Transcript Highlights:

• And the city of Austin, same way.
• There would be a $421 increase for the county or Austin, which one? For the city of Austin.
• retirement parties hosted by the Austin city manager.
• I'm president of the Austin Firefighter Association.
• I've got a job for you in Austin, maybe, but sorry.

Bills: SB9, SB 9

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit, school assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• And it would seem as though, and the City of Austin, same way, as City Austin gave me some idea in terms
• For the city of Austin.
• retirement parties hosted by the Austin City Manager.
• I'm president of the Austin Firefighters Association.
• I've got a job for you in Austin maybe, but sorry.

Bills: SB9

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met to hear Senate Bill 9, which would lower the voter-approval tax rate for certain local taxing units from 3.5% to 2.5%. Sen. Bettencourt, the bill author, argued the change would continue the state’s property tax reforms begun in 2019, slow local levy growth, and give voters more say over larger tax increases. He and supporters cited data showing property tax levies have grown faster than population plus inflation, and said the bill would help protect taxpayers while preserving the state’s broader investments in school tax relief, water, rural law enforcement, and ambulance funding. Supporters included the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and the Texas Association of Manufacturers. They said the bill would improve transparency, encourage more disciplined budgeting, and create certainty for homeowners and businesses. They argued that lower tax-rate growth would help attract and retain employers and investment, and that voters would still be able to approve higher rates when needed. Local officials and other opponents said the bill would constrain cities and counties facing rapid growth, inflation, infrastructure needs, and public safety costs. Testimony from county judges, city finance officials, firefighters, and urban county representatives emphasized pressures from jail operations, roads, water, EMS, police and fire staffing, and unfunded mandates. Several witnesses asked for carve-outs or exemptions for public safety and disaster-related costs, warning that a one-size-fits-all cap could force service cuts or shift costs elsewhere. The committee heard extensive questioning but no final vote or disposition on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Austin. Aloha. >> Sure.
• Austin Martin. >> Thank you, Nicole. Austin Martin.
• <00:45:47.440> Austin >> Aloha. Thanks again, everybody. Austin >> Aloha.
• >> Thank<00:47:53.680> you,<00:47:53.920> Austin. >> Thank you, Austin.
• >> Thank you, Austin.

Bills: SB874, SB2097, SB2098, SB2126, SB2154, SB2153, SB2160, SB2123, SB2110

Keywords: veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, plant propagation, small farms, midsize farms, sustainable farming, Hawaii, data analysis, market study

Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. SB 874 on veterinary medicine would require veterinarians, upon a client’s request, to provide a written prescription for an animal patient in an existing veterinary client-patient relationship, allow Hawaii-licensed pharmacies to dispense those prescriptions, and authorize the Veterinary Medicine Board to set penalties. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with supporters citing lower costs and consumer choice; the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association said veterinarians already should be doing this and supported the bill if amended. One testifier in opposition argued the bill needed a conspicuous notice requirement so pet owners know they can request prescriptions. Committee members and the Department of Agriculture said they were not aware of widespread problems, and discussion focused on whether the measure was already consistent with current practice and whether amendments would address remaining concerns. The committee also heard SB 2097, which would create a climate-resilient food systems grant program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and appropriate funds. The department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and others supported the bill, saying it could help farmers and ranchers invest in resilience, infrastructure, and technology. Several testifiers asked for clearer definitions, especially for terms like “food hubs” and “resilience hubs,” and suggested adding technical assistance and clearer eligibility criteria. The department explained the program was intended for shovel-ready projects in the middle of the supply chain, with a focus on farmers in a certain revenue range, and said it was modeled on a USDA program. SB 2098 would establish a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material to growers, nurseries, and other producers. Testimony was supportive, emphasizing biosecurity, nursery industry needs, and preventing invasive species and crop disease. The department described the program as using tested clean stock, tissue culture facilities, and data collection to support future planting decisions, and estimated a two-year ramp-up. Members questioned whether the program duplicated existing work at CTR/other partners and whether data collection should be centralized, but the department said the effort would build on existing varieties and partnerships rather than overlap them. Finally, SB 2126 would create a conventional farming grant program for small and midsize conventional farmers. Supporters from the department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council said conventional agriculture deserves support and that the bill would help increase food production. Opposition and comments focused on the bill’s exclusion of organic farmers; one farmer said the measure was unfair unless amended to include organic producers, while a Farmers Union witness said the bill was too vague about the grant’s purpose and should be clearer about its goals. In response to questions, the department said the exclusion of organic farming was not intentional and that the bill was meant to support all agriculture, though no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• "this today so I could do this without driving again to Austin."
• Austin, support them.
• I graduated from UT Austin. Hook 'em! I'm just about to start my PhD.
• As a Black resident of Austin, I don't feel safe.
• Let's go around to the projects here in Austin, Texas.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And from the housing authority side of Austin...
• Authorized HFCs, Housing Finance Corporations, in the Austin area include the Austin Housing Finance
• HFCs that are operating in the Austin area.
• They do not want Austin to be able to reject them.
• I can't afford to live in Austin anymore.

