Bills: HB1480, HB1781, HB1905, HB2018, HB2842

Keywords: library grants, construction, public libraries, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, community resources, livestock, rodeo, grant program, agricultural education, county fairs, funding, economic development, prescribed burn, Texas A&M Forest Service, Parks and Wildlife Department, fire safety, environmental management, agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas currently Texas has the highest rate of food insecurity in the United States a role in urban South
• By happenstance, I had a friend who was a researcher at Texas Tech and they came down and they helped
• I'm president of Texas Beekeepers Association I'm also a commercial beekeeper in North Texas.
• And, you know, State of Texas does a great job. with bees and habitat.
• Honeybees are such a huge role in our Texas agricultural economy and they have a dominant... no effect

Bills: HB147, HB 1113, HB 1203, HB 1269, HB 1276, HB 1277, HB1437, HB147

Keywords: livestock, brands, marks, earmarks, tattoos, electronic registry, Texas Animal Health Commission, county clerk, Agriculture Code, cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, horses, animal identification, brand registry, livestock traceability, electronic filing, rerecording, law enforcement access

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, a federal court also blocked Texas A&M from attempting to ban drag.
• Texas must draw a firm line. Entertainment has no place in front of children.
• This is an important bill for Texas. I respectfully request a favorable report.
• be conducted by the Texas Forest Service and West Texas A&M.
• When we had the fires, a lot of associations, a lot of different landowner groups, Texas Oil and Gas

Bills: SB34, SB75, SB330, SB1535, SB18, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you still contract for these services and how do you organize just a group of property?
• I have a question, sorry. When you contract these services, is there a standard rate? Yes, sir.
• So to argue that that's not fair, I'm getting better service at no cost. It'd be a tough argument.
• And the problem is, the way Texas is set up, I don't think it's really a problem.
• This is a perfect opportunity, I think, for us to be. be able to help a rural part of West Texas.

Bills: HB336, HB554, HB849, HB 1033, HB1338, HB 1246

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriff, constable, contracts, county governance, 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, seasonal fireworks sales, Fourth of July, Independence Day

Transcript Highlights:

• the nursing school at West Texas A&M University.
• A&M University.
• temporary $25 million insurance pool administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service.
• I personally use him on our property in East Texas, as well as we have resources from the A&M Forest
• We have a system where you cannot be a certified burner in Texas without general liability insurance;

Bills: HB139, HB1818, HB1942, HB1959, HB2221, HB2254, HB2563, HB2067, HB2275, HB3211, HB139

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a Texas lawyer; obviously, I have nothing against Texas courts or Texas law.
• Texas is a profitable state and carriers want to operate in the state of Texas because of our regulatory
• And understand this is merely a venue, right? We are saying in Texas, the venue should be Texas.
• a Texas insurance claim involving a public school district.
• Let's give our small businesses in the state of Texas a fighting chance to offer a good quality product

Bills: HB139, HB1818, HB1942, HB1959, HB2221, HB2254, HB2563, HB2067, HB2275, HB3211, HB139

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• So the new requirement had a particular impact on our firefighters within the Texas A&M Forest Service
• Anyway, a study to determine the feasibility of creating... being a new tier within TRS for Texas A&M
• House Bill 3486 defines a Texas farm-raised oyster as a It's an oyster cultivated in Texas waters in
• It's a new and growing industry in Texas.
• that in conjunction with the Heart Research Institute at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in 2009.

Bills: HB104, HB2434, HB2529, HB2688, HB3161, HB3486, HB3487, HB3745, HB4044, HB4226, HB4945, HB104

Keywords: Texas Future Fund, investment review board, economic stabilization, innovative technology, national defense, retirement, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, salary supplement, county judges, judicial functions, state law, government compensation, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a resource witness here from Texas A&M that could probably better answer that to see if that
• Texas A&M.
• M doesn't have a cap currently this impacts the University of Texas act.
• Thank you just a follow-up question so I realize Because you only deal with Texas A&M College students
• So, much like Texas A&M, we holistically review all students, and for us it's a little... a little bit

Bills: HB42, HB 125, HB 1233, HB2853, HB3148, HB3326, HB3701, HB4066, HB4361, HB4762, HB4909, HB4912, HB42, HB125

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• the Texas A&M system with our commitment to healthcare.
• We're only behind Texas A&M, which has all 254 counties represented.
• A&M, Texas Tech, and the University of Texas.
• fastest growing university in the Texas A&M System.
• We feel very confident through our Texas A&M system support.

Bills: HB42, HB 125, HB 1233, HB2853, HB3148, HB3326, HB3701, HB4066, HB4361, HB4762, HB4909, HB4912, HB42, HB125

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• within the Texas A&M Forest Service, whose primary duties are, of course, as you know, emergency response
• A resource witness from the Texas A&M Forest Service, if you would like to call that individual up.
• A member has post-military service credit in a LACoS position.
• Putting a service charge or a credit card service charge, you know, on guests.
• As it will create a mess in Texas.

Bills: HB245, HB700, HB2783, HB3526, HB3900, HB4061, HB4124, HB4166, HB4395, HB4534, HB4609, HB4641, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HJR175, HB245

Keywords: military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees, payroll deductions, retirement plans, fiscal transparency, local government, bond issuance

Transcript Highlights:

• from paying what is a growing cost here in Texas.
• These fees act as a hidden tax on a tax, and they siphon dollars out of Texas communities and into the
• We're a Texas treasure, recognized by the Historical Commission and a previous winner of the Governor's
• You are a big bank and you're a very small Texas community bank.
• Finally, is the state of Texas going to mandate a cap on...

Bills: HB245, HB245, HB700, HB2783, HB3526, HB3900, HB4061, HB4124, HB4166, HB4395, HB4534, HB4609, HB4641, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HJR175

Keywords: property tax, delinquent taxes, ad valorem, penalties, interest cap, military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees

Bills: SB 1468, SB 1612, SB 1789, SB 2530, SB 2571, SB 2717, SB 2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Bills: SB 1468, SB 1612, SB 1789, SB 2530, SB 2571, SB 2717, SB 2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it requires the Texas... and Enforced Service to create and maintain a statewide database for
• I've got two of them, one graduating from Texas A&M and one from Texas Tech in a couple of months.
• in Austin as a teen, and holder of five science and engineering degrees from Texas A&M and UT Austin
• For BBQ's R&D, I have collaborated with Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and UT Austin in San Antonio.
• Texas has a unique opportunity to lead in this sector, especially because Texas Tech, A&M, and UT Austin

Bills: SB34, SB119, SB261, SB532, SB1035, SB1245, SB1247, SB1267, SB1442, SB1930, SB1948, SB2078, SB2112, SB2143, SB2155

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is a special day to hold a hearing at this committee. It is Texas Water Day at the Capitol.
• It's a great way to learn more about Texas water.
• I do have a resource witness. Is that correct from the Texas Water Development Board?
• The Texas A&M Forest Service currently uses a database that tracks emergency response equipment at fire
• Yes, sir, that's correct. 85% of the state of Texas is covered by a volunteer fire department.

Bills: SB480, SB767, SB790, SB971, SB1066

Keywords: water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met on Texas Water Day and limited public testimony to two minutes. The chair emphasized the need to move quickly because of scheduling conflicts with other committees and noted the importance of water policy and related stakeholders. The committee heard several bills focused on water administration, rural utilities, emergency response, and public works contracting. Senate Bill 790 by Senator Alvarado would let the Public Utility Commission create a simplified process for resolving tenant complaints over water or wastewater bill discrepancies; it was described as a way to avoid lengthy contested-case hearings for small disputes. Senate Bill 971 by Senator Sparks would clean up conflicting statutory definitions of “rural political subdivision” so Texas Water Development Board programs are applied consistently; Texas Rural Water Association testified in support. Senate Bill 767, also by Senator Sparks, would expand and improve a statewide database of fire-response equipment so departments, including volunteer and rural departments, can locate and share resources more effectively during emergencies; fire service witnesses supported the bill and suggested annual updates to keep the database current. Chair Perry laid out Senate Bill 480 to clarify that local governments and special districts may enter interlocal agreements for water-related planning and research, including aquifer management and flood/water planning. He also presented Senate Bill 1066, which raises payment and performance bond thresholds for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public works contracts to $150,000, arguing the change would reflect inflation and help smaller vendors on lower-risk projects. Witnesses were heard on the bills, with no opposition recorded in the transcript. The committee voted out all five bills favorably. SB 1066, SB 480, SB 767, SB 790, and SB 971 each received unanimous committee approval and were recommended to the local and contested calendar, with SB 767 noted as amended by a suggested annual-update requirement for the equipment database.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this... ...about Texas A&M University System endeavors on the Rellis campus.
• This bill would grant the Texas A&M University Board of Regents the authority to construct and acquire
• Aveline Christian is already in conjunction with A&M and Texas Tech.
• We'll open up public testimony and we'll call it a day. If it's stacked, Texas A&M?
• David Stagg: I serve as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research at the Texas A&M University System.

Bills: SB1468, SB1612, SB1789, SB2530, SB2571, SB2717, SB2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• It moves its headquarters from a tier one to a tier one or tier two... Coastal County right now.
• That's been a problem.
• What happens on the coast impacts Texas and the Texas economy.
• It's a significant expense.
• This is a bill that changes TWIA's funding structure to a... a dynamic funding structure, and it is not

Bills: SB1468, SB1612, SB1789, SB2530, SB2571, SB2717, SB2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is a special, oh yeah, today is Texas Water Day. I just remembered that. It's good.
• Today is a special day to hold a hearing at this committee. It is Texas Water Day at the Capitol.
• It's a great way to learn more about Texas water.
• I do have a resource witness, is that correct, from the Texas Water Development Board?
• The Texas A&M currently uses a database that tracks emergency response equipment and fire stations across

Bills: SB480, SB767, SB790, SB971, SB1066

Keywords: water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water

Transcript Highlights:

• HB second HB 202 will provide a a a sense of 202 will provide a a a sense of 202 will provide a a a sense
• a a a you know so so that there is a a a a you know so so that there is a a a a better definition of
• as a a judge I got a chance to hear a a as a a judge I got a chance to hear a a as a a judge I got a
• as a matter of fact out better Services as a matter of fact out better Services as a matter of fact
• m this is bigger than the music you in a m this is bigger than the music you in a m this is bigger than

Bills: HCR 21, HCR 22, HCR 23, HCR 24, HCR 25, HCR 26, HCR 27, HCR 31, HCR 41, HCR 42, HCR 43, HCR 44, HCR 45, HCR 52, HCR 53, HCR 66, HCR 67, HCR 73, HR 8, HR 10, HR 13, HR 20, HR 21, HR 50, HR 59, HR 61, HR 71, HR 74, HR 79, HR 84, HR 86, HR 90, HR 91, HR 102, HR 103, HR 107, HR 113, HR 125, HR 126, HR 132, HR 142, HR 145, HR 149, HR 150, HR 152, HR 167, HR 179, HR 181, HR 183, HR 186, HR 192, HR 196, HR 199, HR 207, HR 211, HR 212, HR 213, HR 216, HR 249, HR 256, HR 259, HR 261, HR 263, HR 272, HR 281, HR 285, HR 294, HR 295, HR 300, HR 305, HR 311, HR 313, HR 315, HR 316, HR 323, HR 331, HR 339, HR 340, HR 346, HR 349, HR 352, HR 357, HR 358, HR 360, HR 363, HR 374, HR 377, HCR 20, HCR 28, HCR 30, HCR 32, HCR 49, HR 14, HR 15, HR 19, HR 23, HR 24, HR 25, HR 26, HR 27, HR 29, HR 47, HR 48, HR 55, HR 56, HR 66, HR 85, HR 92, HR 93, HR 95, HR 96, HR 140, HR 155, HR 164, HR 204, HR 241, HR 242, HR 250, HR 253, HR 260, HR 262, HR 265, HR 279, HR 310, HR 312, HR 328, HR 332, HR 359, HR 362, HR 367

Keywords: recognition, award, petroleum industry, leadership, community service, HCR 22, House Concurrent Resolution, Texas Legislature, commendation, honorary resolution, Dr. James Olson, James Olson, University of Texas Permian Basin, UT Permian Basin, psychology professor, 50 years of service, faculty recognition, academic award, Piper Professor Award, Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award

Transcript Highlights:

• He earned a law degree from Texas Southern, and I'm sorry, from the South Texas.
• A group of officers who changed law enforcement in Texas.
• has long been a center of agriculture, commerce, and culture in South Texas.
• HR 294 by Thompson, Prairie View A&M University.
• Services, HB 958 by Toth, relating to a district or a county attorney participating as counsel. and

Bills: HCR21, HCR22, HCR23, HCR24, HCR25, HCR26, HCR27, HCR31, HCR41, HCR42, HCR43, HCR44, HCR45, HCR52, HCR53, HCR66, HCR67, HCR73, HR8, HR10, HR13, HR20, HR21, HR50, HR59, HR61, HR71, HR74, HR79, HR84, HR86, HR90, HR91, HR102, HR103, HR107, HR113, HR125, HR126, HR132, HR142, HR145, HR149, HR150, HR152, HR167, HR179, HR181, HR183, HR186, HR192, HR196, HR199, HR207, HR211, HR212, HR213, HR216, HR249, HR256, HR259, HR261, HR263, HR272, HR281, HR285, HR294, HR295, HR300, HR305, HR311, HR313, HR315, HR316, HR323, HR331, HR339, HR340, HR346, HR349, HR352, HR357, HR358, HR360, HR363, HR374, HR377, HCR20, HCR28, HCR30, HCR32, HCR49, HR14, HR15, HR19, HR23, HR24, HR25, HR26, HR27, HR29, HR47, HR48, HR55, HR56, HR66, HR85, HR92, HR93, HR95, HR96, HR140, HR155, HR164, HR204, HR241, HR242, HR250, HR253, HR260, HR262, HR265, HR279, HR310, HR312, HR328, HR332, HR359, HR362, HR367

Keywords: recognition, award, petroleum industry, leadership, community service, HCR 22, House Concurrent Resolution, Texas Legislature, commendation, honorary resolution, Dr. James Olson, James Olson, University of Texas Permian Basin, UT Permian Basin, psychology professor, 50 years of service, faculty recognition, academic award, Piper Professor Award, Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award