Transcript Highlights:

• of Public Safety, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas, and the Texas Department of Transportation
• We show you registered as Matthew Sapp on behalf of the Texas State Association of Firefighters and the
• Matthew Sapp on behalf of the Texas State Association of Firefighters and the Frisco Firefighters Association
• We represent about 35,000 law enforcement officers across the state of Texas.
• the state.

Bills: HB322, HB331, HB673, HB 1147, HB 1154, HB2488

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, first responders, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, benefits, compensation, presumption of disability, emergency services, healthcare, Medicaid, mental health, substance abuse, treatment access, cost, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• Some water issues, which are a big concern right now around the state of Texas.
• State and local government represent about half of the non-residential construction within Texas.
• Across the state of Texas, that's how many there are: 416 of us.
• We provide Earned Wage Access, or EWA, to employees in Texas and throughout the United States.
• I am Stephanie Mace representing AARP Texas and its 2.5 million members across the state.

Bills: HB1453, HB1718, HB2043, HB2207, HB2798

Keywords: local governments, anticipation notes, certificates of obligation, public works, flood control, financial management, local government, municipal financing, private activity bonds, closing definition, real estate finance, bond issuance, government regulation, bond election, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, political subdivision, city bonds, county bonds, school district bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• It was just stated, I am here to testify for the bill. A little bit of history on how.
• The key here is that MUDs are a crucial factor in keeping housing� affordable in Texas.
• of Texas.
• And muds are the best way that we can prepare for growth in Texas.
• We're based in Houston, Texas, and we have communities throughout the state.

Bills: HB23, HB363, HB447, HB954, HB23

Keywords: third-party review, property development, local government, permits, construction inspection, regulatory authority, land development, liability, occupancy certificate, municipal utility district, petition, county clerk, water code, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, traffic impact studies, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, extraterritorial jurisdiction, county authority

Bills: HB23, HB23, HB363, HB447, HB954

Keywords: property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest, county property tax, nonprofit-owned property, third-party review, property development, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• And I love to go to that area, it is one of the most beautiful parts of the state of Texas.
• Texas wins, and we work together towards our shared goals for this great state. Mr.
• of Texas, the best state in the United States of America.
• these students will go all over the country, all over the state of Texas.
• Texas, the strength of community and the state pride that makes Texas, Texas.

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB26, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• We all recognize the dedication of our Texas educators across every corner of our state and in every
• This is a permanent commitment in the state budget to elevate the teaching profession in Texas and to
• I mean while the state of Texas provides less than $5,000 less per student in funding the the national
• Senate Bill 26 can have... teachers make over $100,000 in the state of Texas?
• There's 373. 1,000 teachers in the state of Texas.

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB26, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• Supreme Court, and to report to you that the state of the judiciary in Texas is strong.
• Texas.
• Texas ranks, Texas ranks 48th out of 50 in terms of what we pay our district judges.
• The officers who wield the judicial power of the state of Texas, officers per capita, are prohibited
• But the State Bar of Texas is a public organization, and every lawyer in Texas is compelled. to join.

Bills: SB26, SB28, SJR36, SB26, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB28

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• State laws and rules were regulated by TCEQ through the Texas administrative code.
• That are currently operating in the state of Texas that do conservation easements with landowners.
• , and local partners have seen that freely negotiated transactions between the state of Texas and local
• border when the state of Texas decided that they would not be using in domain to place border security
• that Texas remains the greatest state for the array of economic and societal benefits that a thriving

Bills: HB 937, HB 2078, HB 2080, HB 3322, HB 3350, HB 4212, HB 4630, HB 4896, HB 4951, HB 5348, HB 5675, SB 565, SB 971, SB 1662, SB 2124

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• In the state of Texas, the rule of capture prevents a landowner from protecting their own private property
• Our partners have seen that freely negotiated transactions between the state of Texas and local property
• border when the state of Texas decided that they would not be using eminent domain to place border security
• We're ensuring that Texas remains the greatest state for the array of economic and societal benefits
• The Texas Groundwater Protection Committee consists of 10 member agencies and coordinates state agency

Bills: HB937, HB2078, HB2080, HB3322, HB3350, HB4212, HB4630, HB4896, HB4951, HB5348, HB5675, SB565, SB971, SB1662, SB2124

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas is one of only three states in the United States that allows this practice.
• Other states are ahead of Texas in this area.
• State Fair of Texas testifying on the bill.
• I'm representing the State Fair of Texas.
• I'm with the Texas State Association of Firefighters.

Bills: HB164, HB164, HB411, HB627, HB 1226, HB1677, HB1865, HB1997, HB2985, HB3462, HB4188, HB4685, HB4840, HB5370, HB5424, HB5466, HB5509, HB5660, HB5673

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers, as well as the Texas Association of Builders.
• I'm a builder and developer from El Paso, Texas.
• It's the low-income families of the state of Texas, and I've done an analysis on that.
• of Texas is a priority.
• It's the large urban populations around this state.

Bills: HB164, HB411, HB627, HB 1226, HB1677, HB1865, HB1997, HB2985, HB3462, HB4188, HB4685, HB4840, HB5370, HB5424, HB5466, HB5509, HB5660, HB5673, HB164

Keywords: migrant labor, housing regulations, civil penalties, complaints, occupants' rights, remediation, education, retaliation, housing, rental regulation, municipal authority, local government, leasing, housing regulation, local control, rental properties, leasing laws, landlord, tenant rights, municipal regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Lissette Galvan. serve as a public policy director for NAMU Texas, the Texas state affiliate
• We sat there with, I mean, we literally had the state of Texas on table.
• Doesn't always, but we're at 23 million egg layers in the state of Texas. Wow.
• Texas for free. Yes, so we're free to state government actually.
• The OIG says if we implement this bill, the state of Texas would expect revenue of...

