Transcript Highlights:

• And Texas, being a state that has more African Americans than any other state in this country, is proud
• of Texas, let's make our state a better state.
• Is there anything comparable that the state does?
• Senate Bill 2890 by Cook, relating to the establishment of state agency grievance procedures for state
• Senate Bill 2890 by Cook, relating to the establishment of state agency grievance procedures for state

Bills: SJR12, SJR81, SCR39, SB22, SB32, SB241, SB393, SB414, SB458, SB464, SB568, SB583, SB609, SB660, SB693, SB731, SB732, SB746, SB783, SB785, SB897, SB993, SB996, SB1008, SB1029, SB1035, SB1036, SB1120, SB1122, SB1147, SB1163, SB1188, SB1197, SB1209, SB1227, SB1245, SB1267, SB1307, SB1321, SB1332, SB1386, SB1394, SB1396, SB1470, SB1494, SB1537, SB1596, SB1598, SB1610, SB1664, SB1814, SB1822, SB1841, SB1948, SB2065, SB2155, SB2406, SB2407

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, tax exemption, ad valorem, tangible personal property, income production, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, invocation, approval of routine motions, and the reading of gubernatorial nominations and several honorary resolutions. The chamber adopted resolutions recognizing Jack and Jill of America Day and DJ Daniel Day at the Capitol, with multiple senators offering remarks praising youth leadership, perseverance, and public service. The Senate also introduced the Doctor of the Day and then proceeded to a long series of floor actions on bills. A major focus was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 568, which overhauls special education funding and services in public schools by moving from a placement-based model to an intensity-based system tied to student needs and IEPs. Senators Bettencourt, Creighton, and Menendez emphasized transparency, parent input, evaluation funding, dyslexia services, and better alignment of funding with actual services; Senator Hinojosa shared a personal story about dyslexia and the importance of early intervention. The bill was advanced on second and third reading and finally passed 30-0. The Senate also passed SB 1396 to prohibit national sex education standards in public schools, SB 2065 on the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System, SB 1664 requiring clearer public disclosure of transmission and distribution utility rate changes, SB 1029 on advertising certain used motor vehicles, SB 1120 expanding rights for family violence victims, SB 1036 regulating residential solar retail transactions, SB 464 creating school-proximity restrictions and penalties for tobacco and vaping sales, SB 1035 giving farmers and ranchers equitable relief from certain local agricultural regulations, SB 1610 addressing civil commitment facility safety and prosecution issues, SB 1197 extending drone restrictions to spaceports, and SB 1386 changing legislative witness immunity from transactional to testimonial immunity. Another major bill was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1188, which updates electronic health record requirements. Senator Kolkhorst said the bill builds on Texas medical privacy law by requiring U.S.-based storage of EMR data, prohibiting recording of voter registration status and credit score information, requiring provider verification and disclosure for AI-assisted diagnosis or treatment recommendations, preserving parental access to minors’ records until age 18, and ensuring EMRs can capture metabolic health and biological sex information. A floor amendment clarified the bill’s scope and enforcement, and the bill passed 23-7. Several measures drew debate, especially SB 414 on bond ballot transparency, where Senators Eckhardt and Menendez questioned whether requiring estimated interest and total debt cost on ballots could be misleading or difficult to implement because interest rates and financing terms can change before issuance or over time. The transcript ends during that discussion, with no final action shown on SB 414.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state we are today and the state we want to be in the future.
• Are counties arms of the state?
• For more control.
• Company town for more control while all other municipalities across the state, we are curtailing their
• , to State Affairs.

Bills: SJR12, SCR39, SB27, SB29, SB241, SB406, SB414, SB464, SB568, SB578, SB609, SB660, SB689, SB693, SB785, SB857, SB879, SB921, SB922, SB955, SB985, SB993, SB996, SB1008, SB1035, SB1036, SB1059, SB1098, SB1120, SB1122, SB1147, SB1188, SB1197, SB1209, SB1227, SB1245, SB1267, SB1307, SB1321, SB1332, SB1386, SB1396, SB1453, SB1484, SB1494, SB1536, SB1537, SB1596, SB1610, SB1664, SB1741, SB1814, SB1822, SB1841, SB1948, SB2065, SB2155, SB2188, SB2230, SB2406, SB2407

Keywords: parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with senators highlighting the university’s growth, medical school, research expansion, and role in serving South Texas. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 368 honoring outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, with numerous senators praising his long public career, leadership in higher education, and statewide impact. Senate Resolution 361 recognizing Texas HBCU Day and Senate Resolution 362 recognizing Denton County Days at the Capitol were also adopted, along with other routine recognitions and gubernatorial appointments being read into the record. The Senate then took up several bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to shorten vacancy posting requirements, allow bilingual certification candidates to retake only failed test sections, give teachers more flexibility with paid leave, clarify classroom removal procedures, and ensure parents are informed of appeal rights. The bill passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, was also brought up and passed to engrossment after a contested suspension vote. The Senate next passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, which would require reporting of foreign funding at public universities, bar gifts from adversarial governments, and require training and reporting systems to prevent foreign influence and intellectual property theft in higher education. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the so-called “Dexit” bill, was debated at length for its corporate governance changes, including codifying the business judgment rule and altering internal corporate litigation and records rules; it passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed by a 30-1 vote. Senate Bill 857, allowing law enforcement discretion to tow vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed after discussion of towing abuses during flooding and disaster conditions. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536, requiring dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, passed with broad support, and Senate Bill 922, addressing delayed electronic disclosure of sensitive medical test results so physicians can discuss them first, was taken up and passed to engrossment as the chamber continued through its calendar.

Bills: HR112, HR113, HR114, HCR51, HCR52, HR94, HR95, HR96, HR97, HR98, HR99, HR100, HR103, HR104, HR105, HR106, HR107, HR108, HR109, HR110, HR111, HCR46, HCR47, HCR48, HCR49, HCR50, SCR25, SB17, SB300, HCR35, HB51, HB82, HB143, HB145, HB160, HB180, HB192, HB393, HB430, HB445, HB506, HB515, HB521, HB565, HB590, HB614, HB638, HB647, HB670, HB672, HB685, HB692, HB752, HB773, HB781, HB799, HB839, HB860, HB873, HB874, HB887, HB917, HB937, HB956, HB965, HB972, HB977, HB982, HB1006, HB1010, HB1044, HB1072, HB1088, HB1157, HB1179, HB1200, HR15, HR20, HCR14, HCR6, HCR19, HCR10, HR74, HCR26, HCR45, HB54, HB67, HB73, HB125, HB133, HB158, HB168, HB169, HB191, HB195, HB245, HB280, HB283, HB296, HB319, HB339, HB399, HB407, HB448, HB550, HB591, HB826, HB995, HB1085, HB1086, HB98, HB108, HB131, HB151, HB161, HB288, HB294, HB305, HB310, HB320, HB336, HB380, HB392, HB403, HB420, HB459, HB476, HB540, HB615, HB631, HB637, HB648, HB665, HB682, HB789, HB813, HB815, HB835, HB870, HB905, HB915, HB933, HB938, HB987, HB1040, HB827, HB953, HB796, HB352, HB463, HB735, HB780, HB882, HB81, HB400, HB140, HB750, HB911, HB961, HB401, HB901, HB9, HB52, HB58, HB154, HB193, HB284, HB410, HB570, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB733, HB868, HB952

Keywords: commendation, community service, religious leadership, New Orleans, anniversary, Martha's Vineyard, African-American Film Festival, Black excellence, cinema, cultural celebration, Black voices, film industry, Hannuh Ray, Louisiana, youth development, pageant, leadership, community, recognition, compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• strength to those who lead, comfort those who are struggling, and hope to all who call this great state
• Bless this great state, bless this chamber, the senators here with civility and understanding.
• property to provide for preference of in-state auctioneers.
• You know, there are some states that have... ...there are some states that have a different area in law
• In fact, the LWCC, which is the largest workers' comp insurer in the state of Louisiana,...

Bills: SR145, SR146, SR147, SR148, SCR78, SCR12, HB302, HB221, HCR58, HB59, HB89, HB153, HB243, HB335, HB342, HB350, HB407, HB451, HB513, HB595, HB682, HB688, HB690, HB730, HB762, HB802, HB816, HB940, HB944, HB1003, HB1011, HB1029, HB1053, HB1058, HB1062, HB1064, HB1079, HB1084, HB1098, HB1161, HB1189, HB1203, HB1215, HB1247, HB1248, HB1251, HB1253, HB1257, HB1258, SCR3, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB426, SB435, SB487, SB488, SB523, SB56, SB163, SB341, SB504, SB322, SR125, SCR54, SCR59, SCR9, SCR58, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR27, HCR28, HCR66, HCR67, HCR72, HCR5, HCR32, HCR49, HCR50, HCR53, HCR60, HCR62, HCR64, HCR68, HCR78, HCR81, HCR86, HCR97, HCR102, HCR31, HCR47, HCR3, HB1095, HB1096, HB1103, HB1129, HB1154, HB1166, HB1195, HB1230, HB316, HB511, HB799, HB1039, HB12, HB66, HB145, HB167, HB196, HB213, HB218, HB222, HB256, HB291, HB326, HB352, HB401, HB430, HB433, HB434, HB448, HB456, HB476, HB481, HB487, HB492, HB549, HB579, HB608, HB621, HB624, HB626, HB632, HB637, HB656, HB722, HB745, HB804, HB818, HB821, HB833, HB864, HB867, HB874, HB893, HB909, HB951, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB979, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1005, HB1007, HB1024, HB1032, HB1038, HB1050, HB1051, HB1056, HB1059, HB1077, HB1080, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1112, HB1153, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1193, HB1204, HB1218, HB1242, HB1244, HB1249, HB1252, HB1254, HB1, HB2, HB3, HB42, HB45, HB71, HB79, HB158, HB160, HB169, HB227, HB251, HB289, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB330, HB383, HB394, HB410, HB429, HB769, HB971, HB983, HB1017, HB1126, HB1234, HB1235, HB17, HB27, HB36, HB41, HB47, HB73, HB126, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB205, HB211, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB308, HB310, HB324, HB337, HB351, HB399, HB403, HB571, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB740, HB750, HB759, HB812, HB844, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1018, HB1036, HB1107, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB441, SB449, HB74, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB956, HB1117, SB149

Keywords: critical infrastructure, foreign adversaries, homeland security, task force, Louisiana Senate, military bases, oil and gas, refining facilities, energy generation, industrial manufacturing, agriculture, food supply, biosecurity, agroterrorism, Chinese Communist Party, People's Republic of China, Russia, Russian government, FBI, Secret Service

Transcript Highlights:

• Bless this great state, bless this chamber, the senators here with civility and understanding.
• property to provide for preference of in-state auctioneers.
• You know, there are some states that have... ...there are some states that have a different area in law
• State, Louisiana.
• They'll be in any declared state of emergency issued by both the governor and local authority.

Bills: SR145, SR146, SR147, SR148, SCR78, SCR12, HB302, HB221, HCR58, HB59, HB89, HB153, HB243, HB335, HB342, HB350, HB407, HB451, HB513, HB595, HB682, HB688, HB690, HB730, HB762, HB802, HB816, HB940, HB944, HB1003, HB1011, HB1029, HB1053, HB1058, HB1062, HB1064, HB1079, HB1084, HB1098, HB1161, HB1189, HB1203, HB1215, HB1247, HB1248, HB1251, HB1253, HB1257, HB1258, SCR3, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB426, SB435, SB487, SB488, SB523, SB56, SB163, SB341, SB504, SB322, SR125, SCR54, SCR59, SCR9, SCR58, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR27, HCR28, HCR66, HCR67, HCR72, HCR5, HCR32, HCR49, HCR50, HCR53, HCR60, HCR62, HCR64, HCR68, HCR78, HCR81, HCR86, HCR97, HCR102, HCR31, HCR47, HCR3, HB1095, HB1096, HB1103, HB1129, HB1154, HB1166, HB1195, HB1230, HB316, HB511, HB799, HB1039, HB12, HB66, HB145, HB167, HB196, HB213, HB218, HB222, HB256, HB291, HB326, HB352, HB401, HB430, HB433, HB434, HB448, HB456, HB476, HB481, HB487, HB492, HB549, HB579, HB608, HB621, HB624, HB626, HB632, HB637, HB656, HB722, HB745, HB804, HB818, HB821, HB833, HB864, HB867, HB874, HB893, HB909, HB951, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB979, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1005, HB1007, HB1024, HB1032, HB1038, HB1050, HB1051, HB1056, HB1059, HB1077, HB1080, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1112, HB1153, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1193, HB1204, HB1218, HB1242, HB1244, HB1249, HB1252, HB1254, HB1, HB2, HB3, HB42, HB45, HB71, HB79, HB158, HB160, HB169, HB227, HB251, HB289, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB330, HB383, HB394, HB410, HB429, HB769, HB971, HB983, HB1017, HB1126, HB1234, HB1235, HB17, HB27, HB36, HB41, HB47, HB73, HB126, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB205, HB211, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB308, HB310, HB324, HB337, HB351, HB399, HB403, HB571, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB740, HB750, HB759, HB812, HB844, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1018, HB1036, HB1107, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB441, SB449, HB74, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB956, HB1117, SB149

Keywords: critical infrastructure, foreign adversaries, homeland security, task force, Louisiana Senate, military bases, oil and gas, refining facilities, energy generation, industrial manufacturing, agriculture, food supply, biosecurity, agroterrorism, Chinese Communist Party, People's Republic of China, Russia, Russian government, FBI, Secret Service

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, received a Memorial Day guest minister introduction and prayer, and then moved through journal and legislative bureau matters. The chamber adopted or advanced several Senate resolutions, including SR 149 directing DOTD to study hazards from increased Norfolk Southern rail activity at the Alabo Street Wharf, SR 153 commending a Miss St. Tammany Parish Fair Queen, SR 154 asking LDH to study the in-home skilled nursing market, and SR 145 recreating the task force on protecting Louisiana critical infrastructure from foreign adversaries. It also adopted SCR 78 designating Bonfuca Museum and Research Center Day at the Capitol, and later adopted SCR 54 and SCR 59 memorializing Congress on the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission and Comite River Diversion Canal flood-risk map review, respectively. The Senate also considered a large number of House bills and Senate bills on concurrence or final passage, with most passing overwhelmingly. Topics included education and school policy, health care, criminal justice, natural resources, transportation, insurance, and local government. Among the measures discussed were bills on adolescent literacy, vocational training in graduation plans, special education due process, school crisis plans, autism therapy accommodations during the school day, Medicaid dental coverage, workers’ compensation procedures, prior authorization for certain generic drugs, boiler inspection authority, money transmission licensing, and alternative power sources for nursing facilities. Several bills drew brief explanations from sponsors about technical corrections or policy clarifications, while a few were returned to the calendar or recommitted to committee. A few measures prompted more substantial debate. Senate Bill 456 on workers’ compensation generated extended discussion over whether employers should be allowed to file actions to investigate questionable claims without first cutting off benefits; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while opponents argued it would increase litigation and disadvantage injured workers. The bill ultimately passed 20-17. Senate Bill 401 on the Prescription Drug Affordability Board had House amendments rejected, and Senate Bill 487 on charitable gaming premises rental agreements also had House amendments rejected. Other bills, including SB 393, SB 415, SB 426, SB 435, SB 488, SB 523, and SB 163, had House amendments concurred in, while HB 1095, HB 1103, HB 1129, HB 1166, HB 1195, HB 220, HB 316, HB 511, HB 799, HB 12, HB 66, HB 145, HB 167, HB 196, HB 213, HB 218, HB 222, HB 256, HB 291, HB 326, HB 352, HB 430, HB 433, HB 434, HB 448, HB 456, and HB 1039 were among the House bills finally passed, many by wide margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state has made movements for paid maternity leave, but we should also be there for our teachers on
• So, if you have a school that is ignoring state law, that that would be the necessary or that would be

