Transcript Highlights:

• I am a retired General Motors design mid-level executive with an engineering and economics background
• My qualification for speaking on this is, professionally, I'm a civil environmental engineer by education
• Now the point I want to make is we have in Massachusetts the ability, the engineering capability, and
• Almost every design engineering company in Massachusetts.
• Working directly on the Central Artery project, almost every design engineering company in Massachusetts

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on a proposed Massachusetts baby bonds program, including H. 3429, S. 2146, and the Treasurer’s related bill H. 48. Treasurer Goldberg and a broad coalition of advocates, researchers, health professionals, and people with lived experience said the program would create trust accounts for children born into low-income families or in DCF custody, with funds available at age 18 for education, homeownership, business startup, or other long-term asset-building uses. Supporters argued the program would help close the racial wealth gap, improve economic mobility, and not affect eligibility for financial aid or public benefits. Committee members asked about administration, investment returns, eligibility, and withdrawal rules; the Treasurer said the accounts would be held in trust and managed by her office with an advisory board, with funds accessible at 18 and usable through age 35 if the beneficiary remains a Massachusetts resident. No vote was taken during the testimony shown. The committee also heard testimony on legislation establishing Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, including S. 2666 and H. 4625. Senator Ross, Representative Badger, physicians, survivors, and advocates described invasive lobular carcinoma as difficult to detect because it often grows in lines rather than forming a lump, can be missed on mammography, and is underfunded and underrepresented in research and clinical trials. Witnesses said the bill would codify an annual October 15 proclamation to raise awareness, improve diagnosis, and encourage more targeted research and treatment. Committee members asked why the disease is so hard to detect, and medical witnesses explained the imaging challenges and the lack of lobular-specific protocols. The witnesses urged favorable reports. The committee then took testimony on H. 4648, a bill concerning the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm in Stockbridge by the Stockbridge-Munsee community. Representative Davis, the Stockbridge Land Trust president, and the tribal president testified that the bill would remove a conservation restriction tied to a state MVP grant so the tribe could manage the land without a restriction that they said would conflict with tribal sovereignty and Indigenous stewardship practices. They said the parcel is a sacred site connected to Monument Mountain and that the restriction is unnecessary because the land is already surrounded by conserved property. The witnesses asked for favorable action on the bill. Finally, the committee heard testimony on H. 3416, a resolution urging Congress to create a national infrastructure bank. Representative Senna and several advocates argued that an off-budget infrastructure bank could finance major repairs and upgrades to roads, bridges, rail, water systems, broadband, and housing without adding to the state budget, while creating jobs and supporting economic growth. Witnesses cited historical precedents for national infrastructure banks and said Massachusetts could benefit substantially from such a program. The transcript shown does not include a committee vote or final action on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a fellow of the Society of Women Engineers.
• I am a staunch STEM advocate, lecturer, and most recently author about women in engineering.
• And I listed colleagues from the Society of Women Engineers to help me on that quest, and ultimately
• In New Mexico, from engineers and linemen to technicians and cybersecurity professionals, the energy
• We are proud recipients of the STEM mini-grant, which will go towards our aerospace engineering program

Bills: HB40, HB100, HJR1, SB64, SB19, SB44, SB83

Keywords: educational retirement, annuity adjustments, cost of living, non-compounding payments, retirement benefits, STEM funding, education, innovation, public education, New Mexico, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• If they've never done any planning or engineering, sending someone out to look at their project to get
• Ideally, the SEC will apply for engineering design through the Interstate Stream Commission, and those
• So, we consider ourselves part of that rural economic engine. And that keeps communities vital.
• We also manage the Army Corps of Engineers.
• That went on for almost three years just to find out that the engineering plan was not sufficient enough

Transcript Highlights:

• code, just to get used to it—not just for administering jurisdictions, but design professionals, engineers
• Just to get used to it, not just for administering jurisdictions, but design professionals, engineers
• I'm one myself as a licensed civil engineer.
• So stable housing in this rural community is proven as an economic engine. their biggest challenge is
• proven as an economic engine.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard presentations on a range of housing finance, permitting, and affordability tools. Chattanooga described its affordable housing PILOT program, which uses a per-unit property tax abatement tied to the rent loss from providing affordable units, with a 15-year term and annual compliance monitoring. Committee members asked about the program’s structure, whether it had been used elsewhere, and who was participating; the presenter said the first mixed-income project would bring 278 units with 42 affordable units and that the model was attracting private market-rate developers. Shoreline then described its MFTE and inclusionary zoning approach, emphasizing that longer tax exemption periods and station-area zoning changes had helped spur development, with most current pipeline projects concentrated near light rail stations. The committee also heard from the Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce on tax increment financing, proportional impact fees, and permit timelines. Commerce explained that TIF can fund public improvements such as roads, utilities, broadband, and some affordable housing or child care facilities, while proportional impact fee guidance is intended to help jurisdictions charge fees more closely aligned with actual project impacts. On permit timelines, Commerce presented its first annual report under recent law changes, using 2024 as a baseline year and noting that reported timelines were generally longer than statutory goals; members asked about outliers, paper versus electronic processing, and whether back-and-forth between applicants and staff was driving delays. Commerce said it would follow up with more data, including on CHIP funding and permit reform practices. Several local governments then shared permitting process improvements. Auburn reported relatively short review cycles and described its move to fully electronic permitting, internal performance standards, and a stock plan program that speeds review for repeated home designs. Bellevue described an AI permitting pilot with a local startup to help with pre-application questions, document triage, and plan review, aiming to reduce incomplete applications and revision cycles. Seattle presented a pilot for accessory dwelling unit co-development in which a mission-driven partner would help homeowners split lots, finance, build, and manage ADUs, with the homeowner eventually buying out the partner and retaining ownership; committee members asked about rent setting, management fees, and default risk, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief overviews of community land trusts and limited equity cooperatives as permanent affordability models, with presenters urging continued state and local funding support and policy recognition for these approaches.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are charged with being the discovery science engine and translating to clinical. trials and interventions
• The star is, you know, we are charged with being the discovery science engine.
• So again, we had to use value engineering to have an amazing team. Support.
• GPS, genetically engineered GPS, so that they can find the tumor cells.
• These are the genetically engineered GPS, and we collected cells for two more.

Transcript Highlights:

• limited access combined with environmental constraints delayed critical environmental studies and engineering
• consultation with permitting agencies that balances the project's potential environmental impacts, engineering
• considered in the design of the project, the conditions of soil, for example, and hydrology for engineering
• number of iterations were evaluated from all aspects, from environmental, cultural, and also from an engineering
• It's the combination of the engineering and environmental challenges, as well as the studies that had

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• systems that meet the standards of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
• system meets the standards of ASHRAE, which is a very prominent and well-established society of engineers
• system meets the standards of ASHRAE, which is a very prominent and well-established society of engineers

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee met in Albany and considered a series of housing and homeownership bills. Early actions included reporting S.852 (Homebuyer Renovation Property Tax Exemption Act) to Finance, S.955 on smart access systems to Internet and Technology, and S.7933A on registrations of residential mortgages in default. The committee also advanced S.8675, the CAREforce First-Time Homebuyers Act, after a lengthy discussion about whether the bill inappropriately targets a specific workforce; supporters said it addresses a documented shortage of human services workers and includes existing SONYMA income eligibility, while opponents raised concerns about favoring one occupation over others. The bill was reported with some members in the negative and others voting to advance without recommendation. Members then reported S.9650, which would prohibit landlords from including incorrect rent decontrol information in certain leases and standardize notices for Affordable New York Housing Program units, and S.9679, which would codify the Block-by-Block Home Ownership Program in state law. Both had prior Senate history and drew some negative or AWR votes. The committee also discussed and advanced S.9742, which would allow residential units in multiple dwellings to omit openable windows if they meet ASHRAE ventilation standards; supporters said the change is needed to facilitate office-to-residential conversions, while members raised questions about maintenance, egress, and the bill’s limited application to localities under the multiple dwelling law. Finally, the committee reported S.989, establishing the vacant rental improvement program, after noting it had previously passed the Senate and was being reintroduced. Throughout the meeting, several bills were described as reintroductions or prior Senate measures, and multiple motions were made to report bills either to Finance, the floor, or another committee, with several members voting in the negative or to advance without recommendation on selected measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, jet engines for commercial actors - would they still get a property tax exemption or is
• designation to bring more manufacturing not only with satellites, not only with airframe power plant parts, engine
• A public item versus, for example, commercial jet engines.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, these are not engineering-ready yet, but they are proof of concept.
• It isn't necessarily the engineering, the grand scheme of things, but it adds a great deal of information
• Now, again, these are proof of concept; they're not engineered.

Transcript Highlights:

• You were known for training good future district engineers for all around the state.
• You've moved from that position to, I guess, chief engineer.
• I have had the pleasure of serving as chief engineer for TxDOT for the last three years or so.

Bills: HB227

Keywords: 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, adulterated products, product testing, lab testing, ISO 17025, labeling requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 11, 0, 5, remove the certificate of completion from statute.
• Also included are career certificate programs that Florida Colleges and District Technical Colleges as
• You know, what do you mean the certificate? Okay.
• Going back to the amount of the students that received the certificate of completion.
• It was for those students that previously had earned a certificate of completion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that would be like a passport, um, a certified birth certificate.
• So, now I'm going to have to go like I don't have my birth certificate anymore.
• I'm going to have to go back to this other state, get my birth certificate.
• I'm going to have certificate anymore.
• Um, there are errors birth certificate.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's going to be helpful to have gas engineers involved in that process, and I'm excited to get
• That's one of the reasons we set up a new Clean Energy and Resilience Engineering Division here at the
• However, as an engineer, I have to fully appreciate the fact that engineering can only get us so far.
• I have to fully appreciate the fact that engineering can only get us so far.
• I'm a resident of Garland Road in Newton Center, also a retired solar engineer, and very interested in

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two related issues: gas utilities’ climate compliance plans filed with the Department of Public Utilities and the recent DPU orders reforming the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts must reduce gas use, shrink the gas distribution footprint, and move customers to alternatives such as heat pumps, network geothermal, and non-gas pipeline alternatives (NPAs). DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand said the new GSEP orders lower the annual revenue cap from 3.0% to 2.5%, phase it down toward 1.5%, eliminate carrying charges, require more rigorous risk prioritization, and push utilities to consider advanced leak technology, relining, repairs, and NPAs. He also described the climate compliance plans as the start of a longer process covering decommissioning, stranded costs, line extension allowances, integrated energy planning, and targeted electrification demonstrations. Senators pressed the DPU and utility witnesses on the lack of specificity in the climate compliance plans, especially the absence of numeric goals for gas usage reduction, customer conversions, and near-term deployment of NPAs. Utility representatives from Eversource and National Grid said their plans include NPA frameworks, integrated energy planning, targeted electrification pilots, network geothermal, and workforce transition efforts, but argued that implementation takes time, requires customer participation, and depends on coordination with electric utilities and communities. They said some NPA and electrification projects are being evaluated now, while larger-scale deployment is expected later in the decade. Senators also raised concerns about line extension allowances, with utilities explaining that new customers may be charged based on whether existing ratepayers would otherwise be harmed, while National Grid said it has begun increasing customer contributions to send stronger price signals. Attorney General Mary Gardner supported the DPU’s GSEP reforms and said the office favors eventually stepping the GSEP cap down to zero by 2030, with repair and replacement costs recovered in base rate cases instead. She argued that the utilities’ plans still rely too heavily on business-as-usual approaches, do not adequately quantify scope 3 emissions, and leave unresolved questions about the obligation to serve and the future of line extension allowances. Advocacy witnesses from the Conservation Law Foundation and Acadia Center were more critical, saying the plans lack the detailed modeling, targets, and transparency needed to show how the utilities will help meet the Commonwealth’s heating and cooling sublimits and broader climate goals. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why are we adding language of including by the burning of fuel in an aircraft engine?
• Civil engineers design, build, and maintain the infrastructure that makes modern life possible.
• Members throughout the state of Louisiana, from the American Society of Civil Engineers, they represent
• more than 160,000 members of the civil engineering profession in 177 countries, founded in 1852.
• The society is the nation's oldest national civil engineering society.

Bills: HR295, HR296, HR297, HR298, HR299, HR300, HR301, HR302, HR303, HR304, HR305, HR306, HR307, HCR115, HCR116, HCR117, HR286, HR287, HR288, HR290, HR291, HR292, HR293, HR294, SCR61, SCR68, SB121, SB250, SB348, SB444, SB485, HR252, HR253, HCR96, HCR103, HCR108, SB268, SB283, SB414, HCR98, HR179, HR223, HR225, HR274, HCR89, HCR26, HB250, HB265, HB339, HB427, HB445, HB463, HB468, HB606, HB639, HB649, HB665, HB746, HB781, HB853, HB861, HB872, HB886, HB916, HB937, HB1054, HB1068, HB1117, HB1237, HB74, HB108, HB956, HB1085, HB1137, HB75, SB39, SB99, SB111, SB112, SB124, SB134, SB174, SB189, SB190, SB201, SB233, SB236, SB258, SB270, SB273, SB288, SB307, SB313, SB320, SB321, SB325, SB326, SB331, SB339, SB341, SB345, SB346, SB347, SB353, SB357, SB359, SB387, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB419, SB422, SB426, SB435, SB437, SB440, SB451, SB464, SB470, SB487, SB488, SB495, SB504, SB505, SB518, SB523, HR84, HB646, HB998, HB1191, SB78, SB81, SB97, SB100, SB109, SB123, SB125, SB208, SB385, SB479, SB56, SB163, SB197, HB901, HR20, HR74, HR168, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: Energy Caucus, Louisiana House of Representatives, energy policy, fossil fuels, oil and gas, natural gas, renewable energy, solar, wind power, nuclear power, legislative caucus, industry group, economic development, state legislature, House resolution, energy sector, victims' services, criminal justice, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Act No. 370

Transcript Highlights:

• That allowed us to use some of those funds for PE, or preliminary engineering.
• . use some of those funds for PE or preliminary engineering.
• And then the next phase following project development, after we get the ROD, is the engineering phase
• So following final engineering comes the FFGA, our full funding grant agreement from the FTA.
• Keller North America's bid was successful in doing our advanced engineering work on Hayden Island.

Summary: The committee met jointly with the Washington-Oregon Legislative Action Committee for an update on the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement (IBR) program. Members first adopted the proposed committee rules, then received program updates from staff on environmental review, permitting, design, tribal consultation, and public engagement. Staff said the project remains in the supplemental EIS process, with a final supplemental EIS and amended record of decision expected in early 2026, which would allow construction to begin. They also described ongoing work on Coast Guard navigation clearance, Section 106 historic-property coordination, and architectural guidelines for the bridge and five-mile corridor, emphasizing that the visualizations shown were conceptual and that public and partner feedback has already influenced design considerations such as accessibility and shared-use path connections. Members raised concerns about schedule delays, rising costs, and whether the project is being designed to be functional, safe, and economical. Staff acknowledged that the timeline has slipped from earlier expectations and said the delay reflects the complexity of the environmental and federal review process, as well as the need to avoid redoing steps. They said the updated cost estimate is being prepared now that design has advanced to roughly 30 percent, and that it will account for inflation, risk factors, and both fixed-span and movable-span options. Staff estimated a movable span would add more than $400 million and said the first construction work after environmental approval would likely be preliminary freeway and retaining-wall work in late 2026, followed by the bridge procurement. The committee also received funding and tolling updates. Staff reported that major federal grants have been executed, including Mega and Bridge Investment Grant agreements, and that state STIP amendments are advancing to allow access to federal funds. The tolling team described Level 3 traffic-and-revenue work, a bi-state tolling subcommittee process, and possible toll scenarios aimed at supporting either about $1.24 billion or $1.6 billion in toll revenue. Members questioned low-income toll relief timing, truck toll rates, and the effect of tolls on freight users. Staff said low-income discounts are being analyzed for both revenue and operational feasibility, that tribal exemptions and other policy exemptions are under review, and that the commissions expect to move into public outreach on toll rates and policies in 2026, with tolling on the existing bridges currently projected to begin in spring 2027.

Transcript Highlights:

• Army Corps of Engineers is close to finishing the phase two operations, and we continue to provide technical
• a very time-intensive process to review permits and go through the health risk assessment, the engineering
• controls, to ensure that if we decide to renew... ...the engineering controls to ensure that if we decide
• We review a permit in terms of its engineering controls, in terms of its safeguards that it has and it's
• And so now they have an engineering control that captures the majority of lead so it doesn't impact the

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Natalie Miller, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, National Auxiliary Secretary
• I am actually an engineer. I’ve been doing this job for 28 years, and it is a dangerous job.
• A question just came to me when the engineer spoke a moment ago.
• I also want to add, from a discussion with Representative Hall, that as locomotive engineers, we don't
• Plus, the people that are on board, those who are actually driving the train or engineering the train

Transcript Highlights:

• Industries enhancement certification Industries enhancement certification project<00:02:20.800><
• The witness said that some manufacturing plants do not always have certificates, but that is the goal
• <00:08:09.919> from<00:08:10.919> their re-entry certifications from their re-entry
• in some of our certificates in some of our manufacturing<00:08:33.760> plants<00:08:34.159>
• Industries enhancement certification Industries enhancement certification program<00:10:10.760><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice, Public Safety, and Judiciary heard an update from the Department of Corrections on Kentucky Correctional Industries (KCI), sentence-credit payments for program completion, and the expansion of the Little Sandy Correctional Complex. Department officials said KCI, the department’s long-running re-entry program, operates 15 industries in 11 institutions, employs more than 400 inmates and 37 staff, and had $5.8 million in expenditures against $6.8 million in revenues through January 31. Members asked about inmate pay, the role of the Prison Industries Enhancement Certification (PIE) program, and whether KCI generates profit; the department said it aims to break even while supporting state government, with PIE participants earning prevailing wages and some programs offering certificates tied to post-release employment opportunities. The subcommittee also reviewed the budget-authorized sentence-credit program for county jails. Officials reported 37,300 program completions in fiscal year 2024 and, through January, $6.128 million paid for 90-day sentence credits and $1.6548 million for 60-day credits, with total county jail expenditures of $8.1 million and 67 jails participating. They said additional participation would require more funding and that they do not expect many more jails to join, though attendance and population levels can affect costs. Members asked how jails opt in, whether there are added costs, how inmate earnings are handled, and whether deductions are made for child support or victim compensation; the department said jails apply through an approved program matrix, inmate earnings are tracked in individual accounts, and required deductions are made when ordered. Questions from members focused on re-entry outcomes and program structure. Officials said evidence-based programming and employment opportunities are major contributors to lowering recidivism, and they cited a recent recidivism rate of 30.8 percent, down about 1 percentage point, while noting they would provide additional trend and savings data later. The department also clarified that adult education and GED programming are separate from KCI and are handled by a different education division. For the Little Sandy expansion, officials said the project remains on schedule for completion on June 25, 2025, with inmate transfers expected to begin at about 50 per week and roughly 200 additional staff eventually needed; they said hiring is being phased in as inmate population increases. The committee asked for the total construction cost of the expansion, which the witnesses said they did not have at the meeting and would report back. The meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for February 18.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first goal focuses on educator certification assessments.
• My first question is about the National Board for Teacher Certification.
• So we think that's why we're seeing a decrease in board certification.
• that are under provisional certification, meaning their standard certification alternative pathway.
• And we also passed a citizenship exam requirement for some teacher certification.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you carry this further, an engineer who exercises... ...independent engineering judgment, if the bridge
• says, hey, that engineer was exercising their independent engineering judgment.
• firm says, hey, that engineer was exercising their independent engineering judgment.
• And the final point is that engineers and truck... ...the medical judgment and treating a patient.
• It did not make those same pronouncements for engineers or truck drivers.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 4961, which would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision. The author said the bill is intended to create incentives to maintain insurance and to address what he described as an unfair system for insured drivers. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texas Eagle Forum testified in support, while the Texas Trial Lawyers Association opposed it, warning the bill could also affect pedestrians, passengers, children, and others who did not choose whether a vehicle was insured. The bill author clarified that passengers would be included in the bill’s coverage. No vote was taken and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5570 would extend a legislative attorney CLE exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate to boards or commissions. The author said the measure is meant to ease time burdens and encourage service, and a witness supported it as a modest incentive for public service. A committee member noted a discrepancy in the number of affected attorneys, and the author agreed to verify the correct figure. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 2969, which would restrict the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech based on sincerely held beliefs. The author and several witnesses from Texas Values, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Cecilia Wood argued the bill protects lawyers of faith from an ABA model rule they described as a speech code. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 4260, which would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction, drew opposition from the County Judges and Commissioners Association, which argued existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would burden rural officials. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about judges using their office to pressure others. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5134 would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect actual damages and would allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill is aimed at preventing harassment and fishing expeditions, especially in family-law disputes. Questions focused on how the standard would work and how it differs from current law; the author said the main change is fee-shifting and a clearer legislative directive. The bill was left pending. House Bill 3095, a committee substitute version of a similar uninsured-motorist bill, would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages and limit economic recovery, with several exceptions. Trial lawyers argued it was unconstitutional because it capped economic damages and could unfairly affect innocent drivers, pedestrians, and older people who no longer drive. The author acknowledged constitutional concerns and said the bill would need further work; the committee withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending. Finally, House Bill 4388 would require all judges, including county judges who perform administrative duties, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Supporters said some elected judges avoid accountability by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents argued the bill is too rigid and unnecessary because existing remedies already exist. House Bill 3964 would limit public nuisance claims to their historical role and bar such claims against lawful conduct, conduct already covered by other remedies, and products. The author and supporters said the bill is meant to prevent courts from using public nuisance to make policy, while opponents argued it would eliminate useful remedies and could affect local actions against environmental or product-related harms. The author said the bill would not affect statutory nuisance claims, private nuisance claims, or other causes of action, and would be amended to clarify some provisions. The bill was left pending.