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:

• Representative Cole seconded the motion.
• Second by Representative<00:09:39.760> Cole.
• Representative Cole. Any discussion? Representative Cole. Any discussion?
• >> Vice<00:12:36.560> Chairman<00:12:36.959> Cole. >> Vice Chairman Cole.
• >> Vice Chairman Cole. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cole Carney, thank you. I just had a more technical question.
• Representative Cole Carney, thank you. I just had a more technical question.
• Representative Cole Carney, thank you. I just had a more technical question.
• Representative Cole Carney, thank you. I just had a more technical question.
• Representative Cole Carney, thank you. I just had a more technical question.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:36 HB 808 Discussion 01:31 HB 808 Vote 03:44 HB 775 Discussion 05:11 HB 775 Vote 10:05, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 808, sponsored by Rep. Ken Upchurch. The bill, as explained by the sponsor and his guests, would support a public-private partnership process for developing Burnside Island State Park in Pulaski County into a tourism destination with possible lodging and restaurants. Members asked questions about the proposal, and one lighthearted objection was raised during questioning. The committee adopted the committee substitute and then passed HB 808 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 775, sponsored by Rep. Jason Nemes, which would allow a new TIF within the existing Yum Center TIF in Louisville. Nemes said the measure was requested by Louisville officials, would not cost the state money, and was intended to spur development and strengthen the broader TIF area. Members asked about the purpose and scope of the bill, including whether it would apply elsewhere in the state and how a nested TIF would help; Nemes said it was narrowly tailored and designed to encourage growth through added activity and tourism. The committee adopted the committee substitute and passed HB 775 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:30:06.960> Cole. >> Senator Cole. >> Senator Cole.
• >> Thank you Senator Cole. >> Thank you Senator Cole.
• Senator Cole. Senator Hicks. Senator Cole. I. Five's. All right, Senator Pearson.
• >> Senator Cole? >> Senator Cole?
• >> Senator Cole. >> Senator Cole. >> I. >> I. >> I.

Bills: SF0099, SF0116, SJ0006

Keywords: easement, electricity delivery, public utility, prescriptive easement, landowner rights, surface water, drainage utilities, municipality, elections, environmental management, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cole for a<01:29:25.720> motion.
• And Representative Cole will write the report.
• HB 635 is Representative Cole. HB 660 is Representative Ohm. HB 1293 is Representative Cole.
• HB 635 is Representative Cole. HB 635 is Representative Cole.
• HB 1293 is Representative Cole. HB 1293 is Representative Cole.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee began with brief remarks recognizing Representative Almquist’s service and noting that he would not seek reelection, along with comments about other members’ departures and replacements. The chair then opened a series of interim study work sessions, explaining that some bills would be handled now and school-funding-related bills later in the year. Members also discussed how interim study reports work, including that they are recommendations for future legislation and do not prevent anyone from filing similar bills again. On HB 224, dealing with rebates to taxpayers from the renewable energy fund, members noted that the bill was essentially the same as a prior House bill that passed the House but stalled in conference with the Senate. The committee discussed whether the measure would change current law; members were told it would not, and that the report would simply recommend future legislation. The chair indicated the committee would likely recommend the bill for future legislation, with no minority report, and that any roll call vote would be reflected in the final report. On HB 417, repealing the communication services tax, members raised concerns about revenue loss, possible 911-related issues, and conflicts over municipal taxation of telephone poles and related property. The Lottery Director and others explained that repeal could create legal uncertainty for municipalities and that the bill could reduce state revenue by millions of dollars. The committee concluded the bill should not be recommended for future legislation unless it were substantially revised to address revenue and municipal-taxation complications. On HB 635, concerning taxing nonprofit entities that settle illegal immigrants, members agreed it was primarily a federal issue and outside the state’s authority, so it was not recommended for future legislation. On HB 660, requiring historic horse racing facilities to compensate host communities, members said the concept of mitigating local impacts was reasonable but the bill was too broad in its current form. Testimony from the Lottery Director and others focused on how host communities and charities currently receive days and revenue, how operators are using shared days, and how the market may already be adjusting. Members also discussed whether neighboring communities, including out-of-state towns, should be considered and whether the state’s share of gaming revenue could be redirected. The discussion ended with interest in a narrower rewrite and possible future legislation, but no final vote was described in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:21:55.360> Cole. >> Senator Cole. >> Senator Cole.
• >> No.<00:37:37.440> Cole. >> No. Cole. >> No. Cole.
• Senators Craiggo, Crumb, Cole, Olsen. Senators Craiggo, Crumb, Cole, Olsen.
• Thank you, >> Senator<00:58:14.079> Cole. >> Senator Cole.
• >> Senator Cole.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Once again, I would like to defer it over to Director Cole.
• I'd like to turn this back over to Director Cole again.
• Thank you, Cole, and thank you, sir, for the question.
• I'm going to turn that over to Director Cole, please.
• I would like to turn this over to our Director Cole.

Keywords: veteran services, homelessness, unemployment, VA funding, mental health, congressional oversight, testimonies, American Legion, Dole Act, suicide prevention

Summary: This meeting focused on veteran services, emphasizing the urgent need to address the alarming rate of unemployment and homelessness among veterans. Numerous testimonies were presented detailing the impact of mass furloughs and cutbacks at the VA on personnel, notably veterans who were serving as employees. Various representatives expressed deep concern over how these firings could drastically affect the quality of care available to those who have served the nation. There was a strong call for Congress to bolster funding for existing programs aimed at alleviating veteran homelessness and improving overall care quality, especially in mental health services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also want to recognize our ranking minority member, Representative Cole Carney, and also my vice chairman
• want to recognize our ranking minority member,<00:01:08.799> Representative<00:01:09.280> Cole
• , Representative Cole Carney, and also<00:01:10.799> my<00:01:11.040> vice<00:01:11.280
• Carney. >> Representative Cole Carney. >> Representative Cole Carney. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Representative
• Representative Cole Carney, yes. Representative Lawrence. Representative Layman, yes.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll call: 01:22 HB 577 discussion: 03:04 HB 577 vote: 05:26 HB 392 discussion: 06:55 HB 392 vote: 09:54 HCR 16 discussion: 11:00 HCR 16 vote: 14:07, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met for its first meeting, reviewed housekeeping procedures, and established a quorum. The committee first considered House Bill 577, relating to economic development. The bill sponsor and a representative from Blue North said it would modernize Kentucky’s economic development statutes to better support startups and high-growth companies, rename the innovation center program as the Kentucky Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub program, clarify statutory definitions, expand the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, allow certain out-of-state companies to qualify if they commit to becoming Kentucky-based within 180 days, and broaden the angel investment program to include pass-through entities. The committee approved HB 577 with a favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 392, relating to local public agency transactions, and adopted a committee substitute negotiated with stakeholders including the Kentucky Press Association and the Kentucky Association of General Contractors. The sponsor said the substitute removed the original bill’s best value and reciprocal bidder provisions, lowered the small purchase threshold from $60,000 to $50,000, and would increase that threshold by $10,000 every five years to account for inflation. It would also allow local governments to use certain state contracts with price ranges, permit independent evaluation of some small non-evaluative equipment, and exempt law enforcement vehicles and related equipment from procurement code requirements. HB 392, as amended by committee substitute, passed with a favorable expression. House Concurrent Resolution 16 was then heard. The sponsor, who had co-chaired the Air Mobility and Aviation Economic Development Task Force, said the task force held six meetings and heard from airports, aviation and education stakeholders, logistics companies, and others. She said the group found there was no real strategic plan for advanced air mobility and recommended that state agencies study infrastructure needs and that the General Assembly develop a strategic plan and legislation for AAM vehicles. Members discussed airport and drone-related issues, and the resolution passed with a favorable expression. Finally, House Bill 593, relating to data centers, was announced but passed over for a later hearing, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:25:02.880> Cole. >> Senator Cole. >> Senator Cole.
• >> Senator Cole. >> Senator Cole.
• >> Senator<01:04:41.680> Cole. >> Senator Cole. >> Senator Cole.
• Well, just Senator<01:29:51.280> Cole, Senator Cole, Senator Cole, >> real<01:29:51.920>
• >> Senator<01:30:26.239> Cole >> Senator Cole >> Senator Cole >> I, >

Bills: HB0103, HB0070, HB0091

Keywords: First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• What um for that, Senator Cole.
• this kind of late on Senator Cole this kind of late on Senator Cole because<00:34:43.200> Bruce
• Go ahead, Senator Cole. Go ahead, Senator Cole.
• And I salute Senator Cole and Mr.
• I like Senator Cole proposed there.

Bills: SF0044, SF0046

Keywords: gambling, lotteries, raffles, social relationships, charitable gaming, gaming, liquor establishments, skill based amusement games, regulations, age restrictions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cole, I'm looking at this again. And the assessments are fees that are charged. Mr.
• Cole, I'm looking at this again.
• Um, Cole Libera here on behalf of Rose Law Group, representing Marbella Communities.
• Cole, come on back. Two minutes, sir. Madam, I mean, Mr.
• Cole—oh, there's a Cole. There's a clear.

Bills: SB1010, SB1024, SB1205, SB1232, SB1366, SB1552, SB1624, SCM1002, SCM1006, SCR1004

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Loop 202, Arizona highways, transportation, renaming, roadable aircraft, registration, vehicle title, license plates, aviation safety, motor vehicle booting, private property, fees, dispute process, regulations, outdoor advertising, military compatibility, zoning, electronic signage, permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 5437 by Representative Kitzman, Senate sponsor Cole Cortes, and recognizes Senator Nichols
• All right, the chair lays out House Bill 5665 by Representative Kitzman, Senate sponsor Cole Cortes,
• House Bill 5665 by Representative Kitzman, Senate sponsor Cole Cortes, and recognizes Senator Nichols
• House Bill 5656 by Representative Lonnie, Senate sponsor Cole Cortes, and recognizes Senator Nichols
• The chair lays out House Bill 5677 by Representative Cole and recognizes the sponsor, Senator Alvarado

Bills: HB103

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee met to hear and act on a series of municipal utility district and municipal management district bills, most of them presented as template or cleanup measures. The committee first heard HB 5672, which redefined the boundaries of the Driftwood Conservation District in Hays County to match acreage added through landowner petitions; no one testified, and the bill was reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up HB 5696 for the Reserve Municipal Management District in Mansfield, where Senator Birdwell explained a committee substitute that conformed the bill to the standard MMD template; the bill was left pending subject to call of the chair. Similar template or technical bills followed, including HB 5680 (Bayou Bell No. 1 MMD in Liberty County), HB 5654 (Montgomery County MUD No. 263), HB 5662 (Fort Bend County WCID No. 12 with road powers), HB 5658 (Craver Ranch MMD in Denton County), HB 5661 (Fort Bend County MUD No. 286), HB 5699 (an exclusion/contract provision for Harris County MUD No. 405), HB 5679 (Hills of Walnut Creek MUD in Parker County), HB 5437 (validation language for Austin County MUD No. 1), HB 5665 (Waller County MUD No. 70), HB 5656 (Fort Bend County MUD No. 263), HB 5670 (Montgomery County MUD No. 259), HB 5651 (Montgomery County WCID with drainage powers), HB 5682 (Comina Ranch MMD No. 1 in McKinney), HB 5320 (merging Starr County drainage-related districts), HB 5677 (Pura Vida MMD No. 1), and HB 5666 (Fencey Road MUD in Harris County). In each case, the sponsor described the district, acreage, location, and powers, and committee substitutes were often used to align the bills with the chamber’s standard template language or correct drafting errors. Public testimony was repeatedly opened and closed with no witnesses appearing for or against the bills. The committee consistently adopted committee substitutes when offered, then voted to report the measures favorably, usually with recommendations that they do pass and be printed, and to place them on the local and uncontested calendar. Most roll calls showed 4 or 5 ayes and 0 nays, with some members absent or not voting. HB 5680 and HB 5682 were reported with committee substitutes in lieu of the filed versions; HB 5658 was reported with a do-not-pass recommendation on the filed bill but do-pass on the substitute; HB 5677 was handled similarly as a companion/template cleanup measure. The committee also noted a few procedural issues, including quorum concerns early in the meeting and a mislabeled bill number that required clarification. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted several motions in writing and then recessed to reconvene 15 minutes after adjournment of the floor, anticipating possible additional bills later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:28.079> yes anaman yes representative Cole yes anaman yes representative Cole yes representative
• Representative Cole and seconded by Representative Burroughs.
• Representative Cole is recognized to speak to his motion.
• <01:18:40.199> yes Ammon yes representative Cole yes Ammon yes representative Cole yes representative
• Cole second representative Burrows oh Cole second representative Burrows oh here<01:19:15.800> we<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first discussed scheduling, noting that Town Meeting Day would cancel the next Tuesday meeting, that they would meet Wednesday instead, and that remaining bills would be handled through subcommittees and a likely final executive session on the 19th to meet the deadline for committee action on the 20th. The committee then took up several bills, with repeated roll calls and votes, often placing measures on the consent calendar after committee approval. House Bill 185 on ambulance reimbursement rates was described as a perennial issue and was voted inexpedient to legislate, with members noting concerns that an any-willing-provider approach would make premium impacts hard to evaluate. House Bill 186 on cannabis legalization was retained for further work, with members saying the bill addressed stopping marijuana arrests but that the sales and implementation details still needed more development. House Bill 241 on treatment alternatives to opioids was also retained because the sponsor could not attend and the committee wanted more time to continue work. The committee then considered House Bill 302 on state treasury investments in digital assets and precious metals. The amendment narrowed the proposal, removing more complicated provisions like stable tokens and staking, lowering the authorized allocation from 10% to 5%, and limiting eligible digital assets to those with very high market capitalization; members discussed volatility, the treasurer’s discretion, and oversight through bond-rating concerns. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Other measures moved quickly: House Bill 451 on a paint product stewardship program was amended to remove direct funding and framed as manufacturer-run enabling legislation, then passed and was placed on consent; House Bill 499 made technical corrections to insurance laws and passed unanimously; House Bill 538 on relocating Liquor Commission positions passed unanimously; House Bill 552 on children covered under the state retirement insurance plan was cleaned up to remove a student requirement and passed unanimously; and a blockchain/digital currencies bill was amended to address noise and local regulation concerns for data mining operations, with supporters emphasizing energy-use issues, municipal authority, and a separate commission studying regulation. That bill also passed and was sent to consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cole Garrett. Happy noon. Cole Garrett, General Counsel, Wildlife and Fisheries.
• Cole Garrett. Happy noon. Cole Garrett, General Counsel Wildlife and Fisheries.
• I've had... ...legal scholar Cole Garrett or anything.
• Cole Garrett, General Counsel, Wildlife and Fisheries.
• Cole, I got a question.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which was presented as a narrowly focused ban on climate-change damages lawsuits rather than a measure affecting emissions claims, pollution claims, or private property rights. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to stop speculative suits targeting energy producers, farmers, truckers, manufacturers, and other businesses for global climate impacts, while preserving claims for actual legal violations under state or federal environmental and safety laws. After a substitute amendment was adopted to clarify and streamline the bill, the committee heard extensive support from oil and gas, chemical, business, port, and legal reform groups, along with a few opposition speakers who argued the bill could still be read to shield industry too broadly or weaken climate accountability. HB 804 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 802, as amended, which creates a watershed conservation fund tied to the Amite River Basin. The author explained that the bill was narrowed from a statewide proposal to a basin-specific program to reduce flood risk and restore watershed areas using existing severance revenue from sand mining, modeled in part on coastal restoration funding. Supporters from the concrete industry, landowners, levee boards, and conservation groups described it as a practical, low-cost, non-government solution to help remediate old sand and gravel pits and improve flood control. With no opposition cards and no objections, HB 802 was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HB 934, as substituted, which would allow licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer fawns under specific conditions, including disease monitoring, release only within the same management zone, and other handling requirements. The author said the bill was meant to prevent the euthanizing of orphaned fawns that could be rehabilitated and to create a lawful pathway for licensed care. A supporter described her experience rescuing an orphaned fawn that was later confiscated and killed, while the Louisiana Wildlife Federation opposed the measure, warning it could effectively create a captive deer program, undermine wildlife conservation principles, and lead to dangerous or inhumane facilities. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 934, before final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> I<01:18:44.800> Cole. >> I Cole. >> I Cole. >> Hi. >> Hi.
• >> I<01:22:20.719> Cole. >> I Cole. >> I Cole. >> Hi. >> Hi.
• . >> I Cole. >> I Cole. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> I Landon. >> I Landon. >> I Landon. >> I. >> I. >> I. >>
• Hicks. >> I Hutchings. >> I Jones. >> I Cole. >> I Landon. >> No.
• >> I<01:35:10.239> Cole.<01:35:10.880> I >> I Cole. I >> I Cole.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Cole. Cole. Cole.
• Craiggo, and Cole.
• >> I<00:41:24.240> Cole. >> I Cole. >> I Cole.
• >> I<02:18:50.479> Cole. >> I Cole. >> I Cole.
• >> I<02:21:26.240> Cole. >> I Cole. >> I Cole.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cole. Here.
• Representative Cole? Aye. Representative DeAyala? Aye. Representative Kerwin? Aye.
• McCaff, Flores, Cole, DeAyala, Kerwin, Martinez-Fischer, Orr, Vasut, Ward Johnson. Excuse me.
• Cole. Aye. DeAyala. Aye. Kerwin. Aye. Martinez Fischer. Aye.
• Cole. DeAyala. Kerwin. Martinez Fischer. Aye. Ward Johnson. Aye.

Bills: SB2801, SB2232, SCR18

Keywords: SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial, coonhound trial, dog trial, squirrel hunting, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals, hunting license exemption, wildlife management, public land permit, private land hunting, game fish and water safety account, permit fee, commission rules, Parks and Wildlife Department, Unplug Texas Day, digital detox

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators Craiggo, Crumb, Cole, Olsen. Senators Craiggo, Crumb, Cole, Olsen.
• voting I senators Kragorum Hicks Cole voting I senators Kragorum Hicks Cole and<01:22:17.760>
• Senator Cole, signed Olsen, voting no.
• Senator<01:53:50.560> Cole. Senator Cole. Senator Cole.
• >> thank you, Senator Cole. Senator Papus. >> thank you, Senator Cole.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chairman Cole, Madam Chairs.
• Chairman Cole.
• Cole, I would not say it differently. Cole, I would not say it differently.
• >> Chairman Cole I would agree. >> Chairman Cole I would agree.
• Chairman Cole, yes, there is.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Metcalf here, Vice Chair Flores, Representative Cole, Representative Dayala, Representative
• Chairman McC Vice Chair Flores, Representative Cole.
• Hi Flores Cole. Dayala, Kerwin, Martinez, Fisher, or Bassuit or Johnson.
• Clerk Colorado Flores Cole Daala Kerwin Martinez Fisher or.
• Clerk Cerro Metcalf Flores Cole Daala Kerwin Martinez Fisher or The suit or Johnson there being 7 ayes