Bills: SB1360, SB1204, SB1989, SB1189, SB1481

Keywords: mathematics, student assessment, dyscalculia, intervention services, educational funding, professional development, state department of education, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools, school districts, bereavement leave, paid leave, grief leave, family leave, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, maternity leave

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:57.680> government the committee on state government the committee on state government
• He'll see if he He's a state legislator.
• So the first one the secretary of state.
• This is something that we state offices.
• So, thank you. and I don't believe every state has them and I don't believe every state has them and<

Bills: HF3676, HF2959, HF3233

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Transcript Highlights:

• OSF is other state funds.
• They want to leave the state fair where it is.
• And to redevelop that whole area outside of the state fair, not touching the state fair, but that redevelopment
• I understand the State Fair projects.
• And I'm not into buying more land in this state by the state government.

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• What the bill does is it establishes guardrails that apply to both state and local projects, example
• Ashley, state your name for the record. Yes, this is Ashley.
• I'm the director of the State Board of Finance. Okay.
• I remember being at the state and going through that planning process, and it was painful.
• Chairman, just as a reminder, House Bill 2 is controlling. And Mr.

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• construction companies across the state. construction companies across the state.
• from in the state of Alabama. from in the state of Alabama.
• review of of licensing in the state. review of of licensing in the state.
• leave the state. leave the state.
• >> Providers are state. >> Providers are state.

Bills: SB78, SB103, SB113, SB180, SB78, SB103, SB113, SB180

Keywords: inhalants, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, possession, sale, misdemeanor, felony, criminal penalties, public health, public works, sealed bids, bid advertisement, procurement, government contracting, construction bids, municipal bidding, county bidding, state bidding, Department of Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• It states ‘borders the Gulf of Mexico.’
• It will help wildlife in the state of Texas.
• Texas is a big state, and it's just common sense that some areas of the state should be avoided.
• Texas is a big state, and it's just common sense that some areas of the state should be avoided.
• Many areas of the state are going dry.

