Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Local Government will come to order. Clerk Jarrett will call the roll.
• Members of the committee, Texas Water Code 16.343 and local government.
• It's a very local bill.
• So, the local government impact, there would be no significant fiscal impact to units of local government
• Okay, and we'll fill out a card. I guess she'll fill out a card. Station A, who do we represent?

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:

• The Senate Committee and local government will come to order before we resume our bill.
• Um, you think this is a local gig or? All right.
• It's a local hitchhiker. It would appear to be a local bill. OK.
• Yeah, well, you know, either way it's Senator West, it's double local. OK.
• Any other, any other questions for Senator Middleton whether or not his bill is local.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is being done without any requirement that the energy be used locally.

Bills: H5171, H5261, H5294, H5317, S3026, S3033

Keywords: Holyoke, municipal governance, acting mayor, city council, local government, Oxford, town charter, municipal government, town manager, residency requirement, local approval, charter amendment, home rule, local governance, municipal administration, residence of officials, Worcester County, Worthington, solar, solar photovoltaic

Transcript Highlights:

• Green cards are for support, red cards are in opposition, white cards are for informational purposes
• Let me read some cards here.
• locals have to vote on it and put it in order.
• municipality or that locale.
• We have no cards, do we? No cards from anyone on public testimony.

Bills: HB214, HB217, HB514, HB593, HB618, HB732, HB908, HB961, HB1010

Keywords: property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, senior citizens, homestead exemption, Louisiana Constitution, motor vehicles, local fees, transaction fees, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Members will be reconsidering the local and uncontested calendar for May 28, 2025.
• Senator Menéndez moves to reconsider the vote by which the local calendar from May 28th, 2025, was certified

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• This will all consider a local and untested calendar after the layout of the resolutions and bills in
• To find police, complete a paper witness card located on the table at the back of the room.
• Do we know if the House has any more local and uncontested calendars?
• exception of HB 4202, be certified for the May 28, 2025, local and uncontested calendar.
• The May 28, 2025, local and uncontested calendar is certified.

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

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

Bills: SB243, HB338, SB265, SB233, HB302

Keywords: Jefferson County, pistol permit, gun permit, firearm license, concealed carry, carry permit, sheriff, permit fee, local bill, county revenue, school funding, school security, retirement system, Sheriff's Fund, legislative delegation office fund, Gardendale, Birmingham, firearms regulation, Second Amendment, local government finance

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of times you have people who own hotels but do not live in that locality.
• Don't get me wrong, we have our issues with local government too, but this is a truly wonderful local
• I mean, that also prevents them or limits them from buying local.
• So we like that flexibility at the local level.
• Local dollars and philanthropic dollars that you get locally are very familiar with this as well in his

Bills: HB158, HB714, HB 1198, HB1630, HB1998, HB3509, HB3788, HB3875, HB3948, HB3977, HB4097, HB4313, HB4314, HB4317, HB158

Keywords: housing, veterans, surplus government property, affordable housing, funding sources, housing assistance, homeless prevention, landlord incentives, rural housing, domestic violence, community development, tenant readiness, program participants, financial assistance, homelessness, rental support, Texas Tenant Readiness Program, tenant assistance, housing stability, Texas Department of Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• It ensures that local government stays focused on the primary issues of local government and doesn't
• They talk about environmental projects, but locally...
• This bill is about smart local investment.
• The spirit of it is, who do I know is local?
• They were brought up as local...

Bills: HB158, HB714, HB 1198, HB1630, HB1998, HB3509, HB3788, HB3875, HB3948, HB3977, HB4097, HB4313, HB4314, HB4317, HB158

Keywords: housing, veterans, surplus government property, affordable housing, funding sources, housing assistance, homeless prevention, landlord incentives, rural housing, domestic violence, community development, tenant readiness, program participants, financial assistance, homelessness, rental support, Texas Tenant Readiness Program, tenant assistance, housing stability, Texas Department of Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• If you wish to give testimony, please fill out a card. Green cards are for support.
• Red cards are for opposition. White cards are for if you want to speak to provide information only.
• You have a white card. Yeah, I put in a white card, and I felt a little guilty sitting in the back.
• I think they have to work it out locally, and I think they have to adopt ordinances locally to do it.
• If you could fill out a green card, you could give it to us. Do we have a—I don't see a card, Mr.

Bills: HB59, HB74, HB159, HB167, HB175, HB255, HB330, HB364, HB458, HB525, HB568, HB656, HB1033, HB1034, HB1070

Keywords: public defender, funding, district court, East Baton Rouge, judicial expenses, Autism Spectrum Disorder, missing children, law enforcement, public safety, Spectrum Alert, inmate documentation, post-release employment, special identification card, Louisiana Department of Public Safety, reentry services, veterans, veterans services, lottery proceeds, special fund, grant board

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re going to put $2.3 million in our local match for this roundabout.
• Higgs said these are regionally vetted, locally supported projects that the Sun Corridor MPO cannot fund
• He explained that funding this project would allow the city to use impact fees for local projects such
• Locally, U.S. 95 is the main route providing access to the U.S.'
• I oversee local and state government relations for the department.

Bills: HB2067, HB2068, HB2127, HB2164, HB2200, HB2201, HB2242, HB2283, HB2284, HB2285, HB2286, HB2287, HB2304, HB2306, HB2399, HB2601, HB2609, HB2760, HB2761, HB2859, HB2887, HB2892, HB2893, HB2894, HB2978, HB4027, HCM2012, HCM2016

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, infrastructure, Apache Junction, funding, Show Low, road extension, special license plates, nonprofits, charitable contributions, Reay Lane, Graham County, HB 2200, State Route 89, SR 89, Chino Valley, Arizona Department of Transportation, ADOT, road widening, highway expansion

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is the bill we heard previously relating to information on local regulations governing
• person could make repeated trips transporting voters in groups of six or fewer and avoid the identification
• If you could delete the dropped card. Apologies. Okay, hold on. Just one sec.
• Services at both the non-profit and local government levels offer transportation to the polls for elderly
• This bill ensures that local leaders can act in the best interest of their communities when disaster

Bills: HB2139, HB2253, HB3632, HB4171, HB4309, HB4508, SB760, SB1470

Keywords: voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, but it also goes locally and helps you put on the primary.
• I think, and we can again ask Secretary of State's resources, but I believe if you can't file locally
• Swanson, how explain to us how it works as far as State, you have local conventions by what senatorial
• You know, how do you decide on your local ones before you go to state, and who gets nominated at each
• Now, obviously, the primary is different, and people go and vote locally for Democrat and Republican.

Bills: HB2139, HB2253, HB3632, HB4171, HB4309, HB4508, SB760, SB1470

Keywords: voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety

Transcript Highlights:

• It was, you know, counties, local governments again are going to be responsive to their local taxpayers
• </c> budget trends and and their local budget trends and and their local government's<00:19:05.600><c
• </c> nation when it comes to that local nation when it comes to that local match. match. match.
• Then the other one that was really interesting was I was at, um, a local, local, local, you know, group
• These are local ones, any questions. These are local ones, right?

Bills: HF3396

Keywords: property tax, task force, assessment, state revenue, local government, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• there is also a variety of local court rules on procedures that vary from county to county.
• You go to your local dry cleaner.
• You go to your local dry cleaner.
• You go to your local dry cleaner.
• in the underlying bill, and the elements of false identification in the amendment.

