Transcript Highlights:

• You wanna sit right beside me or you wanna? OK. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
• There are 6 individuals wishing to testify. Judge, uh, Judge Shepard.
• To see the individual prosecuted and convicted. And I, I, I can.
• There's 2 more, uh, individuals, Philip Clark and Rodney Anderson.
• Right now deed fraud is, is, is prosecuted under traditional theft statutes.

Bills: SB15

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but right now usually the board is willing to work with us.
• All right. Well, yeah, that came up maybe a year ago. I'm actually having Dr.
• >> Okay.<00:20:33.760> All<00:20:33.760> right.
• All right. Well, yeah, that came >> Okay. All right.
• Right now, a PA from their experience.

Bills: HB31, HB31

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sit right beside me, or do you want to? OK. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
• It took another three to see the individual prosecuted and convicted.
• There are two more individuals, Phillip Clark and Rodney Anderson.
• Right now, all deed fraud is prosecuted under traditional theft statutes.
• All right. We're going to close public testimony. That's a good idea.

Bills: SB15, SB 15

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, no, it's quite all right.
• Right, a penny a gallon.
• by referencing section 2204. for the penal code aligning the definition with disabled individual.
• Senate Bill 761 relates to the rights of crime victims and the enforcement of those rights.
• This law already states that victims have the right to assert their rights this bill simply clarifies

Bills: SB251, SB608, SB487, SB535, SB761, SB955, SB957, SB958, SB988, SB990, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120

Keywords: criminal law, magistrates, Bell County, judicial authority, legal framework, evidence collection, sexual assault kits, reporting, law enforcement, transparency, confidentiality, victim protection, stalking, indecent assault, invasive visual recording, criminal justice, privacy rights, SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, grant us clarity of mind, humility of heart, and courage to do what is right.

Bills: SB3, SB16

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Senator Hagenbuch, who asked for wisdom, humility, courage, and guidance in serving Texas and conducting the chamber’s work with integrity and respect. After the prayer, the House messenger reported that the House had passed several congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including HCR 2 honoring the victims of the July 2025 Hill Country floods, HCR 3 marking the dedication of the Children’s Emergency Relief International George M. Cowden Building in Austin, HCR 4 congratulating Ricky and Anne Lowe on their 47th wedding anniversary, and HCR 5 recognizing Don Sparks of Midland for receiving the 2025 Chief Roughneck Award. Following the House message, the Senate announced a brief recess while awaiting completion of the House calendar. Senator Zaffirini then moved that the Senate stand in recess until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, and the motion was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• going on in their life, and we're concerned for that, and we're not there as much as we need to be right
• The room right above our heads. All right, Mr.
• That will be 34 in the civil rights room at 4:30. Thank you. Members, we're about to take a recess.

Bills: SB 2, SB 3, SB 10, SB 16

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, I don't see any questions.
• My name is Maya Volk and I'm testifying on SB 260 on behalf of of Disability Rights Texas, our state's
• Disability Rights Texas supports these recommendations and urges this committee to consider implementing
• Right. Yeah. I'm sorry.
• That's a problem, right?

Bills: SB260, SB263, SB293, SJR18

Keywords: school safety, Foundation School Program, education funding, student allotment, Texas education, SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. Thank you. Oh, wait. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 2, 1, 2, 3. Um, well, hold on just a second.
• Louderback voted against the bill, right? Here's the thing.
• All right. Representative Money? All right. Representative Moody? Representative Rodríguez-Ramos?
• All right. So, Mr.
• That's not ours though, right? That wasn't in our subcommittee, right? This wasn't in ours. Mm-hmm.

Bills: HB867, HB1347, HB1801, HB1820, HB2197, HB2617, HB3110, HB3166, HB3330, HB4237, HB4342, HB4629, HB4933, HJR148

Keywords: criminal case dismissal, attorney discretion, law enforcement misconduct, judicial approval, evidence, judicial consent, transparency, healthcare, Medicare, insurance, elderly, retired, benefits, access, cost, criminal justice, case dismissal, prosecutorial discretion, law enforcement oversight, criminal procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• individual.
• Right.
• That's right.
• Rights.
• Right.

Bills: HB867, HB1347, HB1801, HB1820, HB2197, HB2617, HB3110, HB3166, HB3330, HB4237, HB4342, HB4629, HB4933, HJR148

Keywords: criminal case dismissal, attorney discretion, law enforcement misconduct, judicial approval, evidence, judicial consent, transparency, healthcare, Medicare, insurance, elderly, retired, benefits, access, cost, criminal justice, case dismissal, prosecutorial discretion, law enforcement oversight, criminal procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that all right with you? So the DE1 is before us.
• All right, members, any discussion? All right.
• I understand the reasoning behind this, right?
• All right. Hearing no further discussion? Co-Chair O'Driscoll, any final thoughts?
• What you and I were thinking this morning, so that's exactly right.

Bills: HF1224, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage postponement, homeowners, redemption period, Minnesota Statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, that's right. Thank you. Any further discussion?
• We do have to vote that, that's right.
• Madam Chair, all right members, any discussion?
• So that's exactly right.
• <00:20:22.720> then to the general register all right then to the general register all right

Bills: HF1224, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage postponement, homeowners, redemption period, Minnesota Statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• All right.
• All right. Sorry, **Representative West**.
• Right now, Minnesota's medical cannabis program is at risk.
• Many other individuals have spoken on my concerns.
• And if we're going to encourage our future leaders to, you know, do right, let's do right now so that

Bills: HF1545, HF2426, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• All right. With that, you, Mr. Chair. All right.
• Right.
• All right. got some testifiers. Is Okay. All right.
• All right.
• All right. Um, up the A1 amendment. All right.

Bills: HF1545, HF2426, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• That we're looking at a total savings estimated of $950 per individual over 65 or disabled homeowner.
• Senator Cook, you'll be happy to know that 50% of Harris County seniors and disabled residents right
• individuals.
• That's right, so... That's right, so 898.
• That's right, but you could, right?

Bills: SB23, SJR85

Keywords: homestead exemption, elderly, disabled, ad valorem taxation, school district funding, Texas constitutional amendment, property tax relief, school district taxes, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, elderly homeowners, senior citizens, disabled homeowners, age 65 or older, school finance, tax exemption increase, local school taxes, property tax exemption, homestead tax relief, voter approval

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard testimony on Senate Bill 23 and its companion constitutional amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 85, both by Senator Bettencourt. The bills would increase the additional homestead exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners from $10,000 to $60,000, which proponents said would significantly reduce property taxes and help seniors and disabled Texans age in place. Bettencourt and supporters described the measure as part of a broader property tax relief package, estimating combined savings of about $950 for over-65 and disabled homeowners when paired with other recent homestead exemption changes. Witnesses largely supported the proposal. Testimony in favor came from a lawyer, a private citizen, Texas Realtors, the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature, and the Texas Association of Builders, all emphasizing relief for fixed-income seniors, housing stability, and the ability to remain in their homes. Several witnesses noted rising property taxes, medical costs, and the challenges seniors face in moving or affording home modifications. One witness from Every Texan said a flat homestead exemption is the most equitable way to cut property taxes, but argued against additional tax cuts generally, favoring a circuit-breaker approach and warning that permanent tax cuts could reduce funding for schools and other needs. The committee also discussed data showing many over-65 homeowners already pay no school property taxes in some counties and that the proposed changes would increase that share. After closing public testimony, the committee voted on the measures. Senate Bill 23 was reported favorably to the full Senate by a 7-0 vote, and S.J.R. 85 was also reported favorably by a 7-0 vote. The transcript also shows Senate Bill 898 being laid out and passed unanimously earlier in the meeting, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to thump on the table, that's all right. You're going to thump on the table?
• , for individuals over 65 or disabled homeowners.
• All right. Any questions? Do you have any questions? All right.
• The disabled and veterans exemption was $10,000.
• So for over 40 years, the disabled and veterans exemption has stayed the same.

Bills: SB23, SJR85, SB 23

Keywords: homestead exemption, elderly, disabled, ad valorem taxation, school district funding, Texas constitutional amendment, property tax relief, school district taxes, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, elderly homeowners, senior citizens, disabled homeowners, age 65 or older, school finance, tax exemption increase, local school taxes, property tax exemption, homestead tax relief, voter approval

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, okay.
• Right, right, isn't that okay? She wanted to make sure. Thank you. Any other questions?
• , right?
• a right to life.
• All right. I'll be brief.

Bills: HB207, HB235, HB324, HB449, HB463, HB502, HB 1121, HB1445, HB1465, HB1778, HB1977, HB2000, HB2066, HB2596, HB207, HB235

Keywords: child protection, sexual offenses, obscenity laws, visual material, anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, robots, criminal offenses, sexually explicit material, minors, artificial intelligence, sexually explicit, doll, mannequin, robot, law enforcement, healthcare, insurance, affordable care, access

Transcript Highlights:

• In the meeting, probably if we're coming back after lunch, right after we come back, I want to make sure

Bills: HB207, HB235, HB324, HB449, HB463, HB502, HB 1121, HB1445, HB1465, HB1778, HB1977, HB2000, HB2066, HB2596, HB207, HB235

Keywords: child protection, sexual offenses, obscenity laws, visual material, anatomically correct dolls, mannequins, robots, criminal offenses, sexually explicit material, minors, artificial intelligence, sexually explicit, doll, mannequin, robot, law enforcement, healthcare, insurance, affordable care, access

Transcript Highlights:

• Continuous sexual abuse of a young child or disabled individual, indecent assault, and indecency with
• Cook is right. Thank you, sir.
• individual.
• All right, 6 by 4. OK. OK. All right. Yeah, so let's go ahead and vote.
• Aren't we right? OK. OK. So was the vote count right? Yes. Yes. OK.

Bills: SB535, SB664, SB1019, SB1020, SB1120, SB1537, SB1804, HB3207

Keywords: SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield, victim sexual history, past sexual behavior, sexual assault evidence, trafficking of persons, continuous trafficking, indecency with a child, continuous sexual abuse, aggravated sexual assault, indecent assault, consent defense, in camera hearing, Rule 412, Rule 609, victim protection, evidence admissibility, criminal evidence, sexual offense prosecution

Transcript Highlights:

• >> All right.<00:09:59.279> All<00:09:59.279> right.
• All right. I was hoping you'd >> All right. All right.
• All right.
• "All right.
• All right. Since you >> Chairman. Okay. S. All right.

Bills: SB57, SB155, HB39, HB77, HB104, SB57, SB155, HB39, HB77, HB104

Keywords: property, acknowledgment, conveyance, business entities, limited liability companies, state employees, payroll deduction, salary deduction, comptroller, membership association, membership dues, voluntary contributions, insurance premiums, financial instruments, deferred compensation, state payroll, employee benefits, association dues, withholding, Alabama Code 36-1-4.3

Transcript Highlights:

• The, uh, I can go ahead and present, right? Is that right? OK.
• Right now because this.
• of something else, right?
• That's not my problem, right?
• All right.

Bills: HB207, HB235

Keywords: HB 207, Texas Government Code, Section 411.201, license to carry, LTC, handgun license, concealed carry, federal judge, immigration judge, immigration court, U.S. immigration court, judicial security, firearm carry permit, Texas handgun license, federal judiciary, HB235, Texas, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, disabled veteran