Transcript Highlights:

• With our campus on virtual fencing, but also they are utilizing some of their land to, uh, you know,
• Uh, and then, uh, as the president mentioned, I, I did want to flag our virtual fencing program that
• It's going to take time to put that infrastructure back in, so they put in place a virtual fencing that
• , uh, in regards to the virtual fence is that to.
• Chair and Representative, it, it is, uh, it is a geo fence.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the metal fence, that I'm not going to have to worry about my insurance again.
• Well, the sad part is if your back fence is up against some sort of a rural area, effort.
• back fence, it follows the fence line and eventually comes to your home, goes up the eave, and starts
• It sounds simple, but a steel or a wrought iron fence or a cinder block fence can be very expensive.
• We're finding that steel fencing isn't that expensive, and that's a $3,000 increase.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• I liken the protections of state sovereignty in this bill to a fence.
• The right to build the fence is settled law. The scope and shape of the fence is 7504 or 7505.
• </c> sovereignty in this bill to a fence. sovereignty in this bill to a fence.
• </c><00:34:36.520><c> to</c><00:34:36.639><c> protect</c> S. 209 expands that fence to protect S. 209
• right to build the fence is settled law. law. law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Overpasses, underpasses, and game fencing that can be placed along our highways has been proven to reduce
• We have a number of significant state highways that run through Douglas County, and wildlife fencing
• I have a number of significant state highways that run through Douglas County, and wildlife fencing is
• </c><00:51:49.400><c> that's</c><00:51:49.760><c> needed</c><00:51:50.640><c> to</c> and the the fencing
• that's needed to and the the fencing that's needed to keep<00:51:51.040><c> these</c><00:51:51.360><

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:05:06.039><c> being</c> and forth about second fencing being and forth about second fencing being
• like that; an electric fence; a string of electric fence would do as well.
• like that; an electric fence; a string of electric fence would do as well.
• <01:07:40.839><c> is</c> fence is fence is that<01:07:42.680><c> uh</c><01:07:43.119><c> restrict</c>
• </c> fence a string of of an electric fence fence a string of of an electric fence would<01:08:24.199

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• From damage fences that allow livestock to escape to destroyed infrastructure that disrupts daily operations
• seen some of the vehicles that are carrying immigrants who are being chased and just crashed through fences
• in addition to that, we have had issues with some of the breaking into sheds and breaking down our fences
• Even to the point that sometimes you have cattle and other horses that break out after the fences are
• They'd have to produce a lease wherein they were responsible for the fences or those damaged items before

Bills: SB2601

Committee: Senate Border Security

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum and heard one bill, Senate Bill 2601 by Senator Blanco, laid out by Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo. The bill amends the Landowner’s Compensation Program, which was created last session and is administered by the Office of the Attorney General, to expand eligibility to land lessees, cover damage to the land itself as well as structures and real property, add continuous smuggling of persons as a covered border crime, prohibit insurers from using claims under the program in rate calculations, and require law enforcement to provide border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days. The committee substitute also makes the bill a legislative council draft. Public testimony was unanimously supportive. Representatives of the South Texans Property Rights Association and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association said the program has helped landowners but needed cleanup and broader access, especially for lessees who manage property day to day and may otherwise not receive compensation. Testimony also emphasized ongoing problems with fence damage, debris, pollutants, and other border-related property damage. Members asked about implementation, including how conflicts between landowners and lessees would be handled; the response was that documentation of authority and lease responsibilities would be required. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the committee substitute without objection. Senator Hinojosa then moved that SB 2601 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the committee substitute, and the motion passed on a 5-0 vote. The bill was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar, with no objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• support on-the-ground implementation of Idaho grazing improvement program projects such as virtual fencing
• and apply for and execute improvement on projects such as water development, vegetation management, fencing
• . ...grazing improvement program projects such as virtual fencing, wildlife-friendly fence modifications
• So that you have an understanding of virtual fencing, what happens is you can set up a perimeter.
• And that’s what they call virtual fencing. So it actually works pretty good on most cattle.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Farm Service program has experienced a little more work with the exclusionary fencing requirements, so
• These are through grants: fences, shelters, guard animals, etc.
• These are through grants: fences, shelters, guard animals, etc.
• </c> situations where we have damage so fence situations where we have damage so fence uh<01:16:19.120
• It continues running out of funds to reimburse for fence and crop destruction by elk.

Bills: HF601 , HF271 , HF1101 , HF979

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an outdoor space physically attached or immediately adjoining a dwelling, enclosed by walls, fencing
• space immediately adjoining the dwelling surrounded by a fence.
• And I think about my fenced yard, and my fenced yard actually wouldn't qualify because you can see it
• There are plenty of fenced yards. If you make a fence, it could be a barbed wire fence.
• It could be a smooth wire fence. It's a fenced yard, and I just don't think that's an extension.

