Transcript Highlights:

• The communities, leaders, groundwater experts, and landowners have not received adequate answers to their
• The communities, leaders, groundwater experts, and landowners have not received adequate answers to their
• Chairman and members, landowners in Lee County, and, Mr.
• papers of publication and circulation, something we normally do in many other notices to inform landowners
• We urge the committee to join our landowners, recreationists, and all who treasure this river by voting

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• funding needed for all SWCDs to deliver on their mission of conservation implementation with private landowners
• This is critical for us to accomplish our mission in working with private landowners on water quality
• provides a really great visual of the wide spectrum of services that SWCDs are working with private landowners
• And you said two words that, to me, are a big deal: it is voluntary with willing landowners.

Summary: The committee took up House File 1066, a Soil and Water Conservation District funding bill. An author’s amendment, 66A1, was offered and adopted by voice vote, putting the bill in the form preferred by the author. The amendment and bill discussion centered on changing the state aid level for SWCDs, with the bill as amended described as eliminating a scheduled reduction in funding and instead increasing the annual appropriation to $22 million. Representative Ryer explained that SWCDs are long-standing, locally elected conservation entities that help preserve soil and water quality, support farmers and homeowners, and do not have levy authority. He said the funding level was based on a bottom-up assessment of district needs and was intended to help districts maintain staffing and address local problems early. Sheila Vany of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts testified in support, saying the aid has been a major improvement in SWCD funding and describing district work such as lakeshore stabilization, cover crops, nutrient management, lake monitoring, rain gardens, and irrigation guidance. The chair noted the voluntary nature of SWCD work with willing landowners and expressed support for the bill. No opposition testimony was presented, and no department testimony was offered. The committee then laid House File 1066, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, to start there while for landowners.
• It's not the small farmer or the landowner in the rural area. But I bet the Cargills have it.
• It's not the small farmer or the landowner in the rural area. But I bet the Cargills have it.
• It's not the small farmer or the landowner in the rural area. But I bet the Cargills have it.
• It's not the small farmer or the landowner in the rural area. But I bet the Cargills have it.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Rural and Family Lands Protection Program is reserved for green-belted operations, meaning that the landowner
• Third, since these protected rural lands are less than fee acquisitions, the landowner still owns the
• Each landowner must enroll in agricultural best management practices and, in doing so, go through the

Transcript Highlights:

• Representatives of the council are immune from civil liability for an activity or review related to fatalities
• If we were to expand to fight additional fires for both the state or for other landowners, this cost

Bills: HB2347 , HB2410

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, HB2410, commercial truck safety, commercial vehicle safety, trucking industry, truck driver training, driver education, highway safety, traffic safety commission, Washington State, commercial motor vehicles, vehicle registration fee, IRP fee, state patrol highway account, safety enforcement fee, public-private partnership

Transcript Highlights:

• agricultural land, must be used in the production of agricultural products, and must be owned by the landowner
• Adding liability insurance. Expanding eligibility. Expanding eligibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it comes to private landowners, however, that's where, you know, particularly this time of year,
• The liability for any of these fires to get out of control and cause damage to surrounding property remains

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting and adopted the consent calendar without objection. It then postponed the Board of Licensed Dieticians item until next month after granting a waiver, and also postponed the Board of Accountancy item to next month so the agency could respond. The Board of Registry and Optometry received conditional approval. Staff noted the board had addressed editorial comments, but flagged one substantive issue involving the drug formulary and whether it should be exempt from rulemaking requirements; the committee agreed to add that as a legislative suggestion for later review. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources interim rule drew more discussion, focused on a provision regulating kindling size for Category 3 fires. Staff and committee members questioned whether the agency had authority over Category 3 fires under the statute, but agency representatives said the interim rules were needed because the prior rules had expired and forest rangers lacked enforcement authority while final rulemaking was pending. The committee ultimately granted conditional approval to interim rule 25-4, with one member voting against it over concerns about consistency with the law. The Board of Examiners’ Dental 304 rules were presented next. The agency explained that it had revised the rules to address prior committee concerns about anesthesia and sedation for children, including creating a pathway for oral surgeons and dentist anesthesiologists to obtain exemptions for under-13 patients, setting a 20-patient-every-two-years threshold for certain permits, adding pediatric minimal sedation permitting, and loosening moderate sedation rules for pediatric dentists. Members also discussed whether the rules were compatible with House Bill 470, and staff said they appeared compatible and would not require additional rulemaking. The committee then approved the dental rules, and after that it adjourned after announcing it would cancel the continued meeting and take up remaining business next month.

