Transcript Highlights:

• cost or in cost looking at the levelized cost or in cost analysis<00:26:29.760><c> of</c><00:26:29.880
• If the cost of buildings go up, I'm assuming you mean the cost of utility ...
• The cost of the property.
• </c> going to cost for a typical building? going to cost for a typical building?
• The cost of the property. mean there? The cost of the property.

Bills: HF4560 , HF4559 , HF2317 , HF3179 , HF4880 , HF2862 , HF4374

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: Public Utilities Commission, PUC, energy regulation, utility regulation, electric utility, public utility, rate case, multiyear rate plan, decoupling, rate decoupling, greenhouse gas, social cost of carbon, environmental cost, resource planning, certificate of need, distributed renewable energy, interconnection, budget billing, electronic filing, contested case

Transcript Highlights:

• Evans... in county courthouses around the state.
• Cameron County, Maverick County, Pecos City, Pleasanton City—they shouldn't be ashamed of themselves.
• And what they're doing is they are going into counties, and then the county or the local taxing entity
• Despite these limitations, Wise County ranks among the top five counties in Texas.
• This amendment also ensures that the same cost-sharing methodology will apply uniformly to all contract

Bills: HJR1 , HB9 , HB21 , HB26 , HB30 , HB37 , HB116 , HB630 , HB879 , HB913 , HB1151 , HB1318 , HB1593 , HB1899 , HB2703 , HB2809 , HB2890 , HB2970 , HB3307 , HB3526 , HB5092 , SB128 , SB203 , SB317 , SB393 , SB397 , SB644 , SB731 , SB801 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1073 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1232 , SB1250 , SB1262 , SB1285 , SB1310 , SB1359 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1705 , SB1782 , SB1861 , SB1897 , SB1944 , SB2023 , SB2043 , SB2082 , SB2133 , SB2215 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2309 , SB2532 , SB2549 , SB2566 , SB2617 , SB2619 , SB2639 , SB2688 , SB2696 , SB2717 , SB2790 , SB2841 , SB2847 , SB2850 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2919 , SB2928 , SB2972 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB1 , SB260 , SB1506 , SB1637 , HB37 , HB109 , HB334 , HB1130 , HB1238 , HB1327 , HB1610 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB1689 , HB2081 , HB2809 , HB2884 , HB2890 , HB4215 , HB5092 , HCR7 , HCR75 , HCR86 , HCR92 , HCR93 , HCR126 , SB644 , SB1086 , SB1230 , SB1310 , SB1361 , SB1553 , SB1778 , SB1790 , SB2344 , SB2460 , SB2515 , SB2600 , SB2747 , SB2751 , SB2785 , SB2790 , SB3047 , SB3048 , SB3050 , SB3051 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3056 , SB3058 , SB3061 , HJR1 , HB1130 , HB1689 , HB2884 , HB1393 , HB2559 , HB26 , HB3012 , HB1327 , HB109 , HB1238 , HB2890 , HB9 , HB4215 , HB2970 , HB37 , HB1899 , HB1593 , HB2607 , HB3526 , HB3810 , HB5092 , HB388 , HB2809 , HB1151 , HB913 , HB3307 , HB879 , HB116 , HB12 , HB2703 , HB1610 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB30 , HB21 , HB2712 , HB2692 , HB1633 , HB1318 , HB685 , HB630 , HB4753 , HB2742 , HB303 , HB198 , HB1535 , HB762 , HB148 , HB1520 , HB5061 , HB2286 , HB1606 , HB1041 , HB132 , HB11 , HCR7 , HCR75 , HCR86 , HCR92 , HCR93 , HCR126 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB1310 , SB2972 , SB1073 , SB2847 , SB2532 , SB2619 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1359 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB2891 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1285 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB2460 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB2994 , SB2747 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB2043 , SB1367 , SB2857 , SB128 , SB3058 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3056 , SB3043 , SB3050 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB1790 , SB1778 , SB203 , SB3061 , SB2799 , SB2790 , SB2688 , SB2515 , SB1230 , SB2522 , SB2639 , SB2459 , SB3051 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2617 , SB2751 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB1897 , SB1749 , SB1361 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1782 , SB1705 , SB2696 , SB1944 , SB2215 , SB644 , SB1232 , SB2850 , HB45 , HB48 , HB1261 , HB1465 , HB1778 , HB2596 , HB5238 , HB33 , HB1188 , HB210 , HB1022 , HB1458 , HB5560 , HB1240 , HB1950 , HB2027 , HB2768 , HB2788 , HB2791 , HB3146 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB1893 , HB3700 , HB4850 , HB4187 , HB1397 , HB4885 , HB4804 , HB3751 , HB3611 , HB2775 , HB2061 , HB2003 , HB1729 , HB1242 , HB791 , HB2029 , HB647 , HB2522 , HB4738 , HB3033 , HB3594 , HB3474 , HB2563 , HB2802 , HCR90 , SJR87 , SB2969 , SB3073 , SB2497 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB781

