Transcript Highlights:

• It is a proposed substitute for Senator Wilson's bill regarding the definition of rural counties.
• proposed substitute, the definition has been changed to essentially restrict the definition to one county
• Under the new definition, a rural county is one that, despite having a population density of 100 persons
• it has no city with a population greater than 45,000 people, then it's still included as a rural county

Bills: SB6248, SB5976, SB6079, SB6250, SB6257, SB6289, SB6230, SB6312, SB6149, SGA9060, SGA9169, SGA9265, SGA9266

Keywords: travel insurance, travel protection plan, travel assistance services, cancellation fee waiver, travel retailer, travel administrator, limited lines producer, insurance producer license, blanket travel insurance, trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel medical coverage, emergency evacuation, repatriation, inland marine, premium tax, consumer protection, unfair trade practice, insurance commissioner, Washington RCW

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Committee met on cut-off day and first received a staff briefing on several gubernatorial appointments and bills, including travel insurance (SB 6248), false subject lines in commercial emails (SB 5976), wildfire mitigation grants and insurance underwriting limits (SB 6079), small loan principal limits (SB 6250), appraiser trainee licensing tolling (SB 6257), the statewide economic development strategic plan (SB 6289), cash transaction rounding to eliminate pennies (SB 6230), surveillance pricing in grocery stores, and a late-added proposed substitute on the definition of rural counties. Staff noted fiscal impacts where available and described proposed substitutes that adjusted effective dates, reporting requirements, eligibility, and other technical details. In executive session, the committee voted to recommend confirmation for gubernatorial appointments 9060 (Alicia Levy), 9169 (Michael Charles), 9265 (Brian Bennett), and 9266 (Noah Skartford). It then advanced SB 6248, SB 6079, SB 6250, SB 6257, SB 6289, SB 6230, and SB 6149 with due pass recommendations, sending most to Rules and SB 6079 to Ways and Means. SB 5976 was not considered, and SB 612 was removed from the agenda. Members and the chair closed by thanking committee staff, stakeholders, tribes, and those who testified in person or online during the short session. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I am so excited to announce, again, the annual Otero County Days in Santa Fe.
• We have the Otero County Fair. We have also local That we have to offer.
• We have the Otero County Fair. We have also local flavors of delicious pecans.
• honor Otero County Days in Santa Fe.
• A round of applause for Otero County Day.

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• in Everett in Snohomish County.
• According to that chart, only one county would qualify under this definition right now: Cowlitz County
• This bill came to me from Cowlitz County. I do live in Calais County.
• Calates County is still a very rural county, but yet we're approaching population.
• Cowlitz County is still a very rural county, but yet we're approaching population densities, save the

Bills: SB6149, SB6175, SB6230, SB6248, SB6312, SB6061, SB6137

Keywords: rural county, frontier county, public facilities funding, economic development, local option sales tax, sales and use tax, workforce housing, affordable housing, county tax authority, RCW, Washington state, community economic revitalization board, CED, infrastructure funding, public works, job creation, job retention, job expansion, county planning, state auditor reporting

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 6175, the WAVE Act, which would regulate ticket resale and ticketing practices. The bill would create licensing and bonding requirements for resellers, require all-in pricing and guaranteed refunds, cap resale prices at 110% of the original total price, prohibit speculative ticket sales and certain deceptive practices, and direct the Department of Licensing to enforce the law. Supporters from arts venues, nonprofit theaters, artists’ groups, consumer advocates, and labor said the bill would protect fans, artists, and venues from bots, fake websites, and extreme markups. Opponents from StubHub, Live Nation, the Ticket Policy Forum, and Chamber of Progress argued that price caps and other restrictions would reduce legitimate resale options, push activity into unregulated markets, and interfere with consumers’ ability to transfer or resell tickets. Committee members asked about transferability, sports-ticket exemptions, and how the bill would affect season tickets and property rights. Public testimony was then closed on SB 6175. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6230, which would require cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest five-cent increment in light of the federal decision to stop minting new pennies. Staff explained that rounding would apply after taxes and fees, and the Department of Revenue could adopt rules for mixed cash and non-cash payments. The sponsor said the bill would give businesses a clear framework. Retail and grocery groups supported the bill but asked for amendments to protect against audit and consumer-protection liability, to make acceptance of pennies permissive, and to address local ordinances and SNAP equal-treatment concerns. No one testified in opposition, and public testimony on SB 6230 was closed. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 6312, which would prohibit surveillance-based pricing, surge pricing, and the use of electronic shelf label systems in large grocery stores until 2030. Supporters, including privacy advocates, grocery workers, and labor representatives, said the bill would prevent AI-driven price discrimination and protect workers and consumers from opaque, unfair pricing. Opponents from grocery and retail associations and a Vusion Group representative said the bill was drafted too broadly, could unintentionally affect loyalty programs, discounts, inventory-based pricing, and existing electronic shelf label technology, and should be narrowed. After testimony, the committee waived the five-day notice rule for SB 6312 by motion and vote so it could take further action. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6149, which would expand the definition of a rural county for certain funding purposes. The sponsor, Senator Jeff Wilson, said the change was needed to preserve rural-designation benefits for Cowlitz County and other counties nearing population thresholds. Staff noted a discrepancy between data sources about which counties would qualify, and the sponsor said he would offer an amendment. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6248 on travel insurance, which would codify a model act and standardize licensing, disclosures, and consumer protections. The travel insurance industry supported the bill, while the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and the Attorney General’s Office raised concerns about unresolved issues, including unlicensed claims adjusters and possible conflicts of law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, down in the southern part or Cameron County section of Tamaulipas, uh, you have the Scorpion and
• It's currently crossing through Starr County. And how far away is Starr County?
• Remember the Dallas County schools scandal that former Senator Don Huffines uncovered?
• Ricky Dale Sorrells, former superintendent with Dallas County Schools, was caught taking bribes from
• And you began soliciting Duval County on behalf of Bus Patrol to implement these systems there.

Bills: HB 767, HB 1242, HB 1373, HB 1404, HB 1708, HB 1936, HB 2041, HB 2198, HB 2270, HB 2315, HB 2415, HB 2427, HB 2455, HB 2457, HB 2522, HB 2523, HB 2686, HB 2763, HB 2775, HB 2944, HB 3034, HB 1683, HB 1695

Keywords: highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, HB 1242, Texas Transportation Code, U.S. Highway 281, Brooks County, Ernesto Soliz Cantu, memorial highway, road naming, TxDOT, road signage, commemorative resolution, memorial markers, county road 304, Huppergate Road, Los Robles Trail, Farm-to-Market Road

Transcript Highlights:

• At least my experience has been in representing the folks, the counties in District 74.
• Or Cameron County section of Tamaulipas, you have the Scorpiones and the Ciclones that are controlled
• Remember the Dallas County schools scandal that former Senator Don Huffines uncovered?
• And you began soliciting Duval County on behalf of Bus Patrol to implement the...
• Wolfe, Newsday reported that in Suffolk County, New York, and the town of Hempstead in New York...

Bills: HB767, HB 1242, HB1373, HB1404, HB1708, HB1936, HB2041, HB2198, HB2270, HB2315, HB2415, HB2427, HB2455, HB2457, HB2522, HB2523, HB2686, HB2763, HB2775, HB2944, HB3034, HB1683, HB1695

Keywords: highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, HB 1242, Texas Transportation Code, U.S. Highway 281, Brooks County, Ernesto Soliz Cantu, memorial highway, road naming, TxDOT, road signage, commemorative resolution, memorial markers, county road 304, Huppergate Road, Los Robles Trail, Farm-to-Market Road

Transcript Highlights:

• Highway 281 between County Road 304 and Huppergate Road in Brooks County as the Ernesto Salis Cantu Memorial
• This road is a major destination road that goes from Newberry County to Ellis County.
• the adjoining county.
• Cameron County experienced a great There was a tragedy when Deputy Ruben Garcia of Cameron County, representing
• Cameron County experienced a great tragedy when Deputy Ruben Garcia of the Cameron County Constable's

Bills: HB767, HB 1242, HB1373, HB1404, HB1708, HB1936, HB2041, HB2198, HB2270, HB2315, HB2415, HB2427, HB2455, HB2457, HB2522, HB2523, HB2686, HB2763, HB2775, HB2944, HB3034, HB1683, HB1695

Keywords: highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, HB 1242, Texas Transportation Code, U.S. Highway 281, Brooks County, Ernesto Soliz Cantu, memorial highway, road naming, TxDOT, road signage, commemorative resolution, memorial markers, county road 304, Huppergate Road, Los Robles Trail, Farm-to-Market Road

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides major relief. ...to traffic between Hood County, Erath Counties, and the greater Fort Worth
• He served Medina County and the surrounding counties that comprise the transportation district.
• He gave his life protecting the Kaufman County community.
• of a portion of Loop 323 in Western Smith County.
• This is a great loss to Tarrant County.

Bills: HB767, HB1708, HB2143, HB2198, HB2415, HB2457, HB2763, SB876, SB1230, SB2515, SB2688, SB2790, SB2799, HB3012, HB1672, HB2523, HB3135

Keywords: highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, memorial highway, Kevin Ramirez Vasquez, Ector County, state designation, memorial designation, highway, military honors, veteran commemoration, Officer Jacob Candanoza, Transportation Code, state highway, Kaufman County, law enforcement, Travis County, Senior Police Officer

Transcript Highlights:

• The way it goes is, in Harris County, it's... ...one of the three counties in the state where we elect
• It allows counties with populations under 50,000 adjacent to both a county over 2 million... and one
• I'm from Atascosa County.
• HB 3205 enables counties, if they so decide, county clerk filing for real and personal property.
• where the county sees fit.

Bills: HB1597, HB2364, HB2437, HB3205, HB3253, HB3310, HB3648, HB3906, HB4259, HB5645

Keywords: county jailer, jail training, veterans, Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, TCOLE, criminal justice system, county jail, law enforcement training, mental health training, jail standards, correctional officers, veteran services, veteran interaction, occupations code, jailer licensing, parking, county courthouse, infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• So if I was the superintendent of Loun County Public School and I had no knowledge of construction period
• 44.720><c> Loun</c> So if I was the superintendent of Loun So if I was the superintendent of Loun County
• Public School and I had no County Public School and I had no knowledge<00:09:47.920><c> of</c><00:09
• </c><00:28:03.919><c> They</c><00:28:04.159><c> own</c> resources to Franklin County.
• They own resources to Franklin County. They own the<00:28:04.559><c> land.

Bills: SB88, SB337

Keywords: expungement, criminal records, courts, victim rights, rehabilitation, Alabama law, SB337, Montgomery County, probate judge, judge of probate, county officer compensation, salary increase, circuit judge parity, local legislation, county commission, general fund, public official pay, judicial compensation, Montgomery County Legislation, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• , which is partnering with other counties in the region to deliver the program.
• </c> throughout 10 years on the wona County throughout 10 years on the wona County Board<00:36:51.720
• “I’ll also just highlight this is targeted to those eight southeast counties, of course, because it’s
• “I’ll also just highlight this is targeted to those eight southeast counties, of course, because it’s
• </c> would become enrolled in the 8 County would become enrolled in the 8 County area<00:49:03.480><c

Bills: HF363, HF2155, HF1524, HF821, HF1677, HF1292

Keywords: HF363, property tax credit, agricultural water quality credit, Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program, clean water fund, class 2a, class 2b, certified acres, conservation incentive, water quality, agricultural property, county assessor, county auditor, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture, property tax reimbursement, school district reimbursement, legacy finance, taxes committee, southeastern Minnesota

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes him competitive with other municipalities or counties of that size.
• So this bill simply allows the Montgomery County City Council to be authorized to...
• We have the Chamber of Commerce, Montgomery County, at the airport.
• I am, I do the county too. My bad. Okay.
• So, we had asked for the county to come in this morning, but I just don't see any of them here.

Bills: HB424, SB286

Keywords: HB424, Montgomery County, sheriff, county sheriff, salary increase, expense allowance, local act, county general fund, retirement contributions, public official compensation, law enforcement pay, elected official salary, Montgomery County legislation, sheriff compensation, term-based salary, retirement system, Montgomery City Council, constitutional amendment, employees, service credit

Transcript Highlights:

• But since 1913, uh like my home county, Mobile County, and then Baldwin County where they're having a
• ,</c><00:14:43.120><c> Mobile</c><00:14:43.519><c> County,</c> uh like my home county, Mobile County,
• ><c> Mobile</c><00:14:57.839><c> County</c><00:14:58.399><c> is</c> Though my county, Mobile County,
• </c> County. I am incredibly mad about this. County. I am incredibly mad about this.
• I am back in county. county. county.

Bills: HB403, HB399, HB392

Keywords: criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, data privacy, criminal justice, Lamar County, property auction, county commission, online auction, public notice, HB392, Lauderdale County, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, district attorney, chief assistant district attorney, assistant district attorney, assistant district attorneys, prosecutor, prosecutorial compensation, salary supplement

Transcript Highlights:

• The Office of Prosecution Services must distribute those funds to the county sheriff's advancement and
• been putting up our, you know, most of the people that we've had to put up, and that's when your counties
• we've had to put up and that's<00:23:50.159><c> when</c><00:23:50.400><c> your</c><00:23:50.559><c> counties
• </c><00:23:50.960><c> have</c><00:23:51.120><c> been</c> that's when your counties have been that's when
• your counties have been seeing<00:23:51.520><c> most</c><00:23:51.760><c> of</c><00:23:51.840><c> the

Bills: HB585

Keywords: Washington County, circuit clerk, compensation, county government, local legislation, 1136, house, all

Bills: SB2671, SB2902

Keywords: permit processing, permitting reform, county permits, development permits, building permits, land use, construction delays, housing development, infrastructure development, county workforce, differential pay, salary incentive, performance bonus, recruitment and retention, expedited hiring, vacancy rates, permit backlog, government modernization, county mayor, county council

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard two measures. SB 2671, relating to essential permitting positions, drew no oral testimony beyond written comments from the Department of the Attorney General and the Office of Planning. The chair said the bill was intended to make government more efficient and reduce red tape in the permitting process. SB 2902, relating to renewable energy, received testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, Kauai Island Cooperative, Bright Saver, and 350 Hawaii. Supporters described the bill as a way to expand access to plug-in or balcony solar, lower electricity bills, improve resilience, and broaden access for renters and apartment residents. Several testifiers urged amendments to avoid limiting the measure to condominiums, to remove condominium board approval language, and to eliminate utility or PUC registration requirements. The PUC said registration could help with safety, linemen protection, and circuit hosting-capacity concerns, and noted that improper installation or oversizing could create problems. After a brief recess, the committee voted to recommend both bills for passage with amendments and deferred each to April 19, 2042. The recommendations were adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name Connecticut County School Board.
• </c> president of the Connecticut County president of the Connecticut County School<00:09:24.080><c>
• </c> the rights of connect county citizens. the rights of connect county citizens.
• I just want to say that Madison County and connected county is two different... I'm wrong.
• </c> I just want to say that Madison County I just want to say that Madison County and<00:27:37.520><

Bills: HB180

Keywords: education, county superintendent, appointed, elected officials, Conecuh County, local control, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the people in our county and our various districts. various districts in the county.
• If not, Hey, we're in Shelby County.
• our county as a whole.
• Clair County? Were they voted on it? Not... ...Clair County? Were they voted on it?
• Clair County not too long ago.

Bills: SB314

Keywords: motor vehicle fees, Shelby County, law enforcement funding, registration fees, county commission, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the larger counties, such as Harris County, Tarrant, Representative Munoz, a lot of the counties, the
• larger counties, such as Harris County, Tarrant County, Travis County.
• I'm a county commissioner in Johnson County.
• I'm a county commissioner in Johnson County.
• He said he serves as a county commissioner in suburban Johnson County, where the county is experiencing

Bills: HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Summary: The subcommittee on county and regional government heard a long agenda of county-related bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097, by Rep. Martinez, would let counties that opt in use an independent hearing examiner instead of a civil service commission for certain deputy sheriff discipline appeals; the bill drew support from CLEET’s Robert Leonard, who said it would be fairer and faster, and it was left pending. HB 4642, by Rep. Gonzalez, would require counties that contract with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas jail-standard protections and oversight; Gonzalez, detainee Jess Hampton, his wife, Texas Jail Project’s Krish Kundu, and TCJS director Brandon Wood all discussed deaths and poor conditions in Louisiana facilities, staffing shortages, and the need for guardrails and data collection. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, by Rep. Capriglione, allowing peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face targeted threats and should have protections similar to judges; a title industry witness warned about preserving the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687, by Rep. Harless, would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet training and certification standards within set timeframes; Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen supported professionalization, and the bill was left pending. HB 4105 would let very large counties give a local-bid preference for construction and infrastructure contracts, and HB 4205 would require pay parity for similar law enforcement ranks within large counties; both were supported by Harris County officials and constables and left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 5403, which would repeal a special rule limiting Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs’ control over commissary funds; the author said it would remove an outdated population bracket, and the bill was left pending. HB 4462 would require large counties to allow elected officials named in civil suits to seek outside counsel and have a role in settlement decisions; supporters argued county attorneys and commissioners court can have conflicts of interest, while questions focused on who qualifies and whether the bill could complicate settlements. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 240, by Rep. Swanson, would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively preventing tax action without all commissioners present and defaulting to the no-new-revenue rate if quorum is not met; urban counties opposed it as a potential budget obstruction, while supporters said it protects taxpayers and representation. That bill was also left pending. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 3319, which would create a civil service system for constable department employees in large counties, but the discussion is cut off before testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• From Harris County.
• County or contiguous counties, so the surrounding counties as well, if they are within 3%.
• the county, specifically in the county constable's offices.
• , the larger counties such as Harris County, Tarrant County, and Travis County, from my understanding
• to county?

Bills: HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403, HB240

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Bills: SB8, SB4, SB3, SB6, SB8, SB4

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of those counties are urban and some of those counties are rural.
• </c> Ambulance currently serves 11 counties Ambulance currently serves 11 counties in<00:28:42.720><c
• c><00:28:49.200><c> are</c><00:28:49.440><c> Bulock,</c> counties that we serve are Bulock, counties
• You take a county like Lowndes County that's rural.
• County to answer a call.

Bills: HB424, SB63, SB269

Keywords: HB424, Montgomery County, sheriff, county sheriff, salary increase, expense allowance, local act, county general fund, retirement contributions, public official compensation, law enforcement pay, elected official salary, Montgomery County legislation, sheriff compensation, term-based salary, immigration, law enforcement, fingerprints, DNA collection, illegal aliens