Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will be subject to existing OWRB rules related to well spacing.
• This rule would not apply to domestic wells.
• Next on the list is Senate Bill 2028.
• Senate Bill 2110 amends Title 210-78.
• Okay. >> Next on the list is Senate Bill 2134.

Bills: SB1346, SB1509, SB1928, SB2028, SB2071, SB2110, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134, SB722, SB3

Keywords: water infrastructure, wastewater, investment program, loans, local government, SB1509, groundwater, water wells, well spacing, water rights, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, OWRB, basin, subbasin, maximum annual yield, aquifer management, water allocation, water permits, temporary permits, irrigation

Transcript Highlights:

• I previously referred to special meeting rules. It should be special rules of order.
• I previously referred to special meeting rules. It should be special rules of order.
• Special rules of order.
• <01:02:33.119> And Senate Senate uh committee hearing.
• And Senate Senate uh committee hearing.

Bills: HB1697, HB1678, HB1679, HB2282, HB1940, HB1671, HB1481, HB2015, HB2207, HB2486

Keywords: natural hair braiding, registration, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Act, public health, sanitation, cumulative voting, associations, unit owners, board of directors, elections, Hawaii Revised Statutes, condominium, association meetings, electronic voting, proxy voting, mail voting, insurance, premium increase, policy cancellation, licensing

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1697, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions. The DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it recognizes braiding as within the scope of cosmetology practice but warned that a broad exemption could create consumer protection gaps, especially around sanitation training, tool use, and enforcement. Supporters from the Institute for Justice and the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued the current licensing regime is overly burdensome and unrelated to braiding, citing the 1,250-hour training requirement, high tuition costs, barriers for low-income entrepreneurs, and the fact that many other states already exempt braiders. Committee members asked whether a standalone sanitation course or similar training could address the board’s concerns, and the board said it would bring that idea back for discussion. The committee also noted 16 written testimonies in support and 2 in opposition. The committee then took up HB 1678, relating to condominium and planned community association elections using cumulative voting. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, said the bill would clarify that cumulative voting applies to all candidates, including write-ins, and would help resolve confusion in association elections. One testifier urged the committee to remove proxy voting, calling it an abuse of power in some associations, while another asked whether cumulative voting and proxies could be manipulated to stack votes. In response, the parliamentarian explained that cumulative voting and proxy voting are different, that proxies simply allow someone to vote on another’s behalf, and that existing deadlines and counting procedures reduce opportunities for abuse. Testimony also emphasized that electronic or mail voting can be secure and efficient, and that the bill would make the process clearer and more democratic. Finally, the committee heard testimony on HB 1679, which would clarify an association board’s authority over electronic meetings, electronic voting, voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Supporters said the measure would clean up statutory language, make electronic voting optional, and fix problems created by a 2024 change that made written-consent timing rules difficult to use for association actions. They also said the bill would clarify that proxies are only used at meetings, not for actions taken without a meeting. One opponent argued the bill needs further amendment because electronic voting is not well defined and could be abused, and questioned the neutrality of parliamentarians testifying on condominium bills. No votes were taken on any of the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Safety to update existing rules Public Safety to update existing rules regarding<00:04:22.120
• drive currently the Minnesota rules drive currently the Minnesota rules there's<00:05:03.080>
• Committee to Senate File 1075.
• Representative Olson moves Senate File 1360.
• representative Olen and the Senate representative Olen and the Senate author<00:42:48.720> also

Bills: HF2382, HF639, SF1075, HF1243, HF1087, SF1360, HF739, HF2337, HF1220, HF712, HF1219

Keywords: accident reporting, law enforcement, data privacy, contracted service providers, public safety, HF639, Minnesota driver license, Department of Public Safety, driver medical review, loss of consciousness, voluntary control, seizure, nonepileptic seizure, epilepsy, antiseizure medication, physician statement, medical certification, commercial driver, CDL, medical examiner's certificate

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Kolkhorst. Here. Senator Perry. Senator Hancock. Senator Hall. Senator Miles.
• Senator Hughes. Senator Blanco. Senator Sparks. Senator Cook.
• I'm going to go to Senator Sparks, and then Senator Hall. Senator Blanco is present.
• Senate Bill 1137 and Senate Bill 1138.
• Senate Bill 37 or Senate Bill 1138.

Bills: SB331, SB883, SB926, SB1137, SB1138, SB1144, SB1151, SB1236, SB1270, SB1522, SB1869, SB2207, SB2422

Keywords: healthcare, cost disclosure, transparency, administrative penalties, health facility compliance, COVID-19, off-label use, prescription drugs, patient access, medical standards, insurance, physician ranking, incentives, fiduciary duty, health plan issuers, SB 1137, group home, assisted living, residential care, board and care

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bergstrom, Bergstrom here. Senator Boren, Boren here. Senator Brooks, Brooks here.
• Senator Ice here. Senator Gillespie here. Senator Hamilton here. Senator Wingard here.
• Senator Kirt Senator Hicks, Senator Goodwin, Senator Dassett, Senator Brooks, Senator Hines, Senator
• Senator Kirtz, Senator Hicks, Senator Jett, Senator Hines, Senator Deers. Chairs, praying closed.
• Senator Kirk, Senator Hicks, Senator Goodwin, Senator Mann, Senator Brooks, Senator Ice, Senator Daniels

Bills: SR31, SB2060, SB2184, HB1371, HB1411, HB1933, HB2361, HB2398, HB2893, HB3006, HB3044, HB3127, HB3322, HB3147, HB1276, HB3472, HB3522, HB3704, HB4303, HB4319

Keywords: military, children, resilience, Purple Up!, military families, master development district, improvement district, public improvements, infrastructure financing, special assessments, statutory revision, consolidation, law amendment, emergency legislation, legal clarity, oil and gas, mineral rights, proceeds, royalties, escrow account

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:46:49.280> allowing<00:46:49.680> the Security to establish rules allowing the
• Security to establish rules allowing the sale<00:46:50.160> and<00:46:50.400> distribution<
• <00:49:31.359> in<00:49:31.680> species<00:49:32.079> risk to adopt rules in
• Um, I will also point out that there's a Senate bill coming later today that will be heard that deals
• So, if we can get that Senate bill over to you guys, we're hoping that that would have some interest

Bills: HB1602, HB2246, HB1707, HB2216, HB2594, HB2595, HB2155, HB2113, HB2207, HB1832, HB2015, HB2152, HB2548

Keywords: agriculture, grant specialist, financial support, farmers, Hawaii, federal grants, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, transportation, reimbursement, food security, local production, sustainability, agricultural loans, financing, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii agriculture, loan portfolio

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair presents SB856 by Senator Flores.
• The Chair lays out SB1057 by Senator...
• This is the Senate companion to HB4115 by Chair.
• This is the Senate companion to HB2214.
• Senator calls Hymda Sanders.

Bills: HB1958, HB2031, HB2879, HB3285, HB3995, HB4487, HB4558, HB4560, HB4876, HB4899, HB5212, HB5317, HB5543, HB5567, SB1333

Keywords: firearm possession, tenant rights, landlord regulations, civil penalties, property code, justified use of force, deadly force, property rights, home defense, smart devices, data privacy, personal data collection, user consent, mobile application, data transparency, HOA, property owners association, property owners' association, Texas Property Code, Chapter 202

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is Senator Parker. which is Mr.
• The chair lays out Senate Bill 378 by Senator Squadron and recognized.
• It's our Senate Bill 917 by Senator Zaffirini and recognize the sponsor speaker feeling to explain the
• The chair lays Senate Bill 1255 by Senator Zafirini and recognize the sponsor, Speaker Phelan, to explain
• on or against this wonderful Senate Bill 1255.

Bills: HB2450, SB378, SB764, SB917, SB1254, SB1255

Keywords: elevator inspection, building safety, construction standards, health and safety code, regulatory requirements, SB 378, Texas Occupations Code, barbering, cosmetology, barber, cosmetologist, licensing, professional licensing, unauthorized practice, medical procedures, skin incision, dermis, injections, devices, consumer safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I show you registered as Paul Hale on behalf of SREC Senate District 1 and yourself, registered against
• established the financial mechanism to tackle our water infrastructure challenges through passage of Senate
• on this water and not just look for the industry that's coming in to buy the water to dictate the rules
• Because what happened To dictate the rules of the game, because what happens is the citizens end up paying

