committee, with HCR 202 passing with amendments and the others passing unamended. The meeting then adjourned.

Bills: HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3403 , HB1907 , HB3175 , HB3986 , HB3466 , HB3411 , HB4246

Committee: Senate Energy

Keywords: climatology, emergency declaration, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, environment, weather data, public policy, state governance, natural resources, advisory councils, sunset law, water quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, radiation management, public health, biosolids, land application, environmental quality, agriculture, wastewater treatment

Bills: HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3403 , HB1907 , HB3175 , HB3986 , HB3466 , HB3411 , HB4246

Committee: Senate Energy

Keywords: climatology, emergency declaration, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, environment, weather data, public policy, state governance, natural resources, advisory councils, sunset law, water quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, radiation management, public health, biosolids, land application, environmental quality, agriculture, wastewater treatment

Summary: The committee took up several measures dealing with environmental regulation, waste management, and energy. Early on, it passed sunset-extension bills for the Oklahoma Climatological Survey and several environmental advisory councils. It then heard extensive debate on HB 1907, the Battery Stewardship Act, which would create a battery recycling system for small and medium batteries through DEQ. Supporters argued it would reduce landfill and garbage-truck fires, protect the environment, and create recycling value, while opponents raised concerns about added regulation, costs shifted to producers and retailers, and the creation of a new state FTE. Despite those objections, the bill passed 8-3. The committee also considered HB 3403, a pilot study on biosolids and sewage sludge applied to farmland. Members debated a committee substitute that shortened the study timeline from five years to three years and added a phased rollback of land application. Supporters said the study was needed because of unresolved questions about PFOS, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other contaminants, while critics argued the timelines conflicted and the bill could be hard to implement. The committee substitute was adopted, an amendment to delete key rollback provisions failed, and the bill ultimately passed 8-2 after testimony from Oklahoma City utilities officials and multiple rounds of questions about testing, health risks, and disposal practices. The committee then passed HB 3175 to establish the Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, with members noting it would have minimal fiscal impact and could help Oklahoma build nuclear expertise and jobs. It also passed HB 3986, expanding a gross production tax exemption for wells completed with recycled water, and HB 3466, which removes the statutory requirement that the Corporation Commission maintain a petty cash fund. Finally, HB 3411, another biosolids-related bill to buy testing equipment and provide information to landowners, and HB 4246, a rural water transparency/lowest-bid bill, both passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The meeting ended with the chair thanking members and adjourning.

Bills: HB4028 , HB4075 , HB4077 , HB4074 , HB4076 , SB1221 , SB1921 , SB2118 , SB1932 , SB2134 , HCR1025 , SB1432 , HCR1024 , HCR1022 , SB1122 , HB4029 , HB4063 , HB4073 , HB4078 , SB1936 , SB44 , SB237 , SB248 , SB1360 , SB985 , SB1204 , SB1239 , SB1307 , SB2143 , SB1428 , SB1390 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1732 , SB1832 , SB1859 , SB1989 , SB2018 , SB1427

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, water resources, appropriations, funding, state treasury, infrastructure projects, emergency act, emergency management, disaster relief, pandemic response, state appropriations, HB4074, Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Health Care Workforce Revolving Fund, health workforce, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, National Lineman Appreciation Day honors more than 115,000 workers who maintain America's electrical
• Members, whereas Oklahoma's linemen are the true heroes of the electrical power industry, working around
• And whereas the linemen from Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company, Oklahoma
• Municipal Power, Authority, and the Grand River Dam Authority, Liberty Utilities, and local electric
• She wants to study radiology at Texas A&M. Let's give Isabella a round of applause.

Bills: HB4028 , HB4075 , HB4077 , HB4074 , HB4076 , SB1221 , SB1921 , SB2118 , SB1932 , SB2134 , HCR1025 , SB1432 , HCR1024 , HCR1022 , SB1122 , HB4029 , HB4063 , HB4073 , HB4078 , SB1936 , SB44 , SB237 , SB248 , SB1360 , SB985 , SB1204 , SB1239 , SB1307 , SB2143 , SB1428 , SB1390 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1732 , SB1832 , SB1859 , SB1989 , SB2018 , SB1427

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, water resources, appropriations, funding, state treasury, infrastructure projects, emergency act, emergency management, disaster relief, pandemic response, state appropriations, HB4074, Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Health Care Workforce Revolving Fund, health workforce, health care workforce

Bills: HB4028 , HB4075 , HB4077 , HB4074 , HB4076 , SB1221 , SB1921 , SB2118 , SB1932 , SB2134 , HCR1025 , SB1432 , HCR1024 , HCR1022 , SB1122 , HB4029 , HB4063 , HB4073 , HB4078 , SB1936 , SB44 , SB237 , SB248 , SB1360 , SB985 , SB1204 , SB1239 , SB1307 , SB2143 , SB1428 , SB1390 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1732 , SB1832 , SB1859 , SB1989 , SB2018 , SB1427

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, water resources, appropriations, funding, state treasury, infrastructure projects, emergency act, emergency management, disaster relief, pandemic response, state appropriations, HB4074, Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Health Care Workforce Revolving Fund, health workforce, health care workforce

Summary: The House convened in quorum call and first took up several Joint Committee reports on appropriations and tax measures. HB 4028 extended the sunset on the qualified equity investment deduction for venture capital investments and passed 54-27. HB 4075 appropriated $26 million in interest funds to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for water and wastewater projects and passed 84-4, with the emergency clause also approved. HB 477 appropriated up to $10.58 million to the Department of Emergency Management for the Emergency Response and Relief Grant Program and passed 84-5, with the emergency clause approved. HB 476 appropriated up to $21.64 million to the Department of Commerce for rural economic impact grants tied to water and wastewater needs at rural industrial parks and ports; it passed 79-11 and its emergency clause also passed. HB 474 closed out ARPA funds for health care workforce training and passed 79-12, with emergency approval. The House then considered several Senate bills. SB 1221 would add tracking numbers for mailed Real ID cards and offer expedited delivery; members raised concerns about voting access and possible poll-tax issues, but the bill passed 82-9 and the emergency clause passed. SB 1921, an OSBI request bill, raised fees for criminal history/background checks and passed 84-8. SB 2118 expanded the use of sheriff commissary funds for sheriff duties and jail operations and passed 87-4. SB 1932 allowed motor carriers to represent themselves in Corporation Commission administrative hearings without an attorney and passed 92-1. SB 2134 required wreckers responding to livestock transport accidents to contact local emergency management for humane handling of livestock and passed 71-20. A lengthy floor debate centered on HCR 1025, which supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. Supporters argued education is a state responsibility and that federal bureaucracy and mandates add red tape; opponents warned that federal oversight is essential for special education, Title IX, IDEA, and civil rights enforcement. After extended debate, the resolution passed 72-17. The House also passed SB 1432, which removes pilot and sunset language from a successful alternative teacher certification program in Tulsa, making it a permanent pathway; supporters said it has helped career changers enter teaching and could be replicated statewide. It passed 85-3, and the emergency clause passed. The session ended with announcements, including recognition of a special-needs advocate, a rural caucus notice, and adjournment until April 22, 2026.