Transcript Highlights:

• section that is fundamentally unchanged, so if after seven days the animal has not been returned or is claimed
• section that is fundamentally unchanged, so if after seven days the animal has not been returned or is claimed
• days the animal has not been<01:40:04.480><c> returned</c><01:40:04.800><c> is</c><01:40:04.960><c> claimed
• c><01:40:06.239><c> the</c><01:40:06.639><c> officer</c><01:40:08.000><c> uh</c> been returned is claimed
• the officer uh been returned is claimed the officer uh &gt;&gt; okay &gt;&gt; okay &gt;&gt; okay &gt

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• their car or something like that, couldn't this be used against the person that made a real legitimate claim
• To this point, we have an expedited, streamlined process that investigates these claims that moves to
• To this point, we have an expedited streamlined process that investigates these claims that moves to
• That investigates these claims and moves to disposition within 30 days, and nobody is ever required to
• And that's my point, is our system is built so that if there's a claim made against a livestock owner

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 127-2. Members then used points of personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize a new grandchild, President Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, Artemis II and Missouri’s role in space manufacturing, Line Worker Appreciation Day, a visiting mayor, and a former representative. The chamber then moved into third reading and perfection business. Several bills were passed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2740, creating a pediatric disease task force in the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 139-1 after supporters described it as a limited, accountable way to coordinate research and report on outcomes. House Bill 2422, which raises a county filing fee to support the Department of Agriculture’s Land Survey Program, passed 131-6 after members said the program could not continue on the current fee. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 311, moving bail bond oversight under the Board of Private Investigators and Fire Investigators, passed 112-22. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3009, allowing nonprofit pharmacies to provide medications during emergencies, passed 133-6. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2474, authorizing progressive design-build project delivery for public construction, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3076, clarifying that common agricultural practices are exempt from non-point source permitting under clean water law, were both ordered perfected and printed. House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize the state treasurer’s constitutional investment authority, drew the most debate. The sponsor argued it would update outdated restrictions, allow safer investment options, and generate an estimated $15.1 million without raising taxes. An amendment adding legislative, governor, and auditor approval for changes to the investment policy was adopted. Supporters called the proposal conservative and bipartisan, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could reopen questions about risky investments or conflict-of-interest issues. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the resolution perfected and printed. The chamber also took up House Bill 2436, dealing with animal impoundment, return of animals when no charges are filed or a defendant is found innocent, and related animal neglect provisions. Members adopted a title amendment, then adopted an amendment creating penalties for malicious false reports of animal abuse and another amendment modernizing neglect and abandonment offenses, including provisions on adequate care and control and higher penalties for repeat or harmful conduct. Debate centered on whether the bill was necessary, how to define malicious reporting, and concerns from animal welfare groups versus law enforcement and agricultural interests. The bill remained under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• They claim that Republicans are taking away women's rights when in reality, that's exactly what they're
• We can't trust this administration when they claim they're fighting to protect women.
• This administration cannot be taken seriously when they claim that they want to protect women.
• We can't trust this administration when they claim they're fighting to protect women for the first time
• This administration can be taken seriously when they claim that they want to protect women.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those claims have already been filed, and from what we understand, the $40 million remaining will likely
• Those claims have already been filed, and from what we understand, the $40 million remaining will likely
• Those<00:10:36.360><c> claims</c><00:10:36.760><c> have</c><00:10:36.920><c> already</c><00:10:37.360
• ><c> been</c><00:10:37.640><c> filed,</c> Those claims have already been filed, Those claims have already

Transcript Highlights:

• the really real and important impact of uh one, streamlining the process for taxpayers to be able to claim
• to take advantage of this really important program, um, because we just made it easier for them to claim
• because we just made it easier for them because we just made it easier for them to<00:02:48.959><c> claim
• something</c><00:02:49.519><c> that</c><00:02:49.760><c> they</c><00:02:50.000><c> already</c> to claim
• something that they already to claim something that they already qualify<00:02:50.959><c> for.

Transcript Highlights:

• So all of those credits total about $145 million claimed for sections 4 through 10 of the bill.
• So all of those credits total about $145 million claimed for sections 4 through 10 of the bill.
• of those credits uh total about $145 of those credits uh total about $145 million<00:13:17.760><c> claimed
• > section</c><00:13:19.360><c> 4</c><00:13:19.600><c> through</c><00:13:19.920><c> 10</c> million claimed
• for section 4 through 10 million claimed for section 4 through 10 of<00:13:20.160><c> the</c><00:13:

Summary: The committees took up several measures, with most action focused on SB 3125 relating to income tax changes. The chair explained a proposed SD1 that would preserve standard deduction increases and keep tax relief for working- and middle-class households while removing future bracket adjustments for higher-income filers. The Department of Taxation estimated roughly a $122 million gain from the bracket changes, about a $600 million loss from extending certain credits, and about $145 million in claimed credits under the repeal provisions, for a rough net gain of about $250 million. Testimony was mixed: the Governor’s office and DOTAX supported the intent with technical corrections; the Hawaii State Energy Office and several advocates supported the revenue approach; while Grassroots Institute and others opposed rolling back promised tax relief. Renewable energy and solar representatives opposed repeal of credits affecting their industries, and nonprofit witnesses urged preserving state capacity to fund housing, education, food security, and other services. The chair recommended adoption of the proposed SD1 with additional amendments, and the recommendation was adopted with reservations noted by some members. The committees also acted on SB 3169 relating to coastal resilience, SB 2001 relating to the Banyan Drive Community Development District, and SB 3334 concerning deputy superintendent positions. SB 3169 was amended to incorporate Oceanit’s recommendation regarding native burrow sites, make technical changes, and delay the effective and repeal dates; the recommendation passed. SB 2001 was recommended to pass with HCDA amendments, a July 1, 2050 effective date, and additional technical changes, with the committee report to note continued desire for community engagement from descendants; one member expressed concern that lineal descendants should have a more direct role, and the measure was adopted with reservations. SB 3334 was reconsidered to add a blank general fund appropriation to establish two FTEs in the superintendent’s office for deputy superintendent positions; members raised reservations about the role of the Board of Education in evaluations, but the recommendation was adopted. Several other bills were moved with little or no discussion. SB 2338, SB 2431, SB 2438, SB 2593, and SB 2671 were each recommended to pass unamended and were adopted. SB 2662 was recommended to pass with technical amendments based on SPO testimony, with the committee report reflecting concerns raised by the Attorney General and ERS; it was adopted. SB 2563 was deferred indefinitely after testimony from the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions said similar existing programs could address the bill’s concerns and the measure was not needed at this time. SB 3296 was deferred because a House bill on the same subject was already moving over.

Transcript Highlights:

• But to sit here today and hear these utilities claim, or I'm sorry, the co-ops claim that they often
• Remember what the claim was. And then, hold on a second. But remember what the claim was.
• His claim was that in many cases—not never. I'm not saying never. He said in many cases.

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3114, which would require operating railroads in Missouri to provide digital copies of valuation and station maps to the state land surveyor for inclusion in a public repository. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help surveyors locate abandoned railroad rights-of-way and determine center lines for adjoining landowners’ reversionary rights. Committee members asked about whether the bill would apply to active versus abandoned lines, whether records still exist for older railroads, and whether a deadline should be added for compliance. Railroad testimony raised concerns about the breadth of the request, potential security and proprietary issues, and the burden of compiling historical records, while indicating a willingness to continue discussions and possibly work with surveyors on a more targeted process. The committee then heard House Bill 2298, which would remove the current exemption for electric cooperatives from the requirement that condemning entities pay 150% of appraised value in eminent domain cases. The sponsor argued that co-ops should be treated the same as regulated utilities because landowners face the same burden when transmission lines cross their property, and he cited examples where co-op offers were far below what he believed comparable utility projects would pay. Landowners and a lawyer testifying in favor described alleged unfair treatment, uneven compensation, and the impact of transmission lines on farm operations and property value, while emphasizing that the bill would simply put co-ops on the same footing as other utilities. Opposition testimony from Associated Industries of Missouri and the Missouri Electric Cooperatives argued that the bill would interfere with the cooperative model, which is member-owned and governed by elected boards, and would reduce flexibility in negotiating easements. The co-op representative said the organizations are not partnered with Grain Belt Express, that any interconnection compensation is separate from the project itself, and that most easement acquisitions are settled by negotiation rather than condemnation. Committee members questioned whether co-ops already pay comparable amounts in practice, whether the bill would affect transmission projects tied to Grain Belt Express, and how co-op governance and member oversight should factor into eminent domain policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• But to sit here today and hear these utilities claim, or I'm sorry, the co-ops claim that they often
• Remember what the claim was. And then, hold on a second. But remember what the claim was.
• His claim was that in many cases, not never. I'm not saying never. He said in many cases.

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Transcript Highlights:

• All of this fraud that we have going on, that people claiming addresses that don't belong to them.
• you and say, "How about the taxable property that we're having to pay on our residents uh to try and claim
• :21:55.840><c> and</c> pay on our residents uh to to try and pay on our residents uh to to try and claim
• 00:21:57.120><c> But</c><00:21:57.440><c> but</c><00:21:57.760><c> as</c><00:21:58.000><c> it's</c> claim
• But but as it's claim an exemption?"

Bills: SF0024

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• required to deliberate litigation strategies in public during the 90-day pre-suit period in a Burt Harris claim
• Litigation strategies in public during the 90-day pre-suit period in a Burt Harris claim.
• I don't know why individuals who claim to represent an entire class of teachers would make it so difficult
• And unfortunately, we're seeing a very, very low involvement from the school teachers who the unions claim
• To get rid of unions that don't have the support of the people from the class that they claim to represent

Bills: S0332 , S0464 , S0576 , S0830 , S0964 , S0984 , S1096 , S1296 , S1298 , S1612 , S1656

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The committee first heard a committee substitute for SB 332, which creates a narrow public meetings and public records exemption for certain pre-suit settlement communications in Bert Harris claims involving local governments and private property rights. The sponsor said the change is intended to allow confidential legal strategy and negotiation during the 90-day pre-suit period while keeping settlements and outcomes public. The strike-all amendment was adopted, supportive testimony was waived in, and the bill was reported favorably. Members then approved several other measures, including SB 464 requiring K-12 schools to formally observe Veterans Day as a school holiday; SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention, which was amended to add a statement of important state interest and reported favorably after testimony from firefighters both supporting the bill and urging a longer benefit window; SB 576 on local government cybersecurity, which was amended to route the program through the Florida Digital Service and strengthen state-local coordination; SB 964 clarifying how certain gift and honoraria disclosures are filed with the Commission on Ethics; SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments with a delayed effective date; SB 830 creating public records exemptions for certain local government administrators and their families; SB 1096 clarifying the filing deadline for employment discrimination complaints; and SB 1656 designating the SS American Victory as Florida’s official state flagship. All were reported favorably. The committee also considered a slate of appointments, including a separate vote on Jeffrey Aaron to the Public Employees Relations Commission, which was recommended favorably after Senator Polsky objected to the appointment and cited concerns about political ties and prior work. The remaining appointees on tabs 12 through 30 were also recommended favorably. After a recess, the committee took up SB 1296 on the Public Employees Relations Commission, as substituted by a committee PCS. The PCS would change union certification and recertification rules, require stronger showing-of-interest and voting thresholds, limit paid union leave in some cases, require equal access to employer communication spaces, and speed up impasse procedures for state-funded salary increases. The bill drew extensive testimony, with supporters arguing it would improve accountability, transparency, and taxpayer fairness, and opponents—many of them teachers, bus drivers, and other public employees—saying it would weaken collective bargaining, burden workers, and function as union busting. Members raised constitutional concerns about the single-subject rule and collective bargaining protections, and debate was ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• to somebody is: say you have an insurance company that has company cars so they can go out and do claims
• somebody is, so say you have an insurance company that has company cars so they can go out and do claims
• are costs we must pass on to our customers if we are to remain solvent, healthy, and able to pay claims
• Insurance premiums are not set arbitrarily; rather, they are based on projections of claims, administrative
• discounts for certain products where FDA has authorized specific manufacturers to make modified risk claims

Summary: The committee heard briefings, sponsor presentations, and public testimony on several finance bills. HB 2038 would impose an additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms beginning in 2027 and create a youth behavioral health account funded by the tax. The sponsor argued the bill would help address youth mental health harms linked to social media and support implementation of the Washington Thriving plan. Supporters in testimony, including youth advocates and some public health voices, said social media contributes to youth anxiety and addiction and that the revenue should be used for behavioral health services. Opponents, including technology and business groups, argued the tax unfairly singles out one sector, could be passed on to consumers, and may violate federal internet tax law. The hearing on HB 2038 was suspended and later reopened for public testimony; no vote was taken. HB 2297 would create tax incentives for grocery stores in underserved communities, including local B&O preferences, a sales tax exemption for security services, a 30-year property tax exemption program, a B&O tax credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to preserve and attract grocery stores in food deserts, especially after recent store closures, and to help communities with limited transportation and access to healthy food. County representatives supported the goal but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption and its effect on local revenues. Public testimony was largely supportive, with advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents describing grocery stores as essential community infrastructure. No action was taken. HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco product taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to a time-sensitive emergency system, tobacco enforcement, and the foundational public health services account. The sponsor said the bill would generate needed revenue, support cancer research funding, and strengthen public health and enforcement. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce use and help cover long-term health costs, while some public health witnesses supported the revenue but suggested directing more funds to existing tobacco prevention accounts. Opponents from retail and industry groups argued the proposal is regressive, could increase illicit sales and cross-border purchasing, and would hurt small businesses and low-income consumers. The committee also heard HB 2487, a Department of Revenue request bill that would narrow the B&O exemption for insurers to clarify that it applies only to premium income subject to insurance premium tax, and apply the change retroactively to 2019. The sponsor and supporters said the bill closes a loophole created by a recent Supreme Court ruling and preserves tax equity, while insurers and business groups objected to the retroactive application, warning of higher premiums and unfair taxation. Finally, HB 2018 would increase the solid waste tax by 0.5% per year for five years and direct the new revenue to a local government solid waste assistance account for county and city waste management plans. County officials supported the bill as a way to stabilize funding for solid waste systems, and testimony emphasized rising disposal and infrastructure costs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I don't think anybody will ever claim or promise that that's a reasonable level to expect.
• excessively, for needlessly long periods, and as a tool to force immigrants with legitimate legal claims
• detention excessively for needlessly long periods and as a tool to force immigrants with legitimate legal claims
• to abandon their rights. ...periods and as a tool to force immigrants with legitimate legal claims to
• How can a state that claims to provide sanctuary to immigrants, that shelters thousands of war refugees

Summary: The committee began with a work session from the State Investment Board, where staff described the board’s structure, $230 billion in assets under management, and its mandate to maximize returns at a prudent level of risk for pension and other state funds. They reviewed long-term performance, noting strong historical returns and explaining that the board generally invests public equities passively through low-cost index funds. Members also discussed sustainability practices, including ESG integration, proxy voting, climate and DEI blueprints, and the board’s view that divestment or asset-class restrictions can reduce returns and increase costs. Senators asked about deferred compensation, legislative influence over investment policy, and digital assets; staff said the board is slow-moving and that any major change would be studied carefully. The public hearing then focused on SB 5439, which would prohibit new thermal coal investments beginning in 2026 and require full divestment by 2030, with limited exceptions. Supporters argued coal is a poor long-term investment and a major climate and health risk, and several said the bill still gives the board flexibility to retain holdings in companies transitioning to clean energy. The committee also heard testimony on SB 6109, which would bar investments in private detention facilities and require divestment by 2030; supporters said state money should not profit from immigrant detention, while staff confirmed the board currently holds a small investment in Geo Group. SB 6304 would require responsible investment principles for the State Investment Board, including consideration of human rights, environmental degradation, corruption, and related risks, along with proxy voting guidelines and annual reporting. Testimony in favor emphasized ethical investing, climate risk, and avoiding complicity in human rights abuses, while board staff had earlier said they view such decisions through an investment-risk lens rather than a values-based lens. The committee also heard Substitute SB 5945, which would exclude most offenses committed before age 18 from counting as strikes under the state’s persistent offender law and would allow retroactive resentencing for affected people, with exceptions for first- and second-degree murder and serious sex offenses. Staff said the substitute would likely affect fewer cases than the original bill, with estimates ranging from about 10 to 24 resentencings. Public defense, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ representatives raised concerns about workload, victim impacts, and retroactive application, while supporters and pro bono providers said they were prepared to help with resentencing and reentry support. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• property tax exemption shall freeze the assessed value of the property for a year immediately prior to claiming
• property tax exemption shall freeze the assessed value of the property for a year immediately prior to claiming
• it would be a hundred years, assuming there's a five-year residency, they have to be in there and claim
• it would be a hundred years, assuming there's a five-year residency, they have to be in there and claim
• it would be a hundred years, assuming there's a five-year residency, they have to be in there and claim

Committee: House Mobile County Legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• that services be separated or bundled; a change to prior authorization, inpatient notification, or claim
• Just this last November, Regence Blue Shield sent a notice out and stopped paying on rehabilitation claims
• They claimed it was an error. We filed complaints. We're trying to ...scope of practice.
• They claimed it was an error. We filed complaints.
• They claimed it was to align with Medicare policies, but that's simply not true.

Bills: HB1904 , HB2106 , HB2211 , HB2247 , HB2329 , HB2339

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: animal welfare, cats, declawing, animal rights, pet care, healthcare, contract modifications, provider notifications, insurance carriers, health facilities, HB 2211, medically tailored meals, medical nutrition therapy, medical assistance, Medicaid, Health Care Authority, Department of Social and Health Services, nutrition support, chronic disease, dietary accommodations

Transcript Highlights:

• that services be separated or bundled; a change to prior authorization, inpatient notification, or claim
• Just this last November, Regence BlueShield sent a notice out, stopped paying on rehabilitation claims
• They claimed it was an error. We filed complaints. We're trying to... ...scope of practice.
• They claimed it was an error. We filed complaints.
• They claimed it was to align with Medicare policies, but that's simply not true.

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several health-related bills. House Bill 1904 would prohibit cat declawing except for therapeutic purposes, with staff explaining definitions, fines, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements. The prime sponsor and animal welfare advocates described declawing as cruel and linked it to pain and behavior problems, while the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association supported the substance of the bill but asked to remove the added reporting and disciplinary provisions as redundant and burdensome. House Bill 2211 would provide guidance for medically tailored meals under existing Medicaid-related nutrition supports, including standards for Washington-based nonprofit providers where possible, menu review, and nutrition requirements. The sponsor said it would clarify implementation without expanding the program, and supporters from meal providers, food distributors, and local farms said it would improve health outcomes, keep dollars local, and support Washington jobs and agriculture. House Bill 2329 would allow licensed midwives to delegate certain tasks to medical assistants and to supervise medical assistants, with the sponsor and birth center operators saying it would fix an omission in current law and help rural and under-resourced birth centers operate more efficiently. Supporters said it would improve staffing and financial stability, while the sponsor indicated the lactation consultant language would likely be removed because those consultants are not regulated by the Department of Health. The committee then returned to House Bill 1904 for additional testimony from humane organizations, veterinarians, shelter leaders, and local officials, all supporting a ban on declawing and emphasizing animal pain, shelter impacts, and available alternatives. House Bill 2247 would expand and clarify veterinary telehealth and veterinarian-client-patient relationship rules, allowing a VCPR to be established in certain telehealth circumstances and setting guardrails for consent, practice standards, and when in-person exams are still required. Supporters from shelters, animal welfare groups, mobile clinics, and veterinarians said telehealth would improve access in rural and underserved areas, reduce shelter intake, and help animals receive care sooner; the veterinary association supported the bill with amendments to clarify recordkeeping and access-to-care findings. House Bill 2339 would update nursing license terminology and processes for advanced registered nurse practitioners, including title changes, controlled substance rules for CRNAs, transcript submission, and interim permits. Nursing board and ARNP representatives supported the technical updates, while the hospital association and medical association raised concerns about title language for clinical nurse specialists and the deletion of a reference to the medical profession. Finally, House Bill 2106 would require health carriers to give 90 days’ notice of significant mid-contract payer modifications and provide the actual modification language, with the sponsor and hospital and provider representatives saying insurers are increasingly making unilateral changes that affect payment, services, and patient access. UW Medicine and a rural hospital district described examples where insurers changed imaging or preventive service coverage mid-contract, causing financial losses and forcing difficult choices about network participation. Carriers were noted as opposing the bill, while providers and facilities argued it would improve transparency and prevent one-sided contract changes that disrupt care.

Transcript Highlights:

• current animal cruelty law that allows Texas pet service businesses to act with impunity by simply claiming
• Currently, clerks cannot distinguish which type of disqualification an individual claims, and HB 2637
• public servants by increasing the penalty for refusal to execute the release of a fraudulent lien or claim
• the Penal Code to increase the penalty for refusal to execute the release of a fraudulent lien or claim
• third-degree felony if the owner of the real or personal property subject to the fraudulent lien or claim

Bills: HB47 , HB171 , HB285 , HB305 , HB449 , HB908 , HB 1024 , HB 1306 , HB1443 , HB1445 , HB1741 , HB1866 , HB1902 , HB2001 , HB2282 , HB2355 , HB2492 , HB2637 , HB2697 , HB3464 , HB4263 , HB4996 , HB5667 , HB47 , HB171 , HB285 , HB305

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice met with a quorum and heard a long agenda of bills on criminal justice, public safety, mental health, victims’ rights, and related administrative issues. Early bills included HB 47, the omnibus sexual assault survivors bill, which would expand post-assault care, require courts to consider delays for adult survivors, bar sex offenders from rideshare driving, allow lease termination regardless of where an assault occurred, and require more reporting from sexual assault response teams. Testimony was generally supportive, though one witness raised concern that the bill’s reporting requirements could jeopardize county grant funding. HB 171, the Annel Borrego Act, would set a minimum period for court-ordered chemical dependency treatment; NAMI Texas supported it. HB 908 would require missing children reports to be sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children within two hours, and HB 1443 would criminalize possession and promotion of childlike sex dolls; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. HB 567, changing juvenile board chair selection in Parker County, and HB 4263, a TJJD workforce retention bill, were also heard and left pending after brief discussion and adoption of committee substitutes where applicable. The committee also heard several bills focused on jail and prison safety, court process, and victim protection. HB 2282 would raise the arrest warrant fee from $50 to $75; constables supported it as a cost-recovery measure, while the Texas Fair Defense Project opposed it as a regressive fee that burdens low-income defendants. HB 3464 would increase penalties for correctional employees who bring drugs or alcohol into prisons, with support from Harris County jail officials and a formerly incarcerated advocate who described the dangers of contraband and retaliation. HB 285, “Poncho’s Law,” would add criminal negligence to non-livestock animal cruelty offenses; animal welfare advocates said it would close a loophole that lets pet service businesses avoid accountability, and the bill was left pending. HB 2355 would keep certain Crime Victims Compensation records confidential when held by the Attorney General, and HB 2637 would standardize jury exemption ages and clean up jury disqualification reporting; both were left pending after limited testimony. Mental health and competency-related bills received significant attention. HB 305 would require a pretrial hearing within 14 days after a defendant is restored to competency, aimed at reducing repeated decompensation and the forensic waitlist; NAMI Texas supported it. HB 1741 would tighten procedures for not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity outpatient commitments by requiring a stronger nexus to the receiving county and clearer supervision authority; law enforcement and mental health witnesses said it would improve public safety and treatment success. HB 2492 would make the four-hour family-violence post-bond cooling-off period mandatory rather than discretionary, and HB 1445 would allow a managed assigned counsel director to designate someone to approve certain payments for indigent defense attorneys; both were left pending. HB 1024 would require prompt execution of warrants for parole violators on superintensive supervision, and HB 1306 would extend first-responder-style benefits to death investigation professionals; neither drew opposition in the hearing. The committee also heard a series of public integrity and technology bills. HB 449 would expand the deepfake sexual content statute to include sexually explicit images, with Public Citizen supporting the change as necessary to address a rapidly growing problem. HB 1902 would create a new offense for “jugging,” or following bank or ATM customers to rob them; the Texas Bankers Association supported it. HB 2697 would require sureties to notify prosecutors before surrendering a felony defendant’s bond, and HB 2001 would sharply increase penalties for misuse of public information for financial gain and related coercion, with prosecutors and Texas Rangers describing bid-rigging and public corruption investigations as difficult to prove under current law because of short limitations periods and limited penalties. HB 1866 would grant Texas peace officer authority to National Park Service rangers within Texas park boundaries, and HB 4996 would increase penalties for fraudulent liens filed against public servants. Throughout the hearing, most bills were left pending after testimony, and several committee substitutes were adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• investigation because there, you know, for the public's benefit, you know, people can come in and make a claim
• in</c><00:40:54.079><c> and</c><00:40:54.240><c> make</c><00:40:54.400><c> a</c><00:40:54.560><c> claim
• </c><00:40:55.920><c> And</c><00:40:56.000><c> and</c> Come in and make a claim, right?
• And then somebody can say, well, that's a false claim. And so we're in a dilemma based upon that.
• I'm glad you talked to the Department of Insurance because the all claims database—that's a... when he

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• allowing the plaintiff, I believe, putting the onus on the Department of Justice to determine if the claim
• Department of Justice to determine<00:19:00.160><c> if</c><00:19:00.320><c> the</c><00:19:00.559><c> claim
• /c><00:19:00.799><c> is</c><00:19:01.520><c> credible</c><00:19:01.840><c> or</c> determine if the claim
• is credible or determine if the claim is credible or not.<00:19:02.400><c> That's</c><00:19:02.559><
• With no claim of fraud or anything. Just an innocent third party. I think that's important.

Summary: The subcommittee work session focused on SB 148 and competing amendments dealing with forfeiture and civil recovery in murder cases. Members compared the “Lynn” and “Burge” amendments and narrowed the remaining disputes to two issues: whether the bill should apply only to first-degree murder or also to second-degree murder and related federal offenses, and whether any civil action could be brought before criminal charges or conviction. The group concluded that the pre-conviction approach created serious practical and constitutional problems, including Fifth Amendment concerns and uncertainty over how a civil case would proceed while a criminal investigation was pending. The discussion then shifted toward limiting the bill to post-conviction remedies. Members agreed that the Department of Justice pre-charge stay language should be removed, that the bill should not try to define “victim” in a way that included the person convicted of the murder, and that the definition should be revised to mean the estate of the victim or the victim’s immediate family, excluding the convicted person. They also agreed to delete language about “after right to appeal has been exhausted,” to correct a typo on page one, and to remove a section dealing with pre-conviction probate-style procedures and third-party notice issues. The committee also discussed how to handle third parties such as insurers, publishers, and innocent purchasers. Members concluded that third parties acting in good faith should not be liable if they make payments or transfer property without notice, but if they receive notice they should not disburse funds. They noted that existing post-conviction civil recovery language already allows victims to sue within three years, making the earlier pre-conviction mechanism unnecessary. The meeting ended with the members saying they had reached a deal on the revised language and would bring the updated amendment forward for further processing.

Transcript Highlights:

• the personal liability of controlled persons and materialators of the Texas Security Act, excluding claims
• accrual of a cause of action for purposes of certain laws governing certain construction liability claims
• HB 2021 by Barry relating to the certain construction liability claims referred to the Committee on Judiciary
• Relating to the personal liability of elected state official of the state government entity for a claim
• HB 2369 by Patterson relating to the processes for and the adjudication and payment of certain claims

Transcript Highlights:

• coordinator for justice-involved veterans because I work for Hennepin County and focus on veteran benefit claims
• I've had some great results with these claims, and our court has a strong reputation for reducing recidivism
• 50.799><c> these</c> I've had some great results with these I've had some great results with these claims
• :51.720><c> court</c><00:19:52.000><c> has</c><00:19:52.120><c> a</c><00:19:52.400><c> strong</c> claims
• and our court has a strong claims and our court has a strong reputation<00:19:53.200><c> of</c><00:19

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division