Bills: HB2543

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation, 904, all

Summary: The Law and Justice Committee heard public testimony on several bills. House Bill 2248 was described as a technical cleanup measure for Secretary of State corporate, nonprofit, trademark, foreign entity, student exchange, and apostille filing processes; the prime sponsor and Secretary of State staff supported it, while one testifier raised concerns about multiple LLCs and transparency in manufactured housing communities. House Bill 2508 would expand the Office of Independent Investigations’ jurisdiction to older deadly-force cases and certain non-deadly-force incidents tied to deaths, broaden agency notification and records access requirements, and exempt additional records from public disclosure; the sponsor and OII supported it, and members asked about how far back cases could be reviewed. House Bill 2203 would create reckless interference with emergency operations for driving around closures, with enhanced penalties and license suspensions in aggravated cases; fire chiefs supported it, while defense lawyers argued it was unnecessary and disproportionate. House Bill 1909 would create a Court Unification Task Force to study disparities in Washington’s court system; the sponsor, legal aid, and access-to-justice advocates supported it, while the committee noted a large number of signed-in opponents. House Bill 2095 would create a rebuttable presumption of negligence for drivers who injure or kill vulnerable road users in designated areas, along with education, damages, and fee-shifting provisions; the sponsor and several advocates supported it, but cities, trucking interests, and defense groups raised concerns about liability, comparative fault, attorney fees, and litigation costs. In executive session, the committee advanced Substitute House Bill 2158 on electronic notarial acts and Substitute House Bill 2178 on court rules and procedures. It adopted Amendment Alpha to Substitute House Bill 2239, increasing a setback for family burial grounds from public rights-of-way/easements and adding water-source coordination requirements, then sent the bill as amended to Rules. It also advanced House Bill 2543 on county clerk fees. The committee adopted Amendment Bravo to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165, clarifying false identification as a peace officer to require malicious intent, and sent the bill as amended to Rules. It adopted Amendment Charlie to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2532, moving the nitrous oxide prohibition to a different title chapter, and sent that bill forward. Finally, it adopted Amendment Delta to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 to allow limited firearm-manufacturing code and 3D/CNC use for gunsmith repair work; discussion then turned to Amendment Echo, which would remove some possession prohibitions, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that amendment and bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• DAHP will also be establishing rules as well, and of course local governments can establish their own
• local ordinances.
• And of course local governments can establish their own local ordinances. Okay.
• Also, ...false identification as a peace officer, also a gross misdemeanor.
• This bill also creates a defense to false identification as a peace officer.

Bills: HB2543

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation, 904, all

Summary: The committee heard staff briefings, sponsor testimony, and public testimony on several bills. Substitute House Bill 2158 would authorize remote notarization of tangible records and remote oaths/affirmations, with audiovisual recording and retention requirements; the sponsor and supportive testimony framed it as an access-to-justice measure for rural and mobility-limited residents, and the bill was closed to public hearing after strong pro sign-in support. Substitute House Bill 2239 would create family burial grounds on private land with setback, notice, recording, and local-option regulation requirements; the sponsor, a farmer, tribal descendant, and cattlemen’s representative testified in support, while WSDOT raised a technical concern about the setback from rights-of-way, and the bill also drew substantial pro sign-ins. Substitute House Bill 2178 would reconcile court rules and statutes on malicious mischief aggregation, civil infraction timing, payment plans, and treasurer/AOC duties; AOC supported it as a largely technical cleanup, and the bill was closed to public hearing without opposition testimony. The committee then heard Engrossed House Bill 2445, which would tighten probate administration to curb “probates for profit” and heir-hunting abuses by extending the window for family members to act, narrowing who may serve as a “suitable person,” adding reporting and venue requirements, and regulating agreements with transferees for value. The Attorney General’s Office, Northwest Justice Project, and a probate attorney supported the bill as a consumer-protection measure to stop predatory estate takeovers, while other probate practitioners warned it could sweep too broadly and harm legitimate heir-finding services that help locate omitted heirs; members asked about whether the bill would still allow useful services and whether it clearly addressed the cited abuses. The sponsor said he was open to further conversations and written recommendations, and the hearing closed with heavy public interest, including many pro and con sign-ins. House Bill 2543 would update county clerk fee statutes to match newer appellate court requirements for electronic exhibits, photos, and media copies, while modernizing outdated references such as compact discs; county clerks and county officials supported it as a technical, cost-recovery measure, and the hearing closed after brief testimony. Finally, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2165 would create a new gross misdemeanor for false identification as a peace officer, replacing part of the current criminal impersonation statute and covering badges, vehicles, attire, and other insignia that mimic law enforcement, with exceptions for retired officers, inherited memorabilia, and artistic uses; the sponsor, governor’s office, and a city official supported it as a way to protect immigrant communities and improve trust in law enforcement. The committee also began hearing Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2532 on nitrous oxide sales, which would prohibit sale or distribution of nitrous oxide canisters for personal use while preserving medical, veterinary, dental, industrial, food, and automotive uses; members raised questions about how the bill would be enforced and how lawful purchasers would be distinguished, and the hearing was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting

Bills: SB2, SB5, SB10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting

Bills: SB2, SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting

Transcript Highlights:

• It is supported locally and most importantly, it is well deserved. Thank you.
• They liaise on very closely with the local veteran County service offices.
• They are in those local mental health authorities.
• I will comment that the local funding requirement has been met. Uh, thank you.
• police without diminishing local jurisdiction.

Bills: HB101

Keywords: voter approval, local tax, disaster declaration, tax rate increases, community funding