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223, HB323, HB524, HB530, HB636, HB762, HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, my colleagues and I stand alongside our fellow Texas Democrats here in Austin.
• fighter who's joined us here in Austin to demonstrate support for Texas and for Texans.
• And we are so pleased to welcome him here to Austin.
• It means something to me to come to Austin, Texas. Thank you.
• It means something to me to come to Austin, Texas, and see you at work.

Keywords: redistricting, gerrymandering, Texas Democrats, voter suppression, Hakeem Jeffries, equitable representation, minority communities, legislative session, political motivations

Summary: Texas Democratic leaders and members of Congress held a press event in Austin with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to denounce the Republican-led special session and proposed congressional redistricting map. Speakers, including Lizzie Fletcher, Lloyd Doggett, Al Green, Joaquin Castro, Sylvia Garcia, and Greg Casar, argued that the session should instead focus on flood recovery after the Hill Country Independence Day floods, affordability, health care, the energy grid, and other state priorities. They said the new map was a partisan and racially discriminatory gerrymander designed to help Donald Trump and Texas Republicans gain seats, weaken minority voting power, and undermine free and fair elections. Several speakers said the current Texas map is already under legal challenge and claimed the proposed changes would further reduce the ability of Black and Latino communities to elect candidates of choice. They also tied the redistricting fight to broader national issues such as Medicaid, Social Security, tariffs, housing costs, and corruption. Jeffries said Texas Democrats would not “bend the knee” and pledged support for their efforts, while emphasizing that the fight would continue politically, in court, and through public organizing. In the question-and-answer portion, Jeffries said all options should be on the table to protect Texans, but that Texas Democrats would decide their own strategy. Fletcher said the immediate priority was informing the public about the rushed process, noting that many Texans testified before seeing a map and that the hearings were moving quickly. No formal vote or legislative action occurred at the event itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Diego Lopez is a graduate of UT Austin and a plan II honor student.
• We are so happy to have her here in Austin.
• She will be a junior at UT Austin. Funny thing, she's been at Texas A&M.
• Raich Tamlanovich is a law student at the University of Texas at Austin. M.
• Maddie Terry, our policy advisor and a rising senior at UT Austin.

Summary: The House met on sine die and began with prayer, pledges, quorum verification, and a series of announcements and recognitions. The chamber received Senate messages reporting adoption of conference committee reports on SB 268 and SB 2972, and Senate concurrence in House amendments to SB 1637. Members also referred several resolutions and announced the signing of numerous House and Senate measures by the presence of the House. Technical correction resolutions were adopted: HCR 171, authorizing corrections to HB 46, passed 138-0, and SCR 55, making a wording correction in SB 1964, passed 126-12. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to memorials and recognitions. The House honored Pastor Dave Welch, with several members offering condolences and reflections on his work organizing pastors and engaging in civic life, followed by a moment of silence. Members also recognized the Ganado High School Maidens for winning the 2025 UIL 2A Division I softball state championship, Waco police K-9 Andor after being shot in the line of duty, Region 7 DPS for Capitol Complex security, and various restaurants, staff members, interns, caucus staff, and caucus freshmen of the year across Republican, Democratic, Black, Progressive, LGBTQ, IT, Energy and Climate, and Mexican American Legislative Caucuses. The chamber also heard a retirement-style address from Rep. Tony Tinderholt, who reflected on his six sessions in the House, his military service, and his decision to step aside to focus on family, while colleagues from both parties praised his service, discipline, and willingness to work across differences. The House then continued with additional staff and caucus recognitions, including committee staff, district office staff, and interns, with members repeatedly thanking their teams for their work during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testifying for yourself and the Austin Infill Coalition for the bill, is that correct? Correct.
• On behalf of the Austin Infill Coalition. respectfully urge you to vote yes on SB1450.
• Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association testifying for... is that correct? That's correct.
• Humanity Advocacy Committee and former president of the Austin Infill Coalition.
• I'm a local developer, land broker here in Austin, Texas.

