Transcript Highlights:

• HB 5671 allows the Johnson County Special Utility District to issue bonds.
• what you're talking about, removing some of that strenuous language and allowing our SUDs to issue bonds
• bill is left pending. uh, removing some of that strenuous language and allowing our suds to issue bonds
• This is a bill that would modify the Gulf Coast Authority. It was created back in 1969.
• It authorizes the PUC to create a simplified complaint process specifically for disputes filed under

Bills: HB3115, HB5671, HB5693, SB790, SB1055, SB1302, SB1504, SB1625, SB1663, SB2692

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses. The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending. Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also authorize veterans capital projects totaling $16 million in bond funds, plus additional maintenance
• In the energy and environment cabinet, we authorized $21 million in bond funds and $2 million in investment
• There are no additional bond funds authorized in the committee sub to House Bill 500.
• There are no additional bond funds<01:38:21.199> authorized<01:38:22.000> in<01:38:22.719
• <01:39:13.199> bond dollars of authoriz authorized bond dollars of authoriz authorized bond

Keywords: Several minutes after the convene vote and before the introduction failed to properly steam. This version was pulled from a local back up., 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 97 members present, declared a quorum, approved excusing absent members, and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The journal for February 25, 2026 was approved. The clerk also reported that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 98 and 122 and requested concurrence. The House then received second-reading reports on a range of bills, including measures on prison educational programs, respiratory care, dietitians, wildlife depredation, temporary structures, military families, civil rights, local boards of education, light pollution, controlled-substance prescribing licenses, youth health services, class sizes for exceptional children, the athletic trainer compact, limited commercial driver’s licenses, and Senate Bill 145 relating to the Department of Agriculture and Alcohol Beverage Control. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including the main budget bills House Bill 500 and House Bill 504, along with measures on workforce investment, data centers, domestic violence, guardians ad litem, domestic relations, health delivery and “food is medicine” initiatives, state personnel, open records, and fish and wildlife resources. House Bill 500 and House Bill 504 were taken from the Rules Committee and placed on the orders of the day. House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill, was then taken up for third reading and explanation. Members presented extensive floor explanations of House Bill 500 and House Committee Substitute 1, describing it as a “good first draft” of the executive budget. Supporters said the proposal emphasizes restrained spending growth, base reductions with exemptions for key areas, employee salary increments, and deposits to the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future one-time investments. They highlighted funding for K-12 education, postsecondary aid and workforce training, Medicaid and behavioral health, public health infrastructure, pensions, veterans, public safety, economic development, tourism, and state technology and facility maintenance. The budget substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the discussion continued with detailed descriptions of the bill’s provisions; no final passage vote was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I Oftentimes, it's the practice of school boards that they place votes on school bonds on other ballots
• Is it your opinion that school bonds should all go on the November ballot as well?
• But I think my point remains about school bond elections and the fact that those are on substantially
• everything being on a November ballot, I think that is a broader conversation that includes school bonds
• Any bill has to be authored by both the chairman and vice chairman of both the House and the Senate.

Bills: HB4028, HB4029, HB4059, HB4063, HB4073, HB4074, HB4075, HB4076, HB4077, HB4078, SB1130, SB1131, SB1132, SB1133, SB1134, SB1142, HB4028, HB4029, HB4059, HB4063, HB4073, HB4074, HB4075, HB4076, HB4077, HB4078, SB1130, SB1131, SB1132, SB1133, SB1134, SB1142

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, ALS, funding, healthcare, State Department of Health, emergency declaration, public finance, state budget, financial regulations, monetary policy, referendum, constitutional amendments, special election, Oklahoma legislature, public voting, recovery fund

Transcript Highlights:

• to not authorize to not authorize new<00:04:24.400> ICS<00:04:25.120> settings, >>
• c> the<00:30:23.279> commissioner is uh an authority the commissioner is uh an authority the
• It has modified language related to required surety bonds.
• required shity bonds. required shity bonds.
• There's authority to impose sanctions on there.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committees resumed discussion of amendments to a bill dealing with licensing moratoria, change-of-ownership rules, and related provider oversight issues. Amendment A8 would prevent a licensing moratorium for certain intermediate care service settings from blocking a new license when the change is due to a change of ownership, including temporary licenses and transitional licenses. Department of Human Services staff said they were still reviewing the language but explained the department’s concern was maintaining program integrity and ensuring owners go through full change-of-ownership review so the agency can see who owns a provider and check compliance history. Senators supporting the amendment argued it would keep legitimate businesses from being harmed by a moratorium and could help preserve providers when ownership changes or family members take over after a death. A8 was adopted on a roll call, with both committees voting in support. Amendment A9, also on the moratorium topic, would exempt a change of ownership from the moratorium so long as it does not increase license capacity or service scope. The department said it needed more analysis to avoid unintended consequences, but the amendment was added to the working bill. Amendment A10 proposed a more detailed, data-driven framework for the moratorium and included a provision about refunds after implementation; department staff said the language would add cost and would require technical assistance, while senators emphasized the need to address licensure backlogs and avoid making provider delays worse. A10 was approved by the committees, though not unanimously. Amendment A11 would have set standards for how the commissioner designates provider types or program areas as moderate or high risk, with added transparency criteria. The department said the commissioner already has that authority and raised concerns about federal requirements and the state’s corrective action plan, and Senator Hoffman withdrew the amendment. Amendment A12, offered by Senator Fateh, would preserve remote supports by removing bill language that repealed the service and would add safeguards for remote overnight supervision, including staffing ratios to ensure emergency response times can be met. Several senators supported keeping remote services as an important, cost-effective option amid workforce shortages, while the department said it had program integrity concerns and supported the governor’s proposal to remove the service. The committee nevertheless advanced A12, with members noting the need to balance safety and integrity with access to services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, members in questions of the author, hearing down the chair opens up public testimony on Senate Bill
• The chair lays out Senate Bill 21 and recognizes the author, Senator Schwartner, to explain the bill.
• Under Senate Bill 21, the comptroller is authorized to acquire, exchange, sell, manage, and retain investments
• Those When you're dealing with whether it's treasury bonds, state bonds, city bonds, school bonds, whatever

Bills: SB 21, SB 72, SB 140, SB 262, SB 370, SB 372, SB 495, SB 627, SB 703, SB 764, SB 842

Keywords: cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver, consumer rights, business regulations, refund policy, telephone solicitation, telemarketing, text message marketing, SMS marketing, robotext, spam text, consumer protection, deceptive trade practices, DTPA, Business & Commerce Code

Transcript Highlights:

• I had to go with my family to the courtroom to make sure they got an adequate bond.
• Therefore, was... ...offered a bond.
• later, will they qualify for capital murder, which changes the game when it comes. comes to bail and bond
• But the reason for moving on this bill is to ensure that the court has the authority.
• Thank you for your time and We appreciate you authoring this important legislation.

Bills: SB251, SB608, SB487, SB535, SB761, SB955, SB957, SB958, SB988, SB990, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120

Keywords: criminal law, magistrates, Bell County, judicial authority, legal framework, evidence collection, sexual assault kits, reporting, law enforcement, transparency, confidentiality, victim protection, stalking, indecent assault, invasive visual recording, criminal justice, privacy rights, SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a bonding bill pertaining to the Rural Finance Authority, which is under the direction of the Department
• So, in consulting with Chair Friend, we agreed that the bill should go to a first then to bonding.
• I have witnessed the powerful and palpable bond between Burnsville's police officers and firefighters
• powerful Brothers I have witnessed the powerful and<00:14:15.399> palpable<00:14:15.839> bond
• and palpable bond between burnsville's police<00:14:17.560> officers<00:14:17.959> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• bills move forward and what happens with them, and making sure that all the bonding projects that are
• I'm a Co-author. As Mr.
• This is language that is in a bill that I am the author of.
• taxes, and other bodies that have the authority to enter into contracts.
• I understand, as an author, you'd like to get it right to the General Register. We get that.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill provides authority to issue bonds, imposes assessments, fees, and taxes, and grants a limited
• And that bond is used for that. So I would envision a relatively small bond.
• Yeah, feel free to talk to the author, have your additional concerns. Question?
• That's success in this field. ...with the author for additional input.
• Any other questions for the author? Thank you very much.

Bills: HB2963, HB3005, HB3287, HB3288, HB3289, HB3290, HB3344, HB3712, HB3862, HB3874, HB4196, HB4308, HB4901, HB4984

Keywords: digital equipment, repair rights, manufacturers, maintenance, consumer rights, construction contracts, payment regulations, public works, dispute resolution, audit procedures, construction, trust funds, mechanic's lien, contractor, subcontractor, residential properties, disputes, payment obligations, accountability, payment disputes

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't know what New Mexico's bond rating is. I suspect it's not the highest in bond rating.
• Who would consider not making their required payment on a bond?
• What happens when you skip a bond payment?
• Well, a couple of things: one, you're lowering your bond rating.
• When I googled our bond rating, it says we're A.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:36.080> and direct state aid uh that's authored and direct state aid uh that's authored
• She said she had spoken with the author and would withdraw the amendment.
• I recognize the author of the bill, Representative Anania.
• I mean, look how hard it is for us to pass a bonding bill with a supermajority vote.
• I mean, look how hard it is for us to pass a bonding bill with a supermajority vote.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Madam Chair, and we generally would support the author getting the bill in the shape they
• And for authoring this bill.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, and I would just like to. to thank my co-authors on the bill.
• Next, we have several changes to the Rural Finance Authority (RFA) program.
• for bond-funded programs for at least $50,000.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was in FY25 authorized in HR92.
• 52.560> HJR46 The projects authorized in HJR46 The projects authorized in HJR46 was<00:09:54.640
• So that was 9,000 over authorized. Okay.
• And I do want to say this, it Port authorities, industrial and economic development authority boards.
• , reduction of the bond, reduction of the bond, >> but<01:30:42.800> I've<01:30:43.040

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee approved the October 15 minutes and observed a moment of silence for the victims of the UPS Worldport plane crash. The main presentation was from Transportation Cabinet Commissioner Bobby Joe Lewis on the Local Assistance Road Program/County Priority Projects Program (LAARP/CPP), which was implemented under House Bill 546 and now requires rehabilitation projects to restore roads to original condition, cap funding at $500,000 per project, use a new scoring matrix, include a local match, and submit one photograph per 300 feet of project length. He reported that the 2026-2027 cycle ran from June 1 to October 1 and drew 1,215 project applications from 107 counties and 106 cities, with total submitted project costs of about $121.1 million and about $102.3 million requested after local match. He also said 30% of submissions scored 10s and 22% scored 9s, and that the list of requests and required photos had been submitted to the General Assembly and LRC. Members asked about how scores change over time, whether roads can move from lower scores to 10s, and whether the new process gives a better picture of local needs. Lewis said scores can change based on weather and road conditions, but the new system provides more information and a more standardized evaluation than before. Several members raised concerns about the volume and size of required photographs, suggesting drone footage or video as an alternative; Lewis said the photo requirement has caused confusion and large file uploads, and he was open to considering easier ways to document conditions. Members also discussed continuity in scoring across districts, and Lewis explained that district staff appointed by chief district engineers use a handbook and scoring matrix, with the scores entered into a computer system so evaluators do not see the final score while scoring. The committee also discussed funding levels and carry-forward balances for the program. Lewis said the program began with $20 million authorized in HR92, noted underruns from completed projects, and reported a carry-forward amount that had grown to $355,432.42 available for reauthorization as of October 13. In response to questions, he said the current process concentrates applications into a short window, with 63% of applications arriving in the last few days and 417 on October 1, which created a heavy workload but was completed on time. The meeting then moved to multimodal funding priorities, with Jennifer Kersner of Kentuckians for Better Transportation introducing herself and offering condolences for the UPS aviation incident before beginning her remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• preserved and expanded, and opposes any legislation that attempts to diminish or take away this authority
• We also support legislation that allows school. bond elections to be held during the general election
• We have the same oversight as any other. public schools, plus the oversight of our authorizer, who are
• The third item on our list has to do with allowing locally authorized charter schools to be their own
• We've been blessed because of the locale of where my district is at that our mill levy and our bonding

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and looking at, uh, Treasury yields on the rise and, um, the bond pricing, uh, fluctuating and how
• Um, Im A covers the sustainability and solvency of PEA and the ERB and the retiree Health Care Authority
• The ERB and retiree Health Care Authority.
• Bonds that we have. Would he give us more power by having them together or investment?
• Uh, Representative Lujan brought up the baby bonds, other ways in which we introduced, um, we talked

Transcript Highlights:

• The permissions granted are authorized to convene upon adoption by the House of today's adjournment motion
• Refer to the Committee on Public Health HB773 by Moody relating to the authority of a court to grant
• Authorizing the fee, refer to the Committee on Transportation.
• On public property, authorizing a civil penalty.
• HB 845 by Howard relating to the authority of a pharmacist to furnish certain medications referred to

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The real-world impacts to my district and our region are why I authored AB 66 in 2021 and AB 72 in 2020
• it’s through bills and regulations that we adopt at the state, or through things like the climate bond
• And so, yes, there's money in the climate bond, yes, there's this, but it's this blending of academic
• So we've increased our permitting authority using state authority.
• So we could use state authority to create those opportunities and provide that streamlining permit for

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on infrastructure, pollution, climate resilience, public health, access, and economic impacts of sea level rise in California, with an emphasis on San Diego and the Bay Area. Chair Tasha Boerner Horvath opened by describing the committee’s purpose, the state’s sea level rise action planning, and the need for better monitoring and early warning systems. She also referenced her prior bills AB 66 and AB 72, which supported Scripps research on coastal bluff collapse warning capabilities. Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza later joined and emphasized that sea level rise affects not only coastal communities but inland areas as well, and that the issue should inform future legislative and budget decisions. In the first panel, Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps Institution of Oceanography described observed sea level rise of roughly 0.8 to 0.9 feet since the early 1900s, with acceleration expected by mid-century and potentially much greater rise by 2100 depending on emissions. He highlighted flooding, groundwater rise, beach and cliff erosion, salinization, and risks to transportation, sewage, ports, and national security. Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board discussed how sea level rise affects wastewater systems, stormwater, contaminated sites, wetlands, and coastal groundwater basins, and said the board is requiring climate adaptation planning, updating stormwater permits, and seeking more flexible state permitting and mitigation tools. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better mapping, more monitoring, and more state funding, especially if federal support from NOAA and other agencies declines. The second panel addressed public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described how sea level rise, pollution, and access barriers threaten the Tijuana River Valley and Imperial Beach, especially for underserved communities and youth programs that rely on safe, welcoming access to the ocean. He stressed the cultural and spiritual importance of coastal access and the need for water safety and environmental education. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission explained that the Bay Area faces major economic exposure from sea level rise, citing a regional estimate of $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses from inaction, and said BCDC is working with local governments under SB 272 on shoreline adaptation planning, funding, and regulatory innovation. Members discussed the tension between environmental permitting and the need to move projects faster, including the possibility of planned retreat in some areas and the use of simultaneous permitting and longer-term state authority to streamline adaptation work. In the final panel, Philip Gibbons of the Port of San Diego described the port’s climate adaptation efforts and its vulnerability assessments under AB 691. He said the port manages state tidelands, supports maritime commerce and recreation, and is already seeing flooding at king tides and during El Niño events, including storm-drain backflow and damage to bikeways and parks. He explained that future sea level rise could inundate major port areas and disrupt operations, underscoring the need for continued planning, mitigation, and infrastructure investment. The hearing did not take formal votes, but it concluded with a clear call for more science, funding, coordination, and regulatory streamlining to prepare California’s coast and nearby communities for worsening sea level rise impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• in 03, we paid off our bonds to the<00:16:41.199> minimum<00:16:41.680> security<00:16
• <00:51:02.960> under subsection C, no person authorized under subsection C, no person authorized
• authorize everything that's in the bill. authorize everything that's in the bill.
• House Bill 5, oil and gas bonding pool investment and earnings. Ayes 31.
• bonding pool investment and earnings. bonding pool investment and earnings.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy, known as the Jewels, who recognized the need for a strong bond
• Harold Ogle, and Vertner Woodson Tandy, known as the Jewels, who recognized the need for a strong bond
• <00:12:53.920> of recognized the need for a strong bond of recognized the need for a strong
• This opens the opportunity for a magistrate to give bond.
• This opens the opportunity for a magistrate to give bond.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to start off by thanking the author and the sponsors.
• We are looking for authors.
• And I appreciate the author coming forward in the testimony.
• Again, with that being said, the bond is a separate entity.
• I just want to thank the author... Mr. Zbur. I just want to thank the author and the sponsor.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of natural resources and related bills, with several measures taken up as the committee reached quorum and many others moving on consent or with due-pass recommendations. Early items included AB 80 on carpet recycling, AB 452 creating a local process for state surf reserves, and AB 823 restricting microplastics in personal care and cleaning products. AB 80 drew broad support from recycling, labor, and environmental groups and was described as a follow-up to earlier carpet recycling reforms. AB 452 was backed by surf, tourism, environmental, and local government interests as a voluntary, community-driven way to recognize and protect surf breaks. AB 823 generated the most extensive debate, with supporters citing public health and environmental harms from microplastics and opponents warning the bill’s language could sweep in products such as sunscreens, cosmetics, and fragrance-encapsulation materials; the committee discussed possible ambiguity and EU comparisons before voting the bill out on a due-pass-as-amended basis to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. The committee also advanced AB 1046, which would create a narrow exemption from SB 1383 organic-waste requirements for certain crop preparers and tree nut processors that do not send organic waste to landfills. Agricultural witnesses said the bill would clarify that their operations already reuse byproducts and should not face duplicative reporting, and the measure passed with support from agricultural and rural county representatives. AB 252, the “Stop Laying Off Firefighters Act,” proposed year-round Cal Fire staffing; the author and Cal Fire supporters argued that wildfire conditions are now year-round and that maintaining trained crews would improve response and prevention, and the bill was sent to Appropriations. AB 571, a targeted CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim, drew strong bipartisan and veterans’ support and also passed out. Later, the committee approved AB 1455, which would authorize emergency rulemaking and streamline future updates for ember-resistant building regulations after recent wildfire emergencies, and AB 687, which would let public agencies use forest-practice rules and timber-harvest plans for certain publicly funded fuel-reduction projects; AB 687 drew some opposition over scope and enforceability concerns but was still advanced. The committee also moved AB 652, allowing alternate members on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District board to prevent quorum problems, and AB 317, a first-time homebuyer housing bill that would exempt certain small, lower-cost homes from CEQA and defer some property taxes; AB 317 prompted discussion about guardrails to avoid unintended use on larger subdivisions. Finally, AB 900, requiring the Natural Resources Agency to develop a stewardship plan for 30-by-30 lands, was heard with broad support from land trusts and conservation groups and advanced on a due-pass recommendation, and AB 738, a wildfire-rebuild bill easing solar requirements for certain disaster survivors, was introduced and discussed with questions about its narrow scope and the number of homes affected.