Bills: HB16, HB16, HB1618, HB2692, HB2712, HB2970, HB3609, HB3628

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a local bill, and it passed the House and the Senate last session but got caught up in their great
• current law, all state agencies... ...including TWDB, are required to review their administrative rules
• This creates a disconnect between the rule review cycle and the agency's five-year planning timeline.
• As a result, TWA... ...WDB is forced to review and potentially revise key planning rules out of sync
• By aligning the rules and review processes with planning cycles, we can promote consistency, free up

Bills: HB16, HB1618, HB2692, HB2712, HB2970, HB3609, HB3628, HB16

Keywords: water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control, flood management, water quality, conservation district, bonds, utility rates, ratemaking, water services

Bills: HCR 20, HR 131, HR 133, HR 135, HR 136, HR 137, HR 144, HR 145, HR 146, HR 149, HR 150, HR 151, HR 152, HR 158, HR 161, HR 162, HR 163, HR 165, HR 166, HR 168, HR 169, HR 170, HR 175, HR 178, HR 127, HR 129, HR 130, HR 132, HR 134, HR 138, HR 139, HR 140, HR 141, HR 142, HR 143, HR 153, HR 154, HR 155, HR 156, HR 159, HR 160, HR 164, HR 167, HR 172, HR 173, HR 176, SB 1, HB 8, HB 15, HB 27, SB 5

Keywords: memorial, remembrance, legacy, condolences, community, higher education, university merger, research, public health, economic impact, healthcare, insurance, affordability, medical coverage, state regulations, Cedar Creek Lake, community celebration, Texas pride, outdoor recreation, local identity

Transcript Highlights:

• 1, Section 15A; Rule 4, Section 2A-7; Rule 1, Section 15D; and Rule 4, Section 44.
• There are no rules.
• And just so we're clear, the Senate in its rules...
• So the Senate rules are very clear that they're not giving up their powers.
• I'm directed by the Senate on the House, the Senate has taken the following action: the Senate has adopted

Bills: SB 1, HCR 20, HR 131, HR 133, HR 135, HR 136, HR 137, HR 144, HR 145, HR 146, HR 149, HR 150, HR 151, HR 152, HR 158, HR 161, HR 162, HR 163, HR 165, HR 166, HR 168, HR 169, HR 170, HR 175, HR 178, HR 127, HR 129, HR 130, HR 132, HR 134, HR 138, HR 139, HR 140, HR 141, HR 142, HR 143, HR 153, HR 154, HR 155, HR 156, HR 159, HR 160, HR 164, HR 167, HR 172, HR 173, HR 176, SB 1, HB 8, HB 15, HB 27, SB 5

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, memorial, remembrance, legacy, condolences, community, higher education, university merger, research, public health, economic impact, healthcare, insurance, affordability, medical coverage, state regulations

Bills: SB 1, HCR 20, HR 131, HR 133, HR 135, HR 136, HR 137, HR 144, HR 145, HR 146, HR 149, HR 150, HR 151, HR 152, HR 158, HR 161, HR 162, HR 163, HR 165, HR 166, HR 168, HR 169, HR 170, HR 175, HR 178, HR 127, HR 129, HR 130, HR 132, HR 134, HR 138, HR 139, HR 140, HR 141, HR 142, HR 143, HR 153, HR 154, HR 155, HR 156, HR 159, HR 160, HR 164, HR 167, HR 172, HR 173, HR 176, SB 1, HB 8, HB 15, HB 27, SB 5

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, memorial, remembrance, legacy, condolences, community, higher education, university merger, research, public health, economic impact, healthcare, insurance, affordability, medical coverage, state regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• , Senator Mesnard.
• Senator Warner: Aye. Senator Esclay, explain my vote. You may.
• Thank you, senators, and especially for the four senators that are retiring.