Bills: SB1708, SB2523, SB1450

Keywords: county platting, subdivision platting, Local Government Code Chapter 232, Section 232.022, Section 232.0014, model subdivision rules, Water Code Section 16.343, Texas county subdivision law, residential subdivision, land conveyance, gift deed, family transfer, consanguinity, affinity, third degree relative, five acres or less, county land use, platting exemption, rural land division, property subdivision

Transcript Highlights:

• Austin or Texas A&M.
• UT Austin because they want that experience.
• We will now call up President Hartzell for UT Austin and UT's Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.
• Austin University, President Neil Weaver. Thank you. Thank you, F. Austin State University.
• Austin in 10 years.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ...do you actually work in Austin yourself? I do not.
• My question is for Austin, Texas.
• I'm going to use Austin as an example since that's where your headquarters is at.
• Do you all work with the city of Austin? Yes, sir.
• Actually, we've been just having conversations. ...work with the city of Austin? Yes, sir.

Summary: The committee first approved a motion, then heard a lengthy presentation on homelessness in Arkansas, with a focus on unsheltered homelessness, untreated mental illness and substance use, public safety, and the role of local law enforcement and shelters. Presenters from law enforcement, homeless service providers, mental health, and policy groups discussed federal Continuum of Care funding, the need for better data and accountability, and proposals such as statewide camping enforcement, stronger treatment access, and consolidating or reworking the continuum-of-care structure. Much of the discussion centered on the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, with witnesses describing it as a way to expand crisis services, treatment, and coordination with housing and justice systems. They also discussed homelessness among sex offenders, family homelessness, workforce supports, and how to scale successful local programs statewide. No formal action was taken on the homelessness proposals during the discussion. The committee then reviewed several Department of Energy and Department of Health/Board of Nursing rules. The energy rule updated solid waste post-closure cleanup thresholds from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025. Nursing-related rules added fees for the new dialysis patient care technician registration created by Act 198 of 2025, updated contact-information requirements, implemented APRN authority under Act 862 of 2025, clarified durable medical equipment language under Act 431 of 2025, and incorporated delegation changes from Act 959 of 2025. Additional nursing rules updated certified medication assistant training and duties under Act 265 of 2025, and corrected rules for full independent practice to include clinical nurse specialists under Act 872 of 2023. Each rule was reviewed without objection. At the close of the meeting, members received an update that UAMS had completed its NCII designation submission for the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, which was described as a major milestone. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows them to come to Austin. or their staff to come to Austin to testify for or against legislation
• So with this bill they can no longer hire those multi-million dollar fat cat Austin lobbyists and it
• I could go to my employer and say, hey, I gotta run up to Austin.
• We make it explicit that either elected officials or their staff can come to Austin as... much and as
• We don't need these local elected officials and staff coming to Austin. It's these.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB9, SB42, SB15, SB5, SB11, SB12, SCR1

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Capital Commission in Austin. Good to see everyone. Amen. We made it.
• So happy to have her here in Austin. Claudia, thank you for all your work.
• She will be a junior at UT Austin.
• Sanchez is a former teacher with a master's in planning from UT Austin.
• Maddie Terry, our policy advisor and a rising senior at UT Austin.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After arriving in Austin, what I've found is a lot of the same policies.
• And, you know, you see, I believe there was a, a study last year 2023 in Austin, that long review cycles
• at as much as $10,000 per month when you're trying to build a single-family home in a city like Austin
• On behalf of the Austin Info Coalition, I respectfully urge you to vote yes on 1450.
• Um, I'm a local developer, land broker here in Austin, Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a law student at UT Law here in Austin, and I am in support of this bill.
• Texas at Austin.
• A law student at UT Austin.
• So, members, we have Amanda Cochran-McCall, a resource witness from UT Austin.
• Once again, I'm a law student at UT Austin.

Bills: SB2972, SB1909, SB2815, SB735, SB2233, SB800, SB1069, SB2683, SB2986, SB2058, SB2310, SB2055, SB1032

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker and members, uh, we're celebrating Panhandle Day here in Austin.
• being here today, and, uh, we ask y'all to join with us in celebrating Panhandle Days, uh, here in Austin
• Uh, thank you for those who made quite the trek here to Austin to advocate for rural values.
• We welcome all of the all the panhandlers that traveled down to Austin to see us today.
• He also served our students and the Austin Community by serving as trustee and president of the AISD

Transcript Highlights:

• Panhandle days here in Austin. We appreciate our people from the panhandle coming down.
• Thank you for those who made quite the trek here to Austin to advocate for rural values.
• Speaker, welcome all the panhandlers that traveled down to Austin to see us today.
• DaVita, Fresenius Medical Care, Transplant Organ Alliance Austin.
• Leader Award from the Young Hispanic Professional Association of Austin.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so we have a motion made by Senator Austin and seconded by Rep. Ackert.
• Motion made by Senator Austin and seconded by Rep. Ackert.
• Okay, we have Senator Austin, and we have a second by Rep. Ackert.
• Is there any discussion, Senator Austin? Thank you very much. Senator Austin: Thank you very much.
• We'll start with Senator Austin. Good afternoon, Commissioner.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Finance Advisory Committee approved the minutes of its April 2 meeting and then took up three budget transfers. The first, FAC 2026-6 for the Office of the State Treasurer, moved $75,000 from personal services to other expenses to pay for consultant help applying for federal energy credits under the Inflation Reduction Act’s direct pay provisions. Treasurer’s office staff said the agency had one open position and several others pending posting, and members discussed how the transfer related to vacant positions and the committee’s budget display. The second item, FAC 2026-7 for the Office of the State Controller, transferred $700,000 from personal services to other expenses to cover higher Core-CT software maintenance and licensing costs. Comptroller staff said the office had 21 open positions, most in Core-CT, and explained that the system, implemented in 2003, receives regular quarterly and monthly updates from Oracle. Members also discussed how the system serves payroll, HR, purchasing, accounting, and related functions for many state agencies, including UConn and the Board of Regents. The final item, FAC 2026-8 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, transferred $700,000 from personal services, the veterans opportunity pilot, and headstones accounts to other expenses for year-end operational needs. Commissioner Ron Welch said most vacancies were in the skilled nursing facility, food service, and physical plant, with staffing challenges especially for nurses and aides. He also explained that the veterans opportunity pilot never fully launched, that the Institutional General Welfare Fund has been depleted and the agency now relies more on general fund support, and that the department faces rising food, utility, and pharmaceutical costs, including a federal VA reimbursement change that will leave the state responsible for medication costs by 2027. All three transfers were approved, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will share my story: I live in Austin and I...
• I'm a proud resident of Austin, Texas, and I'm representing myself.
• District 37, I'm an Austin grandma representing my family.
• I appreciate the chance to testify in Austin.
• I'm in Austin, Texas. Please do not redistrict.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rise for the invocation, which will be offered by Pastor Scott Wall from the Capitol Commission in Austin
• During his life, Tony received community art recognitions from the City of Austin and Arte Texas.
• Thank you, Tony, for all you did to make East Austin beautiful.
• Crystal holds a high school degree and is pursuing further studies in the great city of Austin.
• A cell hit not only Austin, but more specifically, this thunderstorm hit the Hyde Park area.

Bills: HB5560, HB2, HB24, HB3233, HB1397, HB2067, HB3133, HB5696, HB5680, HB2885, HB3966, HB3556, HB3595, HB144, HB26, HB2038, HB521, HB4, HB 1178, HB42, HB 1211, HB783, HB3963, HB2240, HB1690, HB 1234, HB3372, HB27, HB4211, HB2243, HB2853, HB4638, HJR7, HB 100, HB 126, HB3783, HB5138, HB2512, HB5616, HB4751, SB17, SB1637, SB1833, SB2155, SB21, SB2778, SB260, SB8, SB12, SB37, SB379, SB441, SB1566, SB2878, HB4112, HB3866, HB4749, HB2844, HB150

Keywords: groundwater, civil penalties, water conservation, drought contingency, environmental protection, public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, zoning, public notice, local government, residential development

Transcript Highlights:

• Take for example Burnett Middle School in Austin.
• I’m the Vice President for Public Affairs at the Downtown Austin Alliance, call it DAA.
• I think Austin, I saw someone where it's 25%. I see that overhead over their overhead.
• East Austin, oh, there you go. We'll start on either end. Go ahead and start your... Okay.
• A similar case recently came before us on the Austin Zoning and Planning Commission.

Bills: HB22, SB250, SB375, SB536, SB845, SB1633, SB1944, SB1957, SB2081, SB2137, SB2262, SB2299, SB2419, SB2452, SB2522, SB2549, SB2594, SB2605, SB2631, SB2639, SB2675, SB3029, SJR60, HB22, HB1392, HB2525

Keywords: emergency communication, broadband, funding, natural disasters, technology, HB 22, Texas broadband development office, comptroller, emergency communications, early warning systems, disaster alerts, natural disaster notifications, interoperable communications, interoperable emergency radio, public safety communications, 9-1-1, next generation 9-1-1, NG911, broadband grants, low-interest loans