Transcript Highlights:

• It's in addition, I clearly informing users that jacket he can make mistakes or these different models
• What a user of such as a school system, a school, a family of schools with.
• We've launched I age prediction that goes beyond verification of predicts the age of the user.
• And then we did add in a user agreement and then we're now working at well finishing the student one.
• And so before the students use the tool, they will be signing a user agreement as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think sometimes my concern is that sometimes all these data centers or large demand users that
• Users that say they're coming to Texas doesn't mean that they actually get built, and so I appreciate
• Senate Bill 512 makes clear that a user cannot be fined for a violation of terms of service by a money
• This means that a user will not have to forfeit funds in their account.
• This means that a user will not have to forfeit funds in their account.

Bills: SB438, SB512, SB647, SB648, SB1495, SB2121, SB2145, SB2154, SB2167, SB2184, SB2211, SB2268, SB2349, SB2443, SB2629, SB2702, SB2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first voted out several pending bills. Senate Bill 1612 was reported favorably to the full Senate with objections sent to the local and contested calendar. The committee then adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported Senate Bills 2717, 1468, 1642, and 1789, with 1642 and 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council and add agencies to it; SB 1468 and SB 1642 were discussed as changes affecting utility and insurance-related structures; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards, with the author saying it would clarify PUC authority and create more practical statewide standards. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from Pablo Vegas, who said Texas load growth remains strong but ERCOT is adjusting its large-load forecast downward using historical delays and realization rates for data centers and other large loads. He said the adjusted forecast is still very high, but more realistic for planning, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, demand response, and the role of Senate Bill 6 in helping model large data centers as flexible load. The committee then took testimony on a series of bills and left most pending after public comment. SB 2629 would allow condominium and property owners associations to hold meetings and vote electronically; testimony supported it as a way to improve access, though some members expressed concern about overuse of virtual meetings. SB 2702 would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies instead of requiring a separate TCEQ license, and was supported as a workforce and public health measure. SB 2167 would let TDLR pause new massage-establishment license applications when an applicant is subject to a human trafficking emergency order or pending SOAH case. SB 2349 would exempt short-term residential leases and certain leasebacks from floodplain disclosure requirements while allowing the notice to be included in the lease packet. SB 2121 would tighten the data broker registry law from the prior session, and SB 2443 would allow TDLR to use electronic delivery for notices and contested-case documents. Additional bills focused on consumer protection, housing, and regulatory administration. SB 2902 would help victims of coerced debt and identity theft stop collection efforts by requiring proof such as a court order or FTC report; advocates said it would protect survivors while still preventing fraud. SB 512 would bar money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations in a way that forfeits account funds, and supporters framed it as a protection against private financial penalties. SB 2145 would allow public improvement districts and tax increment finance districts to meet virtually with at least one member physically present, while SB 2268 would give the PUC flexibility to extend Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in certain cases. SB 1495 would create an advisory board for electric vehicle supply equipment standards, SB 2154 would extend statewide regulation to delivery network companies, SB 2184 would lower the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display licenses from 21 to 18, SB 438 would expand confidentiality protections for SOAH administrative law judges, SB 2211 would treat digital products and desalinated water as industrial products to support combined energy-water projects, and SB 647 would strengthen title-theft protections by improving notice and clerk authority to reject fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after testimony, and several drew support from industry, consumer, or advocacy witnesses along with some member concerns about electronic meetings, licensing, and data accuracy.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, truth of the matter is, there are more users than there is water right now.
• the thing to point out just just for conversation basis, the state of Chihuahua, which is the major user
• If you look at the Region M plan that we put together, our water users.
• Our industry is actually one of the largest users of the H-2B program and disruptions to the... workforce
• Their heavy industry is a major water user. In West Texas, you have oil operations.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A waiver would be highly unusual for a new industry where the ultimate users of the treated product,
• I'm here as a witness today, talking about the end user of that product and the people whose surface
• Where landowners downstream or municipal users downstream discover, as an example, there was PFAS in
• Treaters, the users of produced water?
• Resources Code is protection, limited liability protection for the treaters and users to produce water

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

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft

Transcript Highlights:

• One is the Hōy Harbor user group, the Hawaii Longline Fishing Association, and also a captain from Andy
• the Hoy Harbor user the Hoy Harbor user group<00:47:55.920> The<00:47:56.079> hoy<
• 48:23.680> these shared um is of concern because these shared um is of concern because these users
• :25.880> be<00:48:26.280> very<00:48:26.839> affected<00:48:27.280> by users
• are going to be very affected by users are going to be very affected by it<00:48:28.040> um<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Stockton will support 4,000 users and lambs, an increase in 12% in Alabama sheep production and 800%
• 00:09:32.040> will<00:09:32.200> support<00:09:32.640> 4,000<00:09:33.320> users
• <00:09:33.600> and Stockton will support 4,000 users and Stockton will support 4,000 users

Bills: HB381, HB259, HB393, HB399, SB358, SB362, SB363, SB348, SB187

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The rule applies to water users in the North Florida Regional Water Supply Area and consists of four
• water conservation by establishing clear milestones and accountability, including reporting for larger users
• budget that you see in the state funding is predominantly to offset some costs for the stakeholders and users
• And it has additional monitoring and reporting requirements so that other users will make sure they know

Bills: S0598, S0934, S1260, S1300, S1452, S1510, S1566, S1580, S1668, S7034

Keywords: funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care, direct disposal, mortuary science, funeral service arts, licensure by endorsement, cemetery license, contiguous acres, consumer services

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been started with the publication of the Student Fraud User Guide, I mentioned earlier, but
• Finally, we want to expand the institutional adoption of the enrollment fraud user guide I talked about
• Additionally, that fraud user guide that I talked about should be formally adopted systemwide to ensure
• The development of an enrollment fraud user guide provides standardized protocols for staff across campuses

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Included in this bill will not shock users, overload circuits, or backfeed during power outages.
• /c><00:03:53.760> will<00:03:53.920> not<00:03:54.080> shock<00:03:54.400> users
• in this bill will not shock users in this bill will not shock users overload<00:03:55.200> circuits

Bills: SB2671, SB2902

Keywords: permit processing, permitting reform, county permits, development permits, building permits, land use, construction delays, housing development, infrastructure development, county workforce, differential pay, salary incentive, performance bonus, recruitment and retention, expedited hiring, vacancy rates, permit backlog, government modernization, county mayor, county council

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard two measures. SB 2671, relating to essential permitting positions, drew no oral testimony beyond written comments from the Department of the Attorney General and the Office of Planning. The chair said the bill was intended to make government more efficient and reduce red tape in the permitting process. SB 2902, relating to renewable energy, received testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, Kauai Island Cooperative, Bright Saver, and 350 Hawaii. Supporters described the bill as a way to expand access to plug-in or balcony solar, lower electricity bills, improve resilience, and broaden access for renters and apartment residents. Several testifiers urged amendments to avoid limiting the measure to condominiums, to remove condominium board approval language, and to eliminate utility or PUC registration requirements. The PUC said registration could help with safety, linemen protection, and circuit hosting-capacity concerns, and noted that improper installation or oversizing could create problems. After a brief recess, the committee voted to recommend both bills for passage with amendments and deferred each to April 19, 2042. The recommendations were adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• a lot of the investment capital investment right now and some ours is coming from the potential in users
• ball on called consumer regulated electricity where they the last century states that if you are have user
• particular the extent these some ours are being built to serve data center or other special purpose in users
• So the end users and contractors are able to set up a, you know, some sort of recovery system that protects

Transcript Highlights:

• IT: continued protection for user devices and the department's network.
• Continued protection for user devices and the department's network, enhancing cybersecurity and multi-factor
• IT, continue protection for user devices and departments network.
• Continue protection for user devices and department's network, enhancing cybersecurity, and multi-factor