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcement and authorizing FWC to enter into certain agreements with related agencies and private landowners
• But for the sake of safety, for the sake of liability, we don't operate when there is risk of flooding

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The committee considered and reported favorably several bills, most of them sponsored by Senator Rodriguez. CS/SB 164 on vessel accountability was presented as a measure to help law enforcement identify vessel owners, create a free long-term anchoring permit program, increase penalties for derelict vessel violations, and authorize grants for local governments in FWC’s prevention program; it passed without amendment. SB 388, dealing with FWC trust funds, was also reported favorably after Senator Berman asked whether non-game wildlife funds would support immigration enforcement; Senator Rodriguez said they would not. CS/SB 1320 was amended to recreate the Resilient Florida Trust Fund and then passed favorably. CS/CS/SB 344 modernizing the Telecommunications Access System was amended to define new terms and reduce the maximum surcharge from 25 cents to 15 cents, then reported favorably. CS/SB 86 on peer support for first responders expanded eligibility to support personnel and passed with broad support from law enforcement and related groups. The committee also took up CS/CS/SB 92, a hit-and-run accountability bill by Senator Gruters. The adopted amendment added a front license plate requirement, lowered the damage threshold from $5,000 to $2,500, and retained reporting requirements for repair shops. NFIB testified in opposition to parts of the bill, citing concerns about the lower threshold, short reporting deadlines, and potential license revocation, while supporters argued the bill would improve accountability and help solve hit-and-run cases. The bill was reported favorably after debate. The final and most contentious measure was CS/SB 56 by Senator Garcia, which would prohibit geoengineering and weather modification activities in Florida, repeal older weather-modification statutes, create a public reporting system at DEP, and impose penalties for violations. Supporters, including individuals identifying with weather-watch and anti-geoengineering concerns, argued that the bill would address public fears and environmental risks. A cloud-seeding company representative testified that cloud seeding is distinct from solar radiation management and said permitting should exist for responsible weather modification, while warning the bill could hinder beneficial precipitation enhancement. Despite skepticism from some members about the bill’s premise and scope, the committee reported it favorably. The meeting then concluded after members recorded missed votes and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• working poor, that if they could add that to their tax credits, it would really help reduce their liability
• I'm a private landowner in a rural area in southern New Mexico.

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Their liability insurance will go up.
• Their liability insurance will go up.
• So extending liability, Civil action for unlawful or negligent care.
• So make it clear, this bill adds liability to physicians.
• .to allow a case for this liability to be brought.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment clarifies the responsibility of the current landowner rather than the original landowner
• The amendment clarifies the responsibility of the current landowner rather than the original landowner
• And so this just sets up a way to make sure that we're properly compensating the landowner and locality

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes It stems from respect issues, you know, and not really treating the landowner or the local
• Financial liability to the state of New Mexico.
• Does the bill require that we can only assume liability for a class?
• because legally we've taken on all that liability.
• The notion that we would willingly take on liability and responsibility. Thank you.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So</c><00:19:27.120><c> there's</c><00:19:27.600><c> costs</c><00:19:27.919><c> throughout</c> liabilities
• So there's costs throughout liabilities. So there's costs throughout the<00:19:28.559><c> system.
• Uh, is there any opportunity for a landowner or a farmer who may be concerned for them to be able to
• exceedance of the values that we've set in each of the tiers, there would be a notification of the landowner
• Uh, my understanding is we do not have the statutory authority set up to just provide funding to landowners

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• have the opportunity to appeal to them for their hard-earned dollars to be able to provide personal liability
• It would cost about $1.1 million to provide liability for teachers in their classroom settings.
• All of the time, we carried personal liability insurance for me as a schoolteacher in that work site,

Bills: SB1090 , SJR49 , SB633 , HR1059 , SB650 , SB2063 , SB122 , SB1614 , SB1884 , SJR52 , SJR53 , HJR1101 , SJR50 , HB3021 , HR1058 , SB514 , SB382 , HB3320 , SB740 , SB833 , SB2143 , SB1209 , SB244

Keywords: SB1090, Oklahoma Homeowner Repair Contract Protection Act, home repair, home solicitation contract, cooling-off period, right to cancel, consumer protection, contract rescission, certified mail cancellation, home solicitation sales, contractor regulation, home improvement scams, public finance, State Treasurer, Invest In Oklahoma, OCAST, venture capital, private equity, growth funds, direct investment

Transcript Highlights:

• As provisions, that should not be construed to obligate the oil and gas company and different liability

Bills: SR28 , SB201 , SB1379 , SB1525 , SB1966 , SB2112 , SB2170 , HB2749 , HB3262 , HB3265 , HB3673 , HB3781 , HB3040 , HB3076 , HB3369 , HB3982 , HB3462 , HB3465 , HB3521 , HB3796 , HB3800 , HB4095 , HB4298 , HB4316 , HB4338 , HB4408 , HB4454

Keywords: alpha-gal syndrome, alpha gal, tick-borne illness, tick bite allergy, red meat allergy, meat allergy, dairy allergy, anaphylaxis, Lyme disease, public health, tick prevention, vector-borne disease, allergy awareness, May awareness month, Oklahoma Department of Health, outdoor safety, health education, research funding, minimum salary, education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• These technologies also provide Texas landowners with multi-generational income for their families.
• energy and battery storage projects to their community so they can grow their tax base and help landowners
• Is it to protect landowners' rights? We hear you.
• sure this is the right tool for the job, and I think there are other ways perhaps to address the landowner
• I think certainly I agree with Senator Johnson on landowner rights, other things, but in trying, in my

