Transcript Highlights:

• When we wrote House Bill 1777, it changed the way we calculated fees on phone.
• It does not make any change to current state policy and it does not have a fiscal impact.
• So the bill will not make any changes to who does and who does not pay franchise fees.
• So so it's not that you're having to change anything.
• If a victim is 65 years or older, the committee substitute changes it to 55. substitute.

Bills: SB264, SB542, SB924, SB1008, SB1029, SB1036, SB1057, SB1058, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1376, SB1569, SB1664, SB1697, SJR50

Keywords: SB 264, Texas Workers' Compensation Act, group self-insurance, self-insured groups, workers' compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, certificate of approval, guaranty fund, trust fund, wind down, dissolution, labor code, insurance regulation, employer coverage, risk pool, business and commerce, trade workforce economic development, property owners' association, water conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• the changes that are needed to prepare. for what's ahead.
• And so, that's the SNAP changes, the section I just referenced.
• It's definitely a funding issue. We need to talk about that.
• That's the biggest change, Madam Chair.
• Change is constant, and commodities change. Fear is resulting in violence.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the substitute, we adopt changes made by Senator Huffman to her Senate Bill 293, including, but
• not limited to, a stronger definition of official misconduct.
• We look forward to working with you as we move forward through this session in making those changes.
• And part of that is the compensation aspect of it, which we're definitely concerned about.
• In your wisdom, the legislature made two really good changes recently.

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• What happens between March and May when the bill basically arrives at the Senate is that things change
• , but I think maybe we should review that definition and maybe there are some pieces of it that perhaps
• Yes, we'll look at that definition. Can you give me any insight into that at all?
• And I get your point, and we'll certainly look at that closer, and look back at the definition.
• I don't know that that meets the definition of a charitable entity.

Bills: SB406

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not change turnout numbers.
• These amendments just make some technical changes.
• Technical changes on page 2, line 5, with amendment 2.
• Yes, definitely.
• We would definitely not change the way we're doing things.

Bills: HB12, HB42, HB205, HB222, HB324, HB325, HB350, HB416, HB482, HB610, HB749, HB797, HB807, HB821, HB979, HB992, HB1193

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, phased retirement, Teachers Retirement System, faculty retention, administrative fees, public postsecondary education, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, judicial salaries, judges, judiciary compensation, cost of living adjustment, COLA

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 21, 2026, and advanced a series of bills, many with amendments to address fiscal concerns. Early actions included HB 350, which would extend the French immersion school Ecole Pointe-au-Chien from fourth through eighth grade; members emphasized the importance of preserving French language and culture in Terrebonne Parish, adopted an amendment making the bill subject to appropriation, and reported it favorably as amended. HB 749, dealing with the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority’s administration of ABLE, START, and START K-12 savings programs after the LOSFA cyber incident, was amended to make provisions effective upon contract execution and then reported favorably. HB 979, which raises the survivor benefit for law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty from $250,000 to $350,000, drew support from the governor’s office and law enforcement groups; members discussed fiscal impacts and inflation, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 42 creating a phased retirement option for public postsecondary employees in the Teachers’ Retirement System, and HB 12 extending survivor benefits to reserve officers killed in the line of duty, both reported favorably after supportive testimony from law enforcement representatives. The committee then took up HB 324 on judicial salaries. Chairwoman Villio proposed making the 2024 and 2025 supplement stipend permanent and adding COLAs, but Vice Chairman Zeringue offered an amendment to remove future COLAs after members clarified which year’s increase was already funded in the judiciary budget. After discussion about long-term state obligations and judicial compensation levels, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 205, which revises compensation for election commissioners, generated extensive testimony from clerks of court and the Secretary of State about staffing shortages, 19 years without a raise, and the need to recruit and retain poll workers; the bill was amended to allow local governing authorities to supplement pay by up to $100 per election and was reported favorably. Members also approved HB 325, which revises TOPS Tech eligibility and, through amendment, allows part-time students to qualify beginning in 2026-2027 using excess TOPS funds; HB 807, creating a Workforce Instructor Capacity Investment Program to help recruit technical instructors; and HB 222, requiring Medicaid coverage for dental procedures needed before certain medical treatments, with supporters arguing it could prevent more expensive emergency care. Later, the committee reported favorably HB 992, requiring student identification numbers for children in certain early childhood programs, after the Department of Education said it could implement the change without additional staff or cost. HB 821, moving the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration, was amended with technical changes and reported favorably as amended. Finally, HB 797, creating the Bayou Gold Program to certify certain gold storage and custody standards, was amended to move the program into Title 51 and to tie standards to recognized industry benchmarks such as COMEX and the London Bullion Market Association; the bill drew at least one opponent after an initial supportive presentation and was still under consideration when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, that's definitely something we've done a lot in the last session.
• But we are definitely in the right direction. We have started the process.
• Definitely something that we need to make a focal point of this.
• So definitely something that we need to work on. Thank you.
• So we changed the Community Mental Health Center contract and rebid that.

Summary: The House Health Services Subcommittee met to approve the October 7, 2024 minutes and then shifted to a broad discussion of behavioral health policy, taking up work previously handled by a behavioral health working group. Representatives Wooldridge and Vaught described major gaps in Arkansas behavioral health care, emphasizing access problems, workforce shortages, rural service barriers, low reimbursement, and the need to move from a reactive crisis system to more proactive community-based care. Members discussed possible 2027-session priorities such as reducing red tape, improving provider licensing and supervision pathways, expanding billing codes and reimbursement structures, and considering interstate compacts and other workforce fixes. A major focus was the state’s crisis and forensic system, including long waits for competency evaluations, the backlog at the Arkansas State Hospital, and the use of county jails for people awaiting treatment. DHS Director Paula Stone explained that Medicaid pays for most behavioral health services, but cannot pay for services in jails or state hospitals because those individuals are treated as inmates of public institutions, leaving state general revenue to cover much of that cost. She outlined DHS efforts including secured restoration beds, therapeutic communities, community mental health center contracts for jail-based services, and plans for an institution-for-mental-disease waiver that could allow Medicaid payment for certain hospital-based services. Members also discussed crisis stabilization units, with DHS noting that Fort Smith and Jonesboro have been more successful than Fayetteville and Little Rock, largely because of location, partnerships, and law enforcement coordination. Questions covered reimbursement for county jails, step-down facilities, civil commitment options, non-emergency behavioral health transportation, and whether DHS should create a bed-availability dashboard similar to hospital systems. DHS said it does not currently have such a dashboard but is exploring the idea. The meeting ended with a commitment to continue the work, with more detailed discussion planned for August, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the EBT level uh vendor level changes So the EBT level uh vendor level changes involve<01:08:
• <01:11:43.840> system<01:11:44.239> changes and implementation. system changes and
• in the program are not going to change. in the program are not going to change.
• Permission to change your mind. Permission to change your mind.
• Permission to change your mind. Permission to change your mind.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing that I want to share, and I'll pass it over to Senator Miranda, but we are having a change
• It is not the poorest, because we have the neighborhood of Jamaica Plain, but it's definitely top three
• Tiffany, thank you so much for sharing that information, and we should definitely look into that.
• our commission to try to make the change that's necessary to happen in that regard.
• And we'll definitely keep this in mind as we look to see the open positions on the commission, how we

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met to reopen its work for the year, with roll call and attendance confirmations followed by remarks from the co-chairs and members. Senator Liz Miranda stepped down as co-chair, citing multiple responsibilities and personal losses, and Senator Adam Gomez was welcomed as the new Senate co-chair. Gomez said he would listen and learn from commissioners and advocates, and both outgoing and incoming leaders emphasized continuing the commission’s work on maternal health, postpartum depression, and equity. Members discussed several current policy and implementation issues. The Department of Public Health reported a new regulation to implement the 2024 midwifery access law, including temporary licenses for licensed certified professional midwives. Commissioners also raised concerns about birthing hospital and inpatient obstetric unit closures, OB-GYN workforce shortages, reimbursement changes, and the need to expand midwifery, doula, and birth center capacity. Other topics included substance use and perinatal mental health supports, the limited $220,000 appropriation for community-based perinatal mental health organizations, and the need for stronger funding in the budget to implement the maternal health law. The commission also focused on future priorities and information sharing. Members suggested more presentations from clinicians, regulators, infant and early childhood mental health experts, and PSI of Massachusetts; greater attention to parent-child relational health and postpartum screening in pediatric settings; and possible commission action such as a letter to the governor on workforce and access issues. The group agreed that there was not enough time to plan a May event and instead would use the commission to publicize related events, including Black Maternal Health Week activities. Commissioners voted to create a biweekly digest for sharing updates, with urgent items to be sent by email, and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> You are a real estate agent when you're not here, so you definitely follow the housing market trends
• <00:01:12.720> follow<00:01:13.040> the not here, so you definitely follow the not
• here, so you definitely follow the housing<00:01:13.600> market<00:01:14.000> trends.
• When it comes to investment properties, the rules change a little bit because when folks are investing
• a little bit because when rules change a little bit because when folks<00:03:24.000> are<00:03

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on two Minnesota Senate bills authored by the senator: Senate File 4168 and Senate File 4652. SF 4168 would give buyers of investment properties more flexibility in financing, including the ability to roll certain closing costs and lender fees into the loan, with the senator emphasizing that the measure is limited to investment properties and is not intended for primary residences. He stressed that the bill is meant to provide options, not force borrowers into any particular structure, and repeatedly distinguished it from predatory lending, saying it has nothing to do with fraudulent or abusive mortgage practices. SF 4652 addresses fraud prevention at banks by allowing account holders to designate an additional contact person who can be notified if a bank suspects suspicious activity and cannot reach the account owner. The senator described it as a common-sense, no-cost, anti-fraud measure aimed at early detection and protecting both banks and customers. He said fraud is a widespread problem and that the bill would help institutions act quickly when something appears wrong. The senator said both bills moved quickly because he wanted to get them heard and passed this session, and he noted that he was the sole author on each. He said the bills passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House. In broader comments, he credited bipartisan relationships and committee cooperation for helping the bills advance, and said the session showed House-Senate collaboration on practical legislation, with more political items being pushed toward compromise and further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the faculty, the staff, students, and leaders who believe deeply in the power of education to change
• I'll just start simply by saying that education changed my life.
• And I really engaged in campus life, and that experience changed my life.
• scholarly analysis on the Common Core State Standards, And authored the definitive scholarly analysis
• scholarly analysis on the Common Core State Standards, and authored the definitive scholarly analysis

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education opened by noting it would not present its budget that day, explaining the budget rollout would be delayed until the following week to align with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a roll call confirmed a quorum, the chair explained that because of the large number of gubernatorial appointments, the committee would hear only a subset individually and consider reappointments in a block unless members requested otherwise. The committee then heard testimony from appointees and reappointees to several university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to their alma mater, support for leadership, student success, entrepreneurship, scholarships, and maintaining FAMU’s status as a leading HBCU. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh highlighted FAU’s growth, R1 research designation, quantum computing, servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and expanded research opportunities. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins focused on UCF’s preeminence, workforce needs, nursing and engineering, and keeping graduates in Florida. Florida Gulf Coast University nominees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointee Joseph Fogg discussed workforce development, affordability, student success, water and environmental programs, business and entrepreneurship, nursing outcomes, and FGCU’s regional role. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly cited USF’s AAU status, research growth, and focus on student success, health care, cybersecurity, and AI. Committee members generally praised each nominee’s background and the universities’ achievements. At the end of the hearing, the committee approved all nominees in a single block vote for confirmation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you foresee any significant changes in the state's gun law policy? >> We'll see.
• Do you foresee<00:02:21.520> any<00:02:21.840> significant<00:02:22.400> changes
• <00:02:22.720> in<00:02:22.959> the foresee any significant changes in the foresee any
• significant changes in the state's<00:02:23.599> gun<00:02:23.840> law<00:02:24.160>
• >> Yes, we'll definitely be taking a hard look at the fraud issue here in the House in 2026.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The interview focused on the lawmaker’s emphasis on bipartisanship and civility, which he said has become even more important amid recent political violence in Minnesota and nationally. He described the civic pledge he signed with Republican Senator Michael Kun as part of a broader responsibility for elected officials and citizens to lower the temperature, debate issues vigorously without demeaning opponents, and preserve basic human dignity. He was also asked about gun violence and said Minnesota should continue a robust debate on possible policy changes after recent shootings, including the Annunciation school shooting. He pointed to steps already taken, such as expanded use of the red flag law and enhanced background checks, but said the public expects action and that the current status quo is unacceptable. The discussion then turned to several policy priorities for the 2026 session. He highlighted concerns about private equity buying manufactured home parks and sharply raising lot rents, which he said can force residents to choose between leaving their homes or cutting back on essentials. He also discussed a bill to stop pet shops from selling cats and dogs sourced from puppy mills, while allowing existing shops to continue only if they can show responsible sourcing. On fraud prevention, he said he plans to revisit a bill to create an independent inspector general office, along with a proposal to strengthen the Medicaid fraud control unit and other preventive measures. He also said he hopes to advance a bill licensing art therapy as a profession in Minnesota, framing it as a consumer protection and mental health issue. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the interview.

Transcript Highlights:

• There should be a clicker down there to change your slides.
• So with that executive summary, a few definitions: we call avoidable days in the hospital after a patient
• to but this really does challenge our capacity to do that so with that executive summary a few definitions
• Change?
• On behalf of Integris Health, they are asking to please support increased funding policy changes and

Summary: The meeting focused on hospital “avoidable days” and the difficulty of discharging medically stable patients who still need post-acute placement or social services. Presenters from Saint Anthony Hospital Midtown, the Oklahoma Hospital Association, City Care, and OU Health described common barriers including lack of skilled nursing, rehab, long-term care, behavioral health, and hospice placements; insurance prior authorization delays; Medicaid and Social Security eligibility delays; guardianship and Adult Protective Services bottlenecks; limited home health and private duty nursing; and the challenge of placing unhoused, uninsured, or medically complex patients. Several speakers emphasized that these delays reduce bed availability, increase emergency department boarding, contribute to staff burnout, and expose patients to hospital-acquired conditions and other harms. The testimony included multiple examples of patients remaining in acute care for days, weeks, or even months after being medically ready for discharge, including patients awaiting guardianship, disability determinations, or placement in facilities willing to accept them. Speakers also highlighted special populations such as patients with behavioral health or substance use disorders, medically fragile children, patients with criminal histories, and unhoused individuals who need respite or hospice care. City Care described its planned 40-bed medical respite facility, set to open in 2027, as a way to provide clinical support and housing navigation for patients too sick to recover on the street or in shelters. Witnesses recommended policy and system changes such as standardizing preauthorization protocols, expanding rural swing-bed and home-based services, increasing public guardianship resources, improving data collection on homelessness, expanding private duty nursing hours, and creating more placement options for complex patients. They also suggested better coordination between hospitals, DHS, APS, the Health Department, and post-acute facilities, including a database of facility services to improve discharge planning and keep patients closer to home. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the transcript, but the chair indicated the issue would require collaboration across multiple agencies and partners.

Transcript Highlights:

• would require a statutory change. would require a statutory change.
• statutory change to do that. statutory change to do that.
• We can change that.
• We can change that.
• We can we can change that. I commission. We can we can change that.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is mostly collected by the Arizona Department of Agriculture at the time of brand inspection when change
• is mostly collected by the Arizona Department of Agriculture at the time of brand inspection when change
• Definitely a titan in the industry in Arizona for sure and a good friend.
• And it's not like you have the time in the world to do it, but you're definitely out there helping the
• But you're definitely out there helping the next generation, even if they're not going to get into ranching

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're working on, we have a few changes.
• Adam Haynes: changes.
• We want to see a one word change.
• Property values change every year. Tax rates change every year.
• And I think those levels change.

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: HB 21, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem tax, property tax, delinquent taxes, tax delinquency, penalty reduction, interest rate, split payment, installment payment, tax relief, county tax collector, taxing unit, property owner, tax collection, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax increase election, supermajority, 60 percent threshold

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think definitely the equity component, and I concur with you.
• There are definitely challenges there, right?
• A very important change.
• Number one, first, it would change the definition of prohibited duplication from statewide to a community
• Yes, definitely. Thank you for the question.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several measures focused on community college baccalaureate programs and trustee compensation. AB 2528 would raise the maximum monthly compensation cap for community college district trustees, with the author and supporters arguing the change is permissive, long overdue, and needed to make service more accessible to working people and better reflect community diversity. CSEA took a tweener position, warning about optics and asking for longer public notice before any compensation increase, while some members raised concerns about taxpayer costs and benefits. The bill was discussed but no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt. The committee then took up AB 2053, which would authorize Coast Community College District to offer a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree. Supporters said the bill addresses a workforce shortage, serves working adults and veterans, and includes an LAO evaluation and a sunset. CSU and its Academic Senate opposed the bill, arguing it duplicates existing CSU programs and could set a precedent for more one-off degrees. Members also raised questions about funding, Prop. 98, and whether the program would divert resources; the author said the district already has funding and that the bill is a narrow pilot. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer the bill to Appropriations, with several ayes and some no votes, and the roll left open for additional members. AB 2301, a pilot allowing up to 10 community college districts to offer nursing bachelor’s degrees, drew broad support from nursing, labor, and community college groups who said California faces a severe nursing shortage and that community colleges offer a more affordable pathway for working and rural students. CSU and other opponents argued existing ADN-to-BSN pathways are more efficient and that the bill could worsen competition for limited clinical placements and faculty. Members questioned funding and Prop. 98 impacts; the Chancellor’s Office said the pilot would not require new state funding and would rely on existing mechanisms such as Strong Workforce and nursing infrastructure grants. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer AB 2301 to Appropriations, with the roll again left open. The transcript then began AB 2694, a broader workforce-responsive baccalaureate expansion bill intended to address duplication rules and create a more flexible process for community college bachelor’s degrees, but the discussion was not completed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just for a point of clarification, is the title, while we're going through all these changes, or has
• Just for a point of clarification, is the title on while we're going through all these changes, or has
• There's currently a case at the OCC that's trying to change the definition of battery storage to a form
• That could definitely be a concern of yours. You know, I know. I can certainly agree.
• That could definitely be a concern of yours.

Summary: The committee took up a long series of Senate bills, beginning with SB 44, which extends a sales tax exemption to contractors working for nonprofits. It was presented briefly and reported out 24-0. The committee then considered SB 237, with a PCS and a written amendment that delayed the effective date and phased out the manufacturing exemption for solar and battery energy storage systems; members discussed the impact on ongoing projects, the treatment of solar and storage like prior wind and data center exemptions, and concerns from the renewable industry before the bill was advanced. Several other measures were heard and passed, including SB 248 on reinvesting proceeds from any sale of tourism real property back into state park maintenance and capital improvements; SB 1360 on the Pro Tem’s numeracy bill for the Department of Education; SB 985 codifying the local food for schools program; SB 1204 requiring three days of paid bereavement leave for school district employees; SB 1239 extending the bridge funding formula and moving certain motorcycle and moped fees to Service Oklahoma; SB 1307 cleaning up statutory language related to the ARCS Council, J.M. Davis Arms Museum, and Historical Society; and SB 2143 allowing county assessors to use aerial imagery, but not drones, to identify property changes. The aerial imagery bill drew the most debate, with questions about privacy, assessors’ authority, and whether the measure would save counties money; it passed 13-11. The committee also advanced SB 1428 creating an Alzheimer’s and related dementia services coordinator in the Health Department; SB 1390 extending a gross production tax sunset for tourism and water-related entities; SB 1400 combining sales tax exemptions for aircraft maintenance facilities; SB 1405 renewing the wildlife diversity check-off; SB 1732 raising fees for the construction industries board; SB 1832 adding voluntary ODVA checkboxes to licenses and hunting forms; SB 1859 creating a revolving fund for the OSBI cybercrimes and fraud unit; SB 1989 allowing electronic payment methods such as Cash App and Venmo for 529 accounts; SB 2018 changing valuation rules for new multifamily housing; and SB 1427, a bipartisan diabetes prevention and health bill. Most bills were reported out with overwhelming support, with a few receiving one or two no votes, and the committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our costs are definitely higher than the SEG.
• It doesn't change every time we get a new governor.
• levels of evidence or statutory definitions.
• They're down in this tab, 'Definitions.'
• And that mentality has got to change a little bit.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not limited to, a stronger definition of official misconduct.
• In your wisdom, the legislature made two really good changes recently.
• I know it's Phillips, so we're gonna change that for you. It's not Filos, Greek.
• But I got to experience this through COVID and to see the change.
• We submitted two small changes to this bill, removing private sanctions and changing the language in

Bills: HB40

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriffs, constables, contracts, county authority

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence met to hear House Bill 1761, a broad judicial package focused on increasing judicial compensation and adding accountability and efficiency measures. The chair explained that HB 1707 and HB 2100 were withdrawn from the agenda, and that HB 1761 would be taken up first because many judges and stakeholders were present. The committee substitute for HB 1761 proposed a 30% increase in base judicial pay to $182,000, changes to judicial retirement linkage, stronger judicial conduct provisions, and efficiency measures such as targeted reporting for judges not meeting benchmarks, appellate in-person meeting encouragement, and time limits on certain motions. The chair and several supporters said judicial pay had reached “emergency status,” citing Texas’s low national ranking and difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified judges. Witnesses in support included presiding and district judges, the State Bar’s judicial section, business and trial lawyer groups, and prosecutors. They emphasized that many judges work long hours off the bench, handle warrants at night and on weekends, manage heavy dockets, and face recruitment problems in both urban and rural counties. Supporters also said higher pay would help attract experienced lawyers, retain judges, and improve court efficiency. Several witnesses and members discussed judicial accountability, including public reporting of court performance and the role of the Texas Supreme Court and presiding judges in setting benchmarks. Some members raised concerns that raw statistics can be misleading because judges also do substantial off-the-bench work and often help cover other courts’ dockets. There was also testimony and discussion about the bill’s conduct and discipline provisions. A representative of the Texas Civil Rights Project opposed parts of the bill that would tie pay raises to changes affecting judicial independence, warning about subjective bail-related discipline standards and possible chilling effects. The executive director of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct cautioned against civil penalties for complainants, saying it could discourage good-faith complaints and create litigation risks. Other witnesses supported accountability reforms but urged caution about unintended consequences, especially for family and emergency cases and for judges handling warrants and other time-sensitive matters. After testimony, the committee withdrew the committee substitute and left HB 1761 pending, then recessed the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, ma'am, would you like us to change the record? No, no.
• T is focused on carbon capture to combat climate change.
• Well, may I ask why these changes weren't...
• But I definitely appreciate that they've been involved in what the...
• Texas is not the first state to propose these types of changes, correct?

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction, 1184, house, all