Transcript Highlights:

• passing this bill we will remove any unnecessary burden on businesses, ensure consistency in our tax code
• And you represent the Texas Oil and Gas Association, Texas Chemistry Council, and Texas Association of
• Texas Chemistry Council, Texas Association of Manufacturers. Yes, sir. Testifying for this bill.
• I'm a member of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, Texas Chemistry Council, and Texas Association of
• I didn't want to add that Governor Abbott has set up a Small Business Freedom Council that I had the

Bills: HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB22, HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB22

Keywords: HB 8, school finance, compressed tax rate, maximum compressed tax rate, MCR, PYMCR, property tax, school district taxes, Education Code, Tax Code, state aid, school funding formula, local school taxes, Texas school finance, tax rate compression, public education funding, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property

Transcript Highlights:

• You have before you House Bill 3369, dealing with food trucks relevant to the fire code.
• But 3369 addresses two issues in the fire code. One of them, it allows portable fire extinguishers.
• The code allows you to have an equivalent suitable alternative for fire suppression to revert to the
• But this bill is really a sunset, pushing out the requirement date for this fire code to 2028.
• a place of agreement on what the fire code should look like this session.

Bills: HB3725, HB3260, HB3660, HB3369, HB3370

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• number of a child provided in an exemption application confidential under Section 11.48 of the tax code
• The committee substitute makes the bill a legislative council draft. Mr.
• Okay, then we will show... error code: 520.
• The tax code section 6.412 addresses appraisal review board eligibility.
• Chapter six of the Texas property tax code provides the legal requirements for an appraisal.

Bills: HB3557, HB5578, SB973, SB974, SB2068, SB2073

Keywords: ad valorem tax, property tax, incomplete structure, human occupancy, tax exemption, HB 5578, Texas Tax Code, Section 6.062, appraisal district, county appraisal district, chief appraiser, budget hearing, public notice, notice of hearing, newspaper publication, website notice, social media notice, online newspaper, county government, property appraisal

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you and I have you as Grace Nixon. with Buckner International and SELF and you're for the bill,
• You as Elisa Whitmire, Buckner International and self. Is that correct? Yes. Elisa Whitmire. Elisa.
• HB 1097 proposes an amendment to section 261.101. of the Texas Family Code focusing on the mandatory
• Hi, my name is Anna Abraham and I serve as the Legislative and Policy Intern for Yacoubian Ministries
• Code 2293. However, this law has repeatedly been violated.

Bills: HB2646, HB3941, HB5153, HB5155, HB5394, HB 1106, HB426, HB4529, HB3984, HB4273, HB 1097, HB3940, HB1941, HB4377, HB3153

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the Human Resources Code, Title 12, Subtitle C, Chapter 242, Section 010, we require background

Bills: HB2646, HB3941, HB5153, HB5155, HB5394, HB 1106, HB426, HB4529, HB3984, HB4273, HB 1097, HB3940, HB1941, HB4377, HB3153

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it pretty much just a legislative council draft?
• It's a legislative council draft; there was nothing substantive that changed in the bill.

Bills: SB2007, SB2104, SB2543, SB2545, SB2926, SB2938

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

Bills: HB1821, HB1822, HB1943, HB3882, HB4263, HB4476, HB4628, HB4631, HB4885, HB4923, HB5461, HB5483, HB5525

Keywords: juvenile records, sealing, privacy, criminal justice, youth rehabilitation, legal procedures, juvenile court, record sealing, nondisclosure, age jurisdiction, criminal justice reform, juvenile board, compensation, Winkler County, juvenile justice, county funding, grants, career education, technical programs, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill amends the tax code to allow a surviving spouse, surviving child, executor of the estate, or
• I do agree with, you know, and in fact, in the tax code, we already have a higher burden of proof to
• , sound fiscal management and being sensitive to tax rates has been a priority for this council.
• My daughter used to intern for me. Members, are there any other questions? All right. Thank you.
• You know, we work every year to, to, execute everything in the property tax code.

Bills: HB329, HB361, HB546, HB1547, HB1745, HB2786, HB3235, HB3370, HB3575, HJR83

Keywords: appraisal, property value, residential real estate, tax code, appraisal review board, property owners, property tax, homeowners, property owner rights, property appraisal, taxation, Texas Tax Code, real estate, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, market value, condemnation, tax appraisal, open-space land, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 295 would open the door to punishment of speech on topics of politics, international relations, and
• Are you aware that this definition includes examples of anti-Semitism from the International Holocaust
• It's in our code. You had to go elsewhere to find it. There are 11 examples.
• We, as city council members, couldn't fix the problems. They thought we didn't care.
• Just like I said, I noticed when I was on city council, that was my first... ...concern.

Bills: HB295, HB824, HB1579, HB1581, HB2189, HB295

Keywords: bullying, antisemitism, school policies, school discipline, education, education policy, Texas Education Code, hate speech, student rights, civics education, high school curriculum, government, voting process, elected officials, Texas Seal of Biliteracy, biliteracy, bilingual education, multilingual, language proficiency, high school diploma

Transcript Highlights:

• Council.
• Council and hope that look favorably to you all.
• This is just an internal administrative decision.
• Code and the option of becoming verified through Licensed Child Placing Agency.
• Council and they were able to get that change for child care.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• from a local district attorney in House District One to address several inconsistencies. existing code
• in the prosecutor's office being unable to turn over all evidence in the case. required by current code
• House Bill 2665 amends Family Code. to mandate that D. F. P. S.
• Complying with our duties under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 3914, which you all know is the Michael
• of our. hours in a very timely, extremely timely fashion on exactly why they feel and where in the code

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 201 amends 2312.001. of the Texas Occupations Code, adding language that strengthens our legal
• to the criminal code procedure.
• card information to subchapter F, chapter 13A of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
• And it's just simply to add this to the criminal code of procedure.
• I'm with Service Corporation International.

Bills: HB201, HB272, HB618, HB 1094, HB 1142, HB201, HB272

Keywords: financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, HB 618, Texas insurance code, IVF, in vitro fertilization, fertility treatment, infertility coverage, government employee health benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• So within the CRB there is an internal formula that does address that and we're Extending that out from

Bills: SB1239, SB1732

Keywords: Service Oklahoma, apportionment, state revenue, funding, vehicle registration, professional licensing, licensing fees, home inspection, home inspector, Construction Industries Board, CIB, contractor license, journeyman license, apprentice registration, alarm endorsement, code inspector, electrical license, plumbing license, mechanical license, permit fees

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not going to wait for the bill to come back down from Council Service.
• But today we're talking about the Law Enforcement Center and Training Council.
• In any event, the standard training council has been at work.
• We are asking this legislature to take that out so that the training council can do its job.
• The Training Council already has that authority. So anyway, I'm talking this bill too much.

Bills: SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136

Keywords: SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records, health care providers, repeal, New Mexico, pregnancy termination, abortion data, state reporting requirements, confidentiality, reproductive health, parole, life imprisonment, rehabilitation, criminal justice, victim rights, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• if if— Senator Smith: Use an example, if a city decided by the elected commissioners on the city council
• It's meant to provide that predictability, provide that visibility from a tax code perspective.
• Senator, for the most part, counties outline stormwater standards within their unified development code
• For the most part, counties outline stormwater standards within their unified development codes, and
• Now, finally, with regards to the inspection section of the bill, some counties already have internal

Bills: S0558, S1294, S1468, S1474, S1682, S1628

Keywords: stormwater systems, environmental standards, municipal infrastructure, engineering certifications, local compliance, Florida Department of Transportation, biosolids, agronomic rate, land application, environmental protection, Florida statutes, nutrient management, recordkeeping, farming, compost products, wastewater treatment, environment, sewage disposal, pollution control, reporting requirements

Summary: The committee took up several environmental bills, beginning with SB 1682 on local administration of vessel restrictions. Senator Trumbull said the bill would give cities and counties tools to address abandoned, derelict, and long-term anchored vessels while following state standards and FWC guidance. Members from affected areas spoke in support, citing recurring derelict vessel problems and the difficulty and cost of removal once vessels sink. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1468 on advanced wastewater treatment, which would require DEP to compile a detailed statewide report on wastewater treatment plants, including construction age, treatment levels, contaminant data, spill history, flood risk, and receiving waterbody impairment information. Florida Rural Water Association testified that any move to require advanced treatment for all plants over one MGD could create major financial burdens without dedicated funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 1294 on biosolids management, with a strike-all amendment adopted. Senator Bradley said the revised bill would require bulk Class AA biosolids fertilizer and compost products to be land applied only at agronomic rates and, absent a bona fide sale, only at permitted DEP-approved sites, with a transition date moved to July 1, 2028. Supporters said it would protect water quality and legitimate fertilizer and compost markets, while rural utilities asked for funding and flexibility. The committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1628 on net zero policies by governmental entities. Senator Avila said the bill would prohibit local governments and other governmental entities from adopting or funding net zero policies, imposing related fees or taxes, or operating cap-and-trade or carbon trading programs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of carbon dioxide. The bill drew extensive debate: supporters argued it would protect residents and businesses from higher costs and preserve predictability, while opponents said it would block local climate and clean-energy policies, including electric buses, energy-efficiency measures, and climate resilience planning. After public testimony on both sides, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 1474 on biosolids management, which Senator Gates said would require biosolids and septage to be treated at the highest practical level when wastewater treatment facilities are reasonably accessible and would bar Class B land application within 50 miles of a permitted wastewater facility. An amendment applying the statutory definition of septage was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 558 on stormwater system standards. Senator Burgess said it would create statewide standards for municipal and county stormwater systems using FDOT guidelines and third-party inspections, with an amendment making technical changes and broadening who may perform inspections. Supporters said uniform standards could improve safety and reduce failures, while contractors, engineers, and industry groups warned it could raise costs, delay projects, and preempt stronger local standards. The bill remained under discussion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Include the person's city, state, and ZIP code, just as is currently done for donors.
• The mechanism is interference with child custody under Texas Penal Code 25.03.
• No, because there's actually a statute in the Family Code.
• No, because there's actually a statute in the family code.
• The mechanism is Chapter 152 of the Texas Family Code.

