Transcript Highlights:

• :45.440><c> classc><00:19:45.760><c> 3Ac><00:19:46.240><c> Alabamac><00:19:46.720><c> Highc>
• the 2026 boys class 3A Alabama High the 2026 boys class 3A Alabama High School<00:19:47.039><c> Athletic
• ><c> municipalityc><01:11:36.480><c> nowc><01:11:36.719><c> becausec><01:11:36.960><c> ifc> class
• They are really now the<01:11:43.679><c> truec><01:11:44.320><c> classc><01:11:44.719><c> onec>
• <01:11:44.960><c> municipalityc><01:11:45.760><c> inc><01:11:46.000><c> thec> the true class one

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> someonec><00:09:25.279><c> withc><00:09:25.519><c> ac><00:09:25.680><c> classc><00:09:26.000
• ><c> Dc> ability to charge someone with a class D ability to charge someone with a class D felony.<
• c><00:26:34.159><c> asc><00:26:34.320><c> ac><00:26:34.480><c> classc><00:26:34.720><c> Ac>
• violation of this law as a class A violation of this law as a class A misdemeanor<00:26:35.840><c> and
• c> thatc> misdemeanor and it also stipulates that misdemeanor and it also stipulates that anyone<00

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:05 HB 313 Discussion 02:16 HB 313 Roll Call Vote 04:33 HB 60 Discussion 05:30 HB 60 Roll Call Vote 20:12 HB 397 Discussion 21:18 HB 397 Roll Call Vote 31:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 313, which would shorten the required notice a city must give a utility provider before a contract expires from 18 months to 6 months. The sponsor and Kentucky League of Cities representative said the change would better reflect current market conditions and reduce the risk of leaving either cities or providers in a bad financial position. The bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 60, the geoengineering ban. A committee substitute was adopted to add exemptions for ground-level agricultural activities and certain energy-related equipment, while keeping the bill’s core prohibition on spraying pollutants into the upper atmosphere to block sunlight or modify weather. Supporters described the bill as a preventive measure against future weather modification experiments, while members asked about enforcement, federal notice provisions, and whether cloud seeding or ordinary jet contrails would be affected. The sponsor said the bill targets high-altitude geoengineering, not normal aircraft exhaust, and that cloud seeding is banned. The bill, as amended, passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 397, as amended by House Committee Substitute 2, to protect trophy catfish. The substitute reduced penalties from a felony to a Class A misdemeanor and added $500 restitution per violation. The bill would prohibit transporting live trophy catfish, defined as 35 inches or longer, for commercial purposes except by boat, while exempting personal fishing, tournaments, festival events, and smaller fish. Supporters said the measure would protect a slow-growing natural resource and preserve catfish populations, and a Kentucky Waterways Alliance representative testified in support. Members asked about the Butler County catfish festival, statewide application, and special lower Ohio River licensing provisions; the sponsor said the festival would not be affected and the special licenses would be phased out. The bill passed with favorable expression, with one member passing to seek more information before floor consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what is the penalty for a Class A misdemeanor?
• For Class C misdemeanor, it's a... I think your bill says Class A is what I read here on page two.
• Examples of Class A misdemeanors are our second defense DWI.
• That's more than a Class C misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $500.
• So, it's more than a Class C misdemeanor.

Bills: SB801, SB867, SB2717, SB2919, HJR7, HB4, HB14, HB27, HB42, HB46, HB100, HB111, HB112, HB121, HB126, HB146, HB186, HB223, HB229, HB322, HB367, HB500, HB521, HB640, HB705, HB783, HB1052, HB1056, HB1105, HB1106, HB1178, HB1211, HB1234, HB1306, HB1403, HB1449, HB1506, HB1661, HB1690, HB1871, HB1960, HB2017, HB2078, HB2128, HB2240, HB2243, HB2348, HB2407, HB2512, HB2820, HB2844, HB2853, HB2854, HB2885, HB3000, HB3005, HB3053, HB3057, HB3181, HB3333, HB3372, HB3425, HB3441, HB3516, HB3749, HB3783, HB3812, HB3848, HB3923, HB3963, HB4070, HB4134, HB4157, HB4158, HB4211, HB4449, HB4623, HB4638, HB4687, HB4690, HB4748, HB4749, HB4795, HB4848, HB5093, HB5115, HB5129, HB5138, HB5294, HB5616, HB5629, HB5646, HB5661, HB5672, HB5674, HB5699, HCR40, SJR5, SJR27, SJR59, SB4, SB6, SB8, SB9, SB10, SB12, SB22, SB23, SB25, SB27, SB34, SB36, SB37, SB38, SB40, SB57, SB140, SB261, SB293, SB441, SB447, SB467, SB512, SB650, SB777, SB785, SB924, SB1188, SB1281, SB1318, SB1333, SB1398, SB1448, SB1566, SB1579, SB1621, SB1723, SB1838, SB1862, SB2167, SB2405, SB2406, SB2407, SB2878, SB3059, SB3070, SB1, SB17, SB21, SB260, SB379, SB509, SB1198, SB1405, SB1506, SB1637, SB1833, SB2155, SB2308, SB2601, SB2778, HB300, HB2011, HB2525, HB5246, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HJR7, HB5115, HB3053, HB1403, HB223, HB748, HB5652, HB3395, HB180, HB1306, HB322, HB126, HB5650, HB4894, HB1629, HB5698, HB3171, HB2694, HB5664, HB4690, HB4464, HB3623, HB2520, HB2213, HB252, HB146, HB5596, HB3619, HB5320, HB5651, HB5670, HB5665, HB5437, HB5679, HB5699, HB5661, HB5662, HB5654, HB5672, HB5656, HB3812, HB3057, HB2035, HB721, HB346, HB2512, HB5695, HB5694, HB5674, HB3185, HB2348, HB1871, HB1135, HB101, HB5666, HB5677, HB5682, HB5658, HB4144, HB3642, HB3815, HB2686, HB2012, HB1960, HB227, HB654, HB1690, HB2128, HB4158, HB4630, HB1523, HB2078, HB1973, HB3333, HB3697, HB3546, HB3225, HB3181, HB2820, HB1506, HB1234, HB640, HB521, HB229, HB186, HB119, HB4795, HB4466, HB3749, HB1106, HB4, HB4170, HB3909, HB4081, HB4145, HB4157, HB4285, HB4463, HB4995, HB5138, HB5624, HB1449, HB2598, HB3629, HB4361, HB824, HB1868, HB4848, HB2243, HB40, HB117, HB3686, HB500, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB1056, HB42, HB3000, HB100, HB2240, HB718, HB27, HB4904, HB4202, HB2853, HB5129, HB5093, HB4765, HB4748, HB4559, HB4350, HB4214, HB3388, HB3112, HB5196, HB4211, HB3516, HB3092, HB4233, HB4687, HB705, HB1094, HB2037, HB3005, HB3848, HB1105, HB121, HB3372, HB367, HB783, HB3336, HB3441, HB4449, HB5616, HB2407, HB2854, HB3425, HB5294, HB1178, HB4623, HB14, HB3963, HB1211, HB5646, HB5629, HB3783, HB4236, HB46, HB4638, HB1052, HB4070, HB5509, HB5435, HB4134, HB3923, HB3520, HB3320, HB2517, HB2488, HB5663, HB2731, HB3073, HB2655, HB2399, HB541, HB4099, HB111, HB1532, HB3483, HB2963, HB4580, HB3748, HB713, HB632, HB426, HB4730, HB127, HB5690, HB5689, HB5655, HB3385, HB2757, HB4359, HB5381, HB20, HB123, HB549, HB5606, HB2217, HB2594, HB796, HB150, HB1057, HCR141, HCR40, HCR59, HCR76, HCR81, HCR46, HCR111, HCR83, HCR84, HJR7, HB4, HB14, HB27, HB42, HB46, HB100, HB126, HB150, HB322, HB367, HB500, HB640, HB705, HB783, HB1105, HB1178, HB1211, HB1234, HB1506, HB1690, HB1871, HB2078, HB2128, HB2240, HB2243, HB2407, HB2512, HB2853, HB2854, HB3000, HB3057, HB3181, HB3372, HB3425, HB3441, HB3749, HB3783, HB3812, HB3923, HB3963, HB4070, HB4134, HB4157, HB4211, HB4449, HB4623, HB4638, HB4687, HB4748, HB4795, HB5093, HB5129, HB5616, HB5629, HB5699, HB229, HB521, HB1056, HB1106, HB5138, SR583, SCR52, HB223, HB229, HB521, HB1056, HB1106, HB1403, HB3053, HB5115, HB5138

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• :31.440><c> umc><00:11:31.760><c> misdemeanorc><00:11:32.639><c> Bc><00:11:34.079><c> umc><00
• ><c> offc><00:11:42.880><c> withc><00:11:43.000><c> ac> misdemeanor but to start off with a misdemeanor
• :08.000><c> penaltyc><00:12:08.440><c> ofc><00:12:08.639><c> Classc><00:12:08.920><c> Bc> that
• this uh penalty of Class B that this uh penalty of Class B misdemeanor<00:12:10.440><c> uhc><00:12
• ><c> tooc><00:12:12.320><c> severec> misdemeanor uh is uh a little too severe misdemeanor uh is uh

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• andc><00:14:18.880><c> it'sc><00:14:19.120><c> ac><00:14:19.360><c> classc><00:14:19.680><c>
• ac><00:29:42.720><c> classc><00:29:43.039><c> Ac><00:29:43.440><c> misdemeanorc><00:29:44.640
• ><c> ifc><00:29:44.880><c> theyc> of a class A misdemeanor if they of a class A misdemeanor if they
• ><c> ofc><00:32:40.880><c> ac><00:32:41.120><c> classc> back in making someone guilty of a class
• back in making someone guilty of a class A<00:32:41.600><c> misdemeanorc><00:32:42.320><c> forc>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also neglected to mention that the columns for the governor, columns B and C, are also referenced as

Bills: HF2730, HF2257, HF2768, HF1932, HF2437

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:08.320><c> I'mc><00:01:08.479><c> fromc><00:01:08.560><c> Priorc><00:01:08.880><c> League
• c><00:01:17.360><c> Ic><00:01:17.520><c> goc><00:01:17.600><c> toc><00:01:18.159><c> highc>
• c><00:01:37.439><c> Ic><00:01:37.600><c> livec><00:01:37.680><c> inc><00:01:37.840><c> Eden
• c><00:01:45.200><c> Ic><00:01:45.360><c> goc><00:01:45.439><c> toc><00:01:45.640><c> CCS.
• c><00:02:00.320><c> Myc><00:02:00.560><c> namec><00:02:00.640><c> isc><00:02:00.880><c> Ara.

Bills: HF2730, HF2257, HF2768, HF1932, HF2437

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Transcript Highlights:

• Deadly conduct subsection C to clarify that the presumption of recklessness and danger does not apply
• With respect, however the amendment to C is fine as it came out of the Senate committee.

Bills: HB2034, HB2436, HB3010, HB3033, HB3138, HB3177, HB3426, HB3686, HB3858, HB4176, HB4257, HB4264, HB4804, HCR98

Keywords: groundwater, foreign ownership, national security, water permits, environmental health, deadly conduct, firearm, recklessness, peace officer, prosecution, Penal Code, Texas laws, disaster recovery, infrastructure, rural communities, grants, state funding, emergency management, HB 3033, Texas Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:23.520><c> Thec><00:01:23.680><c> chairc><00:01:23.840><c> hasc><00:01:24.000><c> read
• ><c> andc><00:02:16.720><c> wec><00:02:16.959><c> welcomec><00:02:17.280><c> herc><00:02:17.520
• c><00:02:47.040><c> Andc><00:02:47.200><c> hisc><00:02:47.440><c> momc><00:02:48.080><c> uh
• ><c> couldc><00:03:10.480><c> pleasec><00:03:10.640><c> standc><00:03:10.879><c> toc> Galoyu
• c><00:03:12.319><c> Welcomec><00:03:12.560><c> toc><00:03:12.720><c> yourc><00:03:12.879><c>

Bills: SB2169, SB2263, SB2360, SB2359, SB2031, SB2796, SB3090, SB3091, SB3092, SB2120, SB2593, SB2751, SB2135, SB2024, SB2872, SB3179, SB2308, SB2392, SB2470, SB2398, SB2902, SB2841, SB2436, SB2806, SB2691, SB2824, SB2645, SB2384, SB2697, SB3153, SB3156, SB888, SB2423, SB2746

Keywords: business competitiveness, economic development, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, business climate, regulatory reform, permitting, economic ranking, state ranking, top 10 states, business climate improvement working group, business revitalization task force, CNBC America’s Top States for Business, Hawaii business climate, workforce development, infrastructure, cost of doing business, tax competitiveness, labor unions, private sector

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> ac><00:12:22.320><c> classc><00:12:22.720><c> Ac> this bill, grooming is a class A this bill
• , grooming is a class A misdemeanor<00:12:23.680><c> whenc><00:12:23.920><c> thec><00:12:24.079><
• ><c> risesc><00:12:33.200><c> toc><00:12:33.360><c> ac><00:12:33.519><c> classc><00:12:33.839
• :46.480><c> ac><00:12:46.639><c> classc><00:12:46.959><c> Dc> those cases, grooming becomes a class
• ><c> underc> class C felony when the victim is under class C felony when the victim is under 12.<00

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:02 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:49 Report of Committees 06:49 Orders of the Day 08:20 HB 4 08:33 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 17:34 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 27:40 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 29:22 ConC/Rules Report 33:29 Floor Amendments 35:06 Adjournment 35:37, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow bill co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The chamber approved the journal and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 48 and 102 and requested concurrence. The clerk then reported second-reading bills including measures on school bus safety, special license plates, healthcare workforce credentials, housing, veteran PTSD treatment, postsecondary education, the Kentucky Fire Commission, and local purchasing, along with committee reports advancing a wide range of bills on cultured meat, eviction/removal of unlawful occupants, involuntary commitment, grand jury service, CPA licensure, physical therapy, engineering scholarships, rabies vaccinations, the Controlled Substance Prescribing Council, robotics, reading and language arts instruction, and the education assessment/accountability system. The main floor action was House Bill 4, relating to grooming a minor. The sponsor described the bill as creating criminal penalties for grooming behavior, with enhanced penalties when the offender holds a position of authority. A floor amendment was adopted making technical wording changes and adding siblings and volunteers to the bill’s lawful-purpose exceptions. Members from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing child protection and the need for stronger legal tools, though one member said she wished the age threshold were higher. The House then passed House Bill 4 as amended by a vote of 98-0. After HB 4, the House moved through announcements and legislative citations. Members recognized the Corbin Middle School football team and the Lion County High School boys basketball team, and honored M. Samantha Shaver, DMD. Committee meeting notices were announced for several panels, including Economic Development, State Government, Natural Resources and Energy, Families and Children, and Health Services. The clerk also reported newly introduced bills and resolutions covering school foods, family care leave, correctional services, protective orders, data privacy, school funding for districts with high tax-exempt property, Medicaid coverage for adult day health and in-home attendant care, alternative diplomas, Kentucky Nurses Day, a sister-city partnership with Israel’s Shamron Regional Council, and DUI. The House then recessed briefly for committee meetings, received committee referral and rules reports, introduced floor amendments to HB 257 and HB 305, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• A misdemeanor or or higher, is that correct?
• There's a very broad class of aliens out there.
• A class of people here has radically changed over a number of years.
• Misdemeanors. Could we say those are like traffic tickets?
• Harassment is increased to a Class A misdemeanor and assault to a Class 3 felony.

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:

• Says that you cannot commit a low-risk misdemeanor. Okay.
• And for a while, we had very few C-Step beds. ...do you challenge or C-Step.
• They might have a mixture of felonies and misdemeanors.
• They might have all felonies, all misdemeanors.
• So you can see in here it's a lot of misdemeanors.

Summary: The Senate and House Joint Committee on Children and Youth met to approve prior minutes, confirm Representative Mary Bentley to the Child Maltreatment Investigations Oversight Committee, and receive several presentations. The Arkansas Infant and Child Death Review team reported on unexpected child deaths in Arkansas, saying its 2023 review covered 148 of 170 non-natural deaths, with the remainder unavailable due to criminal investigations or missing records. Of the reviewed deaths, 69 were accidents, 14 suicides, 18 homicides, and 47 undetermined, and members discussed how the report’s recommendations could be used by agencies and nonprofits for prevention work and grant applications. Committee members also asked about age breakdowns and how the data could be shared without identifying individual cases. The committee then took up HCR 1010 and a broader discussion of juvenile justice reform. Representative Shepard said the resolution was intended to confront data on juvenile incarceration and system outcomes. Senator Missy Irvin, judges Troy Braswell and Kathy Hess, and AOC Juvenile Division Director Burke Steen described the state’s long-running reform efforts, including the SAVRY risk assessment, diversion programs, and efforts to keep more youth in their communities. They said the reforms have reduced delinquency filings, DYS commitments, and revocations, while increasing diversions, but also emphasized ongoing gaps in mental health, substance abuse, and school-based supports. Members raised concerns about school data sharing, behavioral health access, and how to better identify youth with disabilities or trauma earlier. Judge Braswell and others stressed that many youth in the system have significant trauma, family instability, or unmet treatment needs, and that judges need individualized information to make decisions. Several members discussed the role of schools, the school safety dashboard, and the need for stronger community providers, especially in rural areas. The committee then heard from DYS Director Michael Crump, who provided data on commitments, facility use, demographics, offense levels, length of stay, education outcomes, recidivism, dual DCFS/DYS custody, and costs. He said commitments rose after the pandemic and then began to decline, while secure and detention costs increased with the need for more beds; he also noted that most youth in custody have behavioral health needs and that DYS works closely with DCFS, courts, and providers. No final action was taken on HCR 1010 during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> ac><00:10:05.519><c> classc><00:10:05.839><c> ofc><00:10:06.080><c> personsc><00:10:06.399
• ><c> thatc> an existing code a class of persons that an existing code a class of persons that would
• of charges,<00:49:02.480><c> evenc><00:49:02.720><c> ac><00:49:02.880><c> misdemeanor.
• c> ac><01:01:56.720><c> classc><01:01:56.880><c> Ac><01:01:57.119><c> misdemeanor.
• c><01:01:58.079><c> Soc><01:01:58.319><c> Ic> section is a class A misdemeanor.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• C misdemeanor to the same tiered felony charges.
• Dealing with Class C offenses, a Class C crime has a two-year statute of limitations.
• A fresh set of eyes, eliminating this Class C offense and starting the punishment range as a felony range
• The situation is classified, but we're going to raise everything from a Class C misdemeanor.
• If you only have a Class C misdemeanor to hang your hat on, it's very difficult to make a prosecution

Bills: HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305, HB449, HB908, HB1024, HB1306, HB1443, HB1445, HB1741, HB1866, HB1902, HB2001, HB2282, HB2355, HB2492, HB2637, HB2697, HB3464, HB4263, HB4996, HB5667, HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305

Keywords: sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, pretrial hearings

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates a narrowly tailored Class B misdemeanor for specific behavior, which is to harass,
• ... ...to raise the classification of assault from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor when
• The magistrate's order is criminally enforceable, and a violation of the order is a Class A misdemeanor
• And it can be a third, I mean, it can be a Class C misdemeanor if it's, or Class A misdemeanor, I think
• Yeah, it's currently failure to report child abuse or neglect is a Class A misdemeanor unless it is an

Summary: The Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence met with a quorum and heard a series of Senate bills, generally receiving sponsor explanations and, in most cases, no public testimony. SB 2595 would create a Class B misdemeanor for harassing, threatening, or intimidating someone while intentionally concealing identity with a mask, with broad affirmative defenses for legitimate mask use; SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers and add related presumptions and interference protections; and SB 1896 would require magistrates to issue emergency protective orders in certain family violence, sexual assault, stalking, and aggravated cases, with law enforcement required to provide needed information. All three were left pending. The committee also heard SB 955, which increases trafficking of persons from a second-degree to a first-degree felony when the victim was recruited from a correctional facility, and SB 614, which would let the Texas Forensic Science Commission refer dismissed complaints to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs when they reference a prior FSC report; both were left pending. Members then heard several forensic and criminal procedure bills. SB 1372 would resolve a discovery/access conflict involving the DPS crime lab portal by limiting portal access to defense attorneys rather than defendants directly, prompting questions from members about access for pro se defendants; DPS’s chief crime lab witness testified neutrally. SB 1936 would change the LSD “abuse unit” definition for unmarked/unperforated paper from a square-measurement method to a 10-milligram weight standard, and SB 1937 would require a subject matter expert from the testing lab to participate in pretrial meetings in capital cases involving biological evidence to help identify viable testing and conserve resources. SB 2580 would lower the population threshold for sheriff’s departments to independently use tracking equipment and access certain communications from 3.3 million to 500,000, expanding the authority beyond Harris County; it was described as a public safety and emergency response measure and left pending. The committee also considered SB 2798, which would extend the statute of limitations for certain financial crimes from three years to seven years, with testimony from a Montgomery County assistant district attorney supporting the change because fraud is often discovered late. SB 1099 would increase penalties for felony offenses committed by undocumented or unauthorized aliens, but drew strong opposition from the Texas Civil Rights Project, which argued immigration is a federal matter and that the bill would create difficult and potentially unfair status determinations for local courts; members raised concerns about the lack of an expert-testimony requirement. SB 1278 would create an affirmative defense to prostitution prosecution for trafficking victims compelled by their traffickers to commit the conduct, and testimony from advocates and a member’s personal account emphasized the coercive, traumatic nature of trafficking; members discussed whether the defense should be narrower or framed as mitigation, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 127 would extend the statute of limitations for failure to report or conceal child abuse, with members discussing mandatory reporting duties and the need to allow more time for delayed discovery of cover-ups; it too was left pending before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• made the first offense a<01:21:06.640><c> classc><01:21:06.880><c> Bc><01:21:07.120><c> misdemeanor
• ,c><01:21:07.600><c> ac><01:21:07.760><c> minorc> a class B misdemeanor, a minor a class B misdemeanor
• ><01:21:09.760><c> classc><01:21:10.000><c> Ac> misdemeanor.
• > misdemeanorc> a class B misdemeanor a class B misdemeanor then<02:28:40.240><c> thisc><02:28:40.560
• c> prosecution of a class B misdemeanor. prosecution of a class B misdemeanor. >> Okay?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the chair calls Steve Fawcett. 451 180°C-356°F 35-40分 Please proceed. Thank you.
• Class C, maybe a Class B misdemeanor, because you caught them in the act.
• Well, they cut a $2 bolt and, okay, so class C misdemeanor. Here's your ticket.
• Shorter than a misdemeanor. Senate Bill 1021 prevents these short sentences. in our system.
• misdemeanor.

Bills: SB251, SB608, SB487, SB535, SB761, SB955, SB957, SB958, SB988, SB990, SB1019, SB1021, SB1120

Keywords: criminal law, magistrates, Bell County, judicial authority, legal framework, evidence collection, sexual assault kits, reporting, law enforcement, transparency, confidentiality, victim protection, stalking, indecent assault, invasive visual recording, criminal justice, privacy rights, SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield

Transcript Highlights:

• c> ac> second offense of misdemeanor and a second offense of misdemeanor and a class<00:05:03.039><
• isc><00:23:53.120><c> ac><00:23:53.320><c> misdemeanorc><00:23:54.120><c> notc> misdemeanor and
• could be charged is a class A could be charged is a class A misdemeanor<01:16:21.800><c> forc><01:
• ><c> misdemeanorc><02:36:17.520><c> umc><02:36:18.520><c> becausec> Where it's just a misdemeanor
• :30.520><c> Ac> who would be guilter guilty of a Class A who would be guilter guilty of a Class A misdemeanor

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:10:20.079><c> Wec><00:10:20.320><c> heldc><00:10:20.560><c> eightc><00:10:20.800><c> classes
• We held eight classes as opposed<00:10:21.600><c> toc><00:10:21.760><c> fivec><00:10:22.079><c> classes
• c><00:10:54.240><c> Andc><00:10:54.480><c> soc><00:10:54.720><c> ourc> pre-trial misdemeanors
• ><c> programc><00:18:43.520><c> forc> misdemeanor.
• c> classc> parole.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> isc><01:21:02.600><c> ac><01:21:02.719><c> misdemeanorc><01:21:03.600><c> theftc><01:21:
• ><01:21:10.719><c> inc><01:21:10.840><c> ourc> misdemeanor uh this is a uh issue in our misdemeanor
• ><c> orc><01:52:20.280><c> Pettyc> 10% being held on misdemeanor or Petty 10% being held on misdemeanor
• c><01:52:33.440><c> arec><01:52:33.719><c> arec><01:52:33.880><c> misdemeanorc> that most of
• :01:34.199><c> misdemeanorsc><02:01:34.800><c> andc> persons for petty misdemeanors and persons for

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees heard HB 756 HD1, a measure on flavored tobacco products. Supporters included the Attorney General, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, youth advocates, public health groups, and Kaiser Permanente. They argued flavored tobacco and menthol are used to attract and addict young people, cited rising youth and young adult vaping rates, and pointed to public health harms and evidence from other states that flavor restrictions reduced e-cigarette sales. The Attorney General requested oral amendments to correct a statutory reference, repeal a county preemption provision so counties could enact stricter flavor bans, and restore appropriations, positions, and the original effective date. Opponents, including retail and wholesale businesses, argued the bill would hurt small businesses and state tax revenue, push sales to the black market, and remove a harm-reduction option for adult smokers; they urged stronger enforcement instead of a ban. After testimony, the committees took up amendments and recommendations. The chair proposed correcting the statutory citation to HRS 26-38, adopting a Department of Health amendment on disposal of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids as hazardous waste, and noting the appropriations, FTE, and effective date in the committee report. Members then voted to pass HB 756 HD1 with amendments in both committees, with the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee recording one member as supporting with reservations. The transcript then moved to HB 806, relating to fireworks, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying undercover enforcement is costly and additional funding is needed. A community testifier also supported stronger enforcement, citing illegal aerial fireworks, noise, and impacts on pets and kupuna. No final vote on HB 806 was shown in the excerpt. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee also heard HB 438, which would create a Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation in immigration court for income-qualified individuals. Support came from civil rights, legal aid, ACLU, and law school clinic representatives, who said counsel is needed to ensure due process and fair access to justice, especially because immigration proceedings can lead to deportation and family separation. Opposition testifiers argued taxpayer-funded counsel for people in immigration proceedings is inappropriate, unlawful, or unfair to citizens and legal residents. One law school representative suggested a technical amendment to broaden language about training and education. The excerpt ends before a final vote on HB 438 is shown.