Transcript Highlights:

• For me, this recognition is not simply about heritage.
• And today we send a message that goes beyond recognition. We stand with survivors.
• And today we send a message that goes beyond recognition. We stand with survivors.
• This bill has been co-authored by every member of this legislature. Our state...
• Co-authored by every member of this legislature.

Summary: The Assembly met, established a quorum after a roll call, and handled a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor items. Members recognized several guests and student groups, then moved through the daily file, including second-reading items, Senate amendments, and the consent calendar, which was adopted 54-0. The chamber also adopted ACR 151 recognizing March 25 as Greek Independence Day, with 59 co-authors added, and ACR 146 designating March 2026 as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month, with 61 co-authors added; both resolutions were adopted by voice vote. ACR 140, proclaiming March 21 as Women in STEM Day, also passed with 56 co-authors added and was adopted by voice vote. The most substantial debate centered on AB 2156, which renames Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Workers’ Day and declares an urgency clause. Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry and several members spoke in support, emphasizing recognition of farm workers’ collective contributions and, in light of recent revelations about Cesar Chavez, the need to honor the broader movement rather than one individual. Other members echoed support while discussing farmworker history, accountability, and the importance of acknowledging survivors. Assembly Member DeMaio supported the bill but criticized state policies affecting agriculture and argued for broader recognition of Latino Californians and farmworker policy reforms. The bill passed with 67 votes and was transmitted immediately to the Senate. Later, the Assembly recessed for the Joint Convention and heard the 26th State of the Judiciary address from Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. She focused on judicial independence, threats to judges, remote proceedings, CARE Act implementation, trial court funding and judgeship shortages, AI use in courts, immigration-related courthouse concerns, State Bar reforms after the February 2025 bar exam problems, and judicial salaries. She also highlighted the judiciary’s centennial, the importance of collaboration with the Legislature and Governor Newsom, and the need to preserve equal access to justice. After the address was ordered printed in the Journal, the joint convention adjourned and the Assembly later adjourned until Thursday, March 26 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• for Texas.
• and 500,000 kids in home school in Texas.
• The legislature from as you can as you saw on the school finance slides earlier the legislature has increased
• Texas public schools.
• Texas has a similar trend.

Committee: House Public Education

Transcript Highlights:

• CASA of West Texas has been involved... in West Texas together and the collaboration in this community
• The Texas Ambulance Association is a statewide organization across the state of Texas, and we appreciate
• I'm the president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business. We're the Texas State Chamber.
• So I represent Texas Oncology.
• So when these bills came through the legislature a couple of sessions ago, the legislature imposed these

Bills: SB502 , SB513 , SB622 , SB670 , SB731 , SB732 , SB916 , SB961 , SB1122

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, those states include Tennessee, Virginia, Indiana, Washington, Texas, North Carolina, among others
• We've seen, and we certainly appreciate the investments the legislature has made around early literacy
• </c> recognition fluency and comprehension. recognition fluency and comprehension.
• One of the things that I heard you speak to is the spatial recognition when you're actually reading a
• when you're actually reading recognition when you're actually reading a<01:24:31.440><c> physical</c

Committee: Joint Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the Texas International Produce Association, an organization that supports Texas growers
• downstream users in Texas.
• treaty and the impacts to South Texas agriculture.
• This legislature is poised to make Texas the epicenter of advanced nuclear manufacturing and development
• I think Texas University of Texas as a part of the Advanced Nuclear Working Group did a A very limited

Bills: HCR77 , HCR102 , HR559

Committee: House S/C on State-Federal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Legislature previously established an overweight corridor for the Port of Brownsville.
• The state of Texas, through the legislature, started working on rail districts, the creation of rail
• Those locations are Sunray, Texas, Gonzales, Texas, and Brownwood, Texas.
• It was a subdivision of the state of Texas formed by the Texas Legislature.
• annually by 23 Texas ports. $53.46 is returned to Texas for every dollar invested in Texas ports.