Summary: The committee met for an interim appropriations presentation hearing focused on justice administration agencies. Members heard budget requests from the State Attorney’s Office, Public Defenders, the Justice Administrative Commission, Regional Conflict Counsel, Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, and the Guardian ad Litem Office, followed by a presentation from the Department of Juvenile Justice and a brief public comment from a nonprofit advocate. The chair noted that presentations from the Department of Law Enforcement and the Commission on Offender Review would be moved to a later meeting. The state attorney requested funding to true up underfunded circuits under the existing formula, staff 14 new criminal judgeships, replace declining VOCA victim-services funding with general revenue, and cover a projected due process shortfall. The public defender asked for a higher starting salary for assistant public defenders, funding to restore balance in circuits where public defenders lag behind state attorneys, and staffing for new criminal judgeships. Regional conflict counsel and capital collateral regional counsel also sought salary adjustments, additional attorneys and case costs, and competitive area differential funding to address recruitment and retention issues. The Justice Administrative Commission requested funding for Florida PALM readiness and implementation and for IT hardware and software replacement; it also relayed a clerks’ request for reimbursement related to injunctions for protection, Baker Act, Marchman Act, and sexually violent predator cases. The Guardian ad Litem Office said it now has a guardian ad litem for every child in Florida and requested salary increases for senior and managing attorneys to reduce turnover. The Department of Juvenile Justice presented a much larger budget request to expand residential and detention capacity, increase per diem rates, renovate and replace aging facilities, fund the Broward detention center rebuild, improve cybersecurity and the juvenile information system, and cover rising lease costs. Members asked questions about staffing, compensation, detention and residential treatment needs, mental health and substance-use services, and the Broward project timeline. A nonprofit advocate then asked for better data collection on protection orders and related court actions to support funding for domestic violence and recovery services. The committee adjourned without taking any formal votes on the budget requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• reviewing the application as we're integrating more technological solutions and we'll continue to make it user
• continue<00:06:41.840> to<00:06:42.000> make<00:06:42.080> it<00:06:42.319> user
• <00:06:42.639> friendly uh continue to make it user friendly uh continue to make it user friendly

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The JLCAR June meeting opened with the pledge, approval of the prior minutes, and adoption of the consent calendar after one Fish and Game item was pulled for separate consideration. The committee then reordered the regular calendar and postponed an HHS item at the agency’s request because work was still ongoing. The committee next considered OPLC item 2547, concerning amendments to licensure and discipline forms for regulated professions. Members raised concerns that the application was still too geared toward health professions and that renewal forms should be shorter, but the agency said it was moving toward a dynamic online form that would collapse irrelevant questions. The committee concluded the issue was more about agency operations than policy and adopted the rule. For DNCR item 2551, on rules for the Adopt-a-Park volunteer program, staff explained the agency had been operating the program under statute but had realized rules were required and had been using DOJ review in the meantime. Committee members noted the agency had not followed the rulemaking requirement but was now correcting it, and the rule was approved. Fish and Game item 2570, on electronic OHRV and snowmobile registration applications, drew discussion over whether the online process should be processed in five days to match mail-in applications or remain at ten days; the agency cited workload and file-transfer delays, and the committee adopted a conditional approval with an oral amendment leaving the ten-day timeframe in place for now. In other business, staff described a planned upgrade to the committee’s agency portal and database workflow, moving from email submissions to an online portal with better form validation and document upload features. Members supported the modernization and approved the manual change, with implementation expected after agency sign-up and training later in the summer.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a component of double billing here for the end user if I'm the, if I'm the, if I'm the general
• counties communities are asking for the same private property rights protection against large commercial users
• The board of directors has done that to disincentivize those, those high users. I get that.
• Also, a list of some of the most prominent businesses within Wimberley that are members or users of Wimberley

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:

• It's well-meaning, and I understand with regard to medical marijuana users who live far from ATCs or
• marijuana patients so just like a marijuana patients so just like a recreational<01:30:18.679> user
• c> funny<01:30:21.040> HB<01:30:21.560> 380<01:30:22.440> is recreational user
• marijuana users who sell their<01:30:33.520> marij<01:30:34.040> marijuana<01:30:34.560
• <04:28:06.080> is<04:28:06.279> the for medical marijuana users is the for medical

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:10:31.000> and would be helpful for the end users and would be helpful for the end users
• whether it's a when I say the end users whether it's a a<01:10:33.199> home<01:10:33.440>
• It creates a conflict for the end user: builders, contractors, residents, and even code officials such
• It creates a conflict for the end user: builders, contractors, residents, and even code officials such
• It creates a conflict for the end user: builders, contractors, residents, and even code officials such

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today on behalf of the Hawaii Harbor Users Group.
• I kick back and wait till DOAX cuts me a check when we move to this road user charge platform for the
• It would be the same thing with road user charge.
• They'll collect for both the state's road user charge and the county's road user charge and disperse
• charge which I think that's road user charge which I think that's fair<00:37:37.680> honestly

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation and consumer-related bills. HB 496, relating to mamaki tea labeling, drew support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Weights and Measures, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which said the bill would help protect a culturally important crop and the Hawaii brand. Members questioned Agriculture about staffing and whether the bill was being used to reopen a package-labeling inspection branch; the department said it currently has no Oahu inspectors for that function but has a place for an additional inspector. No opposition was registered on the measure. HB 978, relating to electric utilities, and HB 1316, relating to DLNR/park reservations, were also heard. HB 1316 received support from State Parks, and members discussed where reservation fees would go and whether the statewide reservation system for three parks would cover its costs; the committee indicated a change would be made so fees go to the special fund. HB 914, relating to water carriers, drew support or comments from the PUC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. The main discussion focused on the proposed automatic rate-adjustment mechanism tied to the GDP price index, with members asking for alternative index ideas and questioning whether the PUC already had authority to adopt such a mechanism. Young Brothers said the measure would provide clarity and help recover inflationary costs, while the chair raised concerns about repeated rate increases and asked for further testimony on possible alternative indices. HB 1161, relating to transportation and road usage charges, received support from the Insurance Division, DOT, and the State Energy Office, with comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Members asked whether counties need state authorization to adopt mileage-based charges and why the bill included funding for implementation; DOT said it is helping counties build the data collection and billing system and that Honolulu is handling much of the collection work. A question was also raised about whether plug-in hybrids would be covered, and DOT said vehicles under the federal electric-vehicle definition would be included. HB 1301, relating to transportation network companies, drew opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, Lyft, and Uber, all arguing that classifying TNCs as common carriers and changing liability rules would raise costs, reduce access, and disrupt the current statewide framework. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I AM THE PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST AND AS YOU CAN SEE I AM ALSO A POWER CHAIR USER.
• AND ALSO THE COST FOR A WHEELCHAIR USER.
• IT SAYS A 2022 SURVEY PERFORMED WHEELCHAIR USERS FOUND 93 PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS NEEDED AT LEAST ONE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We included multi-factor authentication to prevent fraud on users' accounts, and we also put behavioral
• and the client registration portal module, those are both being fully developed and currently in our user
• They're currently in user acceptance testing phase now, and we actually are seeing great results up to

