Transcript Highlights:

• The Excellence Program is an initiative by the Texas Judicial Council to identify, support, and highlight
• want to speak about how proud I am that my court was recognized as a Center of Excellence under the program
• I think it's a great program and I'm glad to see it's going to be expanding.
• As a resource on the bill, we've had nine Centers of Excellence programs recognized by the Texas Judiciary
• We have 30 that are on the waitlist and seven that are actively going through the program right now.

Bills: SJR27, SB53, SB311, SB1164, SB2807, SB1574, SB 53

Keywords: judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, Texas Supreme Court, writ power, mandamus, quo warranto, certiorari, procedendo, extraordinary writs, Government Code Section 22.002, separation of powers, judicial authority

Transcript Highlights:

• We think that the TAP, the Transition Assistance Program, is underfunded from the get-go.
• Well, they have programs. Programs passively for these veterans.
• This program will establish a self-reliance program.
• The Transition Assistance Program, TAPS, is a couple days long.
• A strong foundation, a religious foundation, and she gave us the courage to go out and help others and

Bills: HB4458, SB651, SB1227, SB1931

Keywords: veterans, service members, military transition, Texas Veterans Commission, pilot program, self-reliance, employment assistance, housing assistance, mental health services, career training, veterans service organizations, spouses and dependents, military families, Texas military forces, post-separation support, reentry services, workforce development, benefits navigation, transition assistance, SB 651

Transcript Highlights:

• Those would fit in the program.
• The program, unlike programs operated by the Department of Housing or by Texas State Affordable Housing
• produce to evaluate the program by two years.
• reports on the program.
• Forum National Veterans Outreach Program with the understanding of starting a mental health program.

Bills: HCR7, HB1557, HB1608, HB2061, HB2201, HB2210, HB2426, HB2754, HJR165, HB2513, HCR7

Keywords: Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County

Transcript Highlights:

• DHS is now working to make various decisions and provide a foundation for how a program could work in
• DHS is now working to make various decisions and provide a foundation for how a program could work in
• DHS is now working to make various decisions and provide a foundation for how a program could work in
• 94% of participants in a PACE program 94% of participants in a PACE program would<00:09:14.480><
• We introduced the PACE program, and they may have been very successful with the program because the program

Bills: HF1937, HF2407, HF1678, HF1477, HF2040, HF1840, HF257

Keywords: PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services, long-term care, community-based services, support person, healthcare, patient rights, assisted living, community support, caregiver respite, financial eligibility, Minnesota Statutes, HF1477, residential program licensing, community residential setting, small group home, licensed capacity six or fewer, rental licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• Stier, and I am the superintendent of Aitkin Public School District ISD Number 1.
• I am the chair of the school board, and I will stand on Mr. Stier's comments.
• So, uh, questions for the superintendent, the school board chair?
• Superintendent, school board chair? Yes. Thank you for being here today. Appreciate it.
• We support a crucial support for 4-H, FFA, and other youth development programs.

Bills: HF1833, HF148, HF1127, HF1227, HF1681, HF1974, HF1106, HF1016, HF2197

Keywords: sales tax, education funding, construction, Aitkin Public Schools, tax exemption, refundable credit, HF148, use of force training, deadly force, peace officer training, police training, law enforcement, POST Board, Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, scenario-based training, de-escalation, defensive tactics, force-on-force training, stress management, officer wellness

Transcript Highlights:

• With our experience on training programs and our apprentice programs, I believe we can add some value
• industry-recognized apprenticeship program.
• to industry-recognized apprenticeship programs, to CTE in high school, all of them are important.
• or two-year programs.
• Go into the DOL apprenticeship program.

Bills: HB431, HB648, HB 1006, HB1926, HB2037, HB2468, HB2788, HB2791, HB3255, HB3260

Keywords: HB 431, Texas Property Code, Property Code Chapter 202, solar roof tiles, solar shingles, solar energy device, homeowners association, HOA, property owners' association, POA, renewable energy, residential solar, distributed solar, roof-mounted solar, homeowner rights, architectural control, restrictive covenants, real estate, subdivision regulations, multi-zoned subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• I was even a cheerleader at my school.
• and Human Services Program.
• Individuals that would benefit from this program.
• My CASA program serves 11 counties.
• One of those is Unbound Now's EIP program, that is Early Intervention Program.

Bills: HB 451, HB 645, HB 1041, HB 1151, HB 1155, HB 1536, HCR 12

Keywords: commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening, validated screening tool, evidence-informed tool, conservatorship, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, trafficking prevention, Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit

Bills: SB14, SB217, SB586, SB856, SCR12, SCR24, SB 14

Keywords: regulatory reform, state agencies, efficiency, rulemaking, judicial review, SB 217, Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program, Texas Historical Commission, Freedmen's cemetery, freed slave burial site, cemetery designation, historic cemetery, African American history, Black cemetery, burial grounds, cemetery preservation, historical marker, medallion, property owner notice, adjacent landowners

Bills: SB2060, SB2342, SB2577, SB2580, SB2809, SB2397, SB2315, SB2442, SB2152, SB2380, SB2462, SB2055, SB2438, SB2533, SB2203, SB2087, SB768, SB877, SB1139, SB787, HB963, SB277, SB2663, SB2555, SB2140, SB2115, SB2761, SB2198, SB2032, SB2579, SB2671, SB2835, SB2356, SB2095, SB2093, SB2318, SB2323, SB2485, SB2309, SB2321, SB2405, SB2153, SB2129, SB2170, SB2259, SB2578, SB2544, SB2701, SB2861, SB2108, SB2089, SB2106, SB847, SB3326, SB2047, SB2695, SB2667, SB2919, SB2446, SB2146, SB2723, SB2210, SB2527, SB2645, SB3331

Keywords: rental housing revolving fund, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, mixed-income housing, mixed-income rental project, affordable housing, low-income housing, housing finance, housing development, preservation, rehabilitation, pre-development, construction financing, equity investment, credit enhancement, collateral, gap financing, area median income, AMI, perpetual affordability

Bills: HB1268, HB3041, HB3075, HB3378, HB3463, HB3619, HB3620, HB3624, HB3722, HB4335

Keywords: retirement, public employees, deferred option plan, service credit, contributions, distributions, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, rounding, cash payments, public finance, Oklahoma Common Cents Act, political subdivision, science and technology, research, board appointments, emergency legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:04:57.759> but<00:04:58.320> not protection type of programs, but not protection
• type of programs, but not like<00:04:58.800> developing<00:04:59.919> an<00:05:00.160>
• And I think this program specifically is designed to include farmers, ranching, and forestry.
• And and I think this program >> Absolutely.
• establishes uh education programs etc. establishes uh education programs etc.

Bills: SB2606, SB3253, SB237, SB3252, SB1178, SB2322, SB2019, SB3043, SB3014, SB2972, SB1190, SB2488

Keywords: wildlife sanctuary, environmental conservation, Hawaii, nonprofit corporation, freshwater preservation, community stewardship, biodiversity, ecological heritage, conservation, endangered species, wildlife preservation, native birds, sanctuary, nonprofit, DLNR, agricultural district, land use, chapter 195D, chapter 205, chapter 42F

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several measures related to wildlife, conservation, shoreline adaptation, and climate governance. On SB 2606, which would establish the Freshwater State Recreational Area Wildlife Sanctuary Corporation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said it had concerns about employee eligibility and was not yet prepared to comment further on the bill’s ramifications. After testimony ended, a senator asked DLNR to follow up with more detail, and the department said it would relay the questions to leadership and respond later. No vote was taken on the measure during the excerpt. On SB 3253, which would create the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity to work with DLNR, the department said it supported the bill. In discussion, DLNR said Hawaii has not done anything like this before, described a similar model in New Zealand, and estimated that developing such a sanctuary could cost millions of dollars. Members also discussed whether the concept would fit with existing efforts such as Hakalau, and DLNR said the bill could apply to private or state lands depending on the site. No action was taken. The most extensive discussion was on SB 237, which would expand state and county authority to develop adaptation pathways for relocating infrastructure away from sea level rise and coastal flooding areas. DLNR supported the bill, saying it prioritizes public trust resources over economic development or private property. The Kahana Bay Steering Committee and the Shoreline Preservation Coalition opposed the measure, arguing it was too focused on managed retreat and should include a broader range of shoreline responses, such as erosion mitigation, groins, sand nourishment, and other interim protections. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it appreciated the bill’s intent but wanted broader language that would allow more tools in the toolbox. Members debated whether retreat is inevitable, whether different shorelines require different approaches, and whether the bill should be more flexible. No vote was taken. The final measure discussed was SB 3252, which would amend the powers and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, create a coordinator position, and appropriate funds. The commission’s coordinator testified in support, while OPSD opposed the bill, saying it would remove the two cabinet-level co-chair positions, raise accountability concerns, and duplicate some of OPSD’s functions. In questioning, members debated whether the current commission structure has been effective, who would appoint or confirm the coordinator, and whether the bill would improve transparency and implementation. OPSD said it supported more statewide interdepartmental funding for climate planning and staffing, but had concerns about the proposed governance changes. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• But today, school district police departments are not entitled to the same privilege, even if they lack
• The school districts that receive surplus property under this provision would be able to use it only
• This program has helped over 13,700 veteran-owned businesses since SB 938 was enacted in 2021.
• I'm the director of the Veteran Entrepreneur Program at the Texas Veterans Commission.
• The comptroller provides a report to the legislature about the health of the program.

