Transcript Highlights:

• It takes the fees out, for one.
• So Brian kind of took that on and said, look, let's just do away with the fees.
• Increasing fees for pyrotechnic special effects operators.
• I didn't realize the permit fee was so low.
• And the other fee is just those canopy places that sell, like the tents and the stands.

Bills: HB461 , HB467 , HB522 , HB565 , HB673 , HB799 , HB917 , HB937 , HB956 , HB977

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: building codes, construction standards, state uniform construction code, local option, municipal ordinance, parish ordinance, resilient construction, FORTIFIED Home, IBHS, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, hurricane resistance, storm resilience, roof replacement, residential construction, certificate of occupancy, code enforcement, building resilience, home hardening, wind mitigation, residential roof

Bills: HF3540 , HF3522 , HF3544

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Keywords: veterans rights, employment discrimination, human rights, Minnesota laws, protected classes, veterans, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs, Secret War in Laos, SGU veteran, Hmong veterans, Laotian veterans, honor guard, military funeral honors, state veterans cemetery, burial eligibility, veterans home, temporary closure, state active service, National Guard

Transcript Highlights:

• So the withdrawal fee, the total withdrawal fee, I don't know the... Mr. Chair, Senator Gabaldón.
• So the withdrawal fee, the total withdrawal fee, I don't know the answer to that.
• It's gotten very confusing how you have a small fee over here, and then you have a $500 fee over here
• It's got very consuming how, confusing how you have a small fee over here, and then you have a $500 fee
• Chair and members, Senate Bill 1560 removes the $3 million cap on a single loan for loans that are made

Bills: SB1041 , SB1363 , SB1418 , SB1419 , SB1445 , SB1447 , SB1488 , SB1519 , SB1523 , SB1560 , SB1580

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, marijuana, rural opportunity, dispensary, economic development, licensing, social equity, unserved communities, Arizona, solar energy, renewable energy, energy generation, consumer protection, installation standards

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements required by either Ecology or Fish and Wildlife exceeds the cost of a typical mitigation fee
• Senate Bill 6318 caps shellfish licensing, biotoxin, and export fees at designated levels.
• and the fee maximums established in this bill at approximately $4.7 million over the four-year outlook
• Is there a discussion on this shellfish fee bill? We held a work session, had a lot of input.
• that will damage their ability to conduct business in the state. ...growers not have fees that will

Bills: SB5816 , SB5838 , SB5930 , SB5960 , SB5971 , SB6075 , SB6097 , SB6104 , SB6216 , SB6233 , SB6318 , SJM8015

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, tribal representation, natural resources, board of natural resources, environmental policy, community involvement, irrigation districts, director contracts, beneficial interests, transparency, governance, ungulate populations, wildlife management, habitat restoration, conservation, sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• Retailers themselves have indicated they are not opposed to licensing or reasonable fees as proposed

Bills: SB5379 , SB6106 , SB6147 , SB6180 , SB5927 , SB6287

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, laid-off employees act, WARN notice, mass layoff, business closure, plant closing, worker adjustment and retraining notification, employment security department, employee notice, layoff notice, worker protections, job loss, employment loss, public records exemption, privacy, employee names and addresses

Transcript Highlights:

• We pay a very substantial franchise fee to the National Park Service.
• places. ...cash-paying places and title loan places.
• If we're talking about the fees, we can... That's understandable.
• If we're talking about the fees, we can talk about fees, but if we're talking about redoing the entire
• If we're looking just at fees, I looked at my APS bill and I had fees of $24 every month.

Bills: HB2010 , HB2192 , HB2199 , HB2279 , HB2310 , HB2459 , HB2501 , HB2555 , HB2690 , HB2693

Committees: House Commerce , House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Keywords: digital goods, advertising, ownership, license, consumer protection, refund policies, streaming services, minors, content creators, online platforms, compensation, trust accounts, child protection, video content, privacy, employment, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, landlord tenant laws, tenant rights

Transcript Highlights:

• They may not pay or offer to pay a referral fee or commission to any person.
• They may not pay or offer to pay a referral fee or commission to any person, assign or securitize a litigation
• It does not ban contingency fees.
• and it says that consumers, the not big commercial entities, will usually use living expenses and loans
• and so. allowed the prevailing property owner, should they prevail, to seek their legal fees beginning

Bills: S0144 , S0192 , S0332 , S0532 , S0620 , S0694 , S0820 , S0888 , S1000 , S1224 , S1396 , S1500

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: public records, employee protection, Judicial Qualifications Commission, information exemption, confidentiality, chiropractic physician, chiropractor, patient trust funds, escrow, advance payments, prepaid treatment, trust account, fiduciary duty, patient property, Florida Statutes 460.413, Board of Chiropractic Medicine, disciplinary action, commingling of funds, client funds, medical billing

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and advanced a series of bills on candidate disclosure, litigation financing, professional liability, public meetings, problem-solving courts, probate, wrongful conviction compensation, public records, and housing fraud. Senate Bill 620, by Senator Mayfield, would require candidates for federal, state, county, district, judicial, and school board offices to disclose any citizenship in countries other than the United States; it drew one waived-in opposition from Common Cause and was reported favorably 8-0. Senate Bill 1396, by Vice Chair Burton, would regulate litigation financing, including limits on funders’ recovery, restrictions on funder control, and disclosure of foreign entities involved; it received support from several business and tort-reform groups, opposition from the Florida Justice Association, and was reported favorably 7-2 after questions about the purpose and scope of the disclosures. Senator Martin’s bills also moved forward. SB 192 would remove the $1,500 cap on patient funds chiropractic physicians may hold in trust for prepaid services; it was supported by the Florida Chiropractic Society and reported favorably 7-0. SB 888 would extend to private contracts the current limits on indemnity and insurance requirements for architects, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects, and it was reported favorably 7-0 after testimony from engineering and design professionals. Senator Bradley’s CS for SB 332, as amended, would create a narrow public meetings/public records exemption for pre-suit Burt Harris litigation strategy discussions by local governments; it was adopted and reported favorably 7-0. SB 820 would require quarterly reporting on problem-solving courts, including participant counts, offenses, completion, failure, and recidivism data, and it was reported favorably 10-0. SB 1500 would update uncontested probate procedures, raise certain small-estate thresholds, clarify safe-deposit-box authority, and strengthen enforcement provisions; it was reported favorably 10-0. The committee also advanced several other measures. CS for SB 694, by Senator Bracey Davis, would compensate the descendants of the Groveland Four; it was amended to divide any appropriation equally among the four family branches, received extensive emotional testimony in support, and was reported favorably 10-0. SB 144 would create a public records exemption for personal information of Judicial Qualifications Commission employees and their families due to harassment concerns, and it was reported favorably 9-1. CS for SB 1224, as amended, would make fraudulent entry into a rental dwelling a third-degree felony when done through false statements, counterfeit documents, or impersonation; it was supported by Florida Realtors and the Florida Apartment Association and reported favorably 10-0. SB 1000 would set a floor and ceiling for interest rates on law firm trust accounts tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate, and it was reported favorably 10-0 after stakeholder compromise. The committee also took up SB 532 only to temporarily postpone it, and at the end members recorded additional affirmative votes on selected bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• supporting mothers and infants, keeping our borders secure, and helping small businesses access the loans
• ><00:42:22.880><c> the</c> helping small businesses access the helping small businesses access the loans
• He's defaulted on a $20 billion loan that he took out from the federal government, forcing small businesses

Bills: HR747 , HR719 , HB5371

Keywords: courthouse construction, federal regulations, urban development, government spending, judicial facilities, political violence, Charlie Kirk, civil discourse, freedom of speech, unity, political extremism, condemnation, Civic engagement, continuing resolution, appropriations, fiscal year 2026, omnibus, government funding, federal budget, USDA

Bills: SB746 , SB1404 , SB1536 , SB1559 , SB1838

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: guardianship, guardian ad litem, incapacitated person, proposed ward, ward, probate, Estates Code, Texas probate, elder abuse, adult protective services, capacity restoration, guardian removal, annual account, annual report, estate guardian, person guardian, civil immunity, court-appointed representative, judiciary, civil jurisprudence

Summary: At 10:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, the chair called the meeting to order and asked the clerk to call the roll. Members present included Hayes; Dutton, Landgraf, Gonzalez, and LaHood were not present. Because there was not a quorum, no business could be conducted. The chair announced that the meeting would adjourn, and the meeting ended immediately.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes these fees can be as high as 23% of the franchise's gross receipts.
• increase in fee becomes a financial burden on business owners.
• First, it caps the municipal franchise fee. It sets it currently at 2%.
• Let's say that there's a fee because it is an overflowing dumpster.
• And it's those extra fees that can really then drive up the cost even greater.

Bills: HB5057 , HB4519 , HB5033 , HB3997 , HB 1237 , HB1904 , HB4400 , HB 1227

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: solid waste management, exclusive contracts, public agency, contract amendment, notification requirements, Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, TERP, air quality, emissions reduction, clean fleet, alternative fuel, natural gas vehicles, hydrogen fuel, hydrogen infrastructure, diesel replacement, fleet grants, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, clean school buses

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1904, which would classify intentionally released helium balloons as litter and create criminal penalties for balloon releases. The author and supportive witnesses argued that balloon releases harm wildlife, livestock, waterways, and infrastructure, and that the bill would close a loophole in current litter law. Several members questioned whether criminal penalties were appropriate, and the author said he was willing to work toward civil penalties and fines instead. No vote was taken, and HB 1904 was left pending. The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably to the full House, including HB 3249, HB 3866, HB 4112, HB 1768, HB 1499, HB 573, and HB 464. These measures dealt with topics such as TCEQ contested-case procedures, outdoor storage containers, high-level radioactive waste, concrete plant permitting and grants, unannounced concrete batch plant inspections, and a scrap tire grant program. Most were adopted with substitutes and passed on recorded votes, generally with unanimous or near-unanimous support. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 3997, which would create expedited permitting timelines for LNG facilities and related wastewater permits. Industry witnesses said the bill would provide certainty for multibillion-dollar projects without eliminating public participation, while environmental groups opposed parts of the bill that they said could limit contested-case participation and be unrealistic for SOAH timelines. TCEQ staff described the current wastewater permitting process and said some of the bill’s timing provisions could be workable, especially with an expedited fee. The bill was left pending after the author said he would continue working on committee substitute language. The committee also heard HB 1237 on extending the renewal window for expired TCEQ occupational water licenses, and HB 4519, a TERP consolidation bill that would combine several clean transportation grant programs into fewer programs. HB 1237 was left pending without testimony, while HB 4519 drew broad support from environmental and industry witnesses who favored simplifying the program, though some asked for stronger emphasis on particulate matter and hydrogen funding. The committee withdrew the substitute on HB 4519 and left it pending. Finally, HB 5033, which would eliminate the motor vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program if federal authority changes, drew opposition from environmental and inspection-industry witnesses who warned it would weaken air-quality protections and could remove an important enforcement tool. The author said the bill was intended as a trigger mechanism and would be refined, and HB 5033 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1227 on municipal solid-waste franchise fees and private-provider access; the author said he would bring a substitute after hearing concerns from cities, and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the ways they can do that is to have a... federal firearms licensee to store those weapons for a fee

Bills: HB170 , HB865 , HB748 , HJR112 , HB 1110 , HB1495 , HB786 , HB 1130 , HB170

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil liability, self-defense, force, deadly force, legal immunity, attorney's fees, criminal justice, firearms, liability, veterans, gun ownership, immunity, firearm hold agreement, sexual abuse, nondisclosure, confidentiality, public policy, Trey's Law, parental rights, child upbringing

Transcript Highlights:

• individuals who are found immune from liability under this statute can recover reasonable attorney fees
• otherwise. otherwise justified in their act of self-defense, is stuck paying out-of-pocket attorney's fees
• case. case, we believe particularly this section of the bill that adds in the provision for attorneys fees
• , but inside of this it took three years of my life, it cost me a half a million dollars. in legal fees
• courts, then there is a percentage. of the court security fund that's collected through the court fees

Bills: HB170 , HB865 , HB748 , HJR112 , HB 1110 , HB1495 , HB786 , HB 1130 , HB170

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil liability, self-defense, force, deadly force, legal immunity, attorney's fees, criminal justice, firearms, liability, veterans, gun ownership, immunity, firearm hold agreement, sexual abuse, nondisclosure, confidentiality, public policy, Trey's Law, parental rights, child upbringing

Bills: SB1734 , SB1630 , SB1894 , SB1975 , SB1432 , SB1437 , SB1812 , SB346 , SB1250 , SB710 , SB1489 , SB2045 , SB1614

Committee: House Common Education

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, schools, public school districts, education technology, edtech, student privacy, FERPA, data privacy, data security, emerging technologies, machine learning, generative AI, classroom technology, instructional technology, teacher oversight, human-in-the-loop, student data, parental consent, opt-out

Transcript Highlights:

• And they can come in and charge a registration fee and stuff like that to recoup some of that money.
• Part of this bill is they're allowed to charge fees to get in the sewer.
• Charging fees too in the tourism. Can you reach that question?
• That'd be like a fee on the ticket price to come to the conference.
• So, we're not adding fees to visiting parts or services or. Anything that Oklahoma not at all.

Bills: SB2063 , SB1877 , SB1884 , SB2174 , SB1525 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1916 , SB1365 , SB1810

Committee: House General Government

Keywords: unclaimed property, abandoned property, state treasurer, unclaimed property fund, public website, claimant, hearing, administrative procedures act, sales tax exemption, income tax subtraction, youth entrepreneurs, teen business, minor-owned business, sole proprietorship, business license exemption, entrepreneurship, youth vendor, Oklahoma Tax Commission, Title 60, Title 68

Transcript Highlights:

• Agencies that set their fees and rules will need to engage in additional rulemaking to increase fees
• Agencies that set their fees and rules will need to engage in additional rulemaking to increase fees
• The store retains this fee and the state collects sales tax on that fee.
• Furthermore, we agree that a 20-cent paper bag fee is too high.
• on the fee if this bill moves forward.

Bills: SB6294 , SB6211 , SB5650 , SB6033 , SB6297 , SB6343 , SB6067 , SB6082 , SB6323 , SB6324 , SB5862 , SB5923 , SB6151

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: local government finance, Washington state, RCW, real estate excise tax, REET, sales and use tax, property tax levy, county tax, city tax, affordable housing, housing services, behavioral health, mental health, developmental disabilities, children and families services, youth services, utility tax, low-income utility assistance, veterans assistance, homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• is there a reconnect fee and disconnect there is a reconnect fee there's no disconnect fee we will come
• They charge no late fee. There's here in Austin. It's only a 5% late fee. In Houston, it's 10%.
• That is, you only get fees for a landowner.
• Now, you don't necessarily get your attorney's fees.
• I say, if you win, you pay my fees.

Bills: HB1520 , HB1525 , HB1530 , HB1535 , HB2068 , HB2091 , HB2347 , HB2372 , HB2805 , HB2815 , HB2867 , HB3154 , HB3482 , HB3483 , HB3663 , HB3781 , HB3901 , HB3915 , HB4135 , HB4153 , HB4158 , HB4329 , HB4331

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• The fifth supports drainage infrastructure through grants and zero interest loans to cