Transcript Highlights:

• where they've just chosen to do it in grades 4 through 6, so they don't interfere with the literacy act
• So school... the literacy act requirements, so school districts and even schools within the districts
• Next, I'll call Hunter Fuller, an...
• Hello, I'm Hunter Fuller from District 21, but I'm reading this for Dr. Marissa Allison.
• No one should be forced to speak or act in a way that violates... speak or act in a way that violates

Bills: SB211 , HB96 , SB215 , SB257 , SB13 , SB13

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, it allows report information to be released to a person acting on behalf of the law enforcement
• Next to testify is Ray Hunt from the Houston Police Department.
• I'm Brian Hawthorne, the Sheriff of Chambers County on Interstate 10 just east of Houston.
• fully avail us of the funds that were supposed to be authorized under the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act
• I work for Bot Auto, a Level Four autonomous truck developer out of Houston, Texas.

Bills: SB1493 , SB1598 , SB1895 , SB1919 , SB2039 , SB2226 , SB2243 , SB2425

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB 1493, Texas Transportation Code, motor vehicle lighting, vehicle lighting standards, high-mounted stoplamp, center high mount stop lamp, CHMSL, brake light, stop lamp, federal motor vehicle safety standards, 49 C.F.R. 571.108, FMVSS 108, vehicle inspection, automotive compliance, Transportation Committee, Texas vehicle equipment, motor vehicle collision report, crash report, accident report, traffic accident

Summary: The committee meeting focused on two primary bills, SB1598 and SB1493. SB1598, introduced by Senator Hagen Booth, addresses the clarity of collision report information access for law enforcement, aiming to enhance the tools available to police agencies across Texas for solving crimes. The meeting featured strong support from police representatives, including Sheriff Brian Hawthorne of Chambers County, who emphasized the significance of the CARFAX program for police in facilitating access to vital vehicle information, free of charge. Public testimony reflected a consensus on the necessity of the bill for improved investigatory processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nothing contained in this act, and this act is the Home Rule Charter Act, County Home Rule Charter Act
• Charter Act.
• Nothing about this act would mandate what type of Thank you for that.
• Nothing about this act would mandate what type of changes they would make.
• Folks with type 1 diabetes rely on not only fast-acting biosimilar insulin, but also long-acting insulin

Bills: SJR47 , SB1491 , SB1579 , SB1806 , SB1552 , SB483 , SB63 , SB137 , SB346 , SB514 , SB1344 , SB1360 , SB1380 , SB1437 , SB1189 , SB1217 , SB1221 , SB1262 , SB1272 , SB1325 , SB1339 , SB201

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, a ceremonial recognition of two Elgin High School students, Clayton Raoul and Leon Anderson, and bus driver Kevin McDonald for their heroic actions during a March 2 bus crash. A citation was read honoring their selfless efforts to evacuate injured students and assist first responders. The chamber also introduced several student pages and recognized visiting groups in the gallery, including Impact Oklahoma and the Ardmore Leadership Group. The Senate then considered several bills. Senate Bill 1491, requiring appointed presidential electors to take the same oath as other electors, advanced and passed. Senate Bill 1579, which requires assessors to mail taxpayers a statement of rights when property valuations increase, also advanced and passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1806, extending foster care eligibility to age 21 for those who opt in and meet program requirements, drew supportive debate about helping youth transition to adulthood; it advanced and passed as an emergency measure. A lengthy debate followed on Senate Bill 1552, which would allow certain large counties to pursue home rule charters through a voter-approved process. Supporters argued it would give populous counties more flexibility and local control, while opponents raised concerns about unequal treatment, population-based governance, rural representation, and possible constitutional issues. The bill advanced and then passed 26-18. Senate Bill 483, authorizing county-run relocation assistance programs funded by private donations for voluntarily relocating individuals, especially homeless persons, also prompted extensive questions about liability, trafficking concerns, accountability, and whether it could shift people between jurisdictions; it advanced and passed 39-6. Finally, Senate Bill 63, raising school board member stipends from $25 to $190 per meeting under permissive language, advanced over concerns about cost and then moved to final passage, with debate beginning at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• not act?
• We want it to be reported and we want it to be acted upon.
• By CANRA, I mean the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.
• I am here today to testify in strong support of the Hug Act.
• She is here in support of AB 1646, the Hug Act.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• appreciation for the motion and the second, I will pause there and introduce my witness, Delaney Hunter
• Delaney Hunter, on behalf of HydroStore, the Willow Rock Energy Storage Project in Kern County is our

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up AB 915, which was presented by the author as a measure to provide jurisdictional clarity so long-duration energy storage projects can proceed through the normal California Energy Commission permitting process. A witness from HydroStore testified in support, explaining that the bill would clarify that the water feature of the Willow Rock Energy Storage Project in Kern County is not a dam. No opposition testimony was heard. The motion before the committee was to concur in Senate amendments. Members voted aye as the roll was called, including Pappin, Jeff Gonzalez, Alvarez, Avila Farias, Baines, Benes, Burner, Bennett, Celeste Rodriguez, Rogers, and later Tangipa after he arrived. The committee then adjourned after the vote was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Catalyst case that brought Crime Stoppers of Houston to start.
• It's regulated by the Medical Practice Act and it's regulated by the Texas Pharmacy Act.
• In the Pharmacy Act, in 0.056, it says specifically that a pharmacy.
• That goes back to the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005.
• That's defined in the occupation codes under the Medical Practice Act.

Bills: HB265 , HB25

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Act 45 creates a buffer zone from schools, 100 feet. If this is an RUP, we no longer can use that.
• This prompted the U.K. to recognize this under the Animal Welfare Act.
• This prompted the U.K. to recognize this under the Animal Welfare Act.
• Duke Piao Act, the chair's recommendation will be to pass this measure as is. Any discussion?
• Act Act uh<01:40:55.719><c> chair's</c><01:40:56.159><c> recommendation</c><01:40:56.719><c> will</c

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The hearing began on SP 547, which would create incentives for graywater recycling systems and atmospheric water generators through an income tax credit, a Department of Health rebate program, and building code standards. The Department of Health and Department of Taxation offered written comments; Taxation said it had seven proposed amendments to improve administration. Testimony was largely supportive, with advocates and local users describing water-supply benefits, emergency use during the Maui fires, and potential help for drought conditions and Red Hill concerns. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii suggested only the rebate program should move forward for clearer cost transparency, and the Department of Health said it needed more time to study the bill. Members questioned the fiscal impact and whether combining a tax credit and rebate was typical, but staff did not have cost estimates. Decision-making on SP 547 was deferred to February 12, 2025. The committee then took up SP 242 on foreign ownership of agricultural lands. The chair recommended passage with amendments, including deleting a reference to the Attorney General in one section and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. Supporters argued the bill was a first step to limit foreign ownership of farmland, citing other states with similar restrictions, while several members said they supported the intent but had reservations about possible unintended harm to farmers and agriculture investment. After discussion, the measure passed with amendments on a 5-0 vote, with some members voting with reservations. The committee also discussed SP 1633, which would create a green building tax credit for structures using at least 30% Hawaii-grown hemp material. The chair said the bill was close but needed more work, and decision-making was deferred to February 12, 2025. Later, the committee heard several environmental measures: SB 683, which would ban intentionally added PFAS in certain products starting in 2028; SB 1109, which would replace the “finding of no significant impact” with a “finding of completion of environmental disclosure process”; SB 391, which would expand recycling requirements to certain lithium-ion batteries; and SB 12, which would classify neonic pesticides as restricted-use pesticides and limit certain seed treatments. Testimony on these bills included support from environmental and advocacy groups, comments from state agencies, and requests for amendments or further study, but no final votes were taken on those measures in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we're honored to have with us a couple of distinguished guests joining us from Houston, Texas:
• Yvonhao and General Counsel Michelle Lie are here from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston
• ties and bonds of friendship between the United States and Taiwan, embodied in the Taiwan Relations Act
• between the United States and Taiwan and celebrates the seventh anniversary of. the Taiwan Relations Act

Bills: HB3767 , HB3934 , HB4199 , HB4336 , HB2947 , HB3834 , HB4302 , HB4095 , HB3287 , HB3649 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB2059 , HB3647 , HB3986 , HB3548 , HB3661 , HB4346 , HB3075 , HB4273 , HB3391 , HB4128 , HB3557 , HB3239 , HB3982 , HB2123 , HB2979 , HB2997 , HB3148 , HB4108 , HB4143 , HB4266 , HB2053 , HB4058 , SR30

Transcript Highlights:

• So you hunters in here, you might want to head next door. So anyway, it's in hunting.
• So you hunters in here, you might want to head next door.
• Idaho must act as the final line of defense in consumer safety.
• Idaho must act as the final line of defense in consumer safety.
• We do things to urge someone to act.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Hunter Heavlin on Zoom from Hawaii Farmers Union. Not present on Zoom, Chair. Thank you.
• Hunter Heavilin on Zoom. Not present on Zoom, Chair. Okay.
• Hunter Heavilin on Zoom. Not present on Zoom, Chair. Okay.

Bills: HB1979

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee held an AEN hearing on Friday, March 20, in Room 224 with remote participation streamed live. The first measure, HB 1880 HD3, would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2030, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-D (Telone). Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and HAPA, argued that 1,3-D is a probable carcinogen, can drift off target, and poses risks to farm workers, nearby families, children, and vulnerable communities, while safer alternatives exist. Opponents, including the Western Plant Health Association and Dole Food, said the product is federally registered and regulated, is needed for pineapple production, and that banning it could threaten jobs, local food production, and the pineapple industry; Dole also noted a petition signed by 95 employees opposing the bill. The chair recorded 73 in support, seven opposed, and two comments for the measure. The committee then took up HB 1931 HD2, which would establish a state noxious weed coordinator, update the process for designating and managing noxious weeds, allow public proposals to change designations, require notice and reporting, classify weeds into three categories, and strengthen enforcement and penalties. Testimony was generally supportive, with DLNR and DAB submitting support and CGAPS backing the bill as a modernization of outdated 1950s-era statutes, arguing that more flexible administrative rules would better address changing agricultural and invasive species conditions. The measure received 38 supportive testimonies, with no opposition or comments recorded. Because the committee did not have quorum, no final decision was made on the measures. The chair announced that decision-making would be rolled to Wednesday, March 25, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 224, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 379 by Assembly Member Schultz and others in act relating to crimes.
• Assembly Bill 711 by Assembly Member Chen and an act relating to civil actions.
• Assembly Bill 592 by Assembly Member Gabriel and others in act relating to business.
• Assembly Bill 1166 by Assembly Member Valencia and act relating to consumer debt.
• Assembly Bill 438 by Assembly Member Hadwick and act relating to vehicles.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a long Daily File with several major policy bills and multiple commemorative resolutions. The most debated measure was AB 379 on human trafficking and child exploitation. The bill was presented as a stronger, more comprehensive version that increases penalties for adults soliciting minors, adds a loitering offense tied to purchasing commercial sex, raises fines for businesses that facilitate trafficking, creates a Survivor Support Fund, and establishes grants for victim services and vertical prosecution. Several members spoke in support, while Assemblymember Sharp-Collins raised concerns that the loitering provision could be vague and disproportionately enforced against Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ people. The bill passed after debate, with the clerk reporting 72 noes and the measure still passing. The Assembly also passed AB 1415, which expands the Office of Health Care Affordability’s authority to review more health systems, private equity and hedge fund acquisitions, and managed service organizations in order to better track cost drivers and medical debt. Other policy bills approved included AB 711 on coordinating court reporters for motion hearings, AB 1142 on horse event entry fees, AB 309 on preserving access to sterile syringes for HIV and hepatitis prevention, AB 358 on allowing victims to consent to searches of hidden surveillance devices like AirTags and spy cameras, AB 592 on outdoor dining for restaurants, AB 1341 on clarifying contractor licensing violations, AB 752 on easing child care center siting, AB 1166 on extending debt-settlement rules to commercial financing, AB 806 on mobile home resident cooling rights, AB 972 on explicit sex discrimination protections in higher education, AB 416 on emergency room 5150 authority, AB 632 on expedited collection of penalties for serious local code violations, AB 672 on PERB notification and intervention rights, AB 876 on CRNA scope of practice, and AB 760 on temporary mobile home housing after disasters. Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though AB 672 drew sharp opposition from Assemblymember DeMaio over concerns about PERB and state bureaucracy. The chamber also adopted several resolutions recognizing May observances and public service groups. These included ACR 63 designating May as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month, ACR 69 for California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month, ACR 76 for California Small Business Month, ACR 77 for Drowning Awareness and Prevention Month, HR 36 for Lung Cancer Action Week, HR 39 for National Public Works Week, and HR 41 for National Hospital Week. Members used the resolutions to highlight local institutions, public health, and community services, and each was adopted after co-author rolls and voice votes. The session ended after the Assembly completed the day’s file and moved through a series of routine procedural motions and adjournment-related business.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the Parental Leave Act. Ms. Cobb-Hunter is recognized to explain the conference report.
• Representative Cobb-Hunter, how many days did they agree to?
• That also, I believe, correlates with the potential for the federal government to act.
• The government should not simply act. You agree with that, don't you.
• Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter, recognizing Reverend Dr. Betty Walker Collins. Ms.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am from Houston. I was a state district judge in Harris County for about 13 years.
• I'm the director of victim services for Crime Stoppers of Houston.
• Director of Victim Services for Crime Stoppers of Houston.
• I was 15 when I committed an extremely violent act.
• I did, I did, you know, I was 15 when I committed an extremely violent act.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Houston area, and so I don't know that so many of our investigations would be actually in the East Texas
• Out that Chairman Hunter would be so jealous of it. But it's just you right now, right?
• The scope of the conspiracy is generally such that you can get in all the overt acts that you need as
• While we believe most operators and companies will act in good faith, the language in the bill provides
• Already in Chapter 122 of the Natural Resources Act.

Bills: HB48 , HB49 , HB 1169 , HB1971 , HB2584 , HB2663 , HB2890 , HB48 , HB49

Committee: House Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• It protects our hunters by providing that require that they have the hunting guides.
• It protects our hunters by providing that require that they have the hunting guides.

Bills: SB330 , SB2069 , SB2095

Committee: House Wildlife

Summary: The Wildlife Committee considered and advanced two Senate bills. Pro Tem Moore presented SB 330, described as an elk population study bill related to the Northwest Zone and a mirror of a House measure. After brief discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to do pass the bill. Representative Townley then presented SB 269, which would prohibit taking migratory birds through baiting and align Oklahoma law with federal law. The committee asked no substantive questions and voted 6-0 to do pass. Townley also presented SB 2095, which sets fees and fines for hunting guides, with higher fees for nonresidents and a licensing exemption for certain helpers. He said the bill was intended to protect landowners and hunters and support Oklahoma’s reputation as a hunting destination. Members asked about the scope and fee amounts, and were told the fees would be $1,000 for residents and $2,000 for nonresidents. The committee voted 6-0 to do pass. The chair then noted this would likely be the final meeting of the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hunter living wishing to speak. Welcome. You are recognized. >> Hello, my name is Hunter.
• And I've learned a lot more in the learned that there's a great balancing act between the users, the

Transcript Highlights:

• This raises serious privacy concerns for landowners, hunters, and anglers who do not want their private
• Senate Bill 1248 provides narrow exception to the Open Records Act by specific...
• By protecting this information, Senate Bill 1248 gives hunters and anglers the confidence to continue

Bills: SCR13 , SB1248

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We will show her registered for the bill, but not testifying on behalf of the Air Alliance Houston and
• The existing cement shortage is a recipe for disaster if we don't act appropriately.
• The existing cement shortage is a recipe for disaster if we don't act appropriately.
• In August 2022, the CHIPS Act was actually signed into law.
• In August 22, the CHIPS Act was 502 actually signed into law.

Bills: SB1757 , SB1758 , SB1898 , SB2050

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2203, relating to certification of discovery issues in TCEQ contested cases referred to SOAH. The chair noted the House had already passed the companion HB 3249, then moved SB 2203 without amendments. The motion prevailed on a 5-0 vote, and the bill was reported favorably to the full House. The committee then heard SB 1898, which would prohibit the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam for testing and training, while still allowing it in emergency firefighting. The sponsor described PFAS as “forever chemicals” and said the bill would protect firefighters, water supplies, and public health. Testimony in support came from Environment Texas, which cited contamination concerns and noted other states and federal actions restricting PFAS foams. No one testified against the bill, and after closing testimony the committee left SB 1898 pending. The remainder of the hearing focused on SB 1758, a Grayson County pilot program aimed at addressing potential conflicts between Global Wafers’ semiconductor wafer facility and a proposed Black Mountain Cement/aggregate operation. Supporters, including Global Wafers, Grayson County officials, and manufacturing groups, argued that vibration from mining or blasting could threaten a major national-security semiconductor investment and that an independent BEG study was needed to set safe parameters. Opponents from Black Mountain Cement and related industry groups argued the bill would improperly interfere with a lawful permitting process, pick winners and losers, and harm Texas’ pro-business climate; they also said they had already revised operations and removed blast mining. The discussion included extensive questioning about geology, vibration, the permitting timeline, and whether the issue was really about mining rather than the air permit. No vote was taken on SB 1758 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have support letters on this package from Mayor Whitmire back in Houston.
• His killer was arrested thanks to the hard work of the Houston Police Department and Crime Stoppers.
• I'm the Director of Victim Services for Crime Stoppers of Houston.
• I was in the mayor's office for 18 years, at the Houston Police Department, and I'm now running Crime
• We started the Houston Crime Commission a long time ago, long before I was in office.

Bills: SJR2 , SB4 , SJR36 , SJR2 , SB4 , SR42 , SR74 , SR76 , HCR5 , SB710 , SB710

Transcript Highlights:

• board and our act finance corporation does on a monthly basis.
• And then you see Hunter and Landon, I think, in that bottom right picture, also at the basketball.
• development board and our that our act development board and our act<00:01:42.320><c> finance</c><00
• finance corporation does on a act finance corporation does on a monthly<00:01:44.079><c> basis.
• And then you see Hunter and the Aland.

Summary: The committee met on September 18, 2025, approved the July 10 minutes, and received Brandon Reid’s monthly report on Kentucky agriculture development and finance activity for July and August. Reid emphasized the long-running structure created under House Bill 611 and Senate Bill 28, the role of county agriculture development councils in all 120 counties, and the importance of the program as a national model for supporting Kentucky agriculture. He also introduced new staff and interns, including a new loan programs manager, Rachel Coward, and project manager Kylie Davis. For July, the development board reported $3.4 million invested in agriculture and the finance corporation reported $3.1 million in loans. Highlights included 11 county council meetings, site visits, program reviews, and 18 project reports. July approvals included county agriculture incentive programs, deceased farm animal removal programs, youth incentive programs, county/state projects, infrastructure loans, an agriculture processing loan, and beginning farmer loans. Staff also noted that all 120 counties had submitted their required five-year comprehensive plans on schedule. Bill McCloskey then highlighted several funded projects, including Dino’s Farm LLC in Jefferson County, which received support to purchase a meat processing facility and equipment, with the goal of creating market opportunities for goat, sheep, and cattle producers and establishing Kentucky’s first halal meat processing facility. Other projects included a veterinarian facility project to address large animal vet shortages and Grow Appalachia at Berea College, which provides technical assistance and market support for small-scale and eastern Kentucky producers. Members discussed the need for programs such as high tunnels and other small-scale opportunities in rural areas, and staff noted related resources such as CAPE and NRCS funding. For August, the board reported $500,000 in development board investments and just over $3 million in finance corporation loans, along with fewer staff activities than July but continued county council, site visit, and project review work. August approvals included county agriculture incentive programs, deceased animal removal programs, youth incentive programs, county/state projects, agriculture infrastructure loans, beginning farmer loans, and a horticulture incentives loan. Additional project updates included another veterinary equipment purchase, emergency safety equipment in Graves County, and a food safety and efficiency incentive for Jared Cornet.