Bills: HB346, HB1851, HB2974, HB5596, HCR118, HCR127, HCR141

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, surplus vehicles, law enforcement equipment, school districts, Texas Facilities Commission, economically disadvantaged areas, HB 5596, voter-approval tax rate, property tax, ad valorem tax, Tax Code, Texas municipalities, coastal municipality, eligible coastal municipality, municipal hotel occupancy tax, hotel occupancy tax revenue

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee heard and laid out several measures focused on school safety, Texas-Taiwan relations, defense manufacturing, business formation, hotel tax policy, and NASA relocation. HB 1851 would allow surplus DPS vehicles and law enforcement equipment to be transferred to school districts in economically disadvantaged areas for use by school police and security personnel, with a two-year resale restriction. HCR 127 expressed support for the Texas-Taiwan relationship and trade ties, HCR 118 supported expanding warship manufacturing in Texas, HCR 141 urged Congress to move NASA headquarters to Houston, HB 346 (with a committee substitute) revised business filing and fee authority while making permanent a franchise tax exemption for new veteran-owned businesses, HB 2974 was an omnibus hotel occupancy tax and qualified hotel project bill, and HB 5596 addressed accountability for municipal hotel occupancy tax revenues in coastal communities. Witnesses generally supported the measures, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association on HB 2974 and resource witnesses from the Texas Veterans Commission and Secretary of State on HB 346; no opposition testimony was registered on the laid-out bills. After public testimony, the committee took up pending business and adopted committee substitutes where applicable. HB 1851, HB 346, HB 2974, and HB 5596 were each reported favorably to the full Senate, with HB 346 and HB 2974 also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HCR 127 and HCR 118 were reported favorably as well, and HCR 127 and HCR 141 were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also reported HB 4320 favorably, though the transcript repeats that motion several times. The meeting ended with the committee standing in recess until 7:00 a.m. subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, today a school district police department is not entitled to the same privilege, even if they
• surplus motor vehicles and other law enforcement equipment from the Department of Public Safety to school
• agreed upon by the commission and the school districts.
• Additionally, school districts that receive surplus property under this provision cannot sell it before
• I'm the director of the Veteran Entrepreneur Program. ...program at Texas Veterans Commission.

Bills: HB346, HB1851, HB2974, HB5596, HCR118, HCR127, HCR141

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, surplus vehicles, law enforcement equipment, school districts, Texas Facilities Commission, economically disadvantaged areas, HB 5596, voter-approval tax rate, property tax, ad valorem tax, Tax Code, Texas municipalities, coastal municipality, eligible coastal municipality, municipal hotel occupancy tax, hotel occupancy tax revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, teachers are not in a decision-making position regarding the school district's budget or
• School teachers are public sector employees, and the purpose of voting no would be to preserve.
• You know, budget-making authority within their school districts.
• I mean, certainly, a school district should not...
• If we pass this law, school districts should not do that.

Bills: HB3557, HB5578, SB973, SB974, SB2068, SB2073

Keywords: ad valorem tax, property tax, incomplete structure, human occupancy, tax exemption, HB 5578, Texas Tax Code, Section 6.062, appraisal district, county appraisal district, chief appraiser, budget hearing, public notice, notice of hearing, newspaper publication, website notice, social media notice, online newspaper, county government, property appraisal

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a young lady that needs to go back to school. Oh, please.
• Mary Bashar Catholic School and a daughter of Lauren Matt Magnus.
• Theoretically, she could, but those programs don't exist. I'm sorry, Mr.
• And so they have an incentive and a program that helps them off-ramp.
• So we know this program works at the federal level.

Bills: SB1004, SB1012, SB1100, SB1110, SB1170, SB1213, SB1317, SB1402, SB1413, SB1416, SB1476, SB1511, SB1573, SB1655, SB1656, SB1709, SB1720, SB1723, SB1725, SCR1040

Keywords: sex offender registration, sex offender registry, A.R.S. 13-3821, sexual offenses, public safety, GPS monitoring, electronic monitoring, transient offender, homeless registrant, online identifiers, internet identifiers, sheriff notification, Department of Public Safety, DPS, DNA collection, juvenile adjudication, kidnapping of a minor, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, lifetime registration, community notification

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 1170, which would impose enhanced sentencing for selling dangerous or narcotic drugs to minors when the sale contributes to the minor’s death, and would treat the offense as a dangerous crime against children if the victim is under 15. The sponsor and families of overdose victims urged passage as a way to hold dealers accountable, while ACLU/AACJ opposition argued the bill would sweep too broadly, remove judicial discretion, and increase prison terms for people with substance use disorders. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 5-2 vote. Members then considered Senate Bill 1012, which would change concealed-carry signage rules for Series 12 restaurants and limit liquor-license consequences in those settings. The sponsor and gun-rights groups said the bill was a narrow correction that would not expand carry rights or property rights, while liquor-industry opponents said it would override restaurant owners’ decisions about whether to allow firearms. The committee approved the bill 6-2. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1511, requiring proof of lawful presence for drivers using non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses in Arizona and allowing citations and possible impoundment when proof is not provided. The sponsor tied the bill to trucking safety and fatal crashes, while no outside speakers testified. The bill received a 6-2 do-pass recommendation. Later, the committee adopted a strike-everything amendment to Senate Bill 1100 creating a state registration/disclosure system for lobbyists representing foreign adversary principals, with Homeland Security supporting the measure and CAIR Arizona opposing it as overbroad; the amended bill passed 8-0. Additional bills were heard and recommended do pass, including SB 1004 on GPS monitoring for homeless sex offenders, SB 1213 denying probation to unlawfully present defendants and requiring ICE notification, SB 1402 requiring probationers on electronic monitoring to pay the fee, SB 1709 mandating revocation and consecutive prison terms for probation violations by adults convicted of dangerous crimes against children, SB 1413 removing the $100,000 restitution cap for serious injury or death from moving violations, and SB 1416 updating missing-child notification and photo-distribution procedures. The committee also heard SB 1725, which would create a civil cause of action and petty offense for excessive marijuana smoke or odor drifting onto neighboring property; supporters, including a 13-year-old student and the sponsor, said it would protect neighbors and schoolchildren, while opponents argued existing trespass law is sufficient and the bill could conflict with medical marijuana protections. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 1725, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I can let the sponsor— but it's just moving the date back to allow for programming and this to be
• And I can let the sponsor— but it's just moving the date back to allow for programming and this to be
• short-term rentals. it it just<00:25:26.000> creates<00:25:26.400> a<00:25:26.720> program
• <00:25:27.440> essentially<00:25:27.840> where just creates a program essentially where
• just creates a program essentially where if<00:25:29.919> I<00:25:30.240> am<00:25:30.640

Bills: HB300, HB40, SB19, HB283, HB179, HB296, HB300, HB40, SB19, HB283, HB179, HB296

Keywords: HB300, Choctaw County, probate court, probate judge, recording fee, filing fee, deed tax, mortgage tax, deeds, mortgages, property records, recordation, county local act, local legislation, technology upgrades, digitalization of records, recordkeeping, county treasury, special fund, court administration

Transcript Highlights:

• great principle of local control and following his conservative guides, and is setting... ...up the program
• We've had a similar program under the catastrophic and sick leave pool statute. ...established by local
• Our catastrophic sick leave program has been very effective. Successful at Dallas County.
• And we're very much looking forward to being able to implement this program as well.
• I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Bills: HB148, HB334, HB554, HB762, HB1520, HB1593, HB3526, HB3810, HB5092, SB2215, HB2607, HB148

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales

Bills: HB148, HB148, HB334, HB554, HB762, HB1520, HB1593, HB3526, HB3810, HB5092, SB2215, HB2607

Keywords: HB 148, Texas Education Code, Texas Education Agency, TEA, artificial intelligence, AI, machine learning, automated scoring, constructed response, open-ended answers, student assessments, state testing, standardized tests, public schools, education policy, assessment instruments, school accountability, test scoring, 2026-2027 school year, family leave

Transcript Highlights:

• In accordance with the city's legislative program, I'm here to... ...on this bill in support.
• When school districts and cities have moved to November, they move up to at least a 30% turnout.
• My name is David Dunmire with the Texas Public Policy Foundation, here in support of Senate Bill 1626

Bills: SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• People in Bastrop know who June was in elementary school and middle school, but they know her from the
• The elementary school and middle school have walked over 380 miles for her health.
• and high school-aged children.
• to ...finishing school.
• And so our children also go to these schools.

Bills: SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony