Transcript Highlights:

• We'll establish a time limit for public testimony of two minutes per person.
• Senator Nichols moves that public testimony be limited to two minutes per person.
• The disabled and veterans exemption was $10,000.
• And it was usually an over-65 person that did that.
• But many of the sort of extra jobs that... ...person that did that.

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:

• The time limit for public testimony is two minutes per person.
• Senator Nichols moves that public testimony be limited to two minutes per person.
• Senate Bill 23 will increase the additional homestead exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners from
• 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:

• But some of the bills say real person, um, and to, and, and it, it looked like to me that actual person
• Um, that would be like, not that looks like a person, but that looks like that person to me.
• The only way That this doll could be criminalized is if it were based on an actual person.
• It's the act of distributing sexually explicit images or videos of a person without their consent.
• relationships, and in extreme cases, even threats to personal safety.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And some honestly are personal.
• They're personal to you, because you are also a Texan, and you run for office to try to solve problems
• So Chairman Lambert, I, I sorry for going off a little bit off the rails there about my, my personal
• Uh, in my personal practice, uh, I was, uh, in the role of taking care of the women who were pregnant
• It's personal to me as well.

Bills: HB201, HB272

Keywords: disabled veteran, partially disabled veteran, veterans property tax exemption, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax relief, surviving spouse, appraisal district, Tax Code, local government revenue, homestead portability, service-connected disability, veteran benefits, Texas property tax, residence homestead, disability rating, disaster response, financial assistance, helicopter, municipalities

Bills: HB19

Keywords: real property, theft, fraud, criminal offense, elderly, disabled, restitution, recording requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• who's over 65, disabled, um, and, uh, also if if the crime is against a homestead.
• I just think anything in this direction is great personal experience.
• This is only for in-person filing.
• It's also one person in, I have many cases where one person does 20. 30, this is their income.
• Ended up notarizing something the person it's not the person that they should, they didn't go through

Bills: SB15

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

Transcript Highlights:

• While a veteran with a 100% VA disability rating pays zero in property tax, those with a lesser disability
• property tax deduction based on their disability. based on their VA disability rating.
• In uniform have paid the ultimate price; others are disabled, and these disabilities are incurred in
• a 100% property tax deduction to disabled veterans who were 100% disabled.
• veterans. disabled veterans.

Bills: HB485, HB1367, HB1370, HB1827, HB1879, HB2032, HB2133, HB2357, HB3581, HB3830, HB4060, HB4085, HB4270, HB4979, HB5217, HB5268, HB5478, HJR96, HJR97, HJR119, HJR195, HJR209, SB4, SB23, SJR2, SJR85, SB 4, SB 23, SJR 2

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, access, affordability, public health, emergency services district, sales tax, gas and electricity, residential use, tax exemption, emergency services, gas, electricity, HB 485, ESD, use tax, residential utilities, utility tax, local option tax, Texas Health and Safety Code

Transcript Highlights:

• I was the first person in my family to graduate from college.
• I've personally been most affected by the traditional preparation for four-year school.
• I've personally been most affected by the traditional preparation for four-year school.
• Well, again, Senator, I can only give you my personal opinion since I will be serving in my personal
• Well, again, Senator, I can only give you my personal opinion since I will be serving in my personal

Bills: S1570, S1376

Keywords: missing persons, special needs, autism, search-and-rescue, Florida, voluntary program, funding, genetic counseling, education grants, state universities, faculty recruitment, student financial assistance

Summary: The committee heard and approved two bills before moving to a long confirmation agenda. SB 1570, by Sen. Gates, would restore Project Leo, a previously sunset program that helps locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination between CARD centers and local sheriffs; it was praised as a proven tool for families and first responders and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1376, by Sen. Burgess, would create grants to support genetic counseling education and help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors; testimony noted the state’s limited supply of licensed counselors and the need to expand clinical training, and the bill also passed favorably. The committee then considered a block of reappointments to university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and others. No one requested separate votes on the reappointments, and the block was confirmed unanimously for recommendation to the next committee. A series of new appointees then appeared and largely emphasized workforce training, nursing, military support, and local economic development at their institutions. Witnesses included appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, FIU, UWF, Valencia, the College of the Florida Keys, and others; several highlighted strong NCLEX pass rates, dual enrollment, and partnerships with employers or military communities. One nominee, Florida Poly reappointment Ilya Shapiro, faced pointed questioning from Sen. Bracey Davis about past comments regarding race and the Supreme Court; he said his remarks were about hiring criteria, not a specific justice, and reiterated opposition to race- or sex-based selection. The committee also briefly struggled to reach Sherry Young by phone before hearing her testimony for Chipola College, where she said she wanted to give back as an alumna and nurse practitioner. Most new appointees were recommended for confirmation in a block, while Thomas Zachary Smith of UWF was pulled for separate consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to take up tab two, Senate Bill 1570, statewide project for missing persons with special
• Senate Bill 1570 restores a program that Florida previously had in statute to help locate missing persons
• Senate Bill 1570 restores a program that Florida previously had in statute to help locate missing persons
• Project Leo was originally created in 2016, operated through the Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities
• individuals who are between the ages of 18 and 60 go missing, particularly if they have a developmental disability

Bills: S1376, S1570

Keywords: genetic counseling, education grants, state universities, faculty recruitment, student financial assistance, missing persons, special needs, autism, search-and-rescue, Florida, voluntary program, funding

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1376, which would create an education grant program to help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors by supporting students in genetics programs at state universities. Senator Burgess described genetic counselors’ roles in oncology, prenatal care, rare diseases, and other clinical settings, and noted Florida’s limited number of licensed counselors. The committee adopted an amendment requiring graduate programs to be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling and to show sufficient clinical training capacity. Members spoke in support, and CS/SB 1376 was reported favorably by roll call vote. After a brief recess, the committee took up SB 1570, which would revive Project Leo, a prior Florida program that helped locate missing persons with special needs who are at high risk of wandering or elopement. President Gates explained that the bill would allow participating CARD centers to work with local sheriff’s offices to provide voluntary tracking devices and included $1 million in nonrecurring funding. Senators Berman and Harrell supported the measure, citing the dangers of wandering, especially for individuals with developmental disabilities or autism, and the importance of preventing drownings and other tragedies. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. No other business was raised, no senators requested to be recorded on the bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, it's in person, very, very comparable to foundational education in medical school.
• Again, it's in person, very, very comparable to foundational education in medical school.

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:

• Thank you all for being here both in person and virtually to share your thoughts on the legislation before
• Watertown that would allow us to allocate half of our tax burden to commercial, industrial, and personal
• I think many communities would be seeking, but as that happened, our commercial, industrial, and personal
• I think many communities would be seeking, but as that happened, our commercial, industrial and personal
• Actually, most of them are personal property by some of the big public utilities, so we don't have a

Bills: H3012, H4008, H4435, H4444, H4526, H4547, H4574, H4575, H4576, H4577, H4585, H4605, H4687, H4703, H4722, H4754, H4755

Keywords: fines, property valuation, commercial property, real estate, tax penalties, property taxes, local option tax, marijuana sales, Salem, revenue generation, taxation, recreation, local government, commercial activities, Charlemont, property exemption, disabled persons, Swampscott, senior exemption, property tax

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on 17 miscellaneous and late-file bills, with testimony focused on several local tax measures and one statewide tax policy bill. The first major item was H. 4687 for Watertown, which would permanently continue a special property tax classification arrangement allowing the city to maintain a 50% residential minimum factor and a 175% commercial shift. Watertown officials and local legislators said the temporary 2024 law prevented an estimated 18% residential tax increase that would otherwise hit homeowners, especially seniors, and argued the change would preserve the city’s current tax structure without harming commercial growth. Committee members asked about the regional business impact, whether major taxpayers might leave, and the city’s financial reserves; Watertown officials said businesses had not threatened to depart and that the city’s stabilization and free cash balances were being used for debt reduction, infrastructure, and maintaining its bond rating. The committee also heard H. 4435, a Charlemont bill authorizing a tax on commercial recreation services. Town officials said the small rural town has a high property tax burden, limited local capacity, and heavy public safety costs from tourism and recreation activity, and they described the proposal as a locally supported way to have visitors help pay for police, fire, EMS, and infrastructure costs. Members raised legal and policy questions about whether the tax fit within existing tax authority and how it differed from meals and rooms taxes, but the town said the tax would apply to recreation services and had support from local businesses. Finally, the committee heard H. 4722 on fair tax treatment for zero-emission vehicles, especially electric school buses and Class 3-8 trucks. Supporters, including industry representatives and Rep. Gentile, said EV buses and trucks face higher sales and excise taxes because of their higher upfront cost, which discourages adoption even though the vehicles reduce emissions and can lower operating costs over time. They argued the bill would cap tax calculations at the diesel-equivalent value, making the policy revenue-neutral while removing a penalty on electrification. Rep. Gentile also testified for H. 4755, which would amend Sudbury’s means-tested senior property tax exemption so the town would not need new special legislation if the program is renewed again after its current extension expires. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded after testimony and questions.

Bills: HB4, HB1, HB2, HB20, HB19, HB18

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner

Summary: The House convened with a strict roll-call enforcement request, but only 95 members were present, so a quorum was not present. The chamber heard an invocation from Furman Carpenter, DPS chaplain, followed by the pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags. A member raised a parliamentary inquiry asking whether members must be present to make a motion and whether all members who requested strict enforcement were present; the Speaker said he would need to check the journal. The Speaker then announced that the House was about to receive a motion to adjourn sine die and noted that the governor might call another special session soon. Representative Garin moved that the House of Representatives of the First Called Session of the Eighty-Ninth Legislature adjourn sine die. There was no objection, and the motion carried, ending the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when, when, when that person arrives, we will identify them and let the committee know.
• not available, meaning either out of town or sick, uh, with the backup coordinator or designated person
• Testifying on my personal behalf, I am also the justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 of Williamson County
• According to this bill, the verbiage, we're, we're already required as JPs to report our missing persons
• when we have those situations when we're conducting an inquest that we report to the Missing Persons

Bills: HB1, HB 2, HB18, HB19, HB20

Keywords: youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> criminal activity, but it's not a person criminal activity, but it's not a person suspected.<00:
• Many medications affect these things. average person. You you go to the doctor average person.
• . person. person.
• </c> know what's wrong with that person. know what's wrong with that person.
• lawful act enjoyed upon or recommended to the person by the religion which the person professes.

Bills: HF3547, HF3651, HF4043, HF4282, HF4095

Keywords: fireworks, public safety, regulation, tax revenue, local government, sale, safety standards, fire safety, ethanol, fuel equipment, compatibility standards, law enforcement, peace officer, unauthorized practice, criminal justice, civics education, jail medication, correctional facility, detention, incarcerated persons

Transcript Highlights:

• But some of the bills say real person, and it looked like to me that actual person is The likeness of
• , but that looks like that person to me.
• It says a person commits an offense if... the person knowingly or intentionally possesses or knowingly
• Because without the amendments, I wasn't a person, right?
• And the person that you're describing is bad; I would agree with you, right? That person is bad.

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

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:

• It repeals the requirement<00:19:14.720><c> that</c><00:19:15.039><c> a</c><00:19:15.280><c> person</
• that a person only operates category<00:19:17.919><c> 3</c><00:19:18.160><c> vehicles</c><00:19:18.799
• He asked how long the person would be there in order to qualify and whether any time period was being
• This exempts persons operating wing-in-ground craft from the application of the Hawaii Waters Act and
• This exempts persons operating wing-in-ground craft from the application of the Hawaii Waters Act and

Bills: HB1688, HB2386, HB1691, HB1680, HB2516, HB1993, HB2442, HB1510, HB1958, HB1915, HB1692, HB1524, HB1884, HB1523, HB2213, HB2186, HB2163, HB1908, HB1910

Keywords: general excise tax, aircraft maintenance, tax exemption, aviation industry, economic competitiveness, water carriers, automatic adjustment mechanism, regulatory compliance, rate adjustments, public utilities commission, Hawaii Revised Statutes, biosecurity, community outreach, transportation rates, vehicle ownership, salvaged vehicles, insurance settlement, electronic signatures, administrative efficiency, vehicle transfer

Summary: The committee first took up SB 2699, which would create a youth transit program within DOT and a special fund tied to the environmental response/energy/food security tax fund. The chair described support from several agencies but also noted Attorney General concerns about whether the special fund met statutory criteria, DOE comments requesting a July 1, 2026 effective date, and broader funding concerns because the bill would draw from general fund resources. The chair recommended deferral, saying the measure involved significant long-term costs and needed more work on a funding mechanism. The committee deferred the bill. The committee then heard SB 3182, relating to administrative license revocation procedures. HDOT supported the measure, while the Judiciary opposed the bill as written, citing operational, staffing, fiscal, and mailing burdens from requiring ADLRO to mail all case documents to every respondent within five days. Judiciary said it handles about 3,000 to 4,000 DUI cases annually and would need additional staff and certified-mail costs. Prosecutors from the state and county supported a proposed SD1 version, saying it would address backlog concerns and help DUI enforcement by creating a presumption of revocation. The committee ultimately recommended support and passage of SD1. The committee also heard SB 3313 on interisland air service stability and transformation. The Attorney General warned the bill could be preempted by the federal Airline Deregulation Act and raised constitutional concerns about a local-hire provision. DOTAX said the program would be complicated to administer and suggested third-party certification. No action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard SB 3337, which would eliminate state taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel for motor vehicles; HDOT opposed it, while DOTAX provided comments and the Hawaii Transportation Association supported it. The transcript then moved to SB 2896, lowering the minimum age for commercial driving from 19 to 18. HDOT supported the bill, the Hawaii Transportation Association strongly supported it and suggested added training requirements, and an Operating Engineers representative supported the concept but urged that young drivers be tied to apprenticeship or other structured training programs. No vote was shown in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard SB 2400, which would exempt wing-in-ground craft from the Hawaii Waters Act and define those craft in law. The PUC supported the bill’s intent, and Regent Craft testified in strong support, describing sea gliders as all-electric vessels that could improve interisland access, resiliency, and decarbonization while using existing harbor infrastructure. HTDC and several other groups also supported the measure. Members asked about infrastructure, ports, weather operations, and Coast Guard jurisdiction, and the witness said operators would decide harbor locations and that the company had identified multiple possible ports. No final committee action was included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does, currently in Alabama, if you're a veteran and you're 1% disabled, you're exempt
• Absolutely. you're a veteran and you're 1% disabled, you're a veteran and you're 1% disabled, [clears

Bills: HB131, HB77, HB131, HB77

Keywords: Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers, diversity, government oversight, Sunset Law, congressional districts, HB77, absentee voting, absentee ballot, disabled voter, disability accommodation, voter assistance, ballot delivery, ballot application, designee, caregiver, election manager, vote by mail, mail ballot, ballot harvesting, voter access

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, the person ultimately got criminal charges against him. But those are...
• I just think anything in this direction is great from personal experience.
• This is only for in-person filing.
• It's also one person; I have many cases where one person does 20 or 30. This is their income.
• $20,000 home is just as put out as the person who loses their $500,000 home, if not more.

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:

• alleviates one of my questions, because that's a very expensive liaison if it's $3 million for one person

Bills: SB201, SB226, SB242, SB249

Keywords: rural libraries, education, cultural funding, library services, community resources, contaminated sites, environmental cleanup, uranium mining, state funding, abandoned sites, tribal affairs, Indian Child Welfare Act, appropriation, children, youth, compliance, field liaison, Indigenous rights, missing persons, law enforcement