Bills: SB682 , SB1013 , SB1369 , SB1422 , SB2001 , SB2080 , SB2366 , SB2705 , SB2841

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation infrastructure, public safety, and local commemorations. SB 2841 would clarify the overweight corridor designation for the Port of Brownsville so all three statutorily approved bridges are treated uniformly for northbound and southbound overweight traffic; the Port of Brownsville testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 39 would restore the commercial motor vehicle “admission rule” framework in collision cases; Senator Birdwell explained the committee substitute, and the bill was later reported favorably. The committee also heard and later advanced SB 682, SB 1369, and SB 1422, which rename stretches of highway or a bridge in honor of fallen firefighters and military service members, with no opposition testimony and all left pending before final votes. The committee also heard SB 2366, which would create a grant program for short-line railroad projects through rural rail transportation districts for track, bridge, capacity, and restoration work. Senator Hughes and several witnesses from rural rail districts and rail advocacy groups supported the bill, while TxDOT explained current rail funding is limited and that the bill would be the first such grant program for Class 3 short lines; members discussed that the bill would need a floor amendment because state funds cannot be paid directly to railroads. SB 1013 would expand crosswalk protections under the Lisa Torrey-Smith Act to include certain driveway curb cuts along sidewalks; it was supported by the author and left pending before later being reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 2080, which would modernize port and navigation district rules by easing records and procurement requirements, exempting certain security and cybersecurity discussions from recording, and expanding some operational authority. Port Houston and the Texas Ports Association supported the bill, while the City of Corpus Christi raised concerns that the language could expand port economic-development authority beyond navigation purposes and affect local tax bases; the Port of Galveston also noted concerns about the filed version but supported the bill as presented, and the committee substitute was later reported favorably. SB 2001 would create specialty license plates and related parking/toll benefits for permanently disabled peace officers; SB 2705 would codify registration exemptions for certain farm equipment and some specialty plates. Both were supported by witnesses, adopted with committee substitutes where applicable, and reported favorably. Final votes on the reported bills were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, and the committee recessed after leaving some motions open briefly.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it just shows that the Texas legislature cares about state troopers.
• They're coming to DPS because they feel like the Texas legislature, the state leadership, and the governor
• But really, the 10-hour workday has really saved us in East Texas, West Texas, in the Texas panhandle
• to Texas DPS in 1936.
• On the commission side, the Texas Legislature, when they gave us the 500 troopers for the border, they

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• From Texas.
• School at Texas A&M.
• Texas economy needs.
• Texas keep Texas students and staff safe.
• I want to thank you and the Texas legislature for all you have done for school safety in the state of

Committee: Senate Nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• On the southern border, the Texas legislature has been taking an initiative to stop illegal crossings
• For a number of years now, the state of Texas...
• HB 255 matters because Texas law Texas law currently provides property exemptions on farm products, livestock
• Undermining Texas economic competitiveness.
• and incorporate Texas it is vital to Texas not impose a tax on financial transactions as it would have

Bills: HB195 , HB247 , HB255 , HJR2 , HJR4 , HJR6 , HJR31 , HJR34 , HB195 , HB247 , HB255 , HJR6 , HJR31 , HJR34

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Building Branch.
• led on that issue as well, to make sure that it's Texas law and Texas values that are determining these
• Texas.
• I am a general dentist from Katie, Texas. I'm here on behalf of the Texas Dental. is Dr. Duke Ho.
• At the University of Texas M. D.

Bills: HB111

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:12:48.399><c> to</c> &gt;&gt; Any members seeking recognition to &gt;&gt; Any members seeking recognition
• 01:02:50.640><c> the</c><01:02:50.880><c> SPDMs</c> state legislature set up the SPDMs state legislature
• </c><01:09:34.239><c> to</c> Seeing no one seeking recognition to Seeing no one seeking recognition to
• Any members seeking recognition<01:32:26.400><c> on</c> recognition on recognition on the<01:32:28.320
• </c><01:32:49.280><c> on</c> Any other members seeking recognition on Any other members seeking recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• Most recently in 2019 the Texas Legislature made us a standalone state agency. and nested us in the A
• Regionally, in Texas.
• The TNPC, which is the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, was established by the legislature in
• Texas.
• Rural Texas, that's not.

