Bills: SB 3, SB 16, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB17, SB 54, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB192, HB8, HB25, HB26, HB48, HB149, HB192, HB254, HB17, SB54, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB3, SB16, SB2, SB5, SB10

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Emily Alvarado from the 34th Legislative District.
• And there's several examples even in my own city, but apparently one of my other cities in my district
• This bill would remove the expiration date on the authorization for port districts and port development
• Next up is Senate Bill 5467 concerning the sale of surplus property by water sewer districts.
• This bill will allow communities to use this very successful... ...public facilities district, and it

Bills: SB5820, SB5995, SB5467

Keywords: freight rail, rail corridor, short-line railroad, rail-dependent uses, industrial land use, growth management act, GMA, comprehensive plan, transportation element, land use planning, local government, county planning, city planning, critical areas, agricultural lands, forest lands, mineral resource lands, urban growth area, development regulations, notice on permits

Summary: The committee heard extensive public testimony on engrossed second substitute Senate Bill 6026, which would generally require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act to allow residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones and restrict local mandates for ground-floor commercial or mixed-use space, subject to multiple exemptions and a possible study-based off-ramp. The sponsor and supporters, including the Lieutenant Governor, the governor’s housing policy advisor, Commerce, developers, labor-adjacent housing groups, and major employers, argued the bill would unlock underused commercial land, reduce barriers to housing production, and help address the state’s housing shortage. They emphasized vacant strip malls and big-box sites, the need for more housing near existing infrastructure, and the bill’s flexibility through carve-outs for transit areas, historic districts, business improvement areas, and other designated places. Cities and local government groups testified in opposition or with concerns, saying the bill would override local planning, impose costly code changes and studies, and could undermine walkable, mixed-use downtowns and neighborhood centers. Representatives from Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Kent, Lakewood, Lacey, Bellingham, and the Association of Washington Cities said ground-floor retail requirements are sometimes needed to preserve small businesses, complete communities, and local tax bases, and asked for more exemptions or a clearer compliance path. Some witnesses also raised concerns about the study option’s timing and cost, while others asked for protections for affordable housing incentives and existing local flexibility. Before the hearing on SB 6026 resumed, the committee took executive action on several other bills. It advanced SB 5820 on freight rail dependent overlay planning after rejecting an amendment from Rep. Griffey that would have restored Clark County authority and added greenhouse-gas findings. The committee also passed SB 5995 on zero- and near-zero-emission cargo handling equipment, SB 5552 on kit home building codes, SB 5467 on water-sewer district surplus property sales, and SB 6189 on removing the deadline for forming a public facilities district for regional aquatics and sports facilities, all with do pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• by water sewer districts.
• For some brief background, a water sewer district is a special purpose district created to provide wastewater
• Thank you. 18th legislative district for nearly a decade, my neighbors and I within my district have
• In 2021, the Legislature and this committee passed a bill that authorized port districts, and port districts
• I'm president of the ILWU Washington Area District Council.

Bills: SB5820, SB5467, SB5995

Keywords: freight rail, rail corridor, short-line railroad, rail-dependent uses, industrial land use, growth management act, GMA, comprehensive plan, transportation element, land use planning, local government, county planning, city planning, critical areas, agricultural lands, forest lands, mineral resource lands, urban growth area, development regulations, notice on permits

Summary: The House Local Government Committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on housing, local government property sales, freight rail land use, and port automation. On Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5552, which would direct the State Building Code Council to create building code rules for kit homes by March 31, 2027, the sponsor described the bill as a housing-supply option for small, assembled-on-site homes, and one supporter said it would add clarity without weakening safety or zoning standards. The chair postponed the public hearing on the bill after brief discussion. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5467, which would raise the thresholds for water-sewer districts to sell surplus personal and real property without notice or private-sale restrictions. The sponsor and district representatives said the bill simply updates outdated dollar limits to reflect inflation and improve efficiency. The bill drew no opposition in the hearing and was later closed out for public hearing. Senate Bill 5820, dealing with Clark County’s freight rail-dependent use overlay, drew the most divided testimony. Supporters argued the 2017 exemption has harmed agricultural and forest lands, created environmental and legal problems, and provided little or no local economic benefit, while opponents said the rail corridor supports freight mobility, carbon-efficient transportation, and economic development, and warned repeal would strand investments and contractual rights. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5995, which would remove the sunset on the prohibition against using public port funds for fully automated marine cargo handling equipment; labor witnesses supported it as a jobs-and-safety measure, while shipping industry representatives opposed it as premature and harmful to port competitiveness. No votes were taken in the transcript, and the chair adjourned after closing the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a fast growth district, we will continue to require new...
• We're an A-rated district and have been since the rating system started.
• We are a fast-growing district, yeah. Right. Kendall County. Booming, yeah.
• In another hearing, we discussed cities, counties, and special districts.
• We have 307 school districts with an average home value of less than $100,000.

Bills: SB4, SJR2, SB 4, SJR 2

Keywords: property tax, homestead exemption, school funding, state aid, constitutional amendment, SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval

Transcript Highlights:

• Dean of the Senate moves to excuse Senator Birdwell and Senator West on matters of business in the district
• Hi, we've heard it with our school districts, we've heard it for the apartment complex.
• The bill authorizes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, with enforcement through district
• After that process is determined, it will be referred to the district court.
• And if it were to be referred to the district court, again that member has the opportunity to answer

Bills: SB 8, SB 1, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB27, HB7, HB17, HB1, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB20, HB18, HB7, HB17, HB1, HB20, HB18, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SR85, SR87, SB8, SB5, SB2, SB10, HB27

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam

Transcript Highlights:

• of times over the years we've been here together, "This is not good for your district.
• TXDOT district and meet with all the different employees.
• He was trying to find which district to run in. He had a house in Senate District 3, Lake Conroe.
• I did go down and spend time in your district.
• And a shout out to my district people for their work and dedication.

Bills: SB 8, SB 1, SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB27, HB7, HB17, HB1, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB20, HB18, HB7, HB17, HB1, HB20, HB18, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SR85, SR87, SB8, SB5, SB2, SB10, HB27

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam

Bills: HCR111, HB5655, HB5689, HB5690, HCR46, HCR83, HCR81, HCR84

Keywords: beekeeping, pollination, agriculture, local economy, Combes, Bee Capital of Texas, water management, eminent domain, bond issuance, Fort Bend County, public infrastructure, special district, government validation, local authority, bonds, Cole Ranch Improvement District, Hunter Ranch Improvement District, property taxes, infrastructure funding, local governance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Administration met with a quorum present to reconsider the local and uncontested calendar for May 28, 2025. Senator Menendez moved to reconsider the prior certification of the calendar, and the committee agreed without objection. Menendez then moved to add HB 4202 to the May 28, 2025 calendar. There was no objection, and the bill was added. He next moved to certify the recommended list for the May 28, 2025 calendar, including HB 4202. The clerk called the roll on certification, and the list was approved unanimously with seven votes and zero nays. With no further business, the committee recessed at the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, HB 5655 proposes the creation of a water control and improvement district in Fort Bend County
• All of the property proposed in the district is owned and will be developed by TPHTL Hatcher LLC.
• , but instead of granting MUD powers, the bill specifically grants water control and improvement district
• the powers and duties and validating certain acts and proceedings of the Coal Ranch Improvement District
• the powers and duties and validating certain acts and proceedings of the Hunter Ranch Improvement District

Bills: HCR111, HB5655, HB5689, HB5690, HCR46, HCR83, HCR81, HCR84

Keywords: beekeeping, pollination, agriculture, local economy, Combes, Bee Capital of Texas, water management, eminent domain, bond issuance, Fort Bend County, public infrastructure, special district, government validation, local authority, bonds, Cole Ranch Improvement District, Hunter Ranch Improvement District, property taxes, infrastructure funding, local governance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Administration met with a quorum and considered several local and uncontested measures, mostly resolutions designating official Texas titles for places and observances. HCR 111 would name Combs the official Bee Capital of Texas; HCR 81 would name Milam the Gateway Capital of Texas; HCR 84, as a committee substitute, would name Pineland the Sawmill Capital of Texas; and HCR 83 would name Rusk County the Syrup Capital of Texas. The committee also heard HCR 46, designating January 12 as Nathan Gage Ingram Day for a 10-year period ending in 2035, honoring the Roanoke Navy SEAL who died during a mission off Somalia. No public testimony was offered on any of these resolutions, and each was reported favorably to the full Senate by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes, then placed on the local and uncontested calendar for May 28, 2025. The committee also considered HB 5655, which would create a water control and improvement district in Fort Bend County to provide drainage improvements for about 912 acres owned by TPHTL Hatcher LLC. Senator Kolkhorst explained that the district powers were intended to address flooding and drainage in a low-lying area. The bill was reported favorably to the full Senate with no opposition after no public testimony was offered. In addition, HB 5689 and HB 5690 were heard as local bills validating and updating the powers and prior acts of the Coal Ranch Improvement District No. 1 and the Hunter Ranch Improvement District No. 1 in Denton County; both were reported favorably without testimony or questions. At the end of the meeting, the committee reviewed the proposed May 28, 2025 local and uncontested calendar, noted that some bills had been removed due to penalties, fiscal notes, or significant opposition, and specifically removed HB 4202. The remaining calendar, with that exception, was certified by unanimous vote. The committee then recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, San Antonio, where I'm from, is probably like every other district is a, is a city of small businesses
• The Attorney General would be authorized to file suit to recover the penalty on behalf of the Texas Lottery
• AG opinion GA 103 by now Governor Abbott, then Attorney General Abbott.
• So in October of last year, we filed complaints with the Texas Attorney General for, uh, the impermissible

Bills: SB 28

Keywords: groundwater, groundwater conservation district, Water Code, Water Development Board, modeled available groundwater, aquifer, water permit, groundwater transfer, export groundwater, out-of-district transfer, management area, desired future conditions, well permit, retail public utility, potable water, emergency interconnect, subsidiary, controlled entity, aquifer management, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• each school district because I know.
• For example, what if the district highlighted all the successes of the district at the time of the election
• My school district and my district... a Huffman ISD, that was taken on by the DA, and they had worked
• The Texas Attorney General has affirmed parental rights in an Attorney General opinion.
• . ...the name of the school district.

Bills: SB204, SB570, SB735, SB784, SB1207, SB1396, SB1447, SB2392, SB2540, SB747, SB875

Keywords: parental rights, education, school trustees, training, handbook, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district, open-enrollment charter school, student support services, school counselor, principal, administrator

Bills: HCR111, HB5655, HB5689, HB5690, HCR46, HCR83, HCR81, HCR84

Keywords: beekeeping, pollination, agriculture, local economy, Combes, Bee Capital of Texas, water management, eminent domain, bond issuance, Fort Bend County, public infrastructure, special district, government validation, local authority, bonds, Cole Ranch Improvement District, Hunter Ranch Improvement District, property taxes, infrastructure funding, local governance

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, HB5655 proposes the creation of a water control and improvement district in Fort Bend County
• All of the property proposed in the district is owned. and will be developed by TPHTL Hatcher LLC.
• but instead of granting MUD powers, the bill... specifically grants water control and improvement district
• powers and duties and values. validating certain acts and proceedings of the Coal Ranch Improvement District
• the powers and duties and validating certain acts and proceedings of the Hunter Ranch Improvement District

Bills: HCR111, HB5655, HB5689, HB5690, HCR46, HCR83, HCR81, HCR84

Keywords: beekeeping, pollination, agriculture, local economy, Combes, Bee Capital of Texas, water management, eminent domain, bond issuance, Fort Bend County, public infrastructure, special district, government validation, local authority, bonds, Cole Ranch Improvement District, Hunter Ranch Improvement District, property taxes, infrastructure funding, local governance

Transcript Highlights:

• of districts.
• District 29.
• District 95, are cracked and placed into Congressional District 25, which is a rural-based district
• And District 18, District 30, and District 33, isn't that correct?
• district.

Bills: HB4, HB 4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Bills: HB4, HB4, HB4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by county, precincts by district, ...District population, district ACS, district Hispanic population
• District 32... and remains a non-minority district.
• district to a majority Hispanic CVAP district.
• District.
• Governor Abbott or the Attorney General have indicated that Congressional Districts 18, 29, and 33 were

Bills: HB4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What, and we allowed retired federal judges and district attorneys to carry as well with the expedited
• Also practicing attorneys in our private lives.
• Um, as a criminal defense attorney, I can tell you, um, as would any criminal defense attorney, I believe
• I'm an assistant district attorney. Um, I am also a combat veteran. I'm also a LTC.
• You're an attorney, so we've been having a conversation, give and take here.

Bills: HB259

Keywords: redistricting, Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Texas Legislature, elections, district boundaries, voter representation

Bills: HF2433

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation

Transcript Highlights:

• 1443 would authorize the continued operation of the Northeast Healthcare Provider Participation District
• Senate Bill 3048 will establish the Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District.
• Located in Midlothian, Texas, it follows the standard template for municipal management districts and
• The district is an essential tool to implement a high-quality community that aligns with Midlothian's
• All right, just as a resource, Ross, this is a management district.

Bills: SB1331, SB1375, SB1443, SB1578, SB2251, SB2519, SB2553, SB2655, SB2764, SB2907, SB3030, SB3033, SB3035, SB3036, SB3037, SB3043, SB3047, SB3050, SB3051, SB3056, SB3057, SB3063, HB9, HB467, HB331, HB1244, HB1399, HB2559, HB2730, HB3307, HJR1, HJR99, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SJR78, HB1327, HB2723

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard several bills, most of them left pending after brief public testimony. House Bill 331, by Rep. Patterson and sponsored by Sen. Hinojosa, would create a presumption that firefighters, police officers, and EMTs who suffer a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after a strenuous shift were injured in the line of duty for workers’ compensation purposes; testimony from a firefighters’ association supported the bill, and it was left pending. Senate Bill 2655, by Sen. Flores, would authorize Burnet County to establish a local provider participation fund to help support local hospital services; a hospital administrator testified in support, and the committee substitute was left pending. Senate Bill 1443, by Sen. Hughes, would extend the Northeast Healthcare Provider Participation District in three counties, and House Bill 3307, by Rep. Noble, would allow property tax arbitrators to complete required continuing education online; both were left pending without opposition. Senate Bill 3048, by Sen. Birdwell, would create the Bluebonnet Hills Municipal Management District in Midlothian and was also left pending. The committee then took up House Bill 9 and HJR 1, sponsored by Sen. Bettencourt, which would raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000 and place the constitutional amendment on the November 4, 2025 ballot. Business groups, realtors, and taxpayers’ advocates testified in strong support, saying the change would provide meaningful relief to small businesses and help balance earlier homeowner tax relief. The City of Fort Worth testified in opposition, warning of a revenue shift to homeowners and budget impacts, but the committee adopted the committee substitutes and reported both measures to the full Senate on 6-0 votes. The committee also heard House Bill 1399 and HJR 99, by Sen. Nichols, to exempt animal feed from property tax when it is already sales-tax exempt; no one testified against them, and both were left pending. Senate Bill 2553, by Sen. West, would let owners of historic archaeological sites protest land and structure appraisals separately, and it was left pending after supportive testimony. Senate Bill 2907 and SJR 78, also by Sen. West, would exempt certain perishable inventory, including food and some prescription drugs, from property tax if approved by voters; pharmacists, business groups, a researcher, and a coalition of retailers and food/medicine advocates supported the bill, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 1331, by Sen. Hancock and explained by Sen. Middleton, would lower the population threshold for certain municipal civil-service-related petition restrictions from 950,000 to 70,000; law enforcement representatives and a San Marcos police association supported it, and it was left pending. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1973, the Legislature adopted and created a hospital district known as Maybank Kemp Hospital District
• Management District No. 1.
• . 1 within my Senate district.
• . 1 within my Senate district.
• County, and follows the management district template with the addition of navigation district powers

Bills: SB1331, SB1375, SB1443, SB1578, SB2251, SB2519, SB2553, SB2655, SB2764, SB2907, SB3030, SB3033, SB3035, SB3036, SB3037, SB3043, SB3047, SB3050, SB3051, SB3056, SB3057, SB3063, HB9, HB467, HB331, HB 1244, HB1399, HB2559, HB2730, HB3307, HJR1, HJR99, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SJR78, HB1327, HB2723

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Summary: The Committee on Local Government heard a series of local bills and public testimony focused on hospital districts, municipal management districts, local provider participation funds, manufactured housing, transit financing, development moratoriums, and property tax procedures. Early items included House Bill 467, which would help dissolve the defunct Maybank Kemp Hospital District and establish an Andrew Gibbs Memorial Nursing Endowment, and Senate Bill 3063, creating the Bio Bell Municipal Management District in Liberty County; both drew no public opposition and were left pending subject to call. The committee also heard House Bill 1327, extending the Harris County local provider participation fund through 2027, and Senate Bill 1375, extending Collin County’s LPPF authority, both presented as mechanisms to draw federal Medicaid matching funds for hospitals. A major portion of the meeting centered on Senate Bill 2764, which would require earlier notice to buyers of manufactured homes about how to convert a home from personal property to real property. Senator Cook described the bill as a consumer-information measure tied to displacement concerns at a mobile home park in her district, and a resident testified in support, saying the notice would help families make informed decisions. The committee also discussed Senate Bill 2519, a bill by Senator Bettencourt aimed at preventing local governments from shifting maintenance-and-operations tax revenue into debt-like uses and from changing the purpose of tax rate elections after voters approve them. Supporters argued it would protect taxpayers and preserve the separation between M&O and debt service, while opponents tied the bill to Austin’s Project Connect transit financing and warned it would disrupt an approved project and invite litigation. The committee heard and left pending several other bills, including House Bill 1244 on agricultural land ownership changes without reapplying for an ag exemption, House Bill 2559 on development moratoriums, and Senate Bill 2063 on unequal appraisal protests. Testimony on House Bill 2559 came from developers and builders who said moratoriums in Conroe had delayed projects and harmed buyers, while supporters of the bill said it would impose clearer limits and notice requirements. On Senate Bill 2063, the sponsor explained a committee substitute narrowing how market value evidence may be used in unequal appraisal appeals. The committee also considered multiple local district bills, including new MUDs and management districts in Montgomery, Denton, Fannin, Travis, Hays, and Williamson counties. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up pending business and voted out several measures, including House Bill 1244, House Bill 2559, House Bill 467, House Bill 1327, House Bill 1399, House Bill 2723, House Bill 2730, House Bill 3307, House Joint Resolution 99, and multiple district bills such as Senate Bills 3037, 3043, 3047, 3048, 3050, 3052, 3053, 3056, 3057, 3063, and others. Most were reported favorably, often with committee substitutes, and many were recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Several bills, including the transit-related SB 2519 and the manufactured housing bill SB 2764, remained pending subject to call after testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kelvin Lawrence, House District 69. Donna Evans, House District 64.
• Marilyn Lands, Alabama House District 10, Madison County. >> Madam Intern, would you like to introduce
• We're updating the forms, powers of attorney, and the language with that.

Bills: HB150

Keywords: improvement district, special assessment, assessment lien, public infrastructure, bond financing, bond interest rate, county commission, tax assessor, tax collector, judge of probate, ad valorem tax, tax lien, tax sale, foreclosure, delinquent taxes, municipal finance, public improvements, infrastructure financing, collection enforcement, property lien