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill represents that shared commitment.
• This bill represents that shared commitment. First and foremost, this bill leaves in place..."
• They are more powerful than all but the most influential in state and county government.
• And I'll share a brief few Chinatown. And I'll share a brief few stories.
• And the first story I'll share is, uh, we were attending an event at the Pagoda Hotel.

Bills: HB1800 , HB1860 , HB2250 , HB472 , HB649 , HB1391 , HB1481 , HB1509 , HB1511 , HB1515 , HB1518 , HB1541 , HB1548 , HB1576 , HB1618 , HB1642 , HB1643 , HB1661 , HB1667 , HB1678 , HB1682 , HB1688 , HB1692 , HB1707 , HB1710 , HB1711 , HB1713 , HB1718 , HB1721 , HB1728 , HB1737 , HB1740 , HB1741 , HB1785 , HB1801 , HB1802 , HB1804 , HB1810 , HB1815 , HB1824 , HB1838 , HB1839 , HB1853 , HB1854 , HB1864 , HB1870 , HB1881 , HB1888 , HB1890 , HB1891 , HB1894 , HB1920 , HB1959 , HB1960 , HB1969 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2023 , HB2050 , HB2078 , HB2094 , HB2095 , HB2104 , HB2137 , HB2152 , HB2158 , HB2171 , HB2207 , HB2218 , HB2246 , HB2270 , HB2271 , HB2272 , HB2279 , HB2282 , HB2289 , HB2293 , HB2297 , HB2300 , HB2309 , HB2310 , HB2314 , HB2319 , HB2329 , HB2338 , HB2339 , HB2344 , HB2361 , HB2385 , HB2395 , HB2417 , HB2429 , HB2443 , HB2452 , HB2474 , HB2475 , HB2498 , HB2505 , HB2547 , HB2576

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a county council member, I had very few bills in front of the Judiciary Committee that she was
• D.C. is a high cost of living place.
• But if you truly want to know Colleen, and I want to thank Peter Boylan for sharing Colleen with all
• She knew that there was a unique kind of healing that happens over a shared meal.
• And I thank you for sharing Colleen, taking care of her.

Bills: HB1800 , HB1860 , HB2250 , HB472 , HB649 , HB1391 , HB1481 , HB1509 , HB1511 , HB1515 , HB1518 , HB1541 , HB1548 , HB1576 , HB1618 , HB1642 , HB1643 , HB1661 , HB1667 , HB1678 , HB1682 , HB1688 , HB1692 , HB1707 , HB1710 , HB1711 , HB1713 , HB1718 , HB1721 , HB1728 , HB1737 , HB1740 , HB1741 , HB1785 , HB1801 , HB1802 , HB1804 , HB1810 , HB1815 , HB1824 , HB1838 , HB1839 , HB1853 , HB1854 , HB1864 , HB1870 , HB1881 , HB1888 , HB1890 , HB1891 , HB1894 , HB1920 , HB1959 , HB1960 , HB1969 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB2023 , HB2050 , HB2078 , HB2094 , HB2095 , HB2104 , HB2137 , HB2152 , HB2158 , HB2171 , HB2207 , HB2218 , HB2246 , HB2270 , HB2271 , HB2272 , HB2279 , HB2282 , HB2289 , HB2293 , HB2297 , HB2300 , HB2309 , HB2310 , HB2314 , HB2319 , HB2329 , HB2338 , HB2339 , HB2344 , HB2361 , HB2385 , HB2395 , HB2417 , HB2429 , HB2443 , HB2452 , HB2474 , HB2475 , HB2498 , HB2505 , HB2547 , HB2576

Keywords: supplemental appropriations, state budget, Hawaii budget, biennial budget, capital improvement projects, CIP, general fund, special fund, green fee, special land and development fund, clean energy revolving loan fund, agricultural development revolving fund, community grants, nonprofit grants, Office of Community Services, housing, affordable housing, homelessness, health care, mental health

Bills: SB903 , SB2101 , SB2550 , SB2983 , HB2433 , SCR8 , SCR20 , SCR28 , SCR32 , SCR40 , SCR48 , SCR55 , SCR57 , SCR69 , SCR74 , SCR83 , SCR87 , SCR94 , SCR99 , SCR114 , SCR139 , SCR160 , SCR165 , SCR177 , SCR178 , SCR179 , SCR41 , SCR78 , SCR90 , SCR130 , SCR159 , SCR162 , SCR173 , SB2024 , SB2075 , SB2730 , HB2581 , SB2050 , SB2471 , SB2466 , HB1163 , HB1514 , SB3082 , SB2135 , SB2727 , SB3097 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SR20 , SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903 , SB2101 , SB2550 , SB2983 , HB2433 , SCR8 , SCR20 , SCR28 , SCR32 , SCR40 , SCR48 , SCR55 , SCR57 , SCR69 , SCR74 , SCR83 , SCR87 , SCR94 , SCR99 , SCR114 , SCR139 , SCR160 , SCR165 , SCR177 , SCR178 , SCR179 , SCR41 , SCR78 , SCR90 , SCR130 , SCR159 , SCR162 , SCR173 , SB2024 , SB2075 , SB2730 , HB2581 , SB2050 , SB2471 , SB2466 , HB1163 , HB1514 , SB3082 , SB2135 , SB2727 , SB3097 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SR20 , SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903 , SB2101 , SB2550 , SB2983 , HB2433 , SCR8 , SCR20 , SCR28 , SCR32 , SCR40 , SCR48 , SCR55 , SCR57 , SCR69 , SCR74 , SCR83 , SCR87 , SCR94 , SCR99 , SCR114 , SCR139 , SCR160 , SCR165 , SCR177 , SCR178 , SCR179 , SCR41 , SCR78 , SCR90 , SCR130 , SCR159 , SCR162 , SCR173 , SB2024 , SB2075 , SB2730 , HB2581 , SB2050 , SB2471 , SB2466 , HB1163 , HB1514 , SB3082 , SB2135 , SB2727 , SB3097 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SR20 , SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903 , SB2101 , SB2550 , SB2983 , HB2433 , SCR8 , SCR20 , SCR28 , SCR32 , SCR40 , SCR48 , SCR55 , SCR57 , SCR69 , SCR74 , SCR83 , SCR87 , SCR94 , SCR99 , SCR114 , SCR139 , SCR160 , SCR165 , SCR177 , SCR178 , SCR179 , SCR41 , SCR78 , SCR90 , SCR130 , SCR159 , SCR162 , SCR173 , SB2024 , SB2075 , SB2730 , HB2581 , SB2050 , SB2471 , SB2466 , HB1163 , HB1514 , SB3082 , SB2135 , SB2727 , SB3097 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SR20 , SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903 , SB2101 , SB2550 , SB2983 , HB2433 , SCR8 , SCR20 , SCR28 , SCR32 , SCR40 , SCR48 , SCR55 , SCR57 , SCR69 , SCR74 , SCR83 , SCR87 , SCR94 , SCR99 , SCR114 , SCR139 , SCR160 , SCR165 , SCR177 , SCR178 , SCR179 , SCR41 , SCR78 , SCR90 , SCR130 , SCR159 , SCR162 , SCR173 , SB2024 , SB2075 , SB2730 , HB2581 , SB2050 , SB2471 , SB2466 , HB1163 , HB1514 , SB3082 , SB2135 , SB2727 , SB3097 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SR20 , SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903 , SB2101 , SB2550 , SB2983 , HB2433 , SCR8 , SCR20 , SCR28 , SCR32 , SCR40 , SCR48 , SCR55 , SCR57 , SCR69 , SCR74 , SCR83 , SCR87 , SCR94 , SCR99 , SCR114 , SCR139 , SCR160 , SCR165 , SCR177 , SCR178 , SCR179 , SCR41 , SCR78 , SCR90 , SCR130 , SCR159 , SCR162 , SCR173 , SB2024 , SB2075 , SB2730 , HB2581 , SB2050 , SB2471 , SB2466 , HB1163 , HB1514 , SB3082 , SB2135 , SB2727 , SB3097 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SR20 , SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Bills: SB903 , SB2101 , SB2550 , SB2983 , HB2433 , SCR8 , SCR20 , SCR28 , SCR32 , SCR40 , SCR48 , SCR55 , SCR57 , SCR69 , SCR74 , SCR83 , SCR87 , SCR94 , SCR99 , SCR114 , SCR139 , SCR160 , SCR165 , SCR177 , SCR178 , SCR179 , SCR41 , SCR78 , SCR90 , SCR130 , SCR159 , SCR162 , SCR173 , SB2024 , SB2075 , SB2730 , HB2581 , SB2050 , SB2471 , SB2466 , HB1163 , HB1514 , SB3082 , SB2135 , SB2727 , SB3097 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SR20 , SCR110