Bills: HB4154, HB4155, HB4156, HB4157, HB4158, HB4159, HB4160, HB4161, HB4162, HB4163, HB4164, HB4165, HB4166, HB4167, HB4168, HB4169, SB1847, SB1848, SB1849, SB1850, SB1851, SB1852, SB1853, SB1854, SB1855, SB1856, SB1857, SB1858, SB1859, SB1860, SB1861, SB1862

Keywords: general appropriations act, budget, biennial budget, state spending, fiscal year 2026-2027, appropriations, state agencies, public funding, education funding, health and human services, public safety, transportation, government operations, budget bill, fiscal policy, state finance, spending plan, legislative budget, capital appropriations, operating budget

Transcript Highlights:

• If not Senator West moves committee rules be adopted.
• There being 7 ayes, no nays, committee rules are adopted. First bill up, Senator Swertner.
• Senator West? Chair now lays out Senate Bill 35 and recognizes Senator Nichols.
• Senator Perry moves that Senate Bill 296 be reported to the Senate.
• Senator Perry moves Senate Bill 305 be read.

Bills: SB35, SB284, SB296, SB305, SB857, SB995, SB1121, SB1555, SB1902, SCR25, SB 35

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Middleton. Senator Cook. Senator Gutierrez. Senator Nichols. Senator Paxson. Senator West.
• The chair recognizes Senate Bill 1243 by Senator Birdwell and recognizes Senator Birdwell to present
• The chair lays out Senate Bill 1708 by Senator Hinojosa and recognizes Senator Hinojosa to explain the
• Senate Bill 1879 by Senator Schwartner and recognizes Senator Nichols to explain Senator Schwartner's
• All right, Senate Bill 1844, Senator Paxton.

Bills: SB1079, SB1243, SB1504, SB1579, SB1708, SB1844, SB1851, SB1879, SB1921, SB1951, SB2237, SB2238, SB2406, SB2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator King? Here. Senator Blanco? Here. Senator Campbell? Here. Senator Creighton? Here.
• Senator Johnson, Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Menendez, Senator Middleton, Senator- Deans Zaffirini there
• Senator Johnson, Senator Cochorst, Senator Menendez, Senator Middleton.
• Senator Middleton, Senator Nichols, Dean Zaffirini, Senator King, Senator Shorten.
• Senator Blanco, Senator Campbell, Senator Creighton, Senator Johnson. Senator Kolkhorst? Aye.

Bills: SB213, SB378, SB610, SB681, SB918, SB1172, SB1252, SB1343, SCR8

Keywords: SB 213, Texas insurance, Insurance Code, Chapter 551, Chapter 541, bundling, tying arrangement, cross-selling, homeowners insurance, residential property insurance, auto insurance, personal automobile insurance, consumer protection, unfair trade practice, deceptive insurance practice, property and casualty insurer, Lloyd's plan, county mutual, reciprocal exchange, farm mutual

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair lays out Senate Bill 2021 by Senator Johnson, and you are recognized on your bill.
• Senator Menendez, Senator Menendez, Senator Menendez.
• Chair lays out Senate Bill 2330 by Senator Parker, the last bill today.
• No, thank you, Senator. Thank you for caring. Thank you, Senator.
• , Senator Nichols's, and Senator Kolkhorst's districts.

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard Senate Bill 2021 by Senator Johnson, as substituted, on distributed energy resources (DERs). Johnson said the bill was intended to create a regulatory framework for DERs and virtual power plants, address interconnection and registration issues, and prevent regulatory capture as the industry grows. Testimony was split: Texas Electric Cooperatives asked for clarification so co-ops would not be unintentionally excluded from owning or operating DERs; AECT supported the bill as providing needed rules and customer protections; TABA, Texas Solar and Storage Association, Sierra Club, Texas Solar Energy Society, and several others opposed it or raised concerns that it was too utility-centric, imposed red tape, and could burden homeowners and small businesses with registration and interconnection requirements. Johnson repeatedly said the bill was not meant to stop rooftop solar or backup systems and that he was open to specific redlines and further changes. SB 2021 was left pending after testimony. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2330 by Senator Parker, which would end government payroll deduction for dues to certain public employee organizations, while exempting first responders under Chapters 143 and 147 and making other conforming changes in a committee substitute. Parker argued the bill was about government neutrality, transparency, and employee freedom from coercion, and said organizations can collect dues directly using modern payment methods. Supporters from Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Business Coalition, Freedom Foundation, ABC Texas, and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility said taxpayer-funded payroll systems should not be used to collect dues for private organizations, especially ones involved in political activity. Opponents, including ATPE, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Texas Public Employees Association, and correctional employees, said payroll deduction is a convenient, secure service that helps professional associations and employee groups, and argued the bill would burden teachers and other public employees. Several witnesses and senators focused on the bill’s exemptions and whether it treated teachers differently from first responders. Senator Menendez questioned why some public employees were excluded while others were not, and a Houston police union representative said he moved from opposing to supporting the bill after being told the substitute would preserve meet-and-confer deductions under Chapters 143 and 147. Senator Parker closed by saying the bill was not meant to eliminate associations or payroll deduction entirely, only to remove the state as a middleman. SB 2330 was left pending, and the committee then recessed subject to call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Schwertner: Aye. Senator King: Here. Senator Blanco. Senator Campbell.
• Senator Creighton: Here. Senator Johnson. Senator Kolkhorst. Senator Menendez. Senator Middleton.
• Senator Blanco, Senator Campbell, Senator Creighton, Senator Johnson, Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Menendez
• Senator Blanco, Senator Campbell, Senator Creighton, Senator Johnson, Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Menendez
• Senator Blanco, Senator Campbell, Senator Creighton, Senator Johnson, Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Menendez

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and favorably reported several bills without objection or by recorded vote, including SB 783, SB 1238, SB 1706, SB 1791, SB 458, SB 1644, and SB 1810, with some of them also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then moved into hearings on additional bills. SB 1968, by Senator Schwertner, would update the Real Estate License Act by repealing subagency, requiring written buyer-agent agreements before showings, and clarifying when a formal buyer representation agreement must be signed. Texas Realtors testified in support, saying the bill modernizes agency rules and increases transparency, while a committee substitute corrected drafting issues. SB 2411, the annual update to the Texas Business Organizations Code, was also laid out and left pending after supportive testimony from the Texas Business Law Foundation and drafting committee representatives. The committee also heard SB 2321, which would codify ERCOT’s current practice of notifying TCEQ when backup generation needs enforcement discretion for grid reliability; Sierra Club and a chamber of commerce witness supported it with suggestions for clearer emissions reporting, and the bill was left pending. SB 2077 would broaden eligibility for the Texas Mutual Insurance Company board by narrowing conflict restrictions tied to insurance-related interests; Texas Mutual supported the change and the bill was left pending. SB 1405, a broadband bill, would align state law with FCC standards and streamline Broadband Development Office processes; it was left pending after supportive testimony. SB 1299, protecting nonprofit donor privacy, drew support from privacy advocates and concerns from one witness about transparency for publicly funded nonprofit operations; it was left pending. The committee then heard SB 776, which would bar government construction contracts from shifting delay damages to contractors when delays are caused solely by the public owner. Contractors, surety representatives, and water infrastructure advocates supported the bill, arguing it would improve fairness and reduce inflated bids, while water utilities and critical infrastructure entities opposed it, warning of more litigation and higher costs; the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 715, which would apply reliability requirements retroactively to all generation resources in ERCOT, drew opposition from renewable and storage groups and support from some critics of renewable subsidies, with witnesses split over whether it would improve reliability or raise costs; testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Middleton. Aye. Senator Cook. Aye. Senator Gutierrez. Aye. Senator Nichols? Yes.
• Senator Paxson? Aye. Senator West? That's four.
• Senator Middleton. Senator Cook. Senator Gutierrez. Senator Nichols. Senator Paxson. Senator West.
• Senator Middleton? Aye. Senator Cook? Aye. Senator Gutierrez? Senator Nichols? Senator Paxson?
• Senator Gutierrez? Senator Nichols? Aye. Senator Paxson? Aye. Senator West? Aye.

Bills: SB 1079, SB 1243, SB 1504, SB 1579, SB 1708, SB 1844, SB 1851, SB 1879, SB 1921, SB 1951, SB 2237, SB 2238, SB 2406, SB 2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Local Government was marked by significant discussions on multiple bills aimed at enhancing governance and protecting taxpayer interests. Among the notable legislations was SB1951, where Senator Paxton emphasized reforms to reduce erroneous penalty notices imposed by appraisal districts, eliminating the financial incentive for such penalties. The session concluded with public testimonies that highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in taxpayer dealings. Additionally, Senator Middleton presented SB1504 and SB2237, focusing on the operational frameworks of local authorities and executive severance payments, respectively, both of which sparked considerable debate among committee members.