Bills: SB38 , SB17 , SB41 , SB264

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations

Transcript Highlights:

• and why the fencing consortium is the appropriate recipient to obtain this funding for the fencing.
• and why the fencing consortium is the appropriate recipient to obtain this funding for the fencing.
• and why the fencing consortium is the appropriate recipient to obtain this funding for the fencing.
• But today, the fencing consortium only leases enough anti-scale fencing to protect the largest member
• </c><00:23:30.480><c> enough</c> fencing consortium only leases enough fencing consortium only leases

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be 300 feet, at least 300 feet, if it's got this screening process in place, either by fence
• that reasonably restricts visibility to the fence or to the panels. ...but yes.
• that reasonably restricts visibility to the fence or to the panels. ...fence that reasonably restricts
• visibility to the fence or to the panels or to the occupied dwelling.
• You ...it's there now, you know, some of these natural fences, these green spaces.

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• a second fence line that was open.
• There was this fence around the property.
• But it was behind a fence that had a padlock.
• But it was behind a fence that had padlocked.
• So without the fence, I'm sitting there going, well, you've got the same portals.

Bills: SB100 , SB100

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Shortly after President Cunningham took office, she took the initiative to have a chain-link fence put
• put in place on the bridge this is fence put in place on the bridge this is only<00:08:35.800><c> a<
• </c> Bridge uh ugly ugly chain link fence Bridge uh ugly ugly chain link fence with<00:10:34.399><c>
• Thankfully for the University, they put a much taller chain-link fence in place, but as my colleague
• Thankfully for the University, they put a much taller chain-link fence in place, but as my colleague

Bills: HF192 , HF268 , HF1214 , HF494

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It just fenced part of it, right?
• and it talk it says um which is fence and it talk it says um which is fenced<03:56:57.880><c> or</c>
• </c> what the purpose of the fence what the purpose of the fence is<03:57:30.520><c> thank</c> is thank
• fencing?
• as posted fencing.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Their fence was broken.
• The dogs had gotten out several times before, and the fence was never fixed—the gate, the latch.
• By some dogs because the irresponsible dog owner didn't fix their fence.
• If somebody comes on my property behind the electric wire that our visible fence our dog is on, it is
• There's no fence that works. The invisible fence doesn't work. The dog jumps out of the fence.

Committees: House Judiciary , House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• The Alamo border needs new fencing. Some of the fences are down.
• I don't know how old the old fence is that borders Alamo.
• Regarding fencing, yes, we do have our cattle and livestock going on the road, so we need fencing from
• He worked on all the fences in this community, so I'm sorry the fences are coming down now.
• And then, Madam Chair, Presenters, you were talking about fencing.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• understand it, from the reporting, it was an illegal gun that was retrieved through a hole in the fence
• I believe it was reported, even when the fair reopened the next time, the hole in the fence...
• understand it, from the reporting, it was an illegal gun that was retrieved through a hole in the fence
• I believe it was reported, even when the fair reopened the next time, the hole in the fence still existed
• Bills are pending at this time. to smuggle a gun through a hole in the fence or however it matter into

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

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1065, which would require government property contracts to prohibit contractors from barring licensed handgun holders from carrying firearms on leased or owned public property, with civil penalties and attorney general enforcement for violations. Senator Hall and invited witnesses from the Texas State Rifle Association, NRA, and Texas Gun Rights argued the bill would close a loophole exposed by the State Fair of Texas gun ban and protect law-abiding Texans’ self-defense rights. Opponents, including Moms Demand Action/Everytown, said the bill would undermine event organizers’ ability to set site-specific safety rules and could increase liability and insurance costs. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. The committee next took up Senate Bill 2742, which would create civil penalties for independent school districts and officials who use public resources for electioneering, waive immunity defenses, and expand attorney general enforcement. Senator Hagan-Bood said current law bans the conduct but lacks meaningful penalties, making injunctions the only remedy. No public testimony was heard, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2743, also by Senator Hagan-Bood, which would allow a court to disqualify local prosecutors who refuse to prosecute election offenses and appoint the attorney general to handle the case, with a committee substitute adjusting the removal process through an adjacent-county judge. Opponents from the Texas Civil Rights Project argued the bill would undermine prosecutorial discretion and was vague and open to abuse, while a Harris County election official described past instances where alleged voter fraud cases were not pursued. After testimony, public comment was closed and SB 2743 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, a lot of our campuses didn't have a fence line.
• So you can't have a single entry without a fence line.
• Now, a lot of our campuses didn't have a fence line.
• So you can't have a single entry without a fence line.
• So you can't have a single entry without a fence line.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee held its first interim meeting, took roll, and established a quorum. Members introduced themselves, many noting backgrounds in education, school boards, local government, or parenting, and Chair Jenna Persons-Mulicka outlined the committee’s goal of building the fiscal year 2025-26 Pre-K-12 budget. She also reviewed the fiscal year 2024-25 education budget, noting that the Pre-K-12 portion totals about $21 billion, with the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) as the largest driver, along with major funding for VPK, school readiness, and school recognition. She explained that federal COVID relief funds have ended and that recent school choice legislation has affected budget structure. Commissioner Manny Diaz and department leaders then gave overviews of their divisions. Diaz highlighted Florida’s education rankings, record graduation rate, progress monitoring, expanded school choice participation, charter school growth, and teacher salary investments, while emphasizing a focus on literacy, math, and early learning. Carrie Miller described the Division of Early Learning’s school readiness and VPK programs, their funding, eligibility, accountability systems, and the importance of kindergarten readiness. Paul Burns outlined the Division of Public Schools’ work on educator quality, literacy, standards, certification, family outreach, federal programs, and school improvement. Suzanne Pridgen reviewed finance and operations functions, including budget management, FEFP calculations, grants, procurement, transportation, and emergency management. Adam Emerson described parental choice programs, including scholarships, charter schools, schools of hope, virtual education, and home education. Darren Norris detailed the Office of Safe Schools’ responsibilities for risk assessments, compliance inspections, threat management, grants, and training created after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy. Members asked questions about several issues, including whether the Safe Schools office recommends changes to the school safety grant distribution formula, whether early learning eligibility should shift from federal poverty level to state median income, how scholarship payments are verified to avoid funding students who return to public school, and whether daily attendance systems could improve funding accuracy. Other questions addressed hurricane-related survey disruptions, VPK provider reimbursement rates and instructional hours, teacher salary increases, school start time costs, and how voucher schools handle IEP accommodations. Department officials generally said some issues remain under review, supported moving school readiness eligibility to SMI, noted that scholarship and enrollment data are cross-checked and adjusted when needed, and said progress monitoring now helps schools support mobile students. On school safety, officials said exemptions are allowed in statute for some items but not for classroom doors, and that district-specific conditions matter. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported beyond receiving presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are behind a fence, an electrified fence, with their sheep. >> Oh, okay. >> So they're not at large
• </c><05:17:23.920><c> it's</c> long as no one goes over the fence it's long as no one goes over the fence
• ><c> electrified</c><05:19:04.638><c> fence</c> behind a fence, an electrified fence behind a fence,
• </c><05:25:13.840><c> I</c> well, just fence in your property. I well, just fence in your property.
• do you fence in 20 acres?

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Summary: The subcommittee held an open work session on HB 1766-FN, a bill addressing cruelty to livestock, and focused on proposed language changes from the Department of Agriculture. Assistant State Veterinarian Nathan Harvey, speaking for the commissioner, explained concerns about the term “imminent danger,” arguing that the bill should allow seizure based on probable cause when an animal is starving or has a life-threatening condition, rather than tying action too closely to whether the owner is arrested. The department also proposed language on “extreme suffering” that would require euthanasia if the cost of treatment would exceed the allowable reimbursement amount under AGR rules, though members immediately raised concerns about using a dollar limit to require euthanasia. The department further suggested clarifying who may participate in investigations by allowing the state veterinarian or a designate, and noted that the current draft could be read too narrowly. Members discussed the $5,000 emergency care cap in the rules, with Josh Marshall confirming it is an aggregate emergency veterinary care limit. Several legislators said they were uncomfortable changing the bill from “may” to “shall” euthanize, arguing that treatment costs vary widely by species and condition and that a fixed monetary threshold could be too rigid. Representative Bixby also raised a separate concern that the bill’s language may be broader than intended and could apply to all animals rather than livestock only. The department agreed the bill should be limited to livestock and suggested using existing statutory definitions or adding a new section to make that clear. The discussion also turned to humane societies and other organizations that might investigate complaints or board seized animals. A representative from a humane organization said the groups with expertise in care often also have expertise useful to investigations, and that removing them entirely could be impractical because only a few facilities in the state can provide boarding. Members and witnesses explored alternative language that would allow for-profit and nonprofit organizations to participate in either the investigation or the care of livestock, but not both, to avoid conflicts of interest while preserving needed expertise. No votes were taken; the work session ended with agreement to consult the Office of Legislative Services and the department to refine the bill before the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wonder, with signage and stuff like that, unless you just fence it all the way down, how do you keep
• To fence off some of those areas and keep cattle off that area.
• What they recommended was building a fence.
• We used silt fence to add different locations to try to help stop some of that dust from blowing over
• On US-491, which is just south of Tohachi, we're looking at probably trying to do either the silt fence