Bills: SB3074, HB49, HB2440, HB3556, HB3619, HB3866, HB4042, HB4112, HB4271, HB4413, HB4426, HB5033

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Summary: The committee heard and laid out several natural resources and environmental bills, with testimony focused on balancing development, public health, wildlife protection, and regulatory authority. SB 3074 would allow the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to communicate in writing with TCEQ about matters before the commission, with safeguards requiring the communication to be part of the record and allowing other parties to respond; a committee substitute narrowed it to written communications about permits only, limited legislator communications to facilities in their districts, and adjusted conflict-of-interest rules. HB 3556, as substituted, would require notice to Texas Parks and Wildlife for certain very tall structures in specified coastal counties and give TPWD a limited right to seek injunctive relief if mitigation is insufficient to prevent material harm to migratory birds; supporters said it would address ignored wildlife recommendations and protect key flyways, while opponents argued the bill was too broad, singled out wind energy, and gave one agency unusually strong enforcement power. HB 49 would expand liability protections for produced-water recycling and beneficial use; supporters said it would encourage reuse of a large wastewater stream and reduce disposal pressures, while opponents warned it could shield operators from responsibility before the science and standards are mature. HB 4413 would authorize mass-balance accounting for renewable biomass feedstocks, and HB 3866 would regulate intermediate bulk container recycling facilities near homes, with a committee substitute adding a grandfather clause and making implementation contingent on funding. The committee also heard bills affecting air and energy regulation. HB 5033 would create a trigger to end vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes to allow it; the substitute removed a Supreme Court-related trigger, and the lone public witness opposed the bill, warning it would worsen air quality and harm nonattainment areas. HB 4112 would clarify that on-site storage of high-level radioactive waste is allowed at current and future nuclear reactors and university research reactors only for waste generated at that site; the substitute clarified the language and removed an inoperative permit condition, and witnesses from environmental and nuclear groups said the clarification was needed to prevent unintended restrictions while avoiding off-site storage. HB 2440 would prohibit state agencies from using air-quality rules to ban or restrict vehicles based on energy source, including internal combustion vehicles, and no public testimony was offered. HB 4271 would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on request for composting facility authorizations; the substitute limited the requirement to future applications and was presented as a transparency measure after a denied local request and extensive public comments. Additional bills addressed landowner protections and Railroad Commission oversight. HB 3619 would require the Railroad Commission to restore surface land after plugging or replugging operations and indemnify landowners from damages tied to authorized entry; a witness supported the bill but urged fixing a separate statutory loophole that he said allowed operators to enter unrelated tracts without notice. HB 4042 would extend Railroad Commission pipeline safety and fee provisions to propane distribution systems by removing the word “natural” from the relevant definitions. HB 4426 would set a 10-year permit term for commercial surface disposal facilities, allow renewal based on compliance history, and require renewal applications 120 days before expiration. The committee took no votes because a quorum was not initially present, and each bill was left pending after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• the United States or any state by reason of failure to pay tax or poll tax.'
• Is that under state law, federal law, both? Well, our voter ID law is a state law.
• participation in state and national elections. ...of local control without preventing participation
• in state and national elections.
• It's not compliant with state law.

Bills: HB1968, HB2279, HB2739, HB2803, HB3909, HB3918, HB4253, HB4475, HB5115, HB5430

Keywords: election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code

Summary: The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent. The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending. Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, SB2065 is a state pollinator act.
• State your name and tell us where you're from. Please, we're happy to have you.
• The reason I am here today is I want to give state designations to four pollinators that are very important
• and the grant program, which has been widely successful, we're allowing them to enter into MOUs with state
• So, do we currently have a state grain? Thank you, state.

Bills: SB1327, SB2065, SB2155, SB2159

Keywords: tourism, recreation, economic development, Oklahoma Commission, executive director, pollinator, state symbols, agriculture, insects, environment, Route 66, revolving fund, commission, cultural heritage, funding applications, official crop, wheat, Oklahoma, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does a couple of things: it strengthens our existing prohibition against out-of-state shipping of
• spirits and enables the attorney general to enforce state and federal law.
• neutral, if anything else slightly positive, to abbel once we actually start seeing those every other state

Bills: SB1767, SB1859, SB1767, SB1859

Keywords: alcoholic beverages, shipping, retailers, legal compliance, civil penalties, interstate regulation, enforcement, cyber crime, fraud unit, digital evidence, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, investigative powers, financial deception, ransomware, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would state, however... that in the case of states, just so that people know, what our bill does, Every
• State Counts Act, it recognizes that a couple of states didn't receive funds from the program, and we
• rural states.
• I would just state that particularly again.
• Finally, we support the Every State Counts Act to expand the Fox Grant access to underserved states.

Keywords: veterans, mental health, suicide prevention, Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Grant Program, HOPE Act, BRAVE Act, Every State Counts for Vets Mental Health Act, advocacy, legislation, mental health resources

Summary: The committee meeting focused primarily on the critical issues surrounding veterans' mental health and suicide prevention. Discussions centered on the reauthorization of essential programs aimed at providing non-clinical support services to veterans, particularly the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. Senators emphasized the urgent need for adequate mental health resources as the suicide rate among veterans remains alarmingly high. Key testimonies were provided by various advocates and officials, illustrating both successful implementations of these programs and areas needing improvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other piece is representing chambers all across the state.
• And by the way, we are also, I believe, now the top state for veterans in the United States in terms
• And she’s now in Washington State.
• Sam, if you would, state your name, who you represent, and position on the bill. Thank you.
• We have Chapter 55, which lays out all the requirements for the states.

Bills: HB102, HB300, SB2255

Keywords: military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, scholarship, military, Texas Armed Services, military spouses, occupational licensing, state agency, license requirements, reciprocity, training and education

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard three measures focused on military-connected students, service members, veterans, and their families. House Bill 102 would give eligible students in military-related university programs early registration privileges, similar to existing accommodations for expectant mothers and student athletes. House Bill 300 would modernize the Texas Armed Services Scholar program by increasing scholarship funding, clarifying the student employment agreement, and creating a scholarship coordinator at THECB to help students and families navigate the program. Senate Bill 2255 drew the most discussion and testimony. The bill would streamline occupational licensing for military members, spouses, and veterans by allowing Texas licensure based on an out-of-state license in good standing with a similar scope of practice, removing the Texas residency requirement, and shortening agency processing time from 30 days to 10 days in the committee substitute. Supporters from the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations, the Texas Association of Business, the Institute for Justice, TDLR, and the VFW said the bill would reduce bureaucratic delays, improve employment opportunities, and help military families maintain income during relocations. TDLR also described current licensing confusion between state and federal rules and said the bill would improve alignment and data collection. No witnesses testified against any of the bills. After public testimony closed on each measure, HB 102, HB 300, and SB 2255 were left pending in committee. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: HB95, HB111, HJR1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM34, HB2, HB32, HB33, HB61, HJM2, HM23, HM24, HM26

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order

Transcript Highlights:

• in the state.
• State and statewide systems.
• So almost one per every state.
• Non-recurring state money and state retirement system unfunded accrued liabilities? Baham.
• Non-reoccurring state money and state retirement system unfunded crew liabilities? Baham. Um.

Bills: SB25, SB250, HB22, HB27, HB33, HB47, HB233, HB290, HB308, HB324, HB382, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB980, HB1157, HB1207, HB1236, HCR45

Keywords: registrar of voters, parish registrar, chief deputy registrar, confidential assistant, election administration, elections, salary schedule, compensation, merit evaluation, population-based pay, census-based pay, Department of State, Secretary of State, State Board of Election Supervisors, redistricting, senate districts, Senate District 33, Senate District 34, Senate District 35, precincts

Bills: HB9, HB10, HB16, HB44, HB46, HB61, HB101, HB126, HB153, HB164, HB233, HB242, HB436, HB455, HB571, HB594

Keywords: HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, legal holiday, Acadia Parish

Transcript Highlights:

• The state parks do... and do you... ...parks do.
• at that time... ...2011 and 12, and we thought about could we get out of the hotel business and the state
• We need the state parks, suggesting that... but the golf courses and things like that, let the private
• I think I stated something along that this morning. This may be our last real good year.
• And that again was in the spirit of trying to exercise fiscal control.

Bills: HB186, HB185, HB182, HB183, HB184, HB312, HB460, HB405, HB186, HB185, HB182, HB183, HB184, HB312, HB405

Keywords: Alabama budget, general fund appropriations, fiscal year 2026, state budget, appropriations act, HB186, executive branch funding, legislative branch funding, judicial branch funding, debt service, capital outlay, corrections, Medicaid, public health, mental health, transportation, education, law enforcement, tourism, veterans affairs