Transcript Highlights:

• care cemeteries.
• care cemeteries.
• Perpetual Care Cemetery information is confidential. Yes, sir.
• I hope they would rely upon that regulation. Thank you. Yes, sir.
• And what's the status of the cemeteries?

Bills: HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3833, HB4134, HB4233, HB4238, HB4243

Keywords: HB 3803, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 712, perpetual care cemetery, perpetual care trust fund, cemetery regulation, financial confidentiality, confidential records, regulatory examination, Texas Department of Banking, commissioner disclosure, interagency information sharing, state agency enforcement, federal agency disclosure, trust fund oversight, burial services, cemetery trust, consumer protection, state banks, Texas Finance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 598, funeral, cemetery, and consumer services by Senator Trudeau.
• Florida law governing licensed funeral and cemetery service providers.
• Florida law governing licensed funeral and cemetery service providers.
• Custodians are entities that would be newly regulated.
• Custodians are entities that would be newly regulated.

Bills: S0326, S0598, S0632, S0786, S1110, S1256, S1380, S1588, S7042, S7044

Keywords: curators, estates, court appointment, fiduciary duty, bond requirements, removal, surrogate, funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 7042 on legal tender and SB 1380 before taking up the remaining agenda. The committee first reported favorably C.S. for SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and what oversight applies. It then reported favorably SB 1256, which standardizes PBM pharmacy audits by requiring uniform audit standards, scope, frequency, penalties, and due process protections for pharmacies; testimony from pharmacists emphasized concerns about conflicts of interest, excessive audits, and disproportionate penalties, while preserving fraud investigations. The committee also reported favorably C.S. for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services after adopting an amendment that removed provisions on civil damages caps and phasing out direct disposers; the bill updates licensure and contract rules and addresses unclaimed remains. SB 632, which sets insurance requirements for transportation network companies during the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup, was reported favorably despite opposition from an attorney who argued the existing coverage framework should not be reduced. C.S. for SB 786, creating a nonjudicial process to close out undisputed trusts and discharge trustees, was also reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 1110, a major bill expanding Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity limbs, and requiring annual reporting. After adopting an amendment clarifying eligible recipients, the committee heard extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the medical, developmental, and financial importance of prosthetic coverage, and members spoke in strong support before the bill was reported favorably. Later, the committee considered SB 1588, which implements last session’s legal tender law by refining definitions, narrowing custodian provisions, eliminating unnecessary examination requirements, and repealing the sunset clause; members raised questions about verification and anti-money-laundering concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7044 as a committee bill to expand public records exemptions to records relating to newly regulated custodians of gold and silver. The meeting concluded with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

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:

• Under current law, the Texas State Veterans Cemetery Committee is responsible for setting guidelines
• on location, size, and eligibility requirements of the Texas Veterans Cemetery.
• Department of Veterans Cemetery,' so it's very good. Members, any questions?
• on location, size, eligibility requirements of the Texas Veterans Cemetery.
• Department of Veterans Cemetery so it's very good members any questions not Veterans Cemetery so it's

Bills: SB2007, SB2104, SB2543, SB2545, SB2926, SB2938

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several bills focused on veterans’ mental health, criminal justice coordination, cemetery expansion, housing, vehicle registration, and anti-discrimination protections. SB 2926 would transfer administration of veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a community-based mental health grant program, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and add annual reporting requirements. SB 2938 would require county jails to verify and report veteran status at intake, help veteran inmates apply for federal benefits, and provide access to county veteran services and free visitation with service coordinators. Both bills were described as joint or practical efforts to improve coordination and service delivery for veterans, and both were left pending after no public testimony was offered. The committee also heard SB 2543, which would give more flexibility to expand the Texas veterans cemetery system, and SB 2545, which would explore using manufactured homes as another affordable housing option for veterans through the Veterans Land Board. SB 2545 drew questions about how manufactured-home loans would work; a Texas Veterans Land Board witness said implementation would likely require closing at a title company rather than through a retail bill of sale, and the Texas Manufactured Housing Association testified in support. Both cemetery and housing bills were left pending. Members then heard SB 2007, which would let vehicle registration applicants voluntarily designate military status so the DMV could record it and help with benefits and towing/impound issues involving deployed service members. Witnesses from the towing industry and DMV supported the bill, saying the current system lacks enough identifying information to run military-status checks and that the indicator could help prevent vehicles from being sold while owners are deployed. SB 2104 would add military status as a protected class under state anti-discrimination laws for employment, housing, and utilities; the author said it would address ongoing discrimination against service members, veterans, and military families. The Texas VFW supported the bill, citing the Leroy Torres case as an example of why additional state protections are needed. After discussion about overlap with federal law and existing state protections, SB 2104 was also left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the current law, the Texas State Veterans Cemetery Committee is responsible for setting guidelines
• . guidelines on location, size, and eligibility requirements of the Texas Veterans Cemeteries.
• Senate Bill 2543 provides the flexibility to expand the cemetery system, allowing more families to honor
• There will be a committee substitute that will come in simply to change "Veteran Cemetery" to "U.S.
• Department of Veterans Cemetery." Very good. Members, any questions? Not seeing any.

Bills: SB2007, SB2104, SB2543, SB2545, SB2926, SB2938

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

Transcript Highlights:

• ambiguity for the Department by mirroring the confidentiality provisions. provision of perpetual care cemeteries
• It relates to the regulation of state banks.
• consideration at a later time, but the The Public Utility Commission of Texas plays a critical role in regulating

Bills: HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 2467, HB 2468, HB 3228, HB 3229, HB 3306, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4219, HB 4238, HB 4344, HB 4386, HB 4739

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, open meetings, public notice, transparency, government efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• relates to the confidentiality and disclosure of certain financial information of perpetual care cemeteries
• resolve ambiguity for the department by mirroring the confidentiality provision of perpetual care cemeteries
• It relates to the regulation of state banks.
• consideration at a later time, but the Public Utility Commission of Texas plays a critical role in regulating

Bills: HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 2467, HB 2468, HB 3228, HB 3229, HB 3306, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4219, HB 4238, HB 4344, HB 4386, HB 4739

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, open meetings, public notice, transparency, government efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• resolve ambiguity for the department by mirroring the confidentiality provision of perpetual care cemeteries
• It relates to the regulation of state banks.
• But the Public Utility Commission of Texas plays a critical role in regulating some of the most essential

Bills: HB431, HB1522, HB1922, HB2467, HB2468, HB3228, HB3229, HB3306, HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB4219, HB4238, HB4344, HB4386, HB4739

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, open meetings, public notice, transparency, government efficiency

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and favorably reported several House bills without opposition, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061. Each was moved out of committee with a recommendation that it do pass and be printed, and several were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard HB 3306, which would extend existing construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure construction, maintenance, and vegetation management work for electric utilities and transmission and distribution utilities. The sponsor said the bill would reduce litigation and insurance costs for ratepayers, while construction industry witnesses argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity in a way Texas law has generally prohibited since 2011. HB 3306 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill to repeal an outdated Finance Code provision requiring remittance of a portion of certain delinquency charges to the state, and HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all Department of Banking-requested cleanup bills dealing with confidentiality and supervision rules for perpetual care funds, state banks, and trust companies. Those bills were briefly explained and left pending without testimony. HB 4219, aimed at improving Public Information Act compliance by requiring timely notice when records do not exist or are being withheld, allowing complaints to the Attorney General, and imposing training and fee consequences for noncompliance, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst and was also left pending. The committee then heard HB 4238 on coerced debt and identity theft. The sponsor explained that the committee substitute narrows the bill to court-ordered findings of identity theft/coerced debt, gives collectors seven business days to stop collection activity, and removes a section to avoid litigation over court orders. A law professor and a family violence advocate testified in strong support, describing coerced debt as a barrier for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors trying to rebuild credit and access housing, jobs, and utilities. The bill was left pending. HB 1522, which would require local governments to post meeting notices three business days in advance and make budget materials more accessible online and in physical form, also drew support, though a school business officials representative raised concerns about the timing language, proposed-budget wording, and taxpayer impact statements for school districts; the bill was left pending after discussion. Later, the committee heard additional pending bills, including a PUC background-check bill that would expand the commission’s authority to check current employees and contractors and obtain FBI criminal history information, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending HOA solar-panel protections to solar tiles, and HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance and recycler solvency. HB 3228 received support from a Sierra Club witness who said recycling and disposal plans are needed for end-of-life renewable energy equipment, and HB 3229 was described as requiring recyclers to show financial resources at 125 percent through a letter of credit or bond. These bills were heard and left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• resolve ambiguity for the department by mirroring the confidentiality provision of perpetual care cemeteries
• resolve ambiguity for the department by mirroring the confidentiality provision of perpetual care cemeteries
• It relates to the regulation of state banks.
• But the Public Utility Commission of Texas plays a critical role in regulating some of the most essential

Bills: HB431, HB1522, HB1922, HB2467, HB2468, HB3228, HB3229, HB3306, HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB4219, HB4238, HB4344, HB4386, HB4739

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, open meetings, public notice, transparency, government efficiency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up pending business, reporting several House bills favorably to the full Senate, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061, with some also recommended for the local and uncontested or contested calendars. The committee then heard and left pending HB 3306, which would extend construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure work, including construction, maintenance, and vegetation management for utilities. Supporters said it would align utility infrastructure work with public works and reduce litigation and ratepayer costs, while opponents argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity concerns. Members also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill repealing an outdated Finance Code provision tied to delinquency charges on retail charge accounts, and left it pending without testimony. The committee then considered several Department of Banking cleanup bills, including HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all left pending after brief explanations and no public opposition. HB 4219, dealing with public information requests, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst who said it would improve transparency by requiring timely responses, notice when records do not exist, and training or fee consequences for noncompliance; it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4238, a committee substitute addressing coerced debt and identity theft, which would bar collection of certain debts from victims who obtain a qualifying court order. A law professor and a family violence advocate supported the bill as narrow, protective relief for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors, and it was left pending. Other bills heard and left pending included HB 1522 on local government budget meeting posting and taxpayer impact disclosures, HB 4344 authorizing background checks for PUC employees and contractors, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending solar-panel HOA protections to solar tiles, HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance, and HB 1922 clarifying the accrual date for construction defect claims under right-to-repair law. The committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• wanting to manage his burial. his afterlife, and he would like very much to be buried in the state cemetery

Bills: SB2232, SCR1, SCR6, SCR15, SCR27, SCR32

Keywords: Unplug Texas Day, digital detox, family activities, outdoor recreation, community engagement, crossing guard, school crossing guard, crosswalk safety, school safety, student pedestrian safety, traffic safety, elementary school, campus safety, pedestrian awareness, bicycle safety, traffic regulations, commemorative resolution, appreciation day, Texas Legislature, honorary designation

Bills: HB 39, HB 114, HB 1875, HB 1894, HB 1965, HB 2513

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to a limited number of veterans cemeteries, families of these veterans must travel long and far to
• Texas Veterans Commission to create a study evaluating the burial needs of our veterans, access to cemeteries
• near their homes, and assessing opportunities to address the operational needs of veterans' cemeteries

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several House bills related to veterans’ services, mental health, military leave, burial access, suicide data, and Veterans Month. House Bill 114 would transfer administration of certain veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and mandate annual reporting. A committee substitute was mentioned, but members said they were not prepared to adopt it yet. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 1965 would direct TVC to study ways to expand access to mental health services through the military veteran peer network, including increasing peer support coordinators, with emphasis on rural communities and broader use in veterans treatment courts. Support testimony came from the Texas VFW, which emphasized the value of peer-to-peer support and the network’s role in suicide prevention. The bill was left pending after testimony. House Bill 2513 would clarify military leave rules for state-employed firefighters by counting their 24-hour or 48-hour shifts appropriately so they do not have to use vacation time to fulfill military duty; a firefighters’ representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 1875, which would require the General Land Office and TVC to study veterans’ burial needs, access to cemeteries, and cemetery operational needs, and House Bill 39, which would require DSHS to provide TVC de-identified death certificate data when a veteran dies by suicide or homicide to improve understanding of veteran deaths. The Texas VFW supported HB 39. House Bill 1894 would designate November as Veterans Month in Texas. All of these bills were left pending, and members indicated they were waiting on committee substitutes before voting, with possible action later on the floor or in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Key provisions in the bill include limiting exclusive contracts between funeral or cemetery licensees
• efficiencies within Florida's funeral and cemetery services framework.
• I served as a former regulator for several years before being in the private sector, specifically over
• We've been applauded multiple times for how clear and well understood our rules and regulations are.
• They're not regulated. They're, and oftentimes, fly-by-night.

Bills: S0598, S0934, S1260, S1300, S1452, S1510, S1566, S1580, S1668, S7034

Keywords: funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care, direct disposal, mortuary science, funeral service arts, licensure by endorsement, cemetery license, contiguous acres, consumer services

Summary: The committee first took up appointments, recommending confirmation of James Patrick Grambling and Brian J. Aungst on a single favorable vote. It then heard and approved several committee bills, including CS/CS/SB 1260 on building code inspections, which directs the Department of Management Services to contract with private providers for plan review and inspections; CS/SB 1668 on NICA, which updates benefits, oversight, funding, and immunity language; SB 1300 on a workforce/CDL training program for selected nonviolent inmates; CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services; CS/SB 1580 on illegal gaming enforcement; CS/SB 934 on Florida Keys affordable housing tax exemptions; and CS/CS/SB 1452, an agency bill updating DFS programs and licensing rules. Each of those bills was reported favorably after committee debate and, in several cases, amendments were adopted. The committee spent substantial time on CS/CS/SB 1510, the DEP package, which reorganizes environmental rulemaking and land acquisition authority, expands septic-to-sewer and nutrient-reduction requirements in sensitive areas, updates stormwater and resilience provisions, and revises related permitting and grant programs. Two amendments were adopted, including one adding solar-energy and stormwater-related provisions and another removing septic disclosure reporting language. Testimony included support from DEP and concerns from environmental advocates about septic timelines and implementation. The bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/CS/SB 1566 on local government budget transparency, requiring counties and municipalities to post budgets and related materials online for extended periods in a standardized format. The League of Cities opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate, while the sponsor argued it would improve taxpayer access and accountability; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 7034, a rule ratification for minimum flows and levels for the lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee rivers and priority springs, with testimony focused on the proposed Water First restoration strategy, conservation measures, and concerns about water quality, funding, and local opposition. The transcript ends during closing remarks on that ratification bill, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The statute specifies they must submit revised quarterly claims to the Office of Insurance Regulation
• Senator Truenow, you have CS for Senate Bill 598 on Funeral, Cemetery, and Consumer Services.
• Overall, Senate Bill 598 aims to streamline regulation and modernize consumer protections and improve
• administrative efficiencies within the Florida funeral and cemetery services framework.
• They are not regulated. Often times they are fly by night and hard to track down.

Bills: S0598, S0934, S1260, S1300, S1452, S1510, S1566, S1580, S1668, S7034

Keywords: funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care, direct disposal, mortuary science, funeral service arts, licensure by endorsement, cemetery license, contiguous acres, consumer services

Transcript Highlights:

• Code of federal regulations, which requires homes to close quickly in order to do so after an immediate
• Code of federal regulations, which requires homes to close quickly in order to do so after an immediate
• being able to kind of tick a box, uh, based on and not have our statutes contravene the federal regulations
• being able to kind of tick a box, uh, based on and not have our statutes contravene the federal regulations

Bills: HF3540, HF3522, HF3544

Keywords: veterans rights, employment discrimination, human rights, Minnesota laws, protected classes, veterans, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs, Secret War in Laos, SGU veteran, Hmong veterans, Laotian veterans, honor guard, military funeral honors, state veterans cemetery, burial eligibility, veterans home, temporary closure, state active service, National Guard

Transcript Highlights:

• district's boundaries at the time of the proposed addition, which actually matches current CCN regulations
• This has occurred when the cemetery has become abandoned or when there's no one left to care for the
• cemetery.
• should know, based on a reasonable inspection of the property, that the property is, in fact, a cemetery
• Sales regulations across Texas, enabling all permit holders to sell during the currently authorized dates

Bills: SB434, SB844, SB898, SB1177, SB1214, SB1454, SB1920, SB1927, SB1935, SB1965, SB2010, SB2046, SB2068, SB2073, SB2183, SB2260, SB3034, SB907

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• What these heavy-handed regulations suggest is that the government owns your tree on your land.
• That said, we do have a precedence for regulating what can. be done on private lands in the service of
• A protest of a change... violation of a zoning regulation, excuse me, or boundary must be written and
• They have... separate permits and regulations.
• Secondly, our builders have been very concerned about building under newly passed regulations.

Bills: SB434, SB844, SB898, SB1177, SB1214, SB1454, SB1920, SB1927, SB1935, SB1965, SB2010, SB2046, SB2068, SB2073, SB2183, SB2260, SB3034, SB907

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The unrestricted removal of ash juniper and the overturning of thoughtful municipal regulation to maintain
• What these heavy-handed regulations suggest is that the government owns your tree on your land.
• That said, we do have a precedent for regulating what can be done on private lands in the service of
• Yes sir, it's sensitive a protest of a change violation of a zoning regulation, excuse me, or boundary
• Additionally, um, our builders have been very concerned about building under newly passed regulations

Bills: SB 434, SB 844, SB 898, SB 1177, SB 1214, SB 1454, SB 1920, SB 1927, SB 1935, SB 1965, SB 2010, SB 2046, SB 2068, SB 2073, SB 2183, SB 2260, SB 3034, SB 907

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• This has occurred when the cemetery has become abandoned or when there's no one left to care for the
• cemetery.
• cemetery.
• Chairman, there's a committee. for the cemetery. Senate bill 1926 to clarify that. Mr.
• Ultimately, SB 2183 ensures consistent fireworks sales regulations across Texas, enabling...

Bills: SB434, SB844, SB898, SB1177, SB1214, SB1454, SB1920, SB1927, SB1935, SB1965, SB2010, SB2046, SB2068, SB2073, SB2183, SB2260, SB3034, SB907

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several bills dealing with local government authority, homeowners associations, hospital district policing, school AED inspections, special district annexation, public contracting penalties, and guaranteed income programs. Senate Bill 2073 by Sen. Zaffirini would clarify that appraisal districts may finance purchases, leases, or construction of real property for appraisal offices without prior approval from taxing units; it was supported by the Texas Association of Appraisal Districts and left pending. Senate Bill 1935 by Sen. Hinojosa would increase homeowner control of property owners association boards, require more transparency, limit fines and assessment increases, and require accessible meeting locations; HOA and builder representatives opposed it, arguing it would hinder maintenance and make dues harder to manage, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 434 by Sen. Miles would authorize Harris County Hospital District police officers, was supported by Harris Health, and was left pending. Senate Bill 1177 by Sen. Alvarado, as substituted, would require school AED inspections during fire inspections and reporting to school leadership; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1214 by Sen. Perry would update Concho County Hospital District law to align with current procurement and notice rules; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1965 by Sen. Middleton, for Sen. King, would tighten notice and proximity rules for special district annexations; district witnesses warned the bill could interfere with service to noncontiguous tracts, and the bill was left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 2046 by Sen. Bettencourt, which would increase criminal penalties for county purchasing act violations involving unauthorized separate or sequential purchases to evade competitive bidding, and create a tiered penalty structure based on contract amount. Former Harris County DA Kim Ogg, Deputy Attorney General Josh Reno, and James Quintero supported the bill, citing recent Harris County bid-rigging cases and arguing the current Class C misdemeanor penalty is too weak to deter misconduct; some members questioned whether the proposed thresholds were too low and whether stronger oversight, rather than higher penalties alone, would be more effective. The bill was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 2010 by Sen. Bettencourt would bar counties and other political subdivisions from operating guaranteed income programs and address constitutional gift-clause concerns. Testimony split sharply: Ogg and Quintero argued such programs are unconstitutional, can be used for political data collection, and should not be funded with public money, while Paige Terry Barry defended the bill as protecting taxpayers and discouraging dependency. Senators also debated whether the state can restrict use of federal grant funds and whether local governments should be allowed to run such programs; the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, you will remember this bill by Representative Coates, relating to the regulation of property
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under Chapter 1304 of the Occupations Code.
• Department of Licensing Regulation under Chapter 1304 of the Occupations Code. regulation under Chapter
• This would remove duplicative regulations, as we've mentioned before. ...cancelable at any time.
• I'm Assistant General Counsel at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Bills: HB112, HB199, HCR9

Keywords: school district, bond issuance, election dates, voter approval, Texas Education Code, HCR 9, Texas State Cemetery, Hill Country flood, July 4 2025 flood, Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic, memorial, monument, concurrent resolution, disaster remembrance, natural disaster, flood victims, survivors, State Preservation Board, Texas secretary of state

Summary: The Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development met with a quorum and moved quickly through a long agenda, hearing testimony and taking recorded votes on several bills. Early in the meeting, HB 2214 was laid out to exempt certain short-term residential leases and leaseback arrangements from flood-disclosure requirements; Texas Realtors supported the change, and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out a series of pending measures, including HB 46, HB 186 (with a committee substitute), HB 431, HB 1147, HB 1154, HB 2468, HB 2488, HB 2788 (with a substitute), HB 2791 (with a substitute), HB 3260, and HCR 90, all reported favorably to the full House, with HB 1147 receiving two nays and the others passing unanimously or nearly so. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 112, which would create a Texas Science Park district and commission to support advanced manufacturing and innovation sites. The bill’s author and supporters, including Samsung Austin Semiconductor, the Texas Association of Business, and the Governor’s economic development office, argued it would strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and support national security and workforce development. Testimony described interest from semiconductor and advanced manufacturing companies and referenced the model of foreign science parks such as Sinshu in Taiwan. HB 112 was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 3698 and HB 3699, both related to unemployment insurance administration. HB 3698 would expand eligibility for the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment program using federal funds, while HB 3699 would tighten the definition of “last work” to help the Texas Workforce Commission investigate UI fraud. Both bills were discussed with TWC resource witnesses and left pending after the committee withdrew the substitutes. HB 1349, which would extend HOA transparency and property-rights provisions to condominiums and refine HOA rules, and HB 621, which would require HOA meeting spaces to be available for residents to reserve for qualified political candidates or elected officials, were also heard and left pending. Finally, the committee heard HCR 9 to designate the first Saturday of each month as Small Business Saturday, HB 199 to index unemployment benefit duration to the state unemployment rate, and HB 3466 to exempt certain cancelable service contracts from Texas’s in-home sales cooling-off law; each drew supportive and opposing testimony and was left pending before adjournment.