Transcript Highlights:

• So during that time, my understanding, matter of fact, I believe my mother-in-law was one of those that
• So during that time, my understanding, matter of fact, I believe my mother-in-law was one of those that
• So how would this bill impact current law? >> I'm not familiar with that part of Act 96.
• So how would this bill impact current law? >> I'm not familiar with that part of Act 96.
• </c> how would this bill impact current law? how would this bill impact current law?

Bills: HB1709 , HB2195 , HB2023 , HB2031 , HB2033 , HB1937 , HB2586 , HB2575 , HB2038 , HB2030

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: water carriers, transportation, public utility, Department of Transportation, liability, agricultural rates, certificates of convenience, cruise ship, passenger head fee, harbor, capital improvement, funding, environmental impact, active intelligent speed assistance, intelligent speed assistance, speed limiter, speed limiting device, speed governor, vehicle telematics, traffic safety

Summary: The joint committees on Transportation, Labor and Technology, and later Transportation and Economic Development and Tourism, heard several bills. SB 2573 would allow administrative driver’s license revocation hearings to be held by interactive conference technology such as Zoom and permit electronic exchange of evidence. The chief adjudicator for the ADLRO supported it as a non-mandatory option that has worked well since 2021, improving attendance and saving time and money; DOT also supported it. The committees voted to pass SB 2573 with technical, non-substantive amendments. SB 3215 would make permanent the requirement that securing mooring lines at commercial docks be performed by labor subject to collective bargaining by repealing the sunset date in existing harbor safety law. DOT did not submit testimony, and the chair noted support from longshore labor. The committees voted to pass SB 3215 unamended. The committees also heard SB 2693, which authorizes $15 million in general obligation bonds for planning, design, and construction of a 50,000-square-foot aerospace hangar and related facilities at Hilo International Airport. A Phoenix Space executive testified in support, saying Hawaii and Hilo have geographic advantages and that the project could support aerospace investment and jobs; several other organizations and individuals submitted supportive testimony. Committee members questioned whether federal matching funds or airport capacity existed, and DOT said it had no assurance of federal participation and would need to check on capacity and potential users. The hearing then moved to SB 2698, which would create a cruise ship special fund and impose a per-passenger head fee on cruise ships docking in state commercial harbors while repealing the existing cruise ship TAT framework effective January 1, 2026. DOT supported the bill but requested amendments to clarify that the new fee is in addition to existing passenger, port entry, and dockage fees and to raise the fee from $6.50 to $10; DOT said the higher amount would better fund harbor improvements such as shore power. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings testified in support but said the added fee would significantly increase costs, while a local ship supply business supported the cruise industry and opposed the TAT approach, saying cruise activity benefits local farmers and jobs. No final vote on SB 2698 was taken in the excerpt provided.

Bills: SB20 , SB21 , SB166 , SB177 , SB181 , SB189 , SM6

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill before you is Substitute Senate Bill 5763, sponsored by Senator Lovick, relating to the Law
• The bill before you creates a grant program to distribute funds to maintain and operate local law enforcement
• The bill before you creates a grant program to distribute funds to maintain and operate local law enforcement
• It requires that, to qualify for a grant, a local law enforcement aviation support unit must have implemented
• It details specific state and federal laws that must be followed when making data available to the public

Bills: SB6084 , SB6044 , SB5950 , SB6046 , SB5763 , SB6215 , SB6160 , SB6123 , SB6049 , SB6164 , SB6313 , SB5784 , SB5046 , SB5489

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• My law firm, the Monson Law Firm, uncovered in Louisiana what we have termed litigation harvesting financing
• What our law firm fought in Louisiana is what we don't want to see in Florida.
• Some law firm over there, how they were getting ready to go into some other states.
• Churches in rural areas may not get law enforcement response for up to 30 minutes.
• There's no law in Florida prohibiting carrying a firearm in a religious institution.

Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0052 , S0308 , S0504 , S0506 , S0564 , S0572 , S0590 , S0594 , S0806 , S1396 , S7020 , S7024 , S7026

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: negligence, settlement, police conduct, municipal liability, personal injury, compensation, injuries, Miami-Dade County, places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with 14 members present and considered a long agenda of bills, including several open-government sunset reauthorizations, consumer and election measures, claims bills, and policy bills on public safety, ethics, and child protection. The committee reported favorably SB 7024 and SB 7026, which extend and consolidate public-records/public-meeting exemptions for cybersecurity information and trade secrets held by agencies, and SB 7020, which reenacts the aquaculture records exemption for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It also approved SB 14 and SB 24, two uncontested Miami-Dade County claims bills, and SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan involving severe injuries after an unlawful arrest and transport incident in St. Petersburg. Several bills drew substantial testimony. SB 308, creating the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and designating St. Johns County as the museum site, received extensive support from advocates and lawmakers who emphasized preserving the full and accurate history of Black Floridians; some speakers urged safeguards to ensure historians and community members help shape the museum’s content. The committee also favorably reported CS for SB 564, allowing registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours, with supporters saying it would build civic engagement and help election offices. CS for SB 52, which exempts unpaid volunteer armed security at houses of worship from Class D and G licensing requirements, was also reported favorably after testimony both supporting the need for church security and cautioning that congregations should retain control over whether weapons are allowed. The committee approved CS for SB 1396 on litigation financing and consumer protection after a lengthy debate over transparency, foreign funding, and whether the bill would chill access to courts. Supporters said it would create guardrails and disclose foreign involvement; opponents argued it could burden plaintiffs and reveal litigation strategy. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 504 and SB 506, creating a framework and related public-records exemption for code inspector body cameras, with discussion about notice to property owners and protection of sensitive footage. Additional favorable actions included CS for SB 572, updating ethics law to reflect foster family relationships, and CS for SB 590, tolling the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse offenses until the offense is known to law enforcement or another charging authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, Tennessee has this law in place and there's very much confusion about this law because everybody
• And that is a federal law.
• There's already a federal law. Why do we need a state law? >> We need to make a few modifications.
• There are many federal laws.
• And there are many is a federal law.

Bills: HB161 , HB146 , HB289 , HB290 , HB31 , HB146 , HB289 , HB290 , HB31

Committee: House Health

Keywords: consumer protection, app store, age verification, parental consent, data protection, minors, HB146, ivermectin, pharmacist, standing order, prescription drug, non-patient-specific order, dispensing, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, licensed health care provider, pharmacy board, medical licensure, disciplinary action, drug access

Bills: SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , HB4

Keywords: school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Summary: The Senate briefly convened and received a message from the House stating that the House was taking a vote. No bills, motions, or substantive policy matters were discussed in the exchange. Pursuant to a previously adopted motion, the Senate then adjourned until 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 21.

Transcript Highlights:

• synthetically modified compounds, and establishing enforcement mechanisms, all without banning a lawful
• Legislation that protects law enforcement officers from public disclosure of unsubstantiated complaints

Bills: SR5 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SR5

Keywords: redistricting, Senate procedures, public input, Texas Legislature, amendments, Texas Senate, congressional districts, legislative procedures, legislative transparency, Senate rules, public hearings, committee procedures, hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes

Transcript Highlights:

• Was there a law passed in the regular session? No, not to my knowledge.
• Okay, so the letter neither finds a violation of law nor engages in bona fide settlement efforts.
• I'm not an expert on redistricting law, but I think... You can do it as often as you wish now.
• A question of law, that reminds me of the next question.
• One of the law firms, two of the law firms, that I interviewed by phone, okay?

Bills: SR5 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SR5

Keywords: redistricting, Senate procedures, public input, Texas Legislature, amendments, Texas Senate, congressional districts, legislative procedures, legislative transparency, Senate rules, public hearings, committee procedures, hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes

Transcript Highlights:

• You're going to turn 21; the law doesn't cover you after that.
• Under current law, the parents of almost 120,000...
• Parental rights laws are not... themselves enough.
• Arizona has strong parental rights laws, ARS 601-1 and 601-2, yet DFPS selects and employs caseworkers
• Is that really the mindset that we wish to codify into law?

Bills: HB1106 , HB3284 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1403 , HB1586 , HB1942 , HB2070 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB3151 , HB3749 , HB3940 , HB3963 , HB4454 , HB4466 , HB4795 , HB5154 , HB5394 , SB1357 , HB1052 , HB4099 , HB4638 , HB5147

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• Under our state laws, removals always need to be approved by a court.
• Physicians under state law have the ability to do that.
• By law, the eligible baby must be automatically enrolled in Medicaid at birth.
• We've specifically worked with Charlie's Law and the access we’ve provided as a state.
• These various layers of guardrails are about standing law.

Bills: HB1106 , HB3284 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1403 , HB1586 , HB1942 , HB2070 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB3151 , HB3749 , HB3940 , HB3963 , HB4454 , HB4466 , HB4795 , HB5154 , HB5394 , SB1357 , HB1052 , HB4099 , HB4638 , HB5147

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida just passed a law along these lines, as did Arkansas and Missouri.
• Based on current law and their rulings, that's what I meant. That's what would happen.
• Currently, 26 states are in the process of passing their own version into law.
• Let Texas not be the last to pass into law such a win-win bid for everyone. Thank you. Thank you.
• This is authorization by law. Thank you. Thank you very much for being here, Mr. Carter.

Bills: SB524 , SB782 , HB42 , HB1056 , HB2894 , HB3033 , HB3474 , HB3594 , HB4738 , HB5246 , HB42

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: SB 524, Texas franchise tax, veteran-owned business, new veteran-owned business, business tax exemption, filing fee exemption, Tax Code Chapter 171, Business Organizations Code, Comptroller, small business, veterans, entrepreneurship, tax repeal, privilege tax, beginning date, franchise tax exemption, severance tax, oil, gas, restimulation wells

Transcript Highlights:

• Current under current law, these vehicles cannot be advertised by the dealer until they are physically
• transactions would be handled by licensed Texas dealers, ensuring compliance with consumer protection laws
• We support that choice to participate or not to participate, but do ask you to change Texas law to give
• Acquiring vehicles from law enforcement auctions or lienholder foreclosure sales.
• Under current law, even non-repairable vehicles intended for dismantling or scrapping require a formal

Bills: SB 35 , SB 249 , SB 546 , SB 1353 , SB 1493 , SB 2246 , SB 1902 , SB 1029

Committee: House Transportation

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:

• Under current law, these vehicles cannot be advertised by the dealer until they are physically on the
• Requiring vehicles from law enforcement auctions or lien holder foreclosure sales.
• Under current law.
• If there's no objection, the committee will stand adjourned subject to the law. Call the chair.
• If there's no objection, the committee will stand adjourned subject to the law. Call the Chair.

Bills: SB35 , SB249 , SB546 , SB1353 , SB1493 , SB2246 , SB1902 , SB1029

Committee: House Transportation

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:

• So, so in talking about it, it's, it's about the way the statute of law is written.
• This ingenious change in law would protect Mr.
• Yet law enforcement is often left with little to no leads to solve these violent crimes.
• Let's give our law enforcement the tools they need.
• We should use them for law enforcement purposes. Absolutely support this bill.

Bills: HB 2065 , HB 2462 , HB 2621 , HB 3187 , HB 3539 , HB 3563 , HB 3726 , HB 4164 , HB 4207 , HB 4368 , HB 4706 , HB 4916 , HB 4950 , HB 4967 , HB 5177 , HB 4429 , HB 5597

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the move-over or slow-down law does protect law enforcement, other first responders, tow truck
• And we've had this law in place; the original law was, I believe, enacted in 2003. the first iteration
• of the move-over slow-down law.
• By passing a uniform law. Law. Uniformity increases compliance because people don't get confused.
• Okay, and just to clarify, state law...

Bills: HB2065 , HB2462 , HB2621 , HB3187 , HB3539 , HB3563 , HB3726 , HB4164 , HB4207 , HB4368 , HB4706 , HB4916 , HB4950 , HB4967 , HB5177 , HB4429 , HB5597

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• to thank the people that are here helping support Lauren today alongside her sister and brother-in-law
• At that point, then it would be binding law for that group to service the port, Cedarport, in Chambers

Bills: HB2065 , HB2462 , HB2621 , HB3187 , HB3539 , HB3563 , HB3726 , HB4164 , HB4207 , HB4368 , HB4706 , HB4916 , HB4950 , HB4967 , HB5177 , HB4429 , HB5597

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Targeting TWC section 13.043E is a biased and unjust law.
• Forty years of common law exists between them.
• The law does not reflect... Those differences when it comes to who can file an appeal.
• As it is today in the law, SB 2692 does not represent an improvement, we feel, over the current law.
• Marta Fee, separate legislation, separate law.

Bills: SB1169 , SB1285 , SB1583 , SB1611 , SB1898 , SB1976 , SB2160 , SB2161 , SB2658 , SB2661 , SB2662 , SB2692 , SB1055 , SB1359 , SB2660

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, the statute reads that a district can assess a penalty of $10,000 per violation, and
• At the end of 30 days, under current law, you will have a penalty of $300,000 if a water district wants
• to use the current law of $10,000 per violation.
• All they have the right to do is go to a court of law and ask the court to impose a reasonable penalty
• Since 1997, state law has required public water suppliers to reduce customer water use when droughts

Bills: SB1169 , SB1285 , SB1583 , SB1611 , SB1898 , SB1976 , SB2160 , SB2161 , SB2658 , SB2661 , SB2662 , SB2692 , SB1055 , SB1359 , SB2660

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, the statute reads that a district can assess a penalty of $10,000 per violation, and
• At the end of 30 days under current law, you will have a penalty of $4,650,000.
• If a water district wants to use current law, $10,000. Then at 30 days you get to $4.6 million.
• All they have the right to do is go to a court of law and ask the court to impose a reasonable penalty
• Since 1997, the state law required the public water suppliers to prepare drought contingency plans to

Bills: SB 1169 , SB 1285 , SB 1583 , SB 1611 , SB 1898 , SB 1976 , SB 2160 , SB 2161 , SB 2658 , SB 2661 , SB 2662 , SB 2692 , SB 1055 , SB 1359 , SB 2660

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal law is supreme and may preempt state law in one of two ways: explicit congressional direction
• , or implicitly when state law stands as an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of the full
• While the CFIUS statute... ...does not expressly preempt state law, there is a plausible argument that
• the American Bar Association (ABA) for institutional recognition, which in turn determines whether law
• That's still in the law right now.

Bills: SB1065 , SB2117 , SB2217 , SB2363 , SB2533 , SB2742 , SB2743 , SB2881 , SB2964 , SB3013 , SB3014

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty