Transcript Highlights:

• from considering persons charged with bail-restricted offenses eligible for release on unsecured judicial
• /c> offenses eligible for release on offenses eligible for release on unsecured<00:12:43.839> judicial
• <00:12:45.279> And<00:12:45.440> so unsecured judicial release.
• And so unsecured judicial release.
• This just gives of a judicial procedure.

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several criminal justice and public safety bills. Senator Sparks explained SB 2416, which would let a law enforcement officer who tests positive on an initial drug screen obtain a more invasive follow-up test at the officer’s expense; if the second test is negative, the first result would be treated as a false positive and the officer’s certification would not be put at risk. The committee also heard SB 2228, which would reduce the waiting period for certain felony expungements from five years to three years, following a recommendation from the criminal justice task force. Members discussed how expungement remains discretionary with the court and does not change which offenses are eligible; the bill passed committee after a motion and voice vote. The committee then considered a committee substitute for SB 21108, a combined bail bill. Counsel said it would require suspension of a bail agent’s license when there is a civil judgment, exclude credit card transaction fees from authorized bail fees, clarify requirements for cash deposits in lieu of surety or property bonds, bar unsecured judicial release for bail-restricted offenses, and allow courts to assess service-of-process costs against bail agents in certain failure-to-appear cases. A reverse repealer was added, and the committee voted to pass the committee substitute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2114, which would expand state immigration enforcement efforts by allowing DPS to collect information on illegal aliens, codifying participation in the federal 287(g) program, and creating state penalties for certain unlawful entry and criminal conduct by undocumented persons, including enhanced penalties for violent or sex offenses. The sponsor and counsel said the bill is intended to work with federal law and includes exemptions for certain federal immigration statuses and a provision allowing some nonviolent defendants to agree to deportation in lieu of prosecution. Members raised concerns about enforcement, probable cause, and unintended consequences, but the sponsor said the bill would require proof of entry through the Gulf of Mexico for the new entry offense and that the measure would enhance cooperation with federal authorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Importantly, this proposal finally, finally delinks lawmakers' pensions from judicial pay raises, an
• Speaker, members, this judicial pay raise is long overdue.
• The bill raises the judicial base pay salary 25% to $175,000.
• So just for clarity, I'm looking... ...government, judicial, legislative, and executive.
• As Representative Money says, we're 49th out of 50 right now in judicial pay.

Summary: The House met on sine die and began with prayer, pledges, quorum verification, and a series of announcements and recognitions. The chamber received Senate messages reporting adoption of conference committee reports on SB 268 and SB 2972, and Senate concurrence in House amendments to SB 1637. Members also referred several resolutions and announced the signing of numerous House and Senate measures by the presence of the House. Technical correction resolutions were adopted: HCR 171, authorizing corrections to HB 46, passed 138-0, and SCR 55, making a wording correction in SB 1964, passed 126-12. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to memorials and recognitions. The House honored Pastor Dave Welch, with several members offering condolences and reflections on his work organizing pastors and engaging in civic life, followed by a moment of silence. Members also recognized the Ganado High School Maidens for winning the 2025 UIL 2A Division I softball state championship, Waco police K-9 Andor after being shot in the line of duty, Region 7 DPS for Capitol Complex security, and various restaurants, staff members, interns, caucus staff, and caucus freshmen of the year across Republican, Democratic, Black, Progressive, LGBTQ, IT, Energy and Climate, and Mexican American Legislative Caucuses. The chamber also heard a retirement-style address from Rep. Tony Tinderholt, who reflected on his six sessions in the House, his military service, and his decision to step aside to focus on family, while colleagues from both parties praised his service, discipline, and willingness to work across differences. The House then continued with additional staff and caucus recognitions, including committee staff, district office staff, and interns, with members repeatedly thanking their teams for their work during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The result is kind of uneven investment, and it leads to limited transparency and oversight.
• It's more about transparency—these pilot payment... In lieu taxes.
• The transfers outlive on our income statements in the adopted budget—completely transparent.
• It's not transparent. And yes, we're cheating water infrastructure, I think.
• I don't care, you know, whether it's opaque or transparent.

Summary: During the meeting, legislative members discussed the practice of municipalities diverting water and sewer revenues to their general funds, which impacts infrastructure maintenance and project delays. Vice Chair Sparks proposed limiting public testimony to two minutes, which was adopted without objection. The committee heard from various witnesses, including Perry Fowler from the Texas Water Infrastructure Network, who emphasized that utility revenues should primarily support water services and that transfers should be transparent and justified. He noted that many utilities face financial pressures that could hinder infrastructure projects. Larry French from the Texas Public Policy Foundation highlighted the significant financial impact of water loss and general fund transfers, estimating the annual loss at $1.5 billion. He argued that these transfers can create disincentives for municipalities to address water loss issues. Brian Butcher, Assistant City Manager of Sugar Land, defended the city's cost allocation model for general fund transfers, asserting that they are necessary for equitable service provision and operational efficiency. The committee also discussed the implications of rising construction costs and the need for better procurement processes to ensure effective use of taxpayer dollars. The second part of the meeting focused on the New World Screwworm and the state's preparedness to manage potential infestations. Dudley Hoskins from the USDA outlined the federal response efforts and the importance of collaboration with state agencies. He emphasized the need for ongoing surveillance and the production of sterile flies to combat the pest. Dr. Philip Kaufman from Texas A&M discussed the historical context of the screwworm and the challenges posed by its potential reintroduction, urging proactive management strategies among livestock producers. The committee acknowledged the need for increased resources and research to effectively address the threat of the screwworm.

Transcript Highlights:

• We see Assembly Bill 444 as a government transparency measure, particularly the noticing requirements
• Like I said, we see it as a transparency act, and I'm happy to answer questions.
• Daniel Judici, for the record, G-I-U-D-I-C-I.
• Talk to me a little bit about the transparency on that.
• But where is the transparency to us?

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative Jurus, we're taking out $157,950 out of the judicial branch's request.
• <03:13:23.160> branches 157k out of the judicial branches 157k out of the judicial branches
• By all means, then let's hear from the judicial department.
• The judicial branch has three lapse extensions in the back of House Bill 251.
• I'm the chief information officer for the judicial branch.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25/25A, the capital improvements budget. Representative David Mills introduced HB 25A, which makes appropriations for capital improvements for the biennium and extends certain lapses from prior appropriations, noting it is based on Governor Ayotte’s budget. The hearing then focused on requests to add or restore funding for several projects, including community college capital needs, Veterans Home ADA and safety upgrades, career and technical education renovations in Milford, and airport infrastructure funding. Shannon Reed of the Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million for IT infrastructure, critical maintenance, and energy management systems, citing failing boilers, roof work, cybersecurity needs, and a recent costly water damage incident at Lakes Region Community College. John Graham, representing the New Hampshire Veterans Home, requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements such as floor replacement and wider doors, saying the work would help the home before an upcoming VA inspection and protect federal funding. Lance Whitehead testified for Milford CTE, asking the committee to keep $9.9 million in the budget for a scaled-down renovation; members discussed the town’s failed vote, the need for local matching funds, and the possibility of another vote next year. Tim Thompson of Concord and Margaret Burns of NHMA urged restoration of airport matching funds, arguing that about $3.6 million in state money would leverage roughly $62 million to $65 million in federal FAA funds for safety and infrastructure projects. Trisha Lambert and Andrew Pomroy of the Bureau of Aeronautics and airport management association explained the airport program, the 12 federally funded airports, and how projects are selected through airport master plans and a capital improvement program. After public testimony, the committee closed the hearing on HB 25A. In the work session that followed, staff distributed supporting documents, including cost breakdowns and comparison sheets. The chair indicated the committee would work from the governor’s $143 million capital budget as a baseline and proposed reducing it by about $10 million, largely by removing the Milford CTE item because both towns had voted it down and would not have another vote for a year. The chair said the goal was to bring the overall budget to about $133 million and then repurpose the remaining funds through straw polls and further committee action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, this bill ensures that the BCA receives necessary information in order to protect from the judicial
• But in some instances, there are also reports that during some of the hearings, the judicial officer
• But in some instances, there are also reports that the during some of the hearings, the judicial officer
• I certainly hope and trust actually that our judicial officers are not so subjective and loosey-goosey
• >> Our judicial officers are not so subjective and Lucy QC that they would take a hypothetical

Bills: HF3489, HF3990, HF3825, HF3826, HF3827, HF3822

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Heidi Adams, and I'm a judicial district attorney. I stand in support of House Bill 58.
• The bill is in line with modern judicial practices, use of technology to enhance efficiency.
• HB 57 is a common-sense modernization of our judicial system that allows video testimony for traffic
• My name is Heidi Adams, Judicial District Attorney. I stand in support of House Bill 57.
• We are competing with other judicial districts for these lab analyst times, as well as when they're trying

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with the state attorney and chief judge of the 13th Judicial
• accountability and upholds the effectiveness of electronic monitoring as a tool for public safety and judicial
• Such conduct generates significant work for judges and court personnel and diverts judicial time and
• better enable Florida courts to mitigate the impact of vexatious litigation and to allocate limited judicial
• better enable Florida courts to mitigate the impact of vexatious litigation and to allocate limited judicial

Summary: The committee heard and voted on a long agenda of criminal justice, public safety, victims’ rights, and related bills. SB 984 on aggravating factors in capital cases was reported favorably after debate over its focus on religious, school, and government gatherings; the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops opposed expanding the death penalty, while supporters said it was about accountability rather than deterrence. CS for SB 1140 creating a Hillsborough County substance abuse pilot program for offenders, CS for SB 1180 broadening child sexual image protections, CS for SB 10 compensating Sidney Holmes for a wrongful conviction, CS for SB 500 creating a Spectrum Alert system for missing children with autism, and SB 1054 on tampering with electronic monitoring devices all passed favorably, with the substance abuse bill drawing supportive testimony about treatment and recovery and the Holmes bill receiving emotional support from Holmes himself. The committee also approved SB 1072 on expedited DNA testing grants, CS for SB 240 on domestic and dating violence victims, CS for SB 494 creating a statewide animal abuse database, and CS for SB 1422 on unmanned aircraft over critical infrastructure and weaponized drones. SB 240 drew extensive testimony from advocates describing a feasibility study for a discreet emergency alert system and the need to align domestic and dating violence protections; SB 494 drew strong support from animal welfare groups and county officials who described local registries and the link between animal abuse and violence toward people, while members discussed whether the bill should also bar known abusers from adopting animals. SB 1422 passed after questions about “reasonable force” against drones and concerns about firearms use, with the sponsor saying the bill was meant to protect privacy and property rights. Additional measures reported favorably included SB 1268 updating Department of Law Enforcement statutes and increasing reimbursement for retired police dogs, CS for SB 1344 revising juvenile status-offender procedures, CS for SB 1252 creating a feasibility study for a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 1386 increasing penalties for assault and battery on utility workers, CS for SB 1084 strengthening sexual cyber harassment laws for intimate and digitally forged images, CS for SB 1654 revising sex offender/predator registration and reporting rules, CS for SB 1650 expanding the vexatious litigant law, and CS for SB 1652 creating a public records exemption for stricken court filings. The final and most heavily debated bill, CS for SB 1284 on wrongful death of an unborn child, drew extensive testimony from supporters who framed it as recognizing unborn life and opponents who warned it could be used to harass abortion patients, providers, and supporters and could increase malpractice exposure; the sponsor said the bill would allow parents to recover damages while protecting mothers and lawful medical care. The transcript ends before the roll call on SB 1284 is completed, but the committee had already reported the other measures favorably by recorded votes, generally along party lines with broad support from members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• that needed to get mandamus review or something like that, there would be a way for them to seek judicial
• providing those rights, it's time to create a similar procedure and due process checkpoint at the judicial
• Essentially, with the... ...sections B and C being struck, this essentially becomes a judicial procedural
• Ultimately seeks to remove your child through a judicial proceeding, or whether you work services and
• seeking to do is to add or to address the situation at the adversarial hearing when legislative or judicial

Bills: HB168, HB 1044, HB1534, HB1914, HB2240, HB2530, HB3284, HB3395, HB3515, HB3783, HB4034, HB4213, HB168

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the CEO for the Second Judicial District Court.
• is now requiring us to be a storage facility for anyone, regardless of whether they live in our judicial
• We don't know how many other wills there are in the state and other judicial districts with those same
• I'm just one court, one judicial district. There's also safety deposit boxes.
• And they have to then be able to search the entire state, not just one judicial district, because again

Transcript Highlights:

• Such prosecutions undermine our government's transparency and are a clear violation of the First Amendment
• <03:14:49.359> review<03:14:49.680> and up for the power of judicial review and up
• for the power of judicial review and what<03:14:50.000> the<03:14:50.160> courts<03:14:
• But this assures at the end<03:41:04.960> of<03:41:05.120> the<03:41:05.359> judicial
• process and at the end of the judicial process and at the end<03:41:07.520> of<03:41:07.680><

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm interested if you've had conversations with the various agencies and with the judicial branch
• <00:39:35.720> branch agencies and with the judicial branch agencies and with the judicial
• <00:39:54.319> branch<00:39:54.680> about anybody in the judicial branch about anybody
• in the judicial branch about that<00:39:55.480> at<00:39:55.680> all<00:39:56.680>
• discretion fair enough but then judicial discretion fair enough but then what<01:02:36.599> about

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• imminent threat, subject to legislative review by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial
• imminent threat, subject to legislative review by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial
• imminent threat, subject to legislative review by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial
• imminent threat, subject to legislative review by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial
• imminent threat, subject to legislative review by majority vote, and timelines for reassessment and judicial

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up several measures, beginning with House Bill 2413 on pre-trial reform, which had been deferred from a prior agenda. The chair said the committee would incorporate judiciary recommendations and other technical, non-substantive amendments to continue discussion, and the measure was adopted with amendments by a 2-1 vote, with one member excused. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2062, which appropriates funds for gun violence prevention efforts, including processing temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders and funding public awareness campaigns. Supporters, including county, advocacy, law enforcement, and student witnesses, said the bill would improve implementation of an existing law, save lives, and reduce suicides and violence. Opponents argued red flag laws can be abused, raise due process concerns, and may create dangerous enforcement situations. Written testimony was reported as 60 in support, 47 in opposition, and one comment. The committee later passed HB 2062 with amendments, including a corrected effective date, by a 3-1 vote with one member excused. The committee also considered House Bill 1957 on safe entryways, which would establish enforcement procedures in larger cities to prevent blocking of private doorways and entrances. Written testimony included support and opposition, but no oral testimony was offered, and the bill was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. House Bill 253 on fireworks, which expands civil asset forfeiture for felony fireworks offenses and clarifies air-delivery provisions, was also passed with an amended effective date. House Bill 2581 on emergency management, which would narrow the definitions of disasters and emergencies, drew testimony both supporting the bill as a check on emergency powers and opposing it as incomplete or too broad in its current form; decision-making on that measure was deferred to the committee’s March 23 meeting. House Bill 2498 on a care home resilience pilot program was also deferred to March 23 after no testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Minnesota sex offender program petition for a reduction in custody, and replace this with the judicial
• custody and um replaces this<00:08:23.479> with<00:08:23.680> the<00:08:23.840> judicial
• <00:08:24.280> appeal<00:08:24.639> panel this with the judicial appeal panel this
• with the judicial appeal panel hearing<00:08:25.159> and<00:08:25.360> review<00:08:25.840
• DHS policy bill adds the DHS appeals division judges and current employees to the definition of judicial

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• information regarding the current caseload of assignments to circuit judges in Benton County, 9th West Judicial
• Subsequent to an investigation by the Arkansas State Police and the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting
• This matter was referred to the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General.

Summary: The Legislative Joint Audit Committee met on February 13, 2026, and first adopted the January 9, 2026 minutes and then adopted reports from its executive and standing committees. The Executive Committee reported on scheduled audits, denied a special report request concerning the I-owned fire department, approved questions to the Arkansas Department of Health about Title V sexual risk avoidance education funds, authorized the Office of Property Risk to hire a CPA for its annual audit, and asked staff to gather information on circuit judge caseload assignments in Benton County. The Counties and Municipalities Committee reported progress on delinquent private water and sewer audits, including reinstatement of 19 entities after required reports were filed and 59 of 64 delinquent 2023 entities submitting reports. It also noted that Adona was now in substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, while officials from Denning and Gum Springs appeared regarding noncompliance. Of 109 current reports reviewed, 15 were referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General, two were certified to the Governmental Bonding Board, 94 were filed, and 15 were deferred. The Education Institutions Committee filed 31 audit reports, including one for Cedarville School District that was referred to the prosecuting attorney, Attorney General, and Governmental Bonding Board, and the State Agencies Committee filed 10 reports involving issues at DHS, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Corrections, and Veterans Affairs. The committee also heard a Medicaid Subcommittee report that included presentations from DHS, the Office of Medicaid Inspector General, and the Attorney General’s Office on their Medicaid-related roles. In special reports, Legislative Audit presented a review of Cleburne County’s library expenses, finding more than $80,000 in unauthorized or questionable disbursements, including purchases lacking a documented business purpose, undocumented disbursements, and possible improper fuel expenses; the matter was referred to the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General. The committee also reviewed the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UALR, where auditors found scholarship awards to ineligible students, numerous disbursement-processing exceptions, and that the program had ceased in 2024 with remaining funds returned to the school districts. After discussion, the committee filed both special reports and adjourned, with the next meeting set for March 12-13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• information regarding the current caseload of assignments to circuit judges in Benton County, 9th West Judicial
• Subsequent to an investigation by the Arkansas State Police and the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting
• This matter was referred to the 16th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney and the Attorney General.

Summary: The Legislative Joint Audit Committee met on February 13, 2026, and first adopted the January 9, 2026 minutes. It then received and adopted reports from the Executive Committee, the Standing Committee on Counties and Municipalities, the Standing Committee on Education Institutions, the Standing Committee on State Agencies, and the Medicaid Subcommittee. Those reports covered audit follow-up items, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, state agency audit findings, and a Medicaid oversight presentation. Several reports were filed after discussion, and in multiple cases agencies or local officials were present to answer questions about repeat findings or compliance concerns. Among the notable audit matters, the committee reviewed a Cleburne County library audit that found more than $80,000 in unauthorized or questionable disbursements, including purchases that appeared personal in nature and improper fuel expenses. The library director had been placed on leave, later charged with felony theft of property and abuse of office, and the matter was referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General. The committee also heard a special report on the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, which found scholarship ineligibility issues and numerous disbursement-processing exceptions, while noting that the program had ended in 2024 and remaining funds were returned to the school districts. During the state agency report, Legislative Audit described findings at DHS, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Corrections, and Veterans Affairs, including improper benefit payments, a cashed warrant by someone other than the intended payee, missing receipts, unauthorized fuel card purchases, and payroll and overtime issues. The committee filed that report after agency representatives responded to questions. The meeting ended with the filing of the Cleburne County and Donaldson Scholars Academy reports, and the next committee meeting was announced for March 12-13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• this section that the conduct was for a bona fide educational, medical, psychological, psychiatric, judicial
• Judicial or law enforcement purpose. Okay, we will make that note. So, tell me...
• I mean, there are bona fide judicial or law enforcement...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I want us to be judicious about the floor work, okay? And, um, we'll be in on Monday early.
• And so, the judicial component of that is it's going to take time.
• <00:04:47.920> And<00:04:48.080> so,<00:04:48.440> the<00:04:48.840> judicial
• And And so, the judicial uh law says."
• And And so, the judicial uh component<00:04:50.280> of<00:04:50.320> that<00:04:50.520>

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, April 3, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 113 members present and took up House Bill 774, a local enabling bill on residential landlord-tenant good-cause termination and eviction standards. The sponsor and floor leader described the bill as intended to create stability for families and communities by limiting nonrenewal of leases without good cause, while emphasizing that it would only take effect if adopted by local counties. The bill’s stated good-cause grounds include repeated late rent payment, lease violations, and other specified reasons. Several amendments were offered and debated. One amendment sought to require tenants to keep paying rent, late fees, and other lease obligations during any legal challenge to a nonrenewal; the floor leader argued this was redundant because existing law already requires payment during holdover proceedings, and the House rejected the amendment by roll call, 79 in the negative. Another amendment added a good-cause ground where housing is tied to employment on the property and the employment ends; the floor leader accepted it as a friendly amendment, and it was adopted. A further amendment exempted short-term rentals such as VRBOs from the bill; it was also accepted as friendly and adopted. The House then rejected another amendment that would have changed the late-rent good-cause standard from four notices in a 12-month period to three. The sponsor argued the change would reduce the time and financial burden on small landlords, while the floor leader responded that the bill did not alter existing eviction timelines for nonpayment and that the current four-instance standard was appropriate. Finally, an amendment to extend access to the state’s eviction counsel fund to low-income landlords was offered, with the sponsor arguing for fairness to small property owners; the floor leader opposed it, saying the fund was created to represent low-income tenants and that most landlords are already represented. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The protesters did not prevail, and so an appeal to the circuit court for judicial review did not actually
• 38:56.480> for appeal to the uh uh circuit court for appeal to the uh uh circuit court for judicial
• 58.240> uh<00:38:58.560> did<00:38:58.800> not<00:38:59.119> actually judicial
• review uh did not actually judicial review uh did not actually prevail<00:38:59.920> there<00
• <00:39:20.240> review to the circuit court for judicial review to the circuit court for judicial

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This judicial pay raise is long overdue.
• It's my understanding that judicial pay and legislative pensions have been linked for over half a century
• The bill raises the judicial base pay salary by 25% to $175,000.
• As Representative Money said, we're 49th out of 50 right now in judicial pay.
• To increase the judicial pay fully, finally, and historically, we can do so without worrying about it

Keywords: 1184, house, all