Transcript Highlights:

• So the taxpayers from East Texas, West Texas, and all over the state would be funding it.
• When I came back to Texas in 1993, I lived over in Southeast Texas and drove through Houston on I-10
• The investment in and development of land along a 240-mile swath of Texas has been chilled.
• Help serve the state of Texas and the people of Texas.
• I'm speaking on behalf of Texas TURF, Texas for Toll-Free Highways, We the People.

Bills: HJR58 , HJR63 , HB263 , HB542 , HB905 , HB 1288 , HB1402 , HB2003 , HB2262 , HB2323 , HB2429 , HB2876 , HB3019 , HB263

Committee: House S/C on Transportation Funding

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, elderly, retirement, benefits, transit-oriented projects, constitutional amendment, state highway fund, funding allocation, voter approval, highway fund, funding, public transportation, transit projects, transportation, local transit, fund allocation, voting rights, election integrity, ballot access

Transcript Highlights:

• Article 1608 seeks to address these issues by creating a veterans land bank program overseen by the Texas
• I do operate our land bank program, which serves the entire state of Texas, so I'm happy to answer any
• Sir, you're registered from the Texas General Land Office and the Veterans Land Board as a resource witness
• Tony Dale, Executive Secretary of the Texas Veterans Land Board, Resource Witness.
• So the group, as I see it, will have the Texas Veterans Commission, the General Land Office, and the

Bills: HCR7 , HB1557 , HB1608 , HB2061 , HB2201 , HB2210 , HB2426 , HB2754 , HJR165 , HB2513 , HCR7

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County

Transcript Highlights:

• Sure, so Texas.
• Over the last couple of sessions, the Texas legislature has stepped up to help.
• That APO is responsible for all responsible costs to the state of Texas.
• West Texas.
• As Texas faces more frequent and severe storms.

Bills: HB 1089 , HB 1163 , HB 1177 , HB 1238 , HB1318 , HB1400 , HB1407 , HB1532 , HJR7 , HJR7

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• And Texas remains the ninth.
• I'm with the Nature Conservancy in Texas, and we're super supportive of this bill TNC has worked in Texas
• Texas.
• are in South Texas right now.
• More and be more common in Texas. Okay.

Bills: HB 1089 , HB 1163 , HB 1177 , HB 1238 , HB1318 , HB1400 , HB1407 , HB1532 , HJR7 , HJR7

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Bills: SB14 , SB217 , SB586 , SB856 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SB 14

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: regulatory reform, state agencies, efficiency, rulemaking, judicial review, SB 217, Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program, Texas Historical Commission, Freedmen's cemetery, freed slave burial site, cemetery designation, historic cemetery, African American history, Black cemetery, burial grounds, cemetery preservation, historical marker, medallion, property owner notice, adjacent landowners

Transcript Highlights:

• could be working on that land.
• And land ownership in Texas.
• Vested property rights are essential for responsible land development, and Texas has long been a leader
• I currently serve on the Land Issues Committee for Texas Realtors.
• Pohl, Director of Renewables at Texas Tech.

Bills: HB407 , HB871 , HB882 , HB2011 , HB3572 , HB3578 , HB4038 , HB4866 , HB4897 , HB4978 , HB5380 , HB5555 , HB5668 , HB5670 , HB5674 , HB5676 , HB5679 , HB5688 , SB673

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: solar energy, residential construction, building code, municipal regulations, energy compliance, building codes, interconnection, education, funding, teacher support, student resources, school infrastructure, municipal requirements, environmental sustainability, municipalities, construction, agricultural operation, International Code Council, county regulations, construction fees

Transcript Highlights:

• Julia Parenteau, Texas Realtors, for the bill. Thank you.
• Emily Dove with Texas 2036, in support of this excellent ADU. ...bill.
• Over 100 years ago, the Texas Court of Appeals decided Span v. City of Dallas.
• In Texas, there are many multi-generational households.
• The Chair calls Brennan Griffin, Texas Appleseed. Show Brennan Griffin.

Bills: HB407 , HB871 , HB882 , HB2011 , HB3572 , HB3578 , HB4038 , HB4866 , HB4897 , HB4978 , HB5380 , HB5555 , HB5668 , HB5670 , HB5674 , HB5676 , HB5679 , HB5688 , SB673

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Keywords: solar energy, residential construction, building code, municipal regulations, energy compliance, building codes, interconnection, education, funding, teacher support, student resources, school infrastructure, municipal requirements, environmental sustainability, municipalities, construction, agricultural operation, International Code Council, county regulations, construction fees

Transcript Highlights:

• laws and Texas policies. parks.
• The only one in Texas.
• Members, securing our border is a top priority for Texas and private land.
• Texas; I'm representing the whole state of Texas.
• Personnel files for Texas.

Bills: HB1583 , HB1775 , HB1832 , HB1836 , HB1837 , HB1866 , HB1983 , HB2029 , HB2217 , HB2318 , HB2363 , HB2486

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: mental health, emergency detention, peace officer, mental illness, prevention of harm, border security, private landowners, study and report, General Land Office, participation, controlled substances, opioid antagonists, law enforcement training, substance abuse prevention, Texas-Mexico border, criminal justice, public safety, law enforcement, National Park Service, arrest powers

Transcript Highlights:

• We had our Texas Attorney General, and I think that’s a great point.
• , in partnership with Texas Tech.
• The bill allows for the transfer of portions of Reese to Texas Tech and requires the president of Texas
• My name is Carl Walker with Texas Taxpayers and Research Association.
• I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Bills: HB148 , HB334 , HB554 , HB762 , HB1520 , HB1593 , HB3526 , HB3810 , HB5092 , SB2215 , HB2607 , HB148

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales

Transcript Highlights:

• that original intent and provide the necessary assurances that this will not lead to inappropriate land

Bills: HB148 , HB148 , HB334 , HB554 , HB762 , HB1520 , HB1593 , HB3526 , HB3810 , HB5092 , SB2215 , HB2607

Committee: Senate Local Government

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, family leave

Transcript Highlights:

• The United States and Texas flags.
• And to the great state of Texas, I honor the Texas flag.
• Texas counties are not included in the bill, right?
• Texas State Firefighters Association opposed this bill.
• In rural Texas, we're seeing just an explosion of MUDs.

Bills: HB17 , HB16 , SB 10 , HB27 , HB23 , SB 15 , SB 18 , HB 17 , HB 16 , SB 10 , HB 27 , HB 23 , SB 15 , SB 18

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support

Transcript Highlights:

• HR number 41 by Hopper relates to imposing monetary punishments on Democratic members of the Texas House

Bills: HB17 , HB16 , SB 10 , HB27 , HB23 , SB 15 , SB 18 , HB 17 , HB 16 , SB 10 , HB 27 , HB 23 , SB 15 , SB 18

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the duly elected mayor of Lakeway, Texas.
• The Texas City Manager Association recently did a survey.
• I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
• And Texas isn't like New York. It's not like those cities.
• 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

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Local Government was marked by significant discussions on multiple bills aimed at enhancing governance and protecting taxpayer interests. Among the notable legislations was SB1951, where Senator Paxton emphasized reforms to reduce erroneous penalty notices imposed by appraisal districts, eliminating the financial incentive for such penalties. The session concluded with public testimonies that highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in taxpayer dealings. Additionally, Senator Middleton presented SB1504 and SB2237, focusing on the operational frameworks of local authorities and executive severance payments, respectively, both of which sparked considerable debate among committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, Christy Gessler, Texas Realtors; Jeff Burdette, NFIB; Carl Walker, Texas Taxpayers and Research
• Association; and John McCord, Texas Retail. and Regulars Association.
• I'm here with Texas Realtors. I'm the 2025 chairman of the board.
• FIB, state director, we represent over 20,000 small businesses in Texas.
• Carl Walker, Texas Taxpayers and Research Association.

Bills: SB1331 , SB1375 , SB1443 , SB1578 , SB2251 , SB2519 , SB2553 , SB2655 , SB2764 , SB2907 , SB3030 , SB3033 , SB3035 , SB3036 , SB3037 , SB3043 , SB3047 , SB3050 , SB3051 , SB3056 , SB3057 , SB3063 , HB9 , HB467 , HB331 , HB1244 , HB1399 , HB2559 , HB2730 , HB3307 , HJR1 , HJR99 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SJR78 , HB1327 , HB2723 , HB9 , HJR1

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Transcript Highlights:

• I was right, DJ Pendleton, TMA Texas Manufactured Housing.
• Judge Shepard, Texas Public Policy Foundation.
• voters and will be. ...built by Texas workers.
• land remain the same. to remain the same and the use of the land does not change.
• the Texas legislature.

Bills: HB9 , HJR1 , SB1331 , SB1375 , SB1443 , SB1578 , SB2251 , SB2519 , SB2553 , SB2655 , SB2764 , SB2907 , SB3030 , SB3033 , SB3035 , SB3036 , SB3037 , SB3043 , SB3047 , SB3050 , SB3051 , SB3056 , SB3057 , SB3063 , HB9 , HB467 , HB331 , HB1244 , HB1399 , HB2559 , HB2730 , HB3307 , HJR1 , HJR99 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SJR78 , HB1327 , HB2723

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: HB 9, Texas Tax Code, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, truth in taxation, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, sales tax revenue, tax rate calculation, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, unused increment rate, disaster relief rate, taxing unit

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2440 also required the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to establish a form and
• By providing clear direction to both local governments and TCEQ, this bill promotes responsible land
• The issue when somebody maybe had inherited some land or, or needed for financial reasons to sell off
• a small tract of land, uh, to make some money, and that kicked off the requirement for the groundwater
• We also have quite a few people who are, um, effectively to use just common language, land rich, and

Bills: SB 612 , SB 1855 , SB 2568 , SB 3058

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: SB 612, Texas Water Code, Section 49.2127, conservation and reclamation district, water district, reclamation district, developer fees, pipeline construction, water pipeline, sewer pipeline, associated infrastructure, subdivision infrastructure, cost recovery, fee cap, actual reasonable documented costs, engineering fees, legal fees, inspection fees, infrastructure relocation, utility connections

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Chris Tisdall, and I'm the Director of Land for Windy Hill Development in Houston, Texas.
• Much of this land is...
• If you're with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, there were some obligations put on the Texas
• Under current law, several Texas Water Development Board programs are already exempt from these Texas
• and West Texas A&M University.

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

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

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

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Chris Tisdell, and I'm Director of Land for Windy Hill Development in Houston, Texas.
• Four years later, the legislature created a trust, the Texas Water Trust, to program within the Texas
• Members, the Texas grant management standards are guidelines established under Chapter 738 of the Texas
• Under current law, several Texas Water Development Board programs are already exempt from these Texas
• Under current law, several Texas Water Development Board programs are already exempt from these Texas

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

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a bill we heard previously relating to the Texas Farm Bureau and Ranch Lands Conservation
• You've got Texas Women Anglers.
• Port Aransas, Texas.
• This resolution seeks to reaffirm Poteet, Texas, as the official strawberry capital of Texas.
• work in Texas history.

Bills: HB1397 , HB1886 , HB3088 , HB4187 , HB4229 , HB4230 , HB5032 , HCR6 , HCR34 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR74 , HCR75 , HCR80 , HCR86 , HCR93 , HCR100 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR6

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: Texas Constitution, Declaration of Independence, victory or death letter, display, historic preservation, lifeguard requirements, public beaches, municipalities, county regulations, exemptions, Parks and Wildlife, procurement, goods and services, revenue generation, Texas legislature, historical preservation, Texas Historical Commission, fees, nonprofit organizations, fundraising

Transcript Highlights:

• This committee substitute was requested by the Texas Real Estate and Probate Institute, and that's all
• This committee substitute was requested by the Texas Real Estate and Probate Institute, and that's all
• I'm an estate planning and probate attorney here in Austin, and I'm here on behalf of the Texas Real
• It keeps costs down, makes sure that Texas disputes are handled by Texas courts, and should encourage
• Texas disputes are handled by Texas courts, which should encourage economic growth and more projects

Bills: SB302 , SB1335 , SB1734 , SB1760 , SB1975 , SB2127

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, real property, deed fraud, title fraud

Summary: The committee heard several probate, family law, judicial, property, and contract-related bills. Senate Bill 1335, relating to decedents’ estates, would remove outdated references to a clerk’s certificate, allow courts to remove personal representatives on their own motion with notice by qualified delivery method, and add independent administrators to provisions that referenced only independent executors; an estate-planning attorney testified in support, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1760, concerning guardianship transfer fees and procedures, was described as setting a $45 filing fee for transferred guardianship cases and clarifying completion and dismissal procedures; it received no testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 2127 would shorten the eligibility period for retired judges to serve as visiting judges from eight years to six, restrict practice in their assigned region for two years, and require conflict-related certification; it also was left pending without testimony. Senate Bill 302 would shift the cost of a traveling probate judge to the requesting estate or parties rather than the county; one witness registered in favor, no one testified, and the bill was left pending. The committee then considered a committee substitute for Senate Bill 252, which would clarify the parental presumption in conservatorship cases, require non-parents seeking relief against a parent to file an affidavit showing significant impairment to the child if relief is denied, require courts to state specific findings when overcoming the presumption, confirm the clear-and-convincing standard, and clarify that agreed prior orders do not defeat the presumption. The substitute was explained as consensus language from a work group, public testimony was reopened, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1734, on deed fraud, would create a streamlined ex parte process for property owners to have fraudulent deeds declared void, modeled on the fraudulent lien statute; county clerk and title association representatives testified that it would provide a low-cost self-help remedy for a growing problem, and the bill was left pending subject to the chair. Senate Bill 1975 would prevent Texas contractors from being forced to litigate disputes in foreign jurisdictions and require disputes to be handled in the county where the project is located; it was presented as a repeat of a previously vetoed bill and was left pending. Finally, the committee took up a substitute for Senate Bill 1940, concerning transfer-on-death style beneficiary designations for manufactured homes. The substitute would allow one or more beneficiaries instead of only one, transfer the interest to surviving designated beneficiaries who survive by 120 hours, extend the application period for transfer to 365 days, void the designation if not timely filed, and require mailing by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested. The substitute was adopted without objection. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.