Bills: SB913 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1143 , SB1534 , SB1553 , SB1718 , SB1754 , SB2004 , SB2322 , SB2448

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met to hear a series of bills and informational primers, with several resource witnesses from the Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The chair opened by noting the death of Senator King’s son and asking members to keep the family in their prayers. Most bills were laid out and left pending subject to the call of the chair after brief author presentations and public testimony. The committee heard several local hotel occupancy tax bills: SB 1553 for Kerr County, SB 1086 for Childress County, SB 1087 for Mason County, and SB 913 for Alpine. Supporters, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and local officials, said the measures would allow counties or the city to use hotel tax revenue for tourism-related projects and local development. The committee also heard SB 1534, which would direct a study on health physics education and workforce needs in Texas; resource witnesses from TWC and THECB testified on the bill. All of these measures were left pending. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 1754, which would prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power at wholesale, with an exception for certain battery storage tied to dispatchable generation. The bill drew strong support from witnesses who argued counties should not subsidize wind and solar projects that can harm neighboring landowners and that renewables already receive substantial federal support. Opponents from the solar and storage industry argued the bill would remove a voluntary local economic development tool, raise power prices, and discourage investment. Senators also debated landowner impacts, grid reliability, and whether the bill was the right policy tool; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2322, a committee substitute related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which would exempt electric generation facilities from the program’s compelling-factor test so they can qualify for school tax limitation agreements. Supporters said the change would correct an unintended barrier for dispatchable generation, while Senator Johnson argued it would weaken the program’s purpose by subsidizing projects that would locate in Texas anyway. SB 1718 would add the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program; the NRA supported it, while gun violence prevention advocates opposed using state incentives for the organization. SB 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events program, and SB 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard SB 1143, a substitute bill aimed at improving transparency and coordination in programs serving opportunity youth ages 14 to 24, with witnesses supporting better reporting and workforce alignment. At the end of the meeting, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> to</c><00:43:00.520><c> hunt</c><00:43:00.760><c> or</c> the landowner allows people to hunt or
• the landowner allows people to hunt or doesn't<00:43:01.200><c> post</c><00:43:01.440><c> the</c><00:
• I'm a landowner. I have 65 acres.
• </c> &gt;&gt; landowner. I have 65 acres. &gt;&gt; landowner. I have 65 acres.
• And I feel a landowner to deal with it.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I would absolutely expect that an officer that meets a landowner and the landowner says, you shouldn't
• I would absolutely expect that an officer that meets a landowner and the landowner says, you shouldn't
• landowner says, you shouldn't be on my land, get out.
• I would absolutely expect that an officer that meets a landowner and the landowner says, you shouldn't
• I would absolutely expect that an officer that meets a landowner and the landowner says, you shouldn't

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I'm traveling throughout the county talking to local landowners, deer hunters, and taxpayers about
• We go around to landowners within a one-square-mile radius of that location and ask permission to perform
• If the landowner tells us no, that's fine.
• If the landowner doesn't want us to do it, but they are okay with it being done, we allow them to do

Committees: House Agriculture , House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• , it adds that if a board holds an election to approve a project under subsection 3, an affected landowner
• benefit from the project may not vote on the question of obligating the district for the costs if the landowner
• An election to approve a project under subsection 3: an affected landowner receiving a benefit from the
• project may not vote on the question of obligating the district for the costs if the landowner has failed

Bills: HCR3018

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs

Summary: The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 3018, which was amended to expand a study of wetlands and jurisdictional water issues, including questions about taxing authority over land inundated by water. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the resolution as amended on a roll call vote, with all members present voting yes or aye. Senator Weston agreed to carry the measure. The committee then considered House Bill 1581, relating to funding for the Native American Tourism Alliance. Senator Marcellais explained an amendment restoring the funding level to $500,000 and adding a 10% tribal match. Members debated the budget impact and the likelihood of the bill surviving in that form. The amendment failed on a 3-3 tie, after which the committee moved to the original House version. That version, with $100,000 total funding and matching requirements, received a 4-2 do pass recommendation and was sent to Appropriations, with Senator Marcellais designated as carrier. The committee also discussed House Bill 1541, which would create a new commission to oversee septic systems, but members indicated a preference for a different approach already moving in the House that would place licensing and oversight under DEQ with health units still handling inspections. No final action was taken on that bill. Finally, the committee reviewed House Bill 1280, a water/drainage-related measure involving voting eligibility for landowners who have not paid assessments, but members raised legal questions and deferred further action. The committee also discussed broader concerns about a chemical-labeling bill and related public emails, then recessed until the call of the chair.