Bills: HB46, HB272

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills and took no final votes, leaving each bill pending after testimony. HB 272 would align venue and evidentiary rules for fraudulent use or possession of credit/debit card information with existing credit card abuse law; the sponsor said it would improve prosecutions, and the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center supported it. HB 1661 would increase penalties for certain election-related offenses, including failure to distribute election supplies and early release of election results; no substantive opposition was heard. HB 551 would protect the residential addresses of people who receive campaign expenditures on public Texas Ethics Commission reports, similar to donor privacy protections, and a witness from Texas Eagle Forum later indicated support for the privacy change. The committee also heard HB 2820, which would raise the amount charitable bingo organizations may keep in operating capital from $50,000 to $100,000. The sponsor and a Texans for Charitable Bingo representative said inflation and operating costs have made the current cap too low and that the bill would help charities maintain stable operations without expanding gaming. HB 3181 would impose stronger consequences for repeated denial of court-ordered child possession and access, including limiting probation and requiring attorney’s fees after multiple contempt findings; a family court judge and a parent testified in support, while another witness argued the bill should be paired with stronger criminal enforcement and that parents already face high costs. HB 4157 would update Texas law for commercial spaceflight by recognizing liability waivers and preserving workers’ compensation rights; no one testified against it. The committee also heard HB 4145, which would let health care providers satisfy a timely billing requirement by sending bills to a patient’s legal representative in a personal injury case, closing what supporters described as a loophole in letter-of-protection situations. Finally, HB 46, relating to the Texas Compassionate Use Program, drew the most extensive discussion: supporters said it should expand access for legitimate medical cannabis patients and add more delivery methods and conditions, while opponents warned against broader marijuana expansion and questioned adding chronic pain and other conditions. The sponsor said he still supports the program and wants a balanced, regulated expansion, but noted the bill is still being worked on. All bills were left pending at the close of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they, um, so like the city council approved it or how did it happen? Yes.
• you may know what that is, I don't know, but, so the, the city councils both voted.
• Why haven't the voters voted out the city council members who, who approved the policy?
• mayor and saying, you know what, the city council screwed up by passing this policy.
• That's currently in the education code, OK, um. But so this bill goes further in.

Bills: SB 6, SB 11, SB 33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• So, like, the city council approved it? Or how did it happen? In both instances, the city council.
• City council into submission. First, the state of Texas is in a serious public health crisis.
• The city council screwed up by passing this policy, I'm running to repeal it."
• Who the new council is going to be.
• That's currently in the education code. Okay.

Bills: SB6, SB11, SB33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• But just knowing some of their internal processes, you know, three or four months to run one of those
• Axelrod, Leading Bradshaw, Lee Bratcher, we show you testifying on behalf of the Texas Blockchain Council
• Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Lee Bratcher, representing the Texas Blockchain Council
• I'm appearing for the Texas Association of Manufacturers, the Texas Chemistry Council, and the Texas
• Street Council, Texas Oil and Gas Association. Is that correct? That is correct.

Bills: SB6, SB11, SB33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Bills: SB 2031, SB 2386, SB 2476, SB 2801, SB 2843, SB 2844, SB 2846, SB 2885

Keywords: deer breeding, chronic wasting disease, wildlife management, release site, landowner rights, TCEQ, environmental quality, administrative actions, public notice, legislative oversight, water supply, Angelina and Neches River Authority, ownership transfer, public utilities, Certificate of Convenience and Necessity, public health, cervid resistance, research study, wildlife regulation, criminal offenses