Transcript Highlights:

• We see practice.
• To impose a life sentence in practice, if not in name, simply because someone refuses or is unable to
• So when you're going from TDCJ to say TCCO, what assessment happens to determine that, hey, you can't
• What assessment happens to determine that, hey, you can't go on parole, you need to go to this facility
• Yet beyond these basic counts, detailed routine data to use an impact of this practice is not readily

Bills: HB1826, HB1969, HB2708, HB2729, HB3618, HB4515, HB4764, SB1021, SB1610

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, inmate release, identification certificate, Texas Department of Corrections, personal identification, driver's license, state law, reentry services, nondisclosure, criminal history, criminal defendants, community supervision, misdemeanors, felonies, rehabilitation, hearsay

Summary: The Corrections Committee first took up pending business and reported several previously heard bills favorably to the full House, including HB 1515 and SB 2405, the TDCJ Sunset bill and its Senate companion, HB 5639 on the veteran housing program, HB 2854 on hospital visits as a parole or mandatory supervision condition and related hospital liability, and SB 1080 on occupational licenses for people with criminal convictions. The committee also heard and advanced SB 1080 without amendment, then moved into new business. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 3618, which would limit invasive group strip searches of female inmates in TDCJ facilities. Formerly incarcerated women and advocates testified in support, describing humiliation, trauma, barriers to programming, and arguing that searches were often ineffective and that contraband more often comes from staff. TDCJ’s resource witness said the agency has looked at technology such as millimeter scanners and is in the process of placing them in facilities, while the bill sponsor said the measure would preserve searches in emergencies and require female officers when women are unclothed. HB 3618 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4515 on expanding orders of nondisclosure, with the author saying the committee substitute would narrow the bill to marijuana possession only; supporters from Alliance for Safety and Justice and Right on Crime argued it would improve reentry and public safety, while members asked about eligibility and related offenses. HB 1826, requiring depression screenings for pregnant and postpartum incarcerated women, drew support from women’s health advocates and formerly incarcerated witnesses; the bill was left pending. HB 1969, to help people leaving prison renew or obtain driver’s licenses, and HB 2708, expanding nondisclosure eligibility for certain misdemeanor convictions, were also laid out and left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 2729, which would bar hearsay evidence in hearings on violations of release conditions, and SB 1021, which would make stalking convictions ineligible for community supervision and add related victim-protection provisions; both were left pending. SB 1610, addressing civil commitment facility safety, sex offender registration, and penalties for assaults on staff, drew strong opposition from civil commitment residents, family members, and civil rights advocates who argued it was punitive and raised due process concerns; the resource witness said assaults had increased and explained the civil commitment process and existing legal safeguards. Finally, HB 4764 would require TDCJ to report detailed annual data on restrictive housing; supporters said the bill would improve transparency around solitary confinement, and the committee left it pending before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's office as to the choices of how to organize the government departments that oversee this practice
• Governor's office as to the choices of how to organize the government departments that oversee this practice
• The government departments that oversee this practice.
• or require supervision at the direction of a licensed physician, PA, or advanced practice nurse.
• At the direction of a licensed physician, PA, or advanced practice nurse.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call showing 46 members present. It then took up multiple House messages and amendments, appointing conference committees on several measures, including SB 2007, SCR 4007, SB 2374, SB 233, and House bills 1029, 1218, and 1022. The chamber also considered a series of House bills on the sixth and 14th orders, often adopting committee amendments before final passage or, in some cases, rejecting the bill outright. Among the major policy items, the Senate passed HB 1524 on regional planning council grants, HB 1143 increasing a food bank appropriation to $10 million, HB 1126 modernizing cosmetology licensing and inspections, HB 1542 making student applications for admission exempt records, HB 1613 regulating law enforcement use of robots, HB 1582 directing a study on false reports and accusations, HB 1214 revising school transportation funding, HB 1448 creating a study on advanced technologies, HB 1280 on drainage project voting rules, HB 1499 protecting records related to federal judges, and several Senate bills returned from the House, including SB 2221, SB 2117, SB 2198, SB 2120, and SB 2214. The Senate also adopted amendments to HB 1541 on septic systems before rejecting it on final passage. Several high-profile bills failed after debate. HB 1566, dealing with kratom regulation, saw an amendment to convert it to a study fail on a 21-25 vote, after which the chamber laid the bill over for one legislative day rather than take final action. HB 1283, which would have eliminated cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams in the state employee plan, was defeated 22-24 after extensive debate over cost, precedent, and insurance impacts. HB 1527, requiring Holocaust education in statute, also failed 22-24, with supporters emphasizing the importance of the subject and opponents arguing curriculum belongs in standards rather than statute. The Senate adjourned after announcements, scheduling its next meeting for Monday, April 14, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• While market volatility is real, recent state assessments reveal that there is an unexplained and unique
• Prosecutors, defenders, and judges are trained to assess facts within a legal framework.
• For the record, I agree with your assessment. With that, Mr.
• I should have practiced speaking before I came up here today with all these syllables.
• Parole Board decisions are bound by the law, the evidence before them, and expert risk assessments.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, though no final votes were taken because a quorum had not yet been established. SB 493 by Senator Becker would add war or armed conflict to California’s price-gouging emergency triggers, with the author and supporters arguing it would protect consumers from gas-price spikes tied to international conflict. Opponents, including business and housing groups, warned the bill could over-trigger emergency powers and create broad, ongoing price controls. The chair indicated support for an aye-as-amended recommendation once quorum was reached. SB 1056 by Senator Grayson would require protective orders for disclosure of sexually explicit material involving adult victims in specified criminal cases. Denise Huskins-Quinn and Aaron Quinn testified in support, describing how sensitive evidence in their case was copied and handled without adequate safeguards; supporters said the bill would extend privacy protections similar to those already used for child sexual abuse material. Criminal defense attorneys supported the goal but raised concerns about notice procedures and how the bill would apply when material is in the public domain. The chair said the bill filled a gap in existing law and would receive an aye recommendation. SB 1208 by Senator Grayson would let law enforcement seize and return crypto assets used in scams and fraud to victims. The Attorney General’s office and law enforcement groups supported the bill as a tool to recover losses from transnational crypto fraud, while the ACLU and public defenders argued it lowered the burden of proof, raised constitutional concerns, and could be misused against unbanked or low-level defendants. The chair nevertheless said the bill aligned with existing law for stolen property and would be recommended aye. SB 874 by Senator Weber-Pearson would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including requiring background checks for employees of providers and convening a stakeholder workgroup; it drew support from the California Association for Behavior Analysis and no opposition was heard. Later, SB 1266 by Senator Stern would change how the value of stolen copper and related infrastructure damage is calculated, aiming to address copper theft and its costs to cities and utilities. Supporters said the bill would better capture the real harm from thefts that disrupt streetlights, telecom, and emergency services, while opponents argued it would inflate charges, turn many misdemeanors into felonies, and increase court and incarceration costs. The author said he would continue discussions and accept the amendments. Senator Cervantes presented SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County sheriff and coroner offices and create an independent medical examiner; supporters cited in-custody death concerns and conflicts of interest, while opponents said the problem was not unique to Riverside and that the bill would override local control. Cervantes also presented SB 1418 to extend ballot-custody protections to other election records and equipment after a Riverside County ballot seizure, with support from the Attorney General’s office. Finally, Senator Blakespear began presenting SB 936 on nitrous oxide misuse, describing public health, impaired-driving, and disposal concerns, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that is a wrong practice.
• So that is how we assess what kind of behavior they are prepared to manage in their home.
• So that is how we assess what kind of behavior they are prepared to manage in their home.
• So there's no formal assessments or anything that the parents go through?
• —excuse me—Representative Tanner, it is a formal assessment.

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the January 26 and 27 minutes, then introduced RS 3-2-884, a proposal by Rep. Josh Tanner to protect Social Security survivor benefits for children in foster care from being used by the state to offset other costs. Tanner said the measure would codify protections already being pursued nationally and noted that Nebraska had recently acted on the issue. A question was raised about whether the funds could go into ABLE accounts; Tanner said ABLE accounts were different and the goal was simply to keep the benefits intact for the children. The committee then took up Department of Health and Welfare foster care licensing rules, including both a temporary and pending rule under docket 16-0602-2-2501. The department said the rule primarily implemented last year’s legislation extending foster care from age 21 to 23 and creating kin-specific licensure. Members asked about the removal of language on the reasonable and prudent parent standard, corporal punishment, and discipline requirements. Department staff said some language was moved or removed because it was now in statute or considered duplicative, and that licensing decisions could rely on a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard even if criminal charges were not filed or resulted in acquittal, with supervisory review and appeal protections in place. The committee extended the temporary rule to July 1, 2026, and approved the pending rule. Finally, the committee approved a repeal of state rules for the Emergency Assistance for Families and Children program under docket 16-613-13-23-2501. The department said the program is entirely federally funded and governed by federal law, so the state rules were being repealed as part of zero-based rulemaking because they largely duplicated federal requirements. The committee approved the repeal, and the chair announced the committee would not meet the next day while budget discussions continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• It revises property tax provisions, including removing the assessment limitation on agriculture equipment
• This amendment to the House amendment makes the following changes: It removes the homestead assessment
• Disorder services in the state and to improve the effectiveness of current practices, procedures, and
• The NCLEX practical nurse pass rate stood at 80.8%.
• The NCLEX practical nurse pass rate stood at 80.8% compared to the national average of 88.4%.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into a series of special-order bills and House messages. Early floor action included passage of a claim bill for Mandy Penny Lemon (HB 6503) and bills on sewer collection systems (HB 1123) and farm products (HB 211), all passing unanimously. The chamber also took up an ad valorem tax exemption resolution for agricultural tangible personal property (CS/HJR 1215), which passed 37-0. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the Senate recessed and later returned to House messages and additional special orders. The Senate then addressed multiple House amendments and conference-style motions. It concurred in amended versions of SB 994 on driver safety, SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, and HB 1609 on waste incineration/auxiliary containers after extended debate over hurricane recovery rules, local government restrictions, and plastic container preemption. The chamber also concurred in CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiative petitions, increasing the number of petitions a volunteer may carry from 2 to 25, and in CS/HB 733 on Brownfields. Other House amendments were rejected or sent back, including SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, SB 116 on veterans policy, SB 168 on mental health, and HB 1101 on out-of-network provider referrals. Later, the Senate approved CS/HB 1255 on education and CS/HB 875 on educator preparation, with discussion focused on school readiness, teacher training, and changes to certification and testing requirements. It also concurred in CS/HB 1427, a broad health care bill, after the House added a major nursing education amendment that tightened Board of Nursing oversight, required standardized evaluation and remediation, and imposed accountability measures tied to NCLEX pass rates and program performance. Several members raised concerns or praised negotiated compromises throughout the day, but the recorded actions were mainly concurrence motions, refusals to concur, and final passage votes on the bills considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• fund not only achieves greater fiscal stability but also set precedent for sustainable management practices
• fund not only achieves greater fiscal stability but also set precedent for sustainable management practices
• for Su but also set precedent for Su sustainable<00:13:10.040><c> management</c><00:13:10.600><c> practices
• </c><00:13:11.600><c> implo</c> sustainable management practices implo sustainable management practices
• given's assessment that actually turned given's assessment that actually turned out<00:24:52.480><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 HB 545Discussion 00:00:40 HB 545 Vote 00:01:35 HJR 54 Discussion 00:02:25 HJR 54 Vote 00:03:10 HB 694 Discussion 00:03:42 HB 694 Vote 00:28:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 545, a routine claims bill. Representative Tim Truett explained it as a measure to pay debts the Commonwealth owes. The bill received a motion, a second, and a roll call vote, and passed with favorable expression and no nay votes. Members then considered House Joint Resolution 54, which related to the Kentucky State Fair Board’s expansion plan. The chair explained that the resolution simply acknowledged receipt and approval of the plan so previously appropriated funds could be released. The resolution passed by roll call with no nay votes and was reported favorably to the floor. The main discussion centered on House Bill 694, concerning the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System medical insurance fund and the 2010 “shared responsibility” agreement. The bill would redirect employer contributions from local districts from the health side to the pension side once the plan reaches 100% funded. The chair and Senator Givens argued the bill was a continuation of the state’s long-term commitment to TRS and taxpayer responsibility, while Senator Neal raised concerns about fairness, the timing of the change, and whether the original agreement and statutory trigger for TRS board recommendations had been honored. Testimony from KEA President Eddie Campbell and former Jefferson County Teachers Association president Brent McMahan supported the 2010 agreement but urged the committee to pause the bill, saying the parties should return to the table and that the current proposal could conflict with the original understanding, create actuarial and legal issues, and potentially affect school district finances and bond ratings. Despite those concerns, the committee voted 8-1 to pass House Bill 694 with favorable expression, with Senator Neal voting no and explaining his objection as a process and good-faith concern.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:42:28.960><c> Practices</c><02:42:29.439><c> that</c> such practices.
• Practices that such practices.
• . practice. practice.
• </c> practicing physician in the office? practicing physician in the office?
• So, um, I don't practice currently, but I practiced for a while and I know a lot of docs.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had people who are getting near the end of their term or just deciding to change practice and have
• /c><00:03:42.760><c> bad</c> informing other states of the bad informing other states of the bad practices
• that have occurred in this practices that have occurred in this state<00:03:45.840><c> uh</c><00:03:
• <00:03:59.239><c> and</c> practice and practice and we<00:04:00.680><c> we</c><00:04:00.840><c> need<
• issues I would say is 100% practical issues I would say is 100% entirely<00:20:14.320><c> appropriate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:04.839><c> like</c> reflect changing business practices like reflect changing business practices
• To propose an assessment on the market to fund the program.
• on the market to propose a an assessment on the market to<00:19:51.880><c> fund</c><00:19:52.159><c>
• or fees in one way or assessments or fees in one way or another<00:20:32.559><c> um</c><00:20:33.200
• </c> develop Grant contracts and practices develop Grant contracts and practices and<00:59:43.799><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They've got to accommodate those things, but it's not included in their assessed valuation at this point
• The assessed valuation. So that's why we changed it to... ...county finances as the title. Okay.
• was a pretty nice concept, but as a practical matter, in Lewis County, the industrial—what industry
• This bill simply allows municipalities to ask voters if they would be willing to increase the assessment
• Peters, we have long-term planning, assessments, and everything else, and then we've set our rates.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've learned better practices from the refiners and how to make a cleaner, safer fuel.
• So I'm going to go now into the 2026 summer grid readiness assessment.
• Also, as part of our operational role on an annual basis, we... ...do a summer assessment.
• So, long story short, we've been performing this assessment.
• We're very happy to see the latest assessment.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is there an assessment for giftedness is there an assessment for giftedness and<03:37:32.040><c> the<
• </c><04:06:37.560><c> of</c> disastrous the national assessment of disastrous the national assessment
• </c><04:08:50.880><c> to</c> formulas and and which assessments to formulas and and which assessments
• </c><04:14:34.800><c> so</c> be shared Statewide best practices so be shared Statewide best practices
• </c><05:17:01.680><c> you</c> practice you don't come to practice you practice you don't come to practice

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which limits the maximum credits per course eligible for the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program. Representative Ladd said the bill clarifies that eligible courses may not exceed four credits and was requested by the community college system. Representative Earth offered an amendment to make the bill effective on passage, which the committee adopted 18-0. The committee then approved HB 193 as amended by an 18-0 OTPA vote and placed it on the consent calendar. The committee next retained HB 295, concerning School Building Aid program funds, after Representative Spillsbury said the building aid bills were complex and needed more work. The motion to retain passed 18-0, with the chair explaining that retained bills can be revisited later and that related language could be moved among building aid bills. HB 354 was not acted on because the chair said the Department of Education and others had suggested possible changes that should be worked out first. HB 366, another school building aid bill, was also retained 18-0 for the same reasons as HB 295. The committee then considered HB 494, which funds the math learning communities program. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program, reducing the proposed increase by a net $50,000 and keeping funding at current levels for the biennium. After discussion about budget pressures and the program’s role in supporting math instruction and professional development, the amendment passed 18-0, and the bill as amended was approved 18-0 and placed on consent. Finally, the committee took up HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid. Representative Popovici-Muller moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing charter schools should not be treated differently from other public schools, while Representatives Luno and Damon opposed the motion, saying charter schools differ in governance and financial risk and should not receive limited state building aid. The motion failed 10-8, so HB 515 was sent to the regular calendar. The committee assigned Representative Damon to the minority report and Representative Popovici-Muller to the majority report, with a noon deadline the next day. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. Representative Ladd described the program as a successful affordability measure that saves families money and supports college access. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program at current levels, reducing the proposed increase by $500,000 in each year of the biennium. Shannon Reed of the Community College System said the change could limit enrollment or the number of funded courses, though students could still take additional courses at their own expense. Representative Ladd explained the program’s tuition structure and said the funding would help meet demand; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 716.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recent MassHealth policy changes, such as new assessment mandates and additional at-home observation
• So that wouldn't have been a CHIA assessment done on it just to get some fiscal numbers on it from CHIA
• I've practiced as a behavior analyst in Massachusetts for 22 years and currently serve as senior clinical
• bill, 4623, ensures that that license that Massachusetts already has created is fully recognized in practice
• The 2026 MassHealth ABA policy introduces new assessment, scheduling, and documentation requirements,

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a range of health care financing bills focused largely on autism services and kidney disease coverage. Committee chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted until each bill is acted upon. They said the day’s bills addressed affordability and access to behavioral health services, provider reimbursement, Medicare coverage for vulnerable patients, and MassHealth eligibility asset exemptions. A major portion of the hearing concerned House Bill 4623, which would recognize board-certified assistant behavior analysts (BCABAs) in the MassHealth reimbursement framework to help address long wait lists for autism spectrum disorder services. Representative Lisa Field and several providers testified that Massachusetts families face long delays for ABA services and that adding BCABAs would expand workforce capacity, reduce costs, and improve access. Wakely actuary Annie Tasman Ewing said a three-tier model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% annually, while Dr. Sandra Beaton and others described severe wait lists and said the bill would allow more families to be served sooner. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 4425 and Senate Bill 2737, which would allow people under 65 with end-stage renal disease to purchase Medigap coverage. Representative Stanley, Senator Gomez, and advocates from the American Kidney Fund and Dialysis Patient Citizens argued that current law unfairly excludes these patients, leaves them with high out-of-pocket costs, and can delay transplant eligibility because many centers require secondary insurance. Testifiers said the change would help about 846 residents, could cost insurers only a small premium increase, and might reduce Medicaid spending by avoiding asset spend-downs. Committee members asked questions about the existing statutory carve-out and the practical effects on transplant access. The hearing also included testimony on House Bill 4353 and Senate Bill 2587, which would require regular Medicaid rate reviews for ABA services. Providers and clinicians said current MassHealth rates no longer reflect the cost of delivering care, especially with new 2026 policy requirements, workforce shortages, and accreditation obligations. They emphasized that the bills would not mandate a rate increase but would create a data-driven, transparent review process. At the end of the hearing, the chairs thanked participants, invited additional written testimony, and the committee voted unanimously to adjourn the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• div with an entire division dedicated to developing it, procurement policies, standards and best practices
• everybody gets a little nervous agencies will be control, but we will have policies standards and best practices
• The agency will also use a needs assessment to understand the amount of technical debt as I spoke before
• They'll be accountable for it and you'll be assessments and they'll be evaluations.
• I'm just wondering, practically the count ability ultimately sits with the legislature and the budget

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1671 is a practical and targeted approach to improve health care access. ...by helping the providers
• who are already serving these communities and encouraging others to practice there.
• We lose providers because they simply could not sustain the financial or operational burden of practicing
• AB 1629 makes two practical improvements to address this issue.
• These plans are not included in the state's assessment of network adequacy, despite the large overlap

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The framework for poll standards is comprehensive and practical.
• Just as Senator Menéndez mentioned, we all heard or know a more accurate assessment is crucial.
• I represent... 100% of my practice is representing property owners associations and dealing with their
• Written and practical exams are part of the certification process.
• It's been the practice of data brokers to try to get around that law.

Bills: SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 1495, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2154, SB 2167, SB 2184, SB 2211, SB 2268, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The meeting of the committee commenced with the establishment of a quorum, where members discussed and voted on five significant bills related to energy efficiency, insurance regulation, and public utility governance. Notably, Senate Bill 2717 was presented, incorporating feedback to foster collaboration among various state agencies for improved energy efficiency performance. This was followed by a detailed discussion on Senate Bill 1642, which proposed changes to the Texas Department of Insurance's executive structure to optimize management and consumer focus. Each bill saw active participation from senators who moved to adopt committee substitutes for clarity and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, indicating a proactive approach to legislative issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• But from a practical standpoint, all we're asking for is a moratorium—let's not.
• Three, assess the hydrologic...
• I think from a practical standpoint, you probably couldn't get a permit in a 24-month period of time
• I do not think, from a very practical standpoint, that they could get a permit in that period of time
• I got you, I know you would, and I don't think it practically impacts you.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So as I understand, in the way that it's practiced, at least in my court in Montgomery and in Jefferson
• There is an assessment left in the hands of the... assessment left in the hands of the judges.
• I'm not going to spare any of my colleagues in the legislature, but being an attorney practicing law,
• So when we start looking at traveling, what if they're going to school and then going into practice?
• We mean by traveling to include a kid going to school and then going to practice.

Bills: SB76, SB35, SB116, SB119, SB118, SB129, SB32, SB31, SB115, SB75, HB27, HB40

Keywords: jury duty, nursing mothers, exemption, legal rights, parental responsibilities, sexual extortion, criminal law, felony, threat, blackmail, SB116, machine gun conversion devices, switches, pistol conversion device, auto sear, firearm accessories, machine gun, automatic weapon, semiautomatic pistol, gun control

Transcript Highlights:

• They've been there all night and today assessing things.
• In practice, but not codified.
• No, we are—by making changes or—am I wrong in my assessment on that?
• Well, you're going to have the assessment with the federal document.
• I say that as somebody who actually practices in immigration law.

Bills: SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, SCR25, SB687, SB1332, SB2185, SB552, SB664, SB40, SB9, SJR1, SJR5, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, SB27, SB207, SB2938, SB1901, SB1227, SB1248, SB912, SB1321, SB2143, SB2145, SB1497, SB1239, SB2180, SB1388, SB1762, SB1662, SB1951, SB1537, SB493, SB378, SB1020, SB1018, SB992, SB958, SB920, SB1350, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141, HCR46, HCR109, HCR10, SCR25, HB2525, HB142, HB140, HB29, HB451, HB3809, HB3307, HB 1130, HJR1, HB9, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB2308

Keywords: Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A, bail training, Article 17.024, Article 15.17, local administrative judge, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Office of Court Administration, county courts, criminal justice, criminal jurisprudence, judicial qualifications

Transcript Highlights:

• President, 43 percent of the practicing African American lawyers in the state of Texas.
• This is not my area of practice either.
• But in practice, and when we look at the cases coming out of the chancery court there, in practice, in
• Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 689, relating to employment practices.
• In hiring practices, in employment practices, let's treat each other the same and not divide ourselves

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.