Bills: SB500, SB719, SB912, SB1232, SB1467, SB1777, SB1864, SB2023, SB2119, SB2458

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as a public policy director for NAMI Texas, the Texas state affiliate of the National Alliance
• I serve as a public policy director for NAMI Texas, the Texas state affiliate of the National Alliance
• in the state of Texas.
• Most of Texas for free. Yes. So we're free to state government.
• Charles Cassio, Senior Associate State Director for AARP Texas, testified that AARP Texas supports SB

Bills: SB500, SB719, SB912, SB1232, SB1467, SB1777, SB1864, SB2023, SB2119, SB2458

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Summary: The committee first took up several pending bills and reported them favorably: SB 968, SB 636 as substituted, SB 1137, and SB 1138 as substituted. Each was advanced by roll call vote, and the committee also recommended the approved bills for the local and uncontested calendar. The chair then moved to the posted agenda and heard SB 719, a mental health bed-capacity study bill by Senator Eckhart, with a committee substitute that refined the data collection to distinguish state and non-state beds, child and adult beds, include two point-in-time counts, and capture jail diversion data. Testimony on SB 719 was largely supportive from Integral Care, NAMI Texas, and the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, all of whom said Texas needs better data on inpatient psychiatric capacity, workforce needs, and future demand. Several witnesses described long waits for beds, especially for forensic restoration, and argued the study would help target future investments. Senator Perry and others noted the state has already made major investments in new beds and urged the bill to account for beds already coming online; the committee ultimately withdrew the substitute and left SB 719 pending after public testimony closed. The committee then heard SB 1864, which would allow small egg producers to sell ungraded eggs more broadly, including to restaurants and retailers, with the substitute increasing the weekly sales threshold and addressing sanitation and labeling. Supporters said grading is about size, not safety, and that the bill would help small farms reach new markets; opponents from the Texas Poultry Federation argued grading and candling help identify cracks and defects that can affect safety and quality. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. It also heard SB 1467, requiring DSHS to share death record information with hospitals for record accuracy and quality review, and SB 912, which would modernize continuing education tracking for health licensing agencies; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2023, which would create an HHSC grant program to help counties pay for indigent burial costs, with county representatives testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we have Nikki Pressley, State Director of RITE on Crime at the Texas Public Policy Foundation,
• I'm the Texas State Director and Chief of Staff for Right on Crime at the Texas Public Policy Foundation
• Like many other states, Texas is no exception to this trend.
• Every day in the state of Texas, survivors of human trafficking are convicted of crimes committed by
• With 33 other states already providing this protection, it's time for Texas to follow suit.

Bills: SB614, SB872, SB1199, SB1212, SB1278, SB1573, SB1588, SB1602, SB1660, SB1704, SB1723, SB1833, SB1858, SB1946, SB2009, SB2146, SB2177, SB2373, SB2460, SB2785

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas has historically led the rest of the states on anti-trafficking legislation.
• SB 1212 is a critical bill, probably one of the most critical for the state of Texas.
• Human trafficking costs the state of Texas over $4 billion every year.
• California is one of 19 states. Texas became the 19th.
• I think it would just be tremendous for the state of Texas. Thank you very much.

Bills: SB614, SB872, SB1199, SB1212, SB1278, SB1573, SB1588, SB1602, SB1660, SB1704, SB1723, SB1833, SB1858, SB1946, SB2009, SB2146, SB2177, SB2373, SB2460, SB2785

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill has to do with improving crime clearances rates across the state of Texas.
• I'm the Texas state director and chief of staff for Right on Crime at the Texas Public Policy Foundation
• Like many other states, Texas is no exception to this trend.
• Every day in the state of Texas, survivors of human trafficking are convicted of crimes or traffickers
• With 33 other states already providing this protection, it's time for Texas to follow suit.

Bills: SB 614, SB 872, SB 1199, SB 1212, SB 1278, SB 1573, SB 1588, SB 1602, SB 1660, SB 1704, SB 1723, SB 1833, SB 1858, SB 1946, SB 2009, SB 2146, SB 2177, SB 2373, SB 2460, SB 2785

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Bills: SB 384, SB 503, SB 565, SB 616, SB 740

Keywords: hunting license, fishing license, donation, operation game thief fund, wildlife conservation, livestock, electronic registry, marks and brands, Texas Animal Health Commission, animal identification, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework

Transcript Highlights:

• And we appreciate your commitment to the state of Texas, by the way. Thank you.
• We want these to come to the state of Texas. I don't really care who does.
• Here in the state of Texas, we need to determine where we can have cement production or quarry production
• England, I just want to tell you how much we appreciate the commitment to the state of Texas, national
• At that risk as the state of Texas, Mr. Chairman, and so I appreciate it.

Bills: SB1757, SB1758, SB1898, SB2050

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Transcript Highlights:

• You're falling short of what we're doing already in the state of Texas. Thank you.
• Are, are, can, uh, a licensed irrigator make the inspections in the state of Texas?
• Both are equal to the protocol approved and used in the state of Texas.
• Plumbers, to my knowledge, need to be licensed in the state of Texas as well.
• These out of state corporations and water holders, they don't care about Texas.

Bills: HB 5208, SB 863, SB 1243, SB 1624, SB 1965, SB 2660, SB 2702, SB 2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• Can a licensed irrigator make the inspections in the state of Texas?
• Both are equal to the protocol approved. ...and used in the state of Texas.
• , allowing BPAP professionals from these states to practice in Texas.
• Plumbers, to my knowledge, need to be licensed in the state of Texas as well.
• These out-of-state corporations and water holders, they don't care about Texas.

Bills: HB5208, SB863, SB1243, SB1624, SB1965, SB2660, SB2702, SB2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow