Bills: HB16 , HB214 , HB252 , HB16 , HB214 , HB252

Committee: House Ethics and Campaign Finance

Keywords: law enforcement, false information, criminal penalty, public safety, identification, school psychology, interstate compact, licensure, professional services, education, HB252, Class IV municipality, Class IV municipalities, municipal audit, audit rotation, certified public accountant, CPA, municipal accounting, Section 11-43B-9, county and municipal government

Transcript Highlights:

• By keeping license fees and compliance costs reasonable, farmers can compete and Eddie Velez: thrive,
• Representative Cain, do the fees for the research permits cover the costs of the program, or do they
• Representative Cain: I believe the bill requires the fees for the research permit, I believe to be the
• same price, equal to the application fee, which is designed to help fund the program.
• Between 20% to 40% of global crop production is lost to pests annually and invasive insects.

Bills: HB147 , HB 1113 , HB 1203 , HB 1269 , HB 1276 , HB 1277 , HB1437 , HB147

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: livestock, brands, marks, earmarks, tattoos, electronic registry, Texas Animal Health Commission, county clerk, Agriculture Code, cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, horses, animal identification, brand registry, livestock traceability, electronic filing, rerecording, law enforcement access

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock met with a quorum present and heard several bills, all of which were left pending. HB 1113, by Rep. Cain, would update Texas hemp law to keep state rules aligned with federal changes, require timely rule amendments by the Department of Agriculture, and create hemp research permits for universities and nonprofits. Supporters from the Texas Hemp Coalition said it would improve research, licensing, testing, and enforcement while helping the industry stay compliant and competitive; the author said the bill was intended to reward good actors and deter bad ones. HB 1203, by Rep. Gonzalez, would create an Office of Food System Security and Resiliency within the Department of Agriculture to address food insecurity and coordinate local food access efforts. Gonzalez said the office would build on a prior Department of Agriculture study and help connect farmers, agencies, schools, and local governments; members asked about the fiscal note, consumer costs, and whether the office would overlap with existing programs. HB 1269, HB 1276, and HB 1277 focused on plant disease and pest prevention, including a grant program and studies to identify gaps and track outbreaks. Gonzalez emphasized the need for a more intentional state response, citing crop losses from pests and a recent cotton disease outbreak in his district. HB 1437 would create a pollinator task force to address threats to Texas honeybees and related pollination industries. A Texas Beekeepers Association witness described major recent colony losses, emerging threats such as mites and hornets, and the need to bring agencies and researchers together; Gonzalez noted prior work adding a bee specialist at AgriLife Extension. Finally, HB 147, by Chairman Guillen, would modernize cattle brand registration by moving it to an electronic system at the Texas Animal Health Commission while keeping county clerks involved. Supporters said it would improve efficiency, accuracy, and access for ranchers and law enforcement, while an opponent warned about possible electronic tracking implications and costs for small producers. The committee took no final votes and adjourned after leaving HB 147 pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, these designated groups are currently required to pay an additional $3 fee for their license
• plates, a fee not uniformly applied across all military merit plates.
• On the fee, the $3 fee, this is going to be exempted for all military license plates, is that correct
• This is going to wipe out that $3 fee. That first $3 fee. On all of them? Yes, sir.
• It's basically multiplying the $3 fee for the applicable recipients, and we'll get you that number.

Bills: HB4458 , SB651 , SB1227 , SB1931

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

Keywords: veterans, service members, military transition, Texas Veterans Commission, pilot program, self-reliance, employment assistance, housing assistance, mental health services, career training, veterans service organizations, spouses and dependents, military families, Texas military forces, post-separation support, reentry services, workforce development, benefits navigation, transition assistance, SB 651

Transcript Highlights:

• When they consolidated one of these districts, it put their annual revenue slightly over $500,000, triggering
• with the change to the bylaws, which would be the board's decision to set the initial salary, any annual
• I contribute to a law book that's updated annually and available on Westlaw.