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received a Department of Children and Families update from CIO Cole Sousa on three major technology modernization efforts: ACCESS, CWIS, and FASMS. For ACCESS, he described the six-year, $205 million project to replace the aging eligibility system used for SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid applications, noting completed releases such as the MyACCESS portal, document management, partner portal, workload management, and client registration modules. He said the system now supports mobile applications, multi-factor authentication, and bot detection, and that the next budget request is $36.625 million to continue moving workers off the mainframe, modernize notices, and complete more worker-portal functions. Members asked about performance data, interoperability with other systems, and the relationship to the FX project and APD; Sousa said API-based real-time exchanges are the goal and that current average case processing time is about 30 days, though he would provide a more exact figure later. The committee then heard about CWIS, a four-year, $75 million child welfare modernization project. Sousa said phase one is complete, including hotline intake, investigations, mandatory reporter, youth, parent, and mobile portals, along with mobile field tools, e-signatures, and customizable dashboards. Current work is focused on case management, assessment and safety planning, licensure, and placement modules, with collaboration from community-based care providers through advisory sessions. For the next fiscal year, DCF is requesting $28 million and expects to finish development by summer and launch in September, while continuing change management and training. Senators pressed on interoperability with ACCESS, FX, and FASMS, the use of a single unique identifier, and whether CBCs would be required to use the statewide system; Sousa said the department’s goal is one statewide system, with licensing costs absorbed by the state and no plan for dual systems after go-live. Finally, Sousa gave a brief update on FASMS, the financial and services accountability system used by managing entities. He said it remains in maintenance mode while DCF prioritizes ACCESS and CWIS, and that modernization of FASMS is still being planned with partner agencies. He estimated current maintenance costs at about $1.3 million and suggested a future modernization could cost roughly $5 million to $7 million, though no firm timeline has been set. The committee expressed support for using data and interoperable systems to improve decision-making, and the meeting adjourned without any votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This can be particularly dangerous where industrial districts were built without sidewalks or pedestrian
• Thank you here, your group, for welcoming the end users, which are the board members, the property management

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• tying the hands of government so that we are unable to be raising revenues and setting fees based on user
• different control, we can set up a fee structure that is different that is different, that charges users
• of certain. structure that is different, that charges users of certain resources more for the resources
• tying the hands of government so that we are unable to be raising revenues and setting fees based on user
• Based on user use rather than tying the hands of government so that we are unable to adequately invest

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened, recorded attendance, dispensed with reading the journal, and recognized several guest groups, including landscape architects and FFA representatives who delivered plants to senators. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills and resolutions, with most measures receiving do-pass recommendations, often after committee or floor amendments. Topics included public monies and cryptocurrency/stablecoin use by the state (SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1044, SB 1045, SCR 1003, SCR 1033), attorney discipline and family court matters (SB 1039, SB 1139, SB 1147, SB 1148, SB 1328), public records, scholarship organizations, HOA flag rules, deed conveyances, environmental restrictions on solar radiation management, federal land acquisition consent, small modular reactors, water quality testing, and state revenue-related constitutional changes (SCR 1028). One notable procedural dispute occurred when an Epstein amendment to SB 1043 was ruled not germane; the chair’s ruling was upheld on a 14-10 division vote, and the bill later advanced without that amendment. The Senate also retained SB 1419 on the calendar. On later calendars, the Senate advanced health and human services measures focused on Arizona’s Access program and DCS, including SB 1052, SB 1115, SB 1149, SB 1193, SB 1233, SB 1345, SB 1346, and SB 1631. Testimony on SB 1115 centered on whether Access employees should be barred from remote work, with supporters arguing in-person work was needed and critics warning of staffing and service disruptions without a new facility or appropriation. SB 1233 drew discussion about a short cure period for administrative deficiencies; supporters said the bill addressed retaliatory enforcement practices, while opponents said the timeframe was too short. SB 1345 and SB 1346 also drew Access-related debate, including a floor amendment removing Access from SB 1345 and an objection that the bill could conflict with federal Medicaid law. The committee reports for these bills were adopted, and the measures were sent forward with do-pass recommendations. The Senate also advanced regulatory and utility-related bills on another calendar, including SB 1137, SB 1144, and SB 1205. SB 1137 dealt with underground facilities excavation notification and passed with a Kavanaugh floor amendment described as stakeholder-driven technical detail. SB 1144 addressed veterinary technician certification and education alternatives and passed with committee amendment. SB 1205, concerning motor vehicle booting fees regulation, was amended to require an appeals process for private parking lots using booting services after a senator described a personal experience of paying a boot fee and receiving no response to an appeal. The calendar was still in progress at the end of the transcript, with SB 1286 just beginning to be read.