Transcript Highlights:

• So just to remind you where the location is, there's something called the Rio Grande Rift that goes right
• through the middle of New Mexico, and on the left of the mountain range is the Rio Grande River, where
• EDOs throughout what we're calling Space Valley, Albuquerque, and Del Paso are trying to make sure that
• have to augment our American dream because the solutions that are the norm in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Rio
• The norm in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Rio de Janeiro are for rural New Mexico, contrary to some of the comments

Transcript Highlights:

• He's a passionate individual for the Outdoor Rio Grande Trail, and so we appreciate your support as well
• Me acompaña la licenciada Tania Maldonado, quien es Directora de Desarrollo Económico del Gobierno Municipal
• de Ciudad Juárez, y el arquitecto Roberto Mora, Director del Instituto Municipal de Investigación y
• Planeación del Gobierno Municipal de Ciudad Juárez.
• Los empleos se van a ir a otra parte del mundo. The benefit, well, we need trade.

Transcript Highlights:

• The preventative measures at the Rio Grande Valley facility and the Tampico facility are very essential
• The preventative measures at the Rio Grande Valley facility and the Tampico facility are very essential
• Rio.
• Rio.
• -Mexico border from Maverick County to the Rio Grande Valley.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border. USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later. Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production. Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• These permits that we have for the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the Port of Harlingen and the Port of
• Del Rio Eagle Pass area also, and they're even expanding to properties adjacent to rail yards so that
• A railroad goes to Rio Grande City, where we've had interest in utilizing tanker cars to use the bridge

Bills: SB2199, SB2200, SB2201, SB2949, SB2332

Keywords: overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route

Transcript Highlights:

• the Rio Rancho Proud Moments ABA, in beautiful Senate District 12.
• .governor together down in Rio Rancho for an amazing...
• President, in Rio Rancho, an amazing event happened.
• But they chose Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Why did they choose New Mexico? Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
• He is... ...Rio Rancho, but he is truly a treasure for New Mexico.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is the Mantillo project, which is operated by Rio Grande Resource, and they consulted on
• JJ1, number one site, is operated by Rio Tinto Resource.
• EPCU line across the Caja del Rio.
• I think that it's really important that the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area is part of the
• We are representing part of the Spanish and Hispanic interests on the Caja del Rio, and we are working

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But on that panel, when they talked about that we don't have a weather station for 760 miles from Del
• Rio to Brownsville, where... ...weather station for 760 miles from Del Rio to Brownsville, where we
• So nearly, I believe, the... ...Rio at 45 feet.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then observed a moment of silence after Senator Eckhardt referenced a mass shooting in Austin. The chamber also agreed to postpone reading and referral of bills until later in the day. Early procedural business included a motion not to print Senate Bill 3, which was adopted without objection. Later, Senator Mendez raised a parliamentary inquiry about moving flood relief bills to the top of the calendar, but the presiding officer said the order of business was up to the chair. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 4, the congressional redistricting bill. Senator King laid out the bill, describing it as the companion to the House version, based on 2020 census data, and arguing it was legal, race-blind, more compact, and likely to elect more Republicans. Senators asked extensive questions about the process, public hearings, and the map’s effects on districts and communities. The Senate voted to suspend the regular order of business and the three-day rule, then passed SB 4 to engrossment and finally passed it, with the recorded votes showing 19 yeas and 2 nays. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 6, relating to abortion and civil liability for the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs. Senator Hughes argued the bill was needed to stop illegal abortion pills being mailed into Texas and harming women and unborn children. The Senate suspended the regular order of business and the three-day rule, passed the bill to engrossment, and then finally passed it, with the recorded votes showing 18 yeas, 10 nays, and one present not voting. A lengthy discussion followed on the committee substitute for Senate Bill 14, which would standardize law enforcement personnel and departmental files statewide. Senator King said the bill codifies a TCOLE model policy and limits public access to personnel files to substantiated misconduct, commendations, and evaluations, while keeping other records available through other legal processes. Senators Eckhardt, West, Hinojosa, and others questioned how the bill would affect transparency, meet-and-confer agreements, civilian review boards, and access to unsubstantiated complaints. An amendment by Senator Hinojosa of Dallas to narrow the bill to unfounded complaints failed, and SB 14 was then passed to engrossment on a vote of 18 yeas and 10 nays. The final major item was Senate Bill 1, the natural disaster omnibus bill responding to the July flooding. Senator Perry said the bill addresses camp and RV park safety, evacuation plans, emergency rooftop access, lines of succession for local emergency management, annual drills, volunteer management, drone restrictions over disaster areas, small-business recovery loans, and a statewide data hub for flood and weather monitoring. Senators Menendez, Eckhardt, and Kolkhorst asked about autopsies, volunteer background checks, liability, warning systems, floodplain mitigation, and coordination with FEMA and local governments. Perry said the bill focuses on preparation, response, and recovery, while broader prevention and mitigation issues may be addressed later. The transcript ends during this extended discussion, before final action on SB 1 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just last year, Border Patrol agents in Eagle Pass told us that in the Del Rio sector alone, the cartels
• Rio as they attempted to smuggle a half a dozen illegal aliens into the interior of our country.
• the Del Rio sector alone told us that in the Del Rio sector alone the<00:20:15.919> cartels<00
• <00:20:52.880> Rio<00:20:53.559> as<00:20:53.679> they chase outside of Del
• Rio as they chase outside of Del Rio as they attempted<00:20:54.240> to<00:20:54.360> smuggle

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maria del Carmen Unda.
• Maria del Carmen Unda, and today I'm speaking against Senate Bill 37.
• I am from the Rio Grande Valley.
• I'm a professor of history at Del Mar College down in Corpus Christi. I've been there for 19 years.
• If passed, this big government bill would treat Del Mar College, the University of Texas at Dallas, and

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:13.200> Rio<00:04:13.680> is<00:04:13.920> Mr.
• Rio is Mr. Yadal on Adam D is in person. Rio is Mr. Yadal on Zoom. Zoom. Zoom.
• So within our civil servant uh working uh with Senator Del Cruz is always talking about pathways and
• Cruz is always uh with Senator Del Cruz is always talking<00:10:17.920> about<00:10:18.720>
• Rio, can I roll into the 3:01, or do I need to gavel out? Are you sure? You can roll in. Oh, okay.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work. The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The headlines in the newspaper at that time were, “Del Rio Police Foil Outhouse Gang.”

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They were on Operation Lone Star deployment and they came from Del Rio and Eagle Pass.
• Hinojosa: Yes, most of the time the ones that I've been involved in, or at least I'm familiar with in the Rio
• laundering and smuggling oil from Mexico worth at least Ed Longenecker: $300 million through a company in Rio

Bills: HB 33, HB 45, HB 48, HB 1261, HB 1465, HB 1778, HB 2596, HB 5238, SB 2969

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:

• My name is Eric Martinez, on behalf of Mesa del Sol, standing in support of this legislation.
• I'm Camilla Feibelman with the Sierra Club's Rio Grande Chapter.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state parks, places like Eagles Nest, Navajo Lake, wildlife management areas on the Rio Chama and
• only oil and gas development on public land, but I would also cite the state trust land up at the Mesa del
• Sol area. ...the state trust land up at the Mesa del Sol area, which is becoming a booming area of industrial

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is the Mantellor Project, which is operated by Rio Grande Resource, and the consultant
• The JG1, number one, site that is operated by Rio Tinto Resolve.
• The site that is operated by Rio Tinto Resource is currently being considered for full release.
• line across the Caja del Rio.
• We are representing part of the Spanish— ...and Hispanic interest on the Caja del Rio, and we are working

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our initial phase is looking at the regional network along I-25 in the south of Rio Bravo area as the
• Of the Rio Bravo exit and then the eventual Bobby Foster and down the line the Mesa del Sol site as
• Okay, and I think my next question because We see it moving all the way along I-40, and I know the Rio
• We've seen this in Rio Rancho.
• We've seen this in Rio Rancho.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fiscal implications are, uh, without this exemption, and you see what Lobo Village would be In Casa del
• Rio, 350,000.
• An additional $2 million for a skilled nursing facility in Rio Arriba was also awarded.

Transcript Highlights:

• His name is Robert Mendez from beautiful Senate District 12 in Rio Rancho in Albuquerque.
• PNM is not supplying us power, and I'm going to use Mesa Del Sol as an example.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community Service, Rio Grande Legal Aid, and Central Texas Groundwater District.
• Rio Why Del Rio in particular?
• Believe it or not Del Rio is the only upper air station along the Texas border between El Paso and Brownsville
• Skip down to the Del Rio.
• Believe it or not, Del Rio is the only upper air station along the Texas border between El Paso and Brownsville

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative DeL Santos, you are recognized for a question or comment on House Bill 4138.
• I'm not familiar with Rio Nuevo and what exactly that so-called multi-purpose facility does.
• Livingston, does that mean that sounds to me like the Rio Nuevo district, or whatever it is, I guess
• Another is Rio Nuevo.
• Another is Rio Nuevo. Those are Areas. Another is Rio Nuevo.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.