Bills: SR86 , SB491 , HB205 , HB210 , HB228 , HB813 , HB1045 , HB1177

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Keywords: Senate rules, Louisiana Senate, Senate Chamber, smart glasses, recording eyewear, audio recording, video recording, wearable technology, covert recording, legislative security, media access, chamber decorum, Senate President, internal rules, public access, lobbyists, official journal, public notices, competitive bid, Louisiana legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• provisions shall not apply to a public body. ...submitted to a local government for payment of juror fees
• So a conservative rate of an attorney hourly fee is $150.
• Annually per entity, that would be $36 to $5,400.
• So a conservative rate of an attorney hourly fee is $150.
• Annually per entity, that would be $36 to $5,400.

Bills: HB55 , HB608 , HB997 , HB1035 , HB1045 , HB1048 , HB1049 , HB1057 , HB1131 , HB1177 , HB1201

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: juror confidentiality, public records, criminal procedure, privacy, court disclosure, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district, road district, navigation district, sewerage district, newspaper publication

Transcript Highlights:

• The program does not have administrative fees, and it continues to offer...
• What kind of fee are we talking about? How much?
• The fee is spread out over a registration cycle of two years.
• The fee is spread out over a registration cycle of two years.
• So you can pay a fee to sit by dead people, basically, in the room.

Bills: SB1406 , SB1681 , SB2480 , SB2721

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2480, which would clarify that the Texas Medical Board may collect license renewal surcharge fees from all licensees to fund the Texas Physician Health Program and related administrative costs. The bill author explained the funding fix was needed after prior language was found to allow surcharges only for physicians and physician assistants. Witnesses from the Texas Physician Health Program supported the measure and described the program’s confidential monitoring and treatment services; members asked about the fee amount, which was described as capped at $15 per two-year registration cycle. The bill was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bills 1406 and 2721, both authored by Senator Parker, addressing the handling of human remains by non-transplant anatomical donation organizations, willed body programs, and related facilities. Senator Parker and several witnesses described alleged abuses involving unclaimed bodies, consent problems, body leasing, hotel-based dissections, and mishandling of cremains, and argued for strict licensing, inspections, transparency, and criminal penalties. Supporters included families of deceased veterans and other relatives, a biomedical ethicist, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, and some public safety and hotel industry representatives who said legitimate training should continue but bad actors should be shut down. Opponents or cautious witnesses from accredited donation organizations and bioskills labs said they support stronger oversight but warned the bills could unintentionally disrupt legitimate medical education and urged clearer language and implementation of existing law. Both bills were left pending. Senate Bill 1681, by Senator Menendez, would require counties and municipalities that regulate boarding homes to report facility standards and related information to the Health and Human Services Commission. The author said the bill is intended to improve state oversight of boarding homes that serve elderly and disabled residents and to address abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill was left pending after brief discussion. After the testimony portion, the committee returned to voting on pending business and unanimously reported Senate Bills 527, 912, 1580, 1952, and 2032 to the Senate with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and each was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 407 and reported the substitute favorably, with six ayes and three nays. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 500 as pending business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, fees that machine. Roll call is now in progress. The vote is 79 to 9, nay.
• Fee reimbursement.

Bills: SB1543 , HB1933 , HJR1088 , HJR1090 , HJR1091 , HJR1092 , HJR1093 , HJR1095 , SB1859 , HB2988 , HB3016 , SB237 , SB2065 , HB3418 , HCR1027 , SB1641 , SB1589 , SB44 , SB563 , SB1403 , HB1979 , HB3075 , SB2045 , SB1653 , SB1655 , SB2030 , HB2951 , SB2028 , SB2071 , SB206 , SB1849 , HB3755 , SB1509 , SB1314 , SB1561 , SB1217 , SB1618 , HJR1096 , HJR1099 , HJR1100

Keywords: driving under the influence, felony offense, ignition interlock device, community service, criminal assessment, nitrous oxide, Maddix Bias Act, intoxication, underage sale, misdemeanor, drug paraphernalia, enforcement, education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools

Transcript Highlights:

• We do, fee for the proper storage of electric vehicles that have been involved in an accident.
• We're also clarifying that the fee is for storage and not for towing. That is a key distinction.
• We're also clarifying that the fee is for storage and not for towing. That is a key distinction.
• She explained that loopholes had allowed higher fees to be charged without ensuring those fees were warranted
• She said local governments should set the fee, and towers should go to the local government.

Bills: S0260 , S1220 , S1352 , S1362 , S1370

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal, fire safety, tow yard, impound, storage fee, administration fee, local ordinance, county ordinance, municipal ordinance, insurance coverage, motor vehicle insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• There are other fees that this bill addresses, like the right to a fee for appeal, and in my view, we
• In Arizona, however, there is a fee for some of these and the ability to charge a fee for others.
• However, there is a fee for some of these and the ability to charge a fee for others.
• This bill removes that fee and blocks future fees on any constitutional rights that we have.
• collection of the fees.

Bills: HB2205 , HB2265 , HB2413 , HB2415 , HB2418 , HB2495 , HB2589 , HB2661 , HB2720 , HB2771 , HB2833 , HB2870

Committees: House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Keywords: criminal damage, trespassing, critical facilities, felony, Arizona Revised Statutes, sex offender, electronic monitoring, registration, public safety, youth protection, Kratom, narcotic drugs, regulation, labeling, public health, age restriction, consumer protection, appropriation, law enforcement, task forces

Transcript Highlights:

• The second thing it does is it just adds an annual reporting mechanism for our rehire statute, and that's
• It is continuing to be paid an annual fee by the school district.

Bills: HB17 , HB21 , HB24 , HB41 , HB42 , HB45 , HB1134 , HB1237

Committee: Senate Retirement

Keywords: HB 17, District Attorneys' Retirement System, retirement system, reemployed retiree, reemployment, supplemental retirement benefit, service credit, benefit suspension, public retirement, district attorney, assistant district attorney, Louisiana District Attorneys' Association, employer reporting, annual report, retirement benefits, state employees, local funds, state funds, Municipal Employees' Retirement System, part-time retirees

Transcript Highlights:

• Agencies, first responder agencies, from charging a fee to respond.
• Responding that they also shouldn't charge a fee for what basically is their mission, which is to be
• Oklahoma City has over a $2 billion annual budget. The city of Tulsa has over. Dollars.
• Those fees will only be charged to insured drivers.
• Accident fees can be $710 to $1,800 per accident.

Bills: HB3045

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: accident response, motor vehicle, law enforcement, fire department, fee prohibition

Bills: SF24 , SF27 , SF51 , SSB1045

Committee: Joint Transportation

Keywords: railway, crossing, repairs, upgrades, penalties, public safety, transportation, driver improvement, remedial driver improvement action, driver improvement course, driver education, traffic safety, DOT database, Iowa Department of Transportation, district court clerk, driver license records, registration records, titling records, law enforcement database, moving violation

Transcript Highlights:

• and yes, are these funds the money that is held in these funds actually collected from, like, filing fees
• to each individual court to oversee what they do with their money. >> Collected from, like, filing fees

Bills: SB182 , SB251 , SB252 , HB74 , HB159 , HB292 , SB182 , SB251 , SB252 , HB74 , HB159 , HB292

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabis, beverage prohibition, criminal penalties, youth access, Jefferson County, pistol permit, gun permit, concealed carry, firearm permit, sheriff fee, permit fee, weapons license, gun licensing, school security, Jefferson County Sheriff's Fund, retirement system, Gardendale, Birmingham legislative office, local bill

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill relates to student access to certain academic records, authorizing a fee.
• Five, it will develop and offer an annual training program for tier one research institution security
• We've been working very hard to hold tuition and fees. steady now, I believe this is the third session
• College application fees alone can be a deterrent. current for prospective students.
• Research shows that application fees, even modest ones, can discourage students from applying to malls

Bills: HB42 , HB 125 , HB 1233 , HB2853 , HB3148 , HB3326 , HB3701 , HB4066 , HB4361 , HB4762 , HB4909 , HB4912 , HB42 , HB125

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• I raised the same question when I was looking at the amount of the fee.
• The fee has not changed since 1980, number one.
• It will no longer be one of the lower-cost schools in terms of the fee, yes.
• They would see the same increase because it would be a mandatory fee.
• So what I'm trying to get at is how much more in tuition and fees, total tuition and fees, would an out-of-state

Bills: HB42 , HB 125 , HB 1233 , HB2853 , HB3148 , HB3326 , HB3701 , HB4066 , HB4361 , HB4762 , HB4909 , HB4912 , HB42 , HB125

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met to hear several bills and first corrected the minutes from its April 1, 2025 meeting to reflect that a committee substitute for HB 271 had been adopted before the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 3326, which would help Texas higher education employees, especially adjunct faculty, qualify for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness by counting classroom hours toward full-time status, requiring institutions to verify employment within 60 days, and requiring annual notice to eligible employees. No witnesses testified against the bill, and it was left pending. Members then heard HB 2853, authorizing UTEP to phase in a student union fee increase to fund demolition and reconstruction of its aging student union. Representative Perez and UTEP student and university witnesses said the current facility is outdated and insufficient for a campus of more than 25,000 students, while some members raised concerns about the size of the fee increase and its impact on low-income students. UTEP representatives said most students receive aid, the fee would be phased in over time, and the project was student-approved; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4066, a one-line bill to abolish the Texas Research Incentive Program after the state cleared its backlog of matching obligations, with the author saying the program was no longer needed in light of newer research funding approaches. The bill was left pending. The committee spent substantial time on HB 125, which would create the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Supporters, including Tarleton leadership, the founding dean, a rural hospital CEO, and a feasibility consultant, argued the school would address severe rural physician shortages by recruiting Texas and rural students, training them in rural settings, and developing new residency slots rather than competing for existing ones. Members asked about affordability, residency placement, and whether the school would draw students from rural Texas; Tarleton said it would seek to keep tuition and debt low, had already raised private donations, and would request $25 million in state support over the biennium. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 42, which would increase the annual Higher Education Fund appropriation and adjust its allocation methodology. The chair and university witnesses described rising deferred maintenance, inflation, cybersecurity needs, and enrollment growth at HEAF-eligible institutions, with witnesses from Texas Tech, Sam Houston State, and UNT saying the additional funding would help address aging facilities and technology needs. After testimony, the committee left HB 42 pending and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• 3 is a friendly amendment that simply allows our county governments to, uh, there's a clerk storage fee
• It's a clerk storage fee. It's a reporting date.
• It's a clerk storage fee. It's a reporting date.
• Uh, so the amount is going to go up to, it looks like, 500,000, more than 500,000 of annual receipts.
• </c> annual receipts. annual receipts.

Bills: SB141 , SB124 , SB56 , SJR116 , SB94 , SB37 , SB127 , SB197 , SB66 , SB70 , SB133 , SB160 , SB214 , SB312 , SB52 , SJR62 , SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Bills: SB141 , SB124 , SB56 , SJR116 , SB94 , SB37 , SB127 , SB197 , SB66 , SB70 , SB133 , SB160 , SB214 , SB312 , SB52 , SJR62 , SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Bills: HB542 , HB566 , SB270 , HB618 , HB617 , HB542 , HB566 , SB270 , HB618 , HB617

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: HB542, district attorney, prosecutor, supernumerary district attorney, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, Alabama retirement, public employee retirement, pension, retirement benefits, post-retirement employment, salary cap, dual participation, double dipping, District Attorneys' Plan, assistant district attorney, deputy district attorney, state pension, survivor benefits, Office of Prosecution Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It's on, it's attached to the bill now with 640 annual reoccurring revenue.

Bills: HB3725 , HB3260 , HB3660 , HB3369 , HB3370

Committee: House Business

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:

• Uh, there are 20 states that have a fee less than $50.
• And out of those 20, 11 charge nothing for their fees.
• Uh, there are 20 is a reasonable fee.
• </c> states that have a fee less than $50. states that have a fee less than $50.
• As a free country with for their fees.

Bills: SB249 , SB259 , HB67 , HB214 , SB249 , SB259 , HB67 , HB214

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: municipal tax, license fee, local tax increase, ordinance, public hearing, 30-day notice, municipal notice requirements, city council, town council, Alabama municipalities, Code of Alabama 1975, Section 11-45-2, open meetings website, newspaper publication, local government finance, tax transparency, fee increase, municipal ordinance procedure, University of South Alabama, Board of Trustees