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh recog professionled recognition uh recog professionled recognition system<00:03:23.760><c> with
• </c> quality standards multiple recognition quality standards multiple recognition pathways<00:30:41.600
• </c> no events like the legislature. no events like the legislature.
• </c> achieving that recognition?" achieving that recognition?" &gt;&gt; Representative.
• </c> legislature? Like help help me. legislature? Like help help me. Dr.<01:12:47.760><c> Smelo.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Republican legislature is throwing Texas citizens... into the wolf that they are too scared to fight
• In response to Texas, you know, California does it if Texas does it.
• The actions of the Texas legislature to follow the demands of the federal DOJ just to... to secure the
• I am a Texas...
• Stand up for Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here's what Ken Paxton said: "The Texas legislature did not pass race-based electoral districts for any
• The Texas legislature has led the nation in rejecting race... ...based decision-making in its redistricting
• And that map was passed by the Texas legislature, and who controls it today? The Texas legislature.
• I am submitting this testimony to strongly oppose any attempt by the Texas Legislature to redraw congressional
• I am appalled that Republicans in the Texas Legislature lack a backbone.

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we're going to do some brief recognitions.
• Members, we're going to pause for some recognitions.
• Members, we're going to pause for some recognitions.
• Representative Blanco with a recognition. You want to wait for the recognition? Yes, sir. Okay.
• We're going to get one more recognition.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum call, and several recognitions, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the Middle East conflict. The chamber adopted the special order report and then took up several bills on the special order calendar. Early action included passage of CS/CS/HB 981 on tributaries of the St. Johns River and Ocklawaha River restoration after debate over environmental benefits versus concerns about impacts to Rodman Reservoir, rural communities, property values, and long-term uncertainty. The bill passed 107-3. Members then considered CS/HB 1389 on affordable housing and the Live Local Act. The bill would expand multifamily and mixed-use allowances, limit local setback/stepback restrictions, remove local opt-out authority, address accessory dwelling units, and waive sovereign immunity for certain land-use discrimination claims. Supporters argued it would increase housing supply amid a statewide shortage; opponents objected to further state preemption of local control and the ADU provisions. The bill passed 78-29. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1085, codifying the local government cybersecurity grant program and prioritizing fiscally constrained counties, by a unanimous 109-0 vote. The chamber next debated CS/HB 273 on special districts, which would allow certain agreements in rural areas of opportunity and impose new transparency and budget rules on larger downtown development districts. Questions focused on the meaning of “directly benefit,” the 10% administrative cap, budget approval authority, and the bill’s effect on downtown development authorities. An amendment to remove the downtown district provisions failed, and the bill passed 88-0. The House later returned to the temporarily postponed CS/HB 989 on motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers, which limits allocation of new vehicle lines to any one dealer group; it passed 109-1. Finally, the House took up CS/HB 1329 on local government spending transparency. The bill requires tentative budgets to be posted 14 days before hearings, final budgets to remain online for five years, and budget data to be searchable and downloadable, with waivers for smaller governments. Members debated whether the bill would impose costs despite the sponsor’s claim of zero fiscal impact. An amendment by Representative Cheney would have added hardship assistance for small governments and CFO support, but the transcript ends during debate on that amendment before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Rio Grande Valley.
• So, why Texas?
• jobs here in Texas.
• Texas Smart by Members.
• roles for the future of Texas. for governing is the Texas Lawyers' Creed.

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• I may add this program was created for Texas heroes, and that's the name of the program: Homes for Texas
• That's why the legislature specified those professions.
• So Texas is the first. ...place.
• Legislature, can waive a city's immunity.
• You have the power to ensure that it will not happen in Texas.

Bills: SB250 , SB375 , SB536 , SB845 , SB1633 , SB1944 , SB1957 , SB2081 , SB2137 , SB2262 , SB2299 , SB2419 , SB2452 , SB2522 , SB2549 , SB2594 , SB2605 , SB2631 , SB2639 , SB2675 , SB3029 , SJR60 , HB22 , HB1392 , HB2525 , HB22

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, the Texas legislature should rely on every 10 years to research all the criteria necessary
• Ultimately, I wish for the Texas Legislature to focus on supporting Texans instead of partisan concerns
• Let me be clear about the role of the Texas Legislature.
• redistrict Texas.
• matter to Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• and brewpubs here in the great state of Texas.
• The Texas miracle is clear.
• So I represent Corpus Christi, Texas. We are an economic driver for the state of Texas.
• Texas is home to over 1 million veterans.
• I spent seven years in Cedar Park, Texas.

Bills: HB511 , HB972 , HB 1035 , HB2481 , HB2723 , HB2742 , HB2894 , HB2962 , HB3077 , HB3093 , HB3307 , HB3684 , HJR67 , HJR72

Committee: House Ways & Means