Transcript Highlights:

• The Industrial Development District created by House Bill 4308 is similar to a MUD, but in order to form
• Well, it'd be similar to the way that MUD is done right now, where residents would have property within
• As I said, similar to a MUD, a MUD has taxing as well as levying fees. Does that include sales tax?

Bills: HB1532, HB2731, HB3483, HB4308, HB4580, HB4582, HB5509, HB5663

Keywords: Lake Houston, dredging, maintenance district, flood control, environment, public works, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code, unincorporated areas, right-of-way, public highway, parking lot, livestock sales, live animals, vendor regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just like being stuck in the mud.
• you can start getting out, or that gravel, you're just going to kind of stand there, spinning in the mud
• The only difference is you may not go... ...mud. The only difference is you may not go as deep.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• factors like you mentioned you have a specific strategy for that do you think the special district Look, MUDs
• What's a mud? What's my mud tax back 40 years ago?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Specific strategy for that, do you think that special Look, uh, MUDs, uh, multiple utility districts
• What's a mud? What's my mud tax back 40 years ago.

Transcript Highlights:

• County Commissioner's Court unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the creation of this template MUD
• We have a Municipal Utility District in Harris County, MUD number 405.
• There's a tract at the end of it that wants to be excluded from the MUD so that it can join the next
• MUD.
• Both the board of this MUD and the sole landowner of the property are in agreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• And do you think there's a reason to worry that cities, more than a a special utility district or a MUD
• Well, the MUDs and the special utility districts are not. Correct.
• directly and they have the mud participate.
• And as most of you have encountered MUDs, you know that they were enacted... in the state of Texas to
• New Fairview has a mud with linoleum are right outside of their city limits, but they have contacted

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to tell you, the mud train has just arrived, and there are going to be two dozen of those added
• All right, mud creation.
• Another mud, this is House Bill, I'm sorry.
• And so, as a matter of pending business, is this one of the muds coming up here?

Bills: HB103

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We create a lot of different political. subdivisions like special utility districts, MUDs, things like
• The mud lobbyist with your own tax dollars.
• And we've We've seen all over the state as well, mud taxes are some of the highest taxes in Texas.
• So we've got to make sure. sure that those individuals that live in those muds, they're taxpayers too
• And that's why MUDs and other taxing entities like that are in this bill. clarification for you.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB9, SB42, SB15, SB5, SB11, SB12, SCR1

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• County Commissioner's Court unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the creation of this template MUD
• We have a MUD in Harris County, MUD No. 405. There's a tract at the end of it.
• There's a tract at the end of it that wants to be excluded from the MUD so that it can join the next
• MUD.
• Both the board of this MUD and the landowner, the sole landowner of the property, are in agreement.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• A mud or likely to set egregious fees?
• Well, the, the muds and the special utility districts are not correct.
• Experience with dealing with regional providers that they don't serve the mud directly and they have
• Charge a surcharge to the mud and that, you know, continues into perpetuity and the homeowners within
• A New Fairview has a mud with Lennar right outside of their city limits, but they have contacted them

Bills: HB 1520, HB 1525, HB 1530, HB 1535, HB 2068, HB 2091, HB 2347, HB 2372, HB 2805, HB 2815, HB 2867, HB 3154, HB 3482, HB 3483, HB 3663, HB 3781, HB 3901, HB 3915, HB 4135, HB 4153, HB 4158, HB 4329, HB 4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if they land in the mud or the sand, they die.
• they<00:05:38.639> land<00:05:38.800> in<00:05:38.960> the<00:05:39.039> mud
• So, if they land in the mud or the hard.
• So, if they land in the mud or the sand,<00:05:39.759> they<00:05:40.000> die.

Bills: SB125, SB123, SB124, HB38, SB125, SB123, SB124, HB38

Keywords: oyster shell, tax credit, recycling, restaurant, state revenue, environmental benefit, sales tax exemption, seafood, fishing industry, local government, municipal exemption, seagrass restoration, environmental policy, water quality, marine ecosystems, conservation efforts, marine conservation, environmental remediation, coastal ecosystems, state waters

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a MUD—our first MUD of the season. That is why Trey Larry is lurking in the back.
• Any questions for Senator West on Senator Parker's bill creating a MUD? I don't hear any.
• All right, let's open up public testimony on the first MUD of the season.
• Assume all these MUDs will testify. I doubt it. Senate Bill 3029.

Bills: HB22, SB250, SB375, SB536, SB845, SB1633, SB1944, SB1957, SB2081, SB2137, SB2262, SB2299, SB2419, SB2452, SB2522, SB2549, SB2594, SB2605, SB2631, SB2639, SB2675, SB3029, SJR60, HB22, HB1392, HB2525

Keywords: emergency communication, broadband, funding, natural disasters, technology, HB 22, Texas broadband development office, comptroller, emergency communications, early warning systems, disaster alerts, natural disaster notifications, interoperable communications, interoperable emergency radio, public safety communications, 9-1-1, next generation 9-1-1, NG911, broadband grants, low-interest loans

Transcript Highlights:

• Stick in the mud right here. Yeah. We have a consent agenda. Yep, stick in the mud right here.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Rules Committee met briefly, called to order with a quorum present, and approved the consent agenda after one member requested that item 6 be removed for separate consideration. The committee then took up item 6, an urgency clause request for SB 74747, and approved it by roll call vote. On the consent agenda, the motion passed unanimously among those recorded as voting. For item 6, the roll call showed mixed support, with several members voting aye and a few voting no, but the motion still passed. After completing these actions, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stick in the mud right here. We have a consent agenda. Yep, stick in the mud right here.

Summary: The Rules Committee met briefly and called the meeting to order with a quorum present. After routine roll call, the committee considered a consent agenda, and one member requested that item 6 be removed for separate action. The remainder of the consent agenda was approved on a voice/roll-call vote. The separated item was an urgency clause request for SB 747. Members discussed it only through the vote, with several ayes and a few noes, and the motion passed. No testimony or substantive debate on the bill was included in the transcript. After disposing of the agenda items, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the Senate, you've heard the phrase "your name is mud."
• To someone, "your name is mud" means that you have a bad reputation. Correct? Mud came from Dr.

Bills: HCR35, SJR59, SJR84, SCR30, SB127, SB317, SB324, SB457, SB506, SB511, SB529, SB547, SB584, SB619, SB636, SB646, SB659, SB715, SB732, SB735, SB771, SB784, SB800, SB801, SB904, SB1026, SB1049, SB1065, SB1181, SB1224, SB1250, SB1383, SB1467, SB1524, SB1528, SB1531, SB1568, SB1585, SB1640, SB1681, SB1754, SB1757, SB1777, SB1972, SB1980, SB2007, SB2041, SB2046, SB2050, SB2055, SB2069, SB2080, SB2119, SB2138, SB2139, SB2154, SB2201, SB2225, SB2268, SB2306, SB2308, SB2310, SB2330, SB2366, SB2375, SB2392, SB2401, SB2422, SB2480, SB2514, SB2530, SB2533, SB2543, SB2544, SB2589, SB2610, SB2615, SB2623, SB2660, SB2662, SB2693, SB2695, SB2707, SB2722, SB2742, SB2753, SB2807, SB2843, SB2844, SB2858, SB2880, SB2885, SB2891, SB2925, SB2938, SB2986, SJR3, SJR18, SB5, SB914, SB963, SB1197, SB1415, SB1437, SB1786, SB326, SB767, SB769, SB783, SB1035, SB1271, SB1619, SB1637, SB1806, SB1, SB260, HB135, HB1109, HCR35, HCR64, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SJR84, SJR59, SCR12, SCR39, SCR48, SCR19, SCR30, SCR3, SB2023, SB619, SB2742, SB646, SB1026, SB2880, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB1502, SB507, SB1434, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB529, SB209, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB584, SB1085, SB2046, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB1524, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB517, SB1200, SB1845, SB1863, SB2681, SB2200, SB2199, SB1757, SB2050, SB2458, SB2201, SB2660, SB2662, SB1065, SB801, SB2533, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB1721, SB2366, SB1013, SB2797, SB2383, SB1754, SB2119, SB2448, SB1777, SB1283, SB2392, SB2076, SB2786, SB2876, SB2284, SB2225, SB1540, SB2929, SB1972, SB2540, SB2595, SB2217, SB715, SB2330, SB1383, SB500, SB1640, SB2001, SB2080, SB506, SB2514, SB2753, SB2398, SB1241, SB2927, SB2173, SB2538, SB898, SB1449, SB2529, SB1531, SB2846, SB2476, SB986, SB1181, SB2075, SB2154, SB2864, SB1359, SB2386, SB771, SB2844, SB2550, SB1351, SB1423, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB410, SB659, SB2776, SB2693, SB2580, SB1980, SB1886, SB1234, SB739, SB456, SB127, SB1666, SB2843, SB2801, SB800, SB2055, SB784, SB2986, SB735, SB1012, SB324, SB2926, SB2938, SB2007, SB2138, SB1242, SB2615, SB1049, SB2310, SB1224, SB2972, SB1568, SB2841, SB2885, SB3016, SB2858, SB2610, SB2139, SB1856, SB2035, SB2308, SB2306, SB2041, SB1528, SB1681, SB1141, SB2401, SB2530, SB2375, SB547, SB1266, SB1373, SB1467, SB2069, SB2269, SB2480, SB2544, SB672, SB904, SB2695, SB2891, SB2422, SB2543, SB1854, SB317, SB2539, SB2532, SB2925, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB457, SB2357, SB2721, SB243, SB1285, SB2568, SB1959, SB1442, SB1454, SB2520, SB2541, SB1708, SB1237, SB1844, SB1586, HB1392, HB22, SB1551, SB3039, SB2819, SB66, SB629, SB1015, SB2342, SB2903, SB2933, SB1965, SB2477, SB3029, SB2605, SB2419, SB1957, SB375, SB250, SB777, SB628, SB2523, SB2367, SB2703, SB2608, SB2778, SB3044, SB2965, SB2521, SB865

Keywords: spaceports, tax-exempt bonds, aerospace investment, Texas space economy, Federal legislation, education funding, Texas State Technical College System, capital projects, infrastructure, higher education, tax exemption, property tax, homestead, fire damage, constitutional amendment, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• There's been some recent work, for example, to help clear out, uh, some of the water and mud flooding
• of<00:22:09.880> the<00:22:10.880> water<00:22:11.120> and<00:22:11.520> mud
• of the some of the water and mud of the some of the water and mud flooding<00:22:12.159> that's

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection met on April 1, 2025, to hear three resolutions. The first, HR 27/HCR 28, sought to reconvene a working group on contamination remediation tied to the Pu‘uloa/Puoa Ranch Range training facility. Testimony was strongly supportive, with speakers from the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i and the community describing concerns about lead contamination, health risks to children and pregnant women, and the need for continued testing and coordination. The committee later recommended and adopted the resolution unamended by vote, with Rep. Quinnland excused. The second measure, HR 143/HCR 149, asked the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a working group to assess steps toward transitioning Volcano, Hawai‘i, into a biosphere area aligned with the Hawaiian Islands Biosphere Reserve. Support came from community and environmental interests, including testimony from the Sierra Club and others, and DLNR offered comments. The committee recommended passage with amendments limiting the working group participants to the district representative and the Volcano Community Association, and that recommendation was adopted. The final measure, HR 191/HCR 199, urged DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife to prioritize restoration and protection of additional wetlands and an Ankuline pools. DLNR supported the intent but suggested technical clarifications, while community testimony emphasized wetlands’ role in flood control, sediment capture, and long-term environmental protection in South Maui. The committee recommended several amendments, including removing reference to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, revising agency references, changing “state waters” to “waters of the state,” and assigning the County of Maui as the responsible party for certain wetland protections. The amended resolution was then adopted, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I wanted to ask a little bit about judicial canons and the fact that when somebody throws mud
• As far as the integrity of not getting in the mud in very public squabbles if you can.
• It's amazing to me that in all the mud that was thrown in that, not once did anybody say a for-profit
• judiciary, when I do think we are... seeing it's a pretty easy fight when you can politically throw mud

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mean, in my area you'll see them stacked up on a trailer and they're going to ride in the woods and mud
• mean, in my area you'll see them stacked up on a trailer and they're going to ride in the woods and mud
• ride in the trailer and they're going to ride in the woods<00:08:39.599> and<00:08:39.760> mud
• > day<00:08:40.320> long,<00:08:40.640> huge<00:08:40.880> tires woods and mud
• all day long, huge tires woods and mud all day long, huge tires and<00:08:41.519> that's<00:08

Bills: HB461, HB465, HB469, HB473, SB94, SB303, HB461, HB465, HB469, HB473, SB94, SB303

Keywords: fundraising, Alabama Educational Television, state authority, public broadcasting, legislation influence, emergency management, public funds, educational materials, promotional materials, state agency, ambulance services, balance billing, health insurance, emergency transportation, reimbursement rates, water recreation, public access, water bodies, recreational use, water commissions

Transcript Highlights:

• We're throwing mud and splashing mud onto the windshield of transparency with this.
• We're throwing mud and splashing mud onto the windshield of transparency with this.
• We're throwing mud and splashing mud onto the windshield of transparency with this.
• We're<01:33:39.360> throwing<01:33:39.679> mud<01:33:40.000> and<01:33:40.239>
• > splashing<01:33:40.719> mud We're throwing mud and splashing mud We're throwing mud and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the most readily available option at the most economical cost, whether that be a CCN or a city or a MUD
• the most readily available option at the most economical cost, whether that be a CCN or a city or a MUD
• I mean, is that—or a MUD? They could form a MUD of their own or an IOU. Mr.
• Secondly, on the compensation, and I’ve got to tell you, the statute is clear, but it’s clear as mud.
• Secondly, on the compensation, and I’ve got to tell you, the statute is clear, but it’s clear as mud.

Bills: SB863, SB1190, SB1261, SB1413, SB1624, SB1662, SB1663, SB1855, SB1967, SB2124, SB2204, SB1623

Keywords: Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, water loss, municipally owned utilities, Texas Water Development Board, administrative penalties, water audit, water infrastructure, water supply, state water plan, water management strategies, water financing, municipal bonds, revenue bonds, public debt, obligations, TWDB

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs heard several water-related bills, with testimony focused on drinking water quality, groundwater contamination notice, flood infrastructure funding, water rights conservation, and utility service areas. SB 1662 would limit TCEQ’s advance notice to public water systems to no more than 24 hours before testing after a consumer complaint, to reduce the chance of temporary treatment affecting results. SB 1663 would allow TCEQ to notify private well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and nearby residents by direct means about known groundwater contamination, rather than relying mainly on first-class mail and annual reporting. SB 2124 would move the deadline for publishing the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s annual report from April 1 to June 1. Witnesses on the first two bills described long-running water quality problems and delayed notice in their communities and supported the measures. No opposition was recorded, and each bill was left pending for a later vote. The committee also heard SB 1967, which would expand eligibility for Flood Infrastructure Fund financing to multipurpose projects that both reduce flooding and create water supply. Senator Hinojosa and Hidalgo County representatives described the Delta Reclamation Project as a shovel-ready example that would capture flood and drainage water, treat it, and produce new potable supply while also providing detention and flood mitigation. A Sierra Club witness also supported the bill, saying such projects could help manage floodwaters and reduce polluted discharges to bays and estuaries. The bill was left pending. A lengthy and divided discussion followed on SB 1413, which would expand the streamlined expedited release process for landowners seeking removal from a water or sewer CCN in additional counties. Senator Nichols said the bill was a property-rights measure aimed at legacy monopolies and bad actors who use CCNs to hold landowners hostage, while supporters described cases where developers could not get timely service, including fire flow, or were asked to fund infrastructure without reasonable recoupment. Opponents from rural water corporations and utility associations argued the bill would undermine investment in water infrastructure, strand debt, and weaken the return on planned expansion. PUC and TCEQ resource witnesses explained that compensation is handled case by case through appraisal and can include stranded costs, planning, design, construction, and some legal fees, but members noted the statute is unclear and discussed possible committee substitute language. Public testimony was closed with the bill left pending. Later, SB 1624 would allow the Texas Water Trust within the Texas Water Bank to hold donated water rights for conservation purposes and protect them from use-it-or-lose-it cancellation, and SB 863 would address Edwards Aquifer utilities that straddle the aquifer boundary by allowing them to continue using Edwards water within their certificated areas under specified conditions. Both bills were laid out, received no public opposition in the hearing, and were left pending.