Transcript Highlights:

• work statewide with our partners. work statewide with our partners.
• with the tribes, the DNR would uh work with the tribes, work<00:25:43.720> with<00:25:43.880>
• <01:01:36.200> from language of the law that we work from language of the law that we work
• c> demanding, This work is physically demanding, This work is physically demanding, high-stress,<
• <01:14:46.360> is<01:14:46.520> seen your hard work is seen your hard work is seen

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• before the hearing so we can work before the hearing so we can work through<00:16:04.839> that
• achieves the civic seal, to review that, to see what works, what doesn't work.
• achieves the civic seal, to review that, to see what works, what doesn't work.
• which a student achieves the civic seal, to review that, to see what works, what doesn't work.
• which a student achieves the civic seal, to review that, to see what works, what doesn't work.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Work for me. It's the best, yeah. Morning, bitch. Morning sir.
• So if that's something that we can work on getting, that would be helpful, Mr. Moody.
• Y'all have done amazing work this session.
• As a forensic psychologist, I worked in federal law enforcement.
• Or not ones that are always working.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've worked with Senator Luneau. I believe there's an amendment I'd like to take up at this time.
• First of all, before we talk about the amendment, I want to tell you that I do appreciate working with
• know, we're all busy and we have a lot going on, but sometimes it's worth taking the time to try to work
• We're all busy, and we have a lot going on, but sometimes it's worth taking the time to try to work them
• He asked me to limit the scope of what we were talking about.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary A met on May 19, 2026, established a quorum, approved the May 12 minutes, and heard two bills. Senator Carter also made a personal privilege statement wishing his wife a happy birthday. The committee took up House Bill 71, which provides liability protection for private security guards who use a weapon in the course of their duties when the use of force is deemed justifiable by the district attorney and responding law enforcement. After discussion, the committee adopted amendment set 4036, which narrowed the bill so the liability limitation applies only when the perpetrator is wielding a dangerous weapon as defined in law. An informational card was noted, and an opposition witness waived testimony in light of the amendment. HB 71 was then reported with amendments. The committee next considered House Bill 79, which would remove a special limitation on damages for the carbon capture industry. The author argued the industry should not receive a damages cap that other industries do not have. The committee adopted amendment set 3979, which restored a non-economic damages cap of $250,000 except in cases involving wrongful death, permanent substantial physical deformity, loss of use of a limb or bodily organ system, or permanent injury preventing independent self-care. One supporter card was noted, and HB 79 was reported with amendments. The committee then stood at ease.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:33.040> in already clear to some of us working in already clear to some of us working
• We are working to— >> Dr.
• We<00:18:38.480> are<00:18:38.640> working<00:18:38.960> to We are working
• You can go on humanitarian work, etc.
• couple of years and possibly working couple of years and possibly working with<00:51:54.640>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not how this should work.
• Cops in this country don't have to know the law to work, to enforce.
• If you separate the two sentences and F, and we can work around it.
• If y'all want to... ...and we can work around it.
• I have a master's in social work and a background in trauma assessment.

Bills: SB7, SB14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 14, which would create a confidential department file for law enforcement officers and jailers and limit public access to records involving unsubstantiated misconduct, while preserving access for hiring agencies, TCOLE, and certain criminal justice uses. TCOLE’s Gretchen Grigsby explained the current rollout of law enforcement recordkeeping reforms, including the distinction between the public personnel file and the confidential G-file, and answered questions about when TCOLE would request files during investigations. Senator Perry and other members focused on how the bill would interact with existing personnel-file rules, public transparency, and criminal discovery obligations. Public testimony was largely opposed. Critics argued the bill was drafted too broadly, could sweep in records beyond misconduct files, and would reduce transparency for the public, journalists, oversight bodies, and families seeking answers in cases such as Uvalde and jail deaths in Tarrant County. Several witnesses said the bill could allow small or single-officer agencies, including elected constables, to shield their own records, and some warned it could chill reporting and oversight. Supporters, including law enforcement representatives, said the bill would protect officers from false or unsubstantiated allegations, align agencies without civil-service protections with those that already have G-files, and preserve confidentiality for records that should not be public. Dallas County prosecutors and Harris County deputies supported the general policy but asked for clarifying amendments, especially to separate language they said could affect the Michael Morton Act and to preserve existing protections through in-camera review or protective orders. Committee members spent significant time questioning witnesses about how substantiated versus unsubstantiated allegations would be handled, whether body camera footage and case files would remain public, and how the bill would affect discovery in criminal cases. After hearing all registered witnesses, the chair closed public testimony. Senate Bill 14 was left pending, and the committee recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, those men and women are, are the backbone of the Texas workforce, uh, working a wide range of jobs
• And, uh, I look forward to working with you on this. And if there's no other questions, I close.
• We look forward to working with you on this. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
• So it wouldn't even work.
• We look forward to working with you on this bill.

Bills: HB39, HB227

Keywords: public school finance, property values, homestead exemptions, funding allocation, education policy, HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids

Transcript Highlights:

• good answer for that yet, but we'll work good answer for that yet, but we'll work on<00:43:21.599
• so these guys can start working on it. so these guys can start working on it.
• Chairman, I thank the committee for all the work with the good chairman, uh, and all the work they've
• Chairman, I thank the committee for all the work with the good chairman, uh, and all the work they've
• Chairman, I thank the committee for all the work with the good chairman, uh, and all the work they've

Bills: SF0110, SF0044, SF0046

Keywords: property tax, residential real estate, tax assessment, primary residence, tax revenue, gambling, lotteries, raffles, social relationships, charitable gaming, gaming, liquor establishments, skill based amusement games, regulations, age restrictions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been working with the Safe Historic District since it started.
• We work well together. So I encourage you to add an amendment.
• We raised these concerns with Chairman Creighton, and we understand he's working on them.
• Right, work out of your home. Yeah, he's okay, okay.
• Yeah, a little work to do for what we understand. And she knows that. Okay. Right.

Bills: SB2784, HB23, HB247, HB1533, HB2011, HB2013, HB2273, HB2421, HB2464, HB3120, HB3424, HB3575, HB3788, HB4370, HB4809, HB5057, HB5084, HB5534, HB5668, HJR34, HB23, HB247, HJR34

Keywords: Somervell County, hospital district, board of directors, elections, local governance, staggered terms, third-party review, property development, local government, permits, construction inspection, regulatory authority, land development, liability, occupancy certificate, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• It restricts no work. It restricts no travel and no work.
• How does that work?
• work?
• He worked there 26 years. He retired. He works side jobs now.
• Some of these reserves work for free. They work at schools.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I worked on movies. I worked on movies, like Marvel films and stuff, and I support AB 412.
• I used to work for Marvel Studios for the last seven... I work in the movie industry.
• I appreciate the work of the committee and the work of the author. This bill has come a long way.
• It has already been worked on.
• Good work by staff and committee. Oh, oh, oh, oh. At 9:30 a.m. Good work by staff and committee.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , I worked I once varied work experience, I worked I once worked<00:22:16.000> for<00:22:16.080
• Um, to show up to work, to come to work.
• to see what works, how it works, that to see what works, how it works, that sort<04:35:56.639>
• I'm working it. I got you on p.m. Okay. I'm working it.
• That doesn't work. Um schedule. That doesn't work.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1150, which would require disclosure of complaints to public employees within five business days. Members said the sponsor was still working on an amendment, so the bill was held for another week with the understanding it would be executed next week if no amendment was ready. The chair also outlined the committee’s schedule, including upcoming floor reports and the goal of finishing the remaining committee bills on time. The committee then took up House Bill 1168, concerning employer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the bill would give employers more time to gather payroll records, especially when claims arise years later, and said the current system should be adjusted for fairness to businesses. Opponents, including several members, said payroll records are usually electronic and should be produced quickly so workers waiting on wages are not delayed. The Department of Labor deputy commissioner testified that employers can already request extensions and that further extensions could still be requested under the current process. The committee voted 11-9 to ought to pass HB 1168. Next, House Bill 1250, dealing with notice, documentation, and job reinstatement requirements for leave related to childbirth, postpartum care, and pediatric appointments, was considered. Members said the statute was newly enacted, had been carefully negotiated, and should be allowed to work before being revised. The committee voted 20-0 to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1043, which would allow private employers to adopt their own minimum pay policies for report-to-work situations instead of being bound by the current two-hour minimum, so long as the policy is established in advance. The sponsor said the bill would modernize an outdated law and preserve the current default if no policy is adopted. Members raised questions about collective bargaining agreements and whether the bill could weaken existing worker protections, while the sponsor and supporters said it was intended to provide flexibility rather than a mandate. The hearing continued with questions and discussion, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is not how it works.
• Members, this is not how the process should work. There should be public town halls.
• We are stewards of democracy, and that only works if people believe it is fair.
• This is not how this chamber works. What happened to the House being the House?
• This is not how this chamber works. What happened to the house being the house?

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We work with 1,200 employers.
• We survey commuters at the time... resources we work with 1200 employers um resources we work with 1200
• But that is by far not the only work. There's some infrastructure work being done right now.
• <00:28:51.360> of significantly um the whole scope of significantly um the whole scope of
• trunk highway so as part of this work trunk highway so as part of this work the<00:58:01.280>

Bills: HF2382, HF639, SF1075, HF1243, HF1087, SF1360, HF739, HF2337, HF1220, HF712, HF1219

Keywords: accident reporting, law enforcement, data privacy, contracted service providers, public safety, HF639, Minnesota driver license, Department of Public Safety, driver medical review, loss of consciousness, voluntary control, seizure, nonepileptic seizure, epilepsy, antiseizure medication, physician statement, medical certification, commercial driver, CDL, medical examiner's certificate

Transcript Highlights:

• The little lady that works at my voting, the old voting room, which is the courthouse.
• Members, if you can't, please work your way to your desk. Members? He's going to speak.
• DOTD is already doing some of this work. They're going to keep us updated on the process.
• DOTD is already doing some of this work. They're going to keep us updated on the process.
• So, members, Sheriff Wiley, thank you for your work on this.

Bills: HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, HR252, HR253, HR254, HR255, HR256, HCR103, HCR104, SB83, SB143, SB155, SB228, SB283, SB295, SB338, SB388, SB408, SB431, HR84, HR188, HR205, HB302, HB597, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SCR24, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB357, SB406, HR171, HCR49, HCR65, HCR72, HR37, HCR64, HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HR217, HCR11, HCR53, HCR60, HCR66, HCR68, HR9, HCR27, HCR28, HCR50, HCR62, HCR67, HCR71, HCR78, HCR81, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, HCR6, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB130, HB258, HB633, HB801, HB61, HB98, HB102, HB139, HB142, HB170, HB185, HB194, HB199, HB231, HB247, HB294, HB336, HB474, HB661, HB842, HB852, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB79, HB251, HB625, HB769, HB775, HB783, HB895, HB1011, HB1057, HB1155, HB1186, HB1224, HB1245, HB1247, HB1253, HB1254, HB1255, HB1256, SB41, SB44, SB64, SB84, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB107, SB118, SB142, SB192, SB195, SB199, SB219, SB222, SB234, SB241, SB255, SB275, SB277, SB292, SB294, SB306, SB314, SB482, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, HB646, HB824, HB341, HB682, HB766, HB926, HB998, HB1051, HB1080, HB1201, HB1223, HB603, HB940, HB1191, SB47, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, SB149, SB382

Keywords: condolences, memorial resolution, House Resolution, Shreveport, children, tragedy, sympathy, bereavement, tribute, mourning, schoolchildren, public charter school, elementary school, Head Start, family loss, Louisiana House of Representatives, condolence resolution, House resolution, victims, family support

Summary: The House convened with 93 members present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the morning recognizing guests and former members, including student groups, arts educators, rodeo queens, and Congressman Troy Carter, who urged members not to let partisan divisions harm Louisiana. Representative Newell also delivered a lengthy floor statement tying current voting-rights debates to civil rights concerns and warning against weakening protections for Black communities. The chamber then received Senate messages and committee reports, and several resolutions and bills were advanced or referred in routine order. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to House resolutions, many of them memorials or study requests. The House adopted resolutions supporting a physical therapy degree designation for federal loan purposes, honoring veterans who served in Honduras, extending a behavioral health courts study, seeking bridge-removal funding for U.S. 90 in St. Tammany Parish, urging DOTD studies on local traffic projects, requesting a study of rural economic development, supporting Camp Beauregard and the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, creating a permit-study committee, and asking for studies on autism services, school nurse orientation, opioid treatment in correctional settings, floodplain map updates, and care gaps for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One resolution on rent stabilization failed, and another on pregnancy-related emergency medication was returned to the calendar after questions about its implications. The chamber also concurred in or rejected several Senate amendments to House bills. Concurrences included bills on arrest warrant recall procedures, disturbing the peace near places of worship, rape and sex offense provisions, bridge naming, holiday rules, victim confidentiality, and the classic black license plate. The House rejected Senate amendments to HB 258 on dual office holding and dual employment. The most contentious item was HB 102, which would create second-degree cruelty to the elderly and persons with infirmities but was amended in the Senate to add broader first-degree murder provisions tied to firearms and public shootings; members raised concerns about self-defense, overcharging, capital punishment exposure, and fiscal impact on the public defender system. Despite those objections, supporters argued the changes would deter violent crime and protect the public, and the bill was ultimately supported in floor debate as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cross, that's outside the scope of this bill. Do you have another question?
• Members, this is not how the process should work. There should be public town halls.
• We are stewards of democracy, and that only works if people believe it is fair.
• This is not how this chamber works. What happened to the House being the House?
• This is not how this chamber works. What happened to the house being the house?

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Mark Weissman and local officials Donna Lou Fiala and Eric C. Brecknitz, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members approved the journal and adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report setting the calendar and debate times for the day. The chamber then took up House Bill 1D, establishing Florida’s congressional districts, as the main item on the special order calendar. During questioning and debate on HB 1D, sponsors and opponents focused heavily on the map’s process and legality. Supporters argued the plan was based on a viable legal theory, used the 2020 census data as required, and was within the Legislature’s discretion to consider mid-cycle redistricting. Opponents repeatedly argued the map was drawn by the governor’s office using partisan data, without meaningful legislative or public input, and that it violated the Fair Districts Amendment by favoring a party, splitting more counties and municipalities, and reducing compactness. Several members also raised concerns about taxpayer costs, the absence of a new census or court order, and the Legislature’s role versus the governor’s office. After structured debate, the House voted on final passage of HB 1D and passed it 83-28. A motion to recess for two hours to consider a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision failed. Following passage of the redistricting bill, the House adopted a motion to adjourn sine die, ending the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then 4326 I2 is what I'll call a derivative work that is Susan Johnson's face that's designed that
• So, um, I'll also, we'll work with you on it.
• Do we, um, Does this bill address um Works I don't know how to ask that question.
• I think I don't know if that would work in this part of the code.
• I think there's ways to work, work, work this out.

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:

• We'll see how this works. Looks like it worked. Good morning, Mr.
• So we'll be working on that.
• So we'll be working on that.
• "Can you explain how this would work, this pilot study? How does it generally work?"
• Is that how that worked? Stark County committing fraud? Is that how that works there?

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll see how this works. Looks like it worked. Good morning, Mr.
• So we'll be working on that.
• So we'll be working on that.
• There's been a lot of work.
• Is that how that worked? Stark County committing fraud? Is that how that works there?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• outside of the C coast scope. outside of the C coast scope.
• He wasn't working on lead.
• no one can stay out of work that long. no one can stay out of work that long.
• He wasn't working on lead.
• Let me get back to work.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all