Transcript Highlights:

• Well, and then also, like, this Texas Regulatory Efficiency Advisory Panel will consist, so going back
• I'm going to focus my testimony on the creation of the Texas Regulatory. office within the office of
• The Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office very closely resembles the Virginia Office of Regulatory Management
• I'm proud to be here today to support House Bill 10, the creation of the Texas Regulatory Efficiency
• I also appreciate Chairman Capriglione for including small business member on the Texas Regulatory Office

Bills: HB10, HB 12, HB675, HB10, HB12

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• on Bainbridge their at their office on Bainbridge their at their office on Bainbridge Street.
• is limited to what the principal office is limited to what the principal office is it simply strikes
• Fort Novacel conducts initial warn officer training, enlisted soldier warn officer training, enlisted
• realigned, producing 70% of officer realigned, producing 70% of officer assessions.
• . could then fly the airplane to Texas. could then fly the airplane to Texas.

Bills: HB 10, HB 12, HB 147, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• So, is this proposed new government regulatory office in Texas?
• If we have this new government regulatory office, would we need them anymore?
• As an example, in Virginia they also created a similar office, the Office of Regulatory Management.
• This new Government Regulatory Office makes a recommendation... Can you speak up a little bit?
• As written, the bill allows the governor to select all members of the Texas Regulatory Agency Efficiency

Bills: HB10, HB 12, HB147, HB1522, HB422, HB675, HB204, HB748, HB912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• three years, demonstrating how it will balance energy, water, and computing performance to maximize efficiency
• Some have already put in some regulatory standards, and others are considering it across the nation.
• Next is House Bill 2426 relating to improving efficiency and appeals to the PCHB.
• Our goal with anything is to expedite and make sure we're efficient and we're building things in the
• smarter GPU utilization geographically, better efficiency, or investments in 100-hour battery storage

Bills: HB2338, HB2367, HB2426, HB2606

Keywords: weatherization, energy efficiency, community projects, sustainability, environment, coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy

Summary: The committee took up several House bills in a very busy meeting, beginning with House Bill 2515 on emerging large energy use facilities, or data centers. Staff and the sponsor described the bill’s tariff, reporting, clean energy, and tax provisions, while tribal representatives, environmental groups, utilities, local officials, and industry offered sharply divided testimony. Tribes and environmental advocates urged restoring removed provisions that would let utilities refuse service or require curtailment during energy emergencies, citing salmon, water, and reliability concerns; utilities and data center interests generally supported the bill’s direction but asked for technical changes and warned about costs, implementation, and overbroad requirements. The committee later reopened public hearing on 2515 and heard additional testimony both supporting and opposing the bill, with repeated calls to strengthen transparency, curtailment authority, and water protections, while opponents argued the bill was too punitive or would raise costs and harm development. The committee also heard House Bill 1170 on AI content notices, which would require large generative AI providers to offer provenance detection tools and disclosures for AI-generated or altered images, video, and audio, with enforcement by the Attorney General. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help Washingtonians know what is real and what is not, and to align with similar state efforts. Testimony later in the hearing included support from labor and other advocates who said the bill would help prevent digital impersonation, deepfakes, and workplace misinformation. The committee also heard House Bill 2416 on waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act; Spokane officials, labor, Avista, environmental groups, and Ecology testified on a proposal to provide no-cost allowances in the second compliance period while requiring a decarbonization plan and waste reduction/material recovery plan, with supporters emphasizing affordability and a tailored approach for the Spokane facility. In executive action, the committee waived the five-day rule for HB 2515 and HB 1906, then moved several bills forward. Substitute HB 1302 on utility connection charge waivers passed to Rules. HB 2338 on community-scaled weatherization projects passed to Ways and Means after an amendment was rejected. HB 2367 on coal plant treatment under the Climate Act passed to Rules after an amendment failed. Substitute HB 2496 on tribal consultation by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council passed to Rules with amendment C adopted, while amendments D and E were rejected. Engrossed Substitute HB 2225 on AI companion chatbots, HB 2426 on PCHB appeals, HB 2606 on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, and HB 2575 on reducing reporting obligations also advanced. For Engrossed Second Substitute HB 2215 on Climate Commitment Act compliance for fuels, amendment F was adopted, while amendments G and H were rejected, and the bill was sent to Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• the establishment of a Texas trade. and investment office in Jerusalem, and with that I'd be happy to
• Texas, where my brother lives and my sister in Cedar Park, Texas.
• you wanted the governor's office to have a trade office in this country.
• that makes just a few changes, and we worked... ...worked with his office and the Texas Historical Commission
• It's a cleanup bill. of the Office of Economic Development and Tourism and enhance its efficiency.

Bills: HB1240, HB2768, HB2788, HB3146, HB4850, HB5032, HCR90

Keywords: border region, infrastructure, economic development, government operations, education, HB 2768, Texas information technology apprenticeship, state IT credential, information resources workforce, junior college, technical institute, apprenticeship program, workforce development, state agency hiring, job classification, career ladder, bachelor's degree substitution, associate degree, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, state auditor classification officer

Transcript Highlights:

• encourages the establishment of a Texas trade and investment office in Jerusalem.
• office to have a trade office in this country.
• substitute that makes just a few changes, and we've worked with his office and the Texas Historical
• Section 3 was added, which in... ...with his office and the Texas Historical Commission.
• at the Comptroller's Office in 2020. of the Broadband Development Office at the Comptroller's Office

Bills: HB1240, HB2768, HB2788, HB3146, HB4850, HB5032, HCR90

Keywords: border region, infrastructure, economic development, government operations, education, HB 2768, Texas information technology apprenticeship, state IT credential, information resources workforce, junior college, technical institute, apprenticeship program, workforce development, state agency hiring, job classification, career ladder, bachelor's degree substitution, associate degree, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, state auditor classification officer

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met without a quorum, so no votes or formal actions were taken. The chair laid out several bills and resolutions for explanation and public testimony, with each item left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early items included House Bill 1240, a cleanup measure to create a single uniform definition of the Texas-Mexico border region across state law, and House Bill 2768, which would establish an IT apprenticeship credential through junior colleges and technical institutions to help fill state government technology jobs. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 90, which would encourage establishing a Texas trade and investment office in Jerusalem. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided: one witness opposed it on foreign policy and values grounds, while a Texas Association of Business representative strongly supported it, citing Israel’s innovation and trade potential. Another major item was House Bill 4187, a committee substitute for legislation affecting the Texas Historical Commission; the sponsor described changes expanding use of trust fund money for historic sites, allowing more affiliated nonprofits, clarifying retail operations, and creating a framework for training and consistent interpretation at historic sites. A Texas Historical Commission witness explained that the bill would shift responsibility for maintaining many state-owned historical markers and monuments, including markers on private land, to the commission. Additional measures included House Bill 2788, which would shield Texas Workforce Commission fraud-prevention methods from public information requests; House Bill 5032, directing state agencies to plan for public display of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Texas Constitution, and the Victory or Death letter at the Capitol Complex; House Bill 3146, which would eliminate outdated memoranda-of-understanding requirements for certain State Office of Administrative Hearings arrangements; and House Bill 4815, a cleanup bill modernizing economic development statutes, revising the Made in Texas standard to 51% Texas-origin content, repealing the Governor’s Broadband Development Council, and making other conforming changes. The committee ended by recessing, with members indicating they would likely vote on pending business later when a quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• So by statute the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings is to provide a neutral and independent
• Texas Facility Commission's Planning and Space Management reports, as well as the General Land Office
• The Texas Attorney General's Office would then...
• Really quickly, the Texas initiative is housed within the office of the governor.
• My name is – I'm the Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Texas Tech at Lubbock, Texas.

Bills: HB3146, HB3719, HB3895, HB3923, HB4748, HB4751, HB4936, HB4952, HB4990, HB4991, HB5061, HB5196, HB5238, HB5246, HB5487

Keywords: State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative hearings, contested case, contested case hearing, administrative law judge, ALJ, final decision, proposed decision, agency hearing, hearing continuance, rescheduling, Texas administrative law, Government Code Chapter 2001, workers' compensation, Department of Human Resources, Texas Labor Code, Transportation Code, Agriculture Code, Insurance Code

Bills: SB 483, SB 522, SB 783, SB 1239, SB 1254, SB 1255, SB 1259, SB 1341, SB 1664, SB 1762, SB 1856, SB 1877, SB 1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Bills: SB 483, SB 522, SB 783, SB 1239, SB 1254, SB 1255, SB 1259, SB 1341, SB 1664, SB 1762, SB 1856, SB 1877, SB 1977

Keywords: utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• But today we face the issue of regulatory red tape, which is unplugging rural Texas from that energy
• House Bill 3826 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council under the Public Utility Commission
• This bill would establish the Texas Energy Efficiency Council under the PUC to facil facilitate emergency
• Uh, unfortunately, Texas ranked 36th out of 50 states on our energy efficiency policy.
• Both ACEAE analysis and that by Texas A&M for ERCOT found that if every home used a minimum efficiency

Bills: HB 1951, HB 2715, HB 3092, HB 3237, HB 3278, HB 3511, HB 3592, HB 3675, HB 3778, HB 3782, HB 3826, HB 3970, HB 4016, HB 4049, HB 4341, HB 4344, HB 4406, HB 4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• But today, we face the issue of regulatory red tape, which is unplugging rural Texas from the energy
• Our hope is that we can continue working with the Chair's office to make the process more efficient.
• We all know what oil and gas mean to Texas, and if we can be more efficient in our response, it will
• HB 3826 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council within the Commission of Texas to foster collaboration
• Unfortunately, Texas ranked 36th out of 50 states on our energy efficiency. policy.

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from San Antonio, Texas.
• and apply that to Texas.
• These are billion-dollar projects that Texas is losing out on, that Texas-qualified... Yes.
• What is a project that was going to come to Texas that then didn't? and come to Texas.
• A bid from a Texas company? You say there's no bid from a Texas company or Texas workers? Yes.

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• The LBJ Hospital is the busiest level three trauma center in Texas.
• Simply put, we all support the growth of Texas.
• I know that you are working with the lieutenant... ...governor's office directly.
• Menefee's office.
• And then, but it says Texas General Land Office underneath that. So we will fix that.

Bills: SB2082, SB2203, SB2351, SB2550, SCR48

Keywords: concrete crushing, hospital proximity, environmental regulation, public health, zoning laws, SB 2203, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, contested case, administrative law judge, ALJ, discovery, scope of discovery, certification, administrative procedure, permit dispute, agency rules, Government Code

Bills: SB7, SB13, SB14, SB15, SB7, SB13, SB14, SB15, SB7, SB13, SB14, SB15

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects, developers, builders, local government, infrastructure, water efficiency, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, real property, fraud

Bills: SB 324, SB 1978, SB 2139, SB 2401, SB 2587, SB 2610, SB 2858, SB 3016

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, state contracts, immigration, labor compliance, Sunset Review, government accountability, Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Ethics Commission, government agencies, regulatory review

Bills: HB 842, HB 1907, HB 2844, HB 2892, HB 3439, HB 4211, HB 4536, HB 5111, HB 5138, HB 5182, HB 5247, HB 5269, HB 5323, HB 5435, HJR 201, SB 871, HB 3896, SJR 40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• offices.
• Right now, the Texas Ethics Commission has to wait for approval from the the attorney general's office
• Again, we can ensure that the representatives of Texas truly represent Texas.
• Chairman and members, the Texas utility industry relies on valuable insights from the Office of Public
• Energy efficiency programs and targets have been around for more than 25 years in Texas, developed and

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• Like others, we want to expand our business in Texas.
• HB2844 would create similar opportunities here in Texas.
• After discussing these concerns with his office, we think...
• Texas.
• Office and the utilities that are requesting this bill.

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We got guidance from the Texas Lottery that courier services were legal in Texas.
• services through the Texas Lottery Commission.
• That is not what the voters of Texas contemplated.
• , and I came to Texas.
• We've seen the addition of Michelin to Texas.

Bills: SB650, HB3667, SB28, HB3201, SB1184, HB1800, SB 28

Keywords: permit issuance, regulatory framework, business operations, efficiency, application process, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, lottery regulations, occupational licensing, fraud prevention, criminal background checks, lottery couriers, SB 1184, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, wine collection seller, collectible wine, vintage wine