Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, thank you for the privilege of addressing this body. I urge a no vote.
• And that was cut in half by the actions this body took a year ago.
• , go to school, go to work if you're able-bodied.
• Go to school, go to work, if you're able-bodied.
• For remarks, seeing none, the question before the body is adoption of Amendment 2106.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SB5863 , SB5892 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , HB2711 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, thank you for the privilege of addressing this body. I urge a no vote.
• That able-bodied persons have to go, it's not even full-time, it's half-time.
• You've got to volunteer, go to school, go to work if you're able-bodied.
• Go to school, go to work, if you're able-bodied.
• The body. Please proceed. Right, Mr. Speaker.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SB5863 , SB5892 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , HB2711 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then moved through caucuses and a series of transportation, elections, energy, historical records, cannabis, abortion-access, and fiscal bills. Members repeatedly emphasized that several measures were supplemental or technical updates to existing law, while others involved larger policy disputes over taxes, fees, clean energy, election security, and reproductive health. The chamber also received Senate messages on other bills and briefly recessed for caucus during the day. The most prominent action was final passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6005, the supplemental transportation budget, after adopting a technical amendment and a larger striker amendment. Supporters highlighted preservation and maintenance funding, rail investments, ferry maintenance, road safety, and continued work on major projects statewide; opponents largely reserved comments or noted concerns about future needs. The House passed the bill 93-0 with five excused. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711 on transportation resources, after adopting a technical amendment that removed the aircraft tax and delayed an RV-related tax change; supporters said it protected businesses and jobs, while opponents objected to trade-in treatment and other tax changes. That bill passed 83-10. On elections, the House considered Senate Bill 5892 to protect the voter registration database. An amendment to reduce penalties from a felony to a civil infraction and remove the emergency clause failed, while the committee amendment passed 50-34. Supporters said the bill was needed to safeguard sensitive voter data and clarify access; opponents argued it created conflicts with federal law and imposed excessive penalties on local election officials. The bill then passed 57-36. On energy, Substitute Senate Bill 5982 updating consumer-owned utility provisions drew debate over carbon capture, resource adequacy, data centers, and clean energy policy. Amendments on carbon capture and blackout-triggered termination failed, while an amendment preserving cogeneration exceptions passed; the bill then passed 57-37. The House also passed Senate Bill 5863 on preservation and inspection of state historical records, after rejecting an amendment to require longer retention but adopting the committee amendment; supporters stressed preserving the history of residential habilitation centers and the value to families seeking records. Substitute Senate Bill 5874, allowing the Employment Security Department to waive penalties for minor employer reporting errors, passed unanimously. Engrossed House Bill 2681, raising cannabis license fees while removing an escalator, passed 52-42. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5917 on access to abortion medications saw several failed amendments from opponents seeking to narrow, reframe, or add fiscal limits to the bill; supporters said it preserved flexibility to ensure access and avoid waste, and the bill passed 57-36.

Transcript Highlights:

• We still face major problems, enforcement, no matter how many good laws this legislative body passes,
• be disclosed for purposes of enforcing the chapter in order enforcing the chapter to the governing body
• with another bill, but I'm very supportive of this, but I just would hope that the senator in this body
• had two tragic deaths over the last two years, which initiated our process. to seek help from this body
• Today, with SB 1659, this body can take another step. in ensuring that Texas law keeps up with technology

Bills: HB166 , HB2000 , HB3248 , HB3513 , SB155 , SB1659 , SB1730 , SB1778 , SB1790 , SB1848 , SB2017 , SB2105 , SB2794 , SB2917 , HB2756 , HB353 , HB166

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: child endangerment, controlled substances, penalty group, elderly protection, disabled individual rights, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, defense, peace officers, local government, security, juvenile board, Moore County, appointments, juvenile justice, county legislation, dangerous dogs

Bills: HB418 , SB138 , SB215 , HB418 , SB138 , SB215

Committee: House Commerce and Small Business

Keywords: financial services, banking, insurance, debanking, social credit score, ESG, environmental, social, and governance, diversity, equity, and inclusion, DEI, religious freedom, free speech, viewpoint discrimination, political discrimination, firearms, gun industry, ammunition, fossil fuels, oil and gas, mining, timber

Bills: HB2238 , HB1311 , HB1608 , HB1735 , HB1825 , HB1976 , HB2062

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance, anti-hunger, nutrition education, food system literacy, agricultural viability, supply chain resilience, Washington Department of Agriculture, food policy forum, BIPOC, tribal consultation, small farmers, diet-related health disparities, food affordability

Transcript Highlights:

• The bottom of the tank is then drained and usually re-injected or disposed of by a lawful disposal company
• or give it to a licensed waste disposal company.
• If they dispose of it, whether it has lithium or not.
• Just make sure because I mean you have. that you have the disposal well which is a surface disposal facility
• I think there are some disposal wells there, but the Paxton facility has no disposal well.

Bills: HB3619 , HB3652 , HB4572 , HB4891 , HB4941 , HB5103 , HB5105 , HB5106 , HB5224 , HB5600

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards

Transcript Highlights:

• so is it the contention of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association that they're going to prohibit disposing
• The other major differentiation is that there's way more waste that's being disposed of in reserve pits
• than would ever be disposed of in water recycling pits because they're not disposing of it, right?
• When it comes to reserve pits, again, it's permanent disposal, and there are thousands more reserve pits
• It closes the gaps around permanent waste disposal and gives landowners a voice in how their land is

Bills: HB3619 , HB3652 , HB4572 , HB4891 , HB4941 , HB5103 , HB5105 , HB5106 , HB5224 , HB5600

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards

Transcript Highlights:

• all Oklahomans, and that you will stay very engaged with the Workforce Commission as members of this body
• to honor you and the work that you've done over the eight years that you've served in this esteemed body

Bills: HB3783 , HB2955 , HB3802 , HB4488 , HB2471 , HB3781 , HB3127

Committee: House Commerce & Economic Development Oversight

Keywords: HB3783, plumbing apprentice, endorsed apprentice, endorsed plumbing apprentice, journeyman plumber, plumbing license, Construction Industries Board, Committee of Plumbing Examiners, apprenticeship, trade license, vocational education, occupational licensing, professional licensing, Title 59, Plumbing License Law of 1955, licensure exam, journeyman examination, apprentice registration, plumbing industry regulations, administrative penalty

Bills: HB315 , HB152 , HB205 , SB184 , SB209 , HB309 , SB280 , SB267

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: sales tax, local exemption, Consumer Price Index, tax holiday, clothing tax exemption, school supplies, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications

Transcript Highlights:

• This was more than Lucius' little body could take, and his heart stopped.
• Senate Bill 598 also addresses the handling of unclaimed remains, allowing licensed providers to dispose
• But we put that compromise in there because we, as a body, didn't want to go after veterans.
• It requires onsite sewage treatment and disposal system remediation plans as part of BMAPs when septic
• So they're an improved MFL for these water bodies. It does contain conservation.

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

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

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

Summary: The committee first took up appointments, recommending confirmation of James Patrick Grambling and Brian J. Aungst on a single favorable vote. It then heard and approved several committee bills, including CS/CS/SB 1260 on building code inspections, which directs the Department of Management Services to contract with private providers for plan review and inspections; CS/SB 1668 on NICA, which updates benefits, oversight, funding, and immunity language; SB 1300 on a workforce/CDL training program for selected nonviolent inmates; CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services; CS/SB 1580 on illegal gaming enforcement; CS/SB 934 on Florida Keys affordable housing tax exemptions; and CS/CS/SB 1452, an agency bill updating DFS programs and licensing rules. Each of those bills was reported favorably after committee debate and, in several cases, amendments were adopted. The committee spent substantial time on CS/CS/SB 1510, the DEP package, which reorganizes environmental rulemaking and land acquisition authority, expands septic-to-sewer and nutrient-reduction requirements in sensitive areas, updates stormwater and resilience provisions, and revises related permitting and grant programs. Two amendments were adopted, including one adding solar-energy and stormwater-related provisions and another removing septic disclosure reporting language. Testimony included support from DEP and concerns from environmental advocates about septic timelines and implementation. The bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/CS/SB 1566 on local government budget transparency, requiring counties and municipalities to post budgets and related materials online for extended periods in a standardized format. The League of Cities opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate, while the sponsor argued it would improve taxpayer access and accountability; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 7034, a rule ratification for minimum flows and levels for the lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee rivers and priority springs, with testimony focused on the proposed Water First restoration strategy, conservation measures, and concerns about water quality, funding, and local opposition. The transcript ends during closing remarks on that ratification bill, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was more than the body could take and his heart stopped.
• The bill revises licensure requirements and procedures for funeral directors, embalmers, disposers, and
• This allows licensed providers to dispose of them after a specific time frame if no legally authorized
• And requires on-site sewer treatment and disposal system remediation plans as part of BMAP when systems
• Improved MFLs for the water body, but it does contain conservation goals of 75 gallons per person per

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

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

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

Bills: SB3074 , HB49 , HB2440 , HB3556 , HB3619 , HB3866 , HB4042 , HB4112 , HB4271 , HB4413 , HB4426 , HB5033 , HB49

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Transcript Highlights:

• We would ask them to avoid turbines in direct conflict with any water bodies because when waterfowl come
• Seventy-six percent of that produced water, 19 million barrels a day, is injected in saltwater disposal
• We understand that some field reuse is a good disposal method.
• Chairman and members, commercial surface disposal facilities play a key role in managing oil and gas
• Specifically, the bill prohibited the disposal or storage of high-level radioactive waste in the state

Bills: SB3074 , HB49 , HB2440 , HB3556 , HB3619 , HB3866 , HB4042 , HB4112 , HB4271 , HB4413 , HB4426 , HB5033 , HB49

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Transcript Highlights:

• SB37 would only create Frankenstein zombie-type bodies without legitimacy, spirit, or the independent

Bills: HB2476 , HB2893 , HB4848 , HB5062 , SB37 , SB60 , HB2860 , HB4930 , SB646 , SB 37

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: living expenses, higher education, student support, homeless students, financial aid, grant program, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, workforce development, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, competency-based education, baccalaureate degree, cost of attendance, dual credit, computer science, course credit, foreign language requirement, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council

Transcript Highlights:

• Bless this body with wisdom. that it might understand righteousness, justice, and equity, that it will
• UNT has grown as a the major university with a student body of over 46,000.

Bills: SB 26 , SJR 36 , SB 26 , SB 616 , SB 565 , SB 384 , SB 28 , SR 109 , SR 122 , SR 126 , SR 130 , SR 136 , SR 137 , SR 141 , SR 142 , SCR 20

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Summary: The meeting was marked by significant resolutions recognizing various contributions to Texas and celebrating community initiatives. Key discussions included the adoption of resolutions commemorating Texas Hispanic Judges Day and highlighting the 100th anniversary of Memorial Park. Senators expressed appreciation for the judges' dedication and legacy, with notable mentions of individual judges and their impact on the community and legal landscape in Texas. The Senate also honored students and organizations contributing positively to their communities, showcasing the interconnectedness of public service and the legislative process.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have several moments of Black history that I'm going to share with the body.
• That probably would have been the more convenient moment, but I want to share with the body once again
• Then now we as a legislative body have to go to the next step and define how everybody in the whole world
• request is to let's sit down and talk through some of these things to make sure that the members of the body
• management practices. ...with present-day emergency management operations and allows local governing bodies

Bills: SB 26 , SJR 36 , SB 26 , SB 616 , SB 565 , SB 384 , SB 28 , SR 109 , SR 122 , SR 126 , SR 130 , SR 136 , SR 137 , SR 141 , SR 142 , SCR 20

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Transcript Highlights:

• Once that phone call comes and I pick up that body, regardless how vulgar they are, how nasty they are
• Once that phone calls and I pick up that body regardless how vulgar. not allowed to choose who I serve
• had to leave, and they never buried the body because we were away. ...to take the body and everyone
• had to leave, and they never buried the body because we were waiting on a death certificate.
• "Generator noise, waste disposal, and pedestrian safety.

Bills: HB2118 , HB2181 , HB2308 , HB2309 , HB2402 , HB2476 , HB2682 , HB2698 , HB2875 , HB2877 , HB2903 , HB2910

Committee: House Commerce

Keywords: mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, HB2181, death certificate, death certificates, vital records, funeral establishment, funeral home, human remains, medical certification of death, death registration, state registrar, local registrar, county medical examiner, alternate medical examiner

Transcript Highlights:

• That landowner who was there had the unfortunate circumstance of having several bodies on his property
• a little quicker, and make sure that the right body is getting to the right family, as well as when
• That’s why they send the body off for an autopsy. And so when there are questions...
• And so you have the ability to go to what they call the body farm.
• A flood, a school shooting, every disaster that comes before this body, that is a common denominator.

Bills: HB2 , HB1 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20 , HB1 , HB 2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Keywords: emergency communication, interoperability, grant program, first responders, state council, disaster response, emergency management, mass fatality, justices of the peace, training programs, emergency manager license, volunteer management, justice of the peace training, criminal history checks, state health services, broadband, public safety, disaster preparedness, funding, flood disaster plan

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is clarifies that Board of Managers are governing bodies.
• However, inconsistent and how governmental bodies designate and communicate their contact information
• information in a format. the governmental body shall do that.
• And even if you don't charge... the governmental body.
• And it just mentions it's under the definition of governmental body.

Bills: HB 111 , HB1545 , HB2145 , HB2467 , HB2520 , HB4136 , HB4181 , HB4214 , HB4218 , HB4219 , HB4359 , HB4437 , HB4822 , HB111

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: Texas Public Information Act, open records, public records, government transparency, confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, governmental body, Chapter 552, public information law, nonprofit association, quasi-governmental entity, economic development, trade secrets, proprietary information, commercial financial information, Alamo restoration, local workforce board, TDCJ contract facility, civil commitment facility, water supply corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• is appointed to be the member, that member would be speaking by implication for their constituent bodies
• anti-Semitism, harassment, and bullying dependent on the political sympathies or whims of the deciding body

Bills: HB 346 , HB 1360 , HB 1510 , HB 1606 , HB 1804 , HB 1805 , HB 2156 , HB 2391 , HB 2767 , HB 3022 , HB 3044 , HB 3272 , HB 3293 , HB 3493 , HB 3809 , HB 3824 , HJR 110 , HB 2463

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line