Keywords: public land trust, Hawaiian affairs, OHA, ceded lands, financial reporting, income settlement, trust responsibility, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s like, you know, it’s only the state or the county.
• What about other developers the county.
• </c> in each county in each county and<00:24:17.560><c> would</c><00:24:17.679><c> invite</c><00:24:18.720
• Currently, they are applying with the county for affordable housing funds also to leverage county funds
• Also making them ADA accessible, which is going to cost quite a lot.

Bills: SB2069 , SB2177 , SB2342 , SB2060 , SB2544 , SB3011 , SB2061 , SB2552

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: SB2069, Hawaii housing, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, equity pilot program, housing affordability, homeownership, first-time homebuyer, for-sale housing, transit-oriented development, TOD, transit-oriented development zone, bus route, bus stop, critical workforce housing, health care workers, educators, law enforcement, correctional officers

Summary: The House Housing Committee opened its Friday morning hearing by noting potentially catastrophic flooding on the island and acknowledging that some members were absent helping their communities, so quorum for voting was uncertain. The committee then heard testimony on several housing-related measures, with most bills drawing support from housing agencies and community organizations and little or no opposition in the room. On SB 2069 SD2, SB 2177 SD2, and SB 2342 SD2, witnesses largely supported the measures. HHFDC supported SB 2069 and SB 2177, and HPHA supported SB 2342. For SB 2342, HHFDC raised concerns that the bill would alter the Qualified Allocation Plan outside the normal open, public process required by federal law and could exclude stakeholders; Kathy Charities echoed those concerns and also objected to changing point allocations in ways that could raise rents and weaken long-term affordability. Members questioned HHFDC about how the QAP is normally updated, the meaning of the point system, and whether a legislative working group could mandate changes; HHFDC said recommendations would still need public hearing and board approval. The committee also heard SB 2060 SD2, which would create a mixed-income subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund. HHFDC said the subaccount would likely use tier-two funds, estimated at about $100 million total, to support mixed-income projects above 60% AMI, citing Front Street Apartments as a possible example. Members asked about project selection and funding needs. On SB 2544 SD2, OHA opposed the bill’s Chapter 6E-related exemptions and mandatory review timelines, arguing that burial review protections should not be weakened and that the SPEED Task Force process was a better venue for streamlining. The sponsor later clarified that the bill was not meant to eliminate the 60-day review process but to make the deadline clearer. For SB 3011 SD1, which concerns public housing and pet ownership, HPHA and several humane organizations supported the measure, saying it would help low-income residents and seniors keep pets and benefit from animal companionship. HPHA explained its existing pet policy, including deposits, monthly fees, and restrictions, and said the requested funding would support ADA-accessible pet areas and related administration. Finally, on SB 2061 SD2, HCDA supported the bill while OHA opposed it unless protections for Hawaiian Crown and Government lands were strengthened. Committee members questioned the project’s 60/40 split between income-restricted and market-rate units, the 10-year owner-occupancy restriction, and the procurement exemption; the sponsor said the exemption was tied to a real estate transaction and that the project would still use 103D-like solicitation procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several items were left for later action because quorum was uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• In my particular county, or two of the counties that I represent, but one in my home county, there are
• or two of uh in in my particular county or two of the<00:12:00.160><c> counties</c><00:12:00.480><c>
• 04.160><c> tentative</c> in my home county, there are tentative in my home county, there are tentative
• </c><00:16:48.399><c> uh</c> my county. They tried sheep on it. uh my county.
• </c> your county this morning. your county this morning.

Bills: SB176 , HB155 , HB247 , HB311 , HB312 , HB317 , HB466 , SB176 , HB155 , HB247 , HB311 , HB312 , HB317 , HB466

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, state holidays, federal holidays, public holidays, legal holidays, office closures, state employees, personal leave, compensatory leave, bank closures, school closures, Mardi Gras, Mobile County, Baldwin County, Rosa Parks Day

Transcript Highlights:

• County, Lewis County...
• We've heard from some of our midsize and smaller counties, Walla Walla County, Lewis County, is that
• Many counties are simultaneously...
• And I've testified before that, you know, having been a former county commissioner in Stevens County.
• .. ...having been a former county commissioner in Stevens County, what are you going to do in freezing

Bills: SB5633 , SB6279 , SB6291 , SB6274 , SB6309 , SB5903 , SB6016 , SB5820 , SB6132 , SB6189

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: land subdivision, zoning, property development, local government authority, real estate, infrastructure, wildfire, wildland urban interface, WUI, building code, fire-resistant construction, defensible space, hazard map, risk map, state building code council, department of natural resources, fire marshal, regional fire defense board, roofing standards, exterior walls

Transcript Highlights:

• Services in certain counties and county financial authority in relation to sheriffs and constables in
• certain counties.
• I have shared concerns.
• Based in Austin, its area of operations includes Travis County and 19 surrounding counties, each with
• But we heard testimony where his county, Kirk County, spent seven million dollars of taxpayer money upgrading

Bills: HB1 , HB 2 , HB 3 , HB 5 , HB20 , HB 22

Keywords: youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license

Summary: The committee meeting primarily focused on the discussion and passage of several key bills, including SB5, which pertains to supplemental appropriations for disaster relief. This bill was passed unanimously, highlighting the committee's commitment to addressing disaster preparedness. HB20, aimed at reducing fraudulent charitable solicitations during disasters, also saw significant debate, with positive sentiments expressed by its sponsor, Mr. Darby. Additionally, HB22, which expands the authority of the comptroller to fund emergency communication systems, was passed with overwhelming support, indicating a consensus on improving emergency response capabilities within the state. The session concluded with discussions about future legislative measures aimed at strengthening infrastructure against disasters.

Transcript Highlights:

• and county financial authority in relation to sheriffs and constables in certain counties, referred
• in Travis County, and more of our constituents lost loved ones, children at the Kerr County camps.
• I share your concern.
• Travis County had thousands of volunteers. All the counties that were affected had volunteers.
• Travis County had had thousands of volunteers. All the counties that were affected had volunteers.

Bills: HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB5 , HB20 , HB22

Keywords: youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license

Summary: The House convened in special session with a gubernatorial proclamation adding subjects related to penalties for legislators who absent themselves, ivermectin access, and groundwater study authority. The chamber also handled routine motions, committee scheduling, and first-reading referrals before moving to the main floor calendar focused largely on disaster response and public safety legislation. The central theme throughout the day was the July 4 flooding and related tragedies, with repeated references to families of victims and the need for stronger preparedness and prevention measures. House Bill 1, on youth camp emergency plans and preparedness, was the most emotional and heavily amended measure. Members adopted changes requiring annual emergency plans for resident youth camps, staff training, parent notification, evacuation maps, floodplain-related disclosures, restrictions on sleeping quarters in flood-prone areas, and funding for enforcement. One proposed amendment to require air conditioning or heat in sleeping quarters failed, while another amendment on floodplain restrictions passed after debate over floodplain versus floodway language. HB 1 ultimately passed the House 136-1 on second reading and later 135-1 on final passage. Senate Bill 2 / House Bill 2 on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery also advanced after extensive discussion. The bill creates training for justices of the peace in mass-fatality events, establishes an emergency manager licensing system, sets local succession procedures, creates a statewide volunteer management system, authorizes drone interdiction in disaster zones, expands disaster loan eligibility, and adds review and planning provisions for certain infrastructure and weather-related issues. Members debated the scope of the training, drone impacts on press coverage, volunteer registration, and infrastructure-related amendments; some proposals were adopted and others tabled or withdrawn. SB 2 passed the House 130-4 on third reading and later 132-4 on final passage. The House also passed House Bill 3 creating the Texas Interoperability Council and a grant program for emergency communications equipment, House Bill 20 addressing disaster-related scams and fraudulent charitable solicitations, House Bill 22 expanding allowable uses of the broadband infrastructure fund for emergency communications, and Senate Bill 5 providing supplemental appropriations for disaster relief, including funds for local warning systems and weather monitoring. Each of these bills passed overwhelmingly, with only one or a few dissenting votes, and members repeatedly emphasized the need to improve coordination, communications, funding, and fraud prevention in the wake of recent disasters.

Transcript Highlights:

• Worth and Tarrant County.
• Johnson County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.
• For example, we know that Parker County SUD, Mustang SUD, Denton County, Aguaud, Hidalgo County do not
• For example, we know that Parker County SUD, Mustang SUD, Denton County, Aguaud, Hidalgo County do not
• is going to cost us.

Bills: HB3115 , HB5671 , HB5693 , SB790 , SB1055 , SB1302 , SB1504 , SB1625 , SB1663 , SB2692

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses. The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending. Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Bills: HB3115 , HB5671 , HB5693 , SB790 , SB1055 , SB1302 , SB1504 , SB1625 , SB1663 , SB2692

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, when a county closes, abandons, or vacates a county road, the property is typically
• roads in Webb County are very old.
• In Dallas County alone, over 50% of our renters are housing cost burdened.
• , in Waller County, basically.
• the county.

Bills: HB 341 , HB 469 , HB 971 , HB 1624 , HB 2721 , HB 2959 , HB 3365 , HB 3731 , HB 3793 , HB 3861 , HB 3946 , HB 3966 , HB 4348 , HB 4401 , HB 4402 , HB 4924 , HB 4966 , HB 5563

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Um you can see cost sharing in FY 29.
• </c><01:16:14.880><c> sharing,</c> this so-called cost sharing, this so-called cost sharing, which<01
• </c> euphemism if there ever was one, cost euphemism if there ever was one, cost sharing. sharing. sharing
• One of the uh so-called cost sharing.
• </c> opposed the elimination of cost-sharing opposed the elimination of cost-sharing bill<01:20:17.600

Bills: HF4401 , HF4466

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF4401, Minnesota Medical Assistance, dental reimbursement, dental rates, critical access dental providers, Medicaid dental, MinnesotaCare, managed care plans, county-based purchasing plans, fee-for-service, oral health access, safety-net clinics, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, Indian health services, state-operated dental clinics, low-income patients, children's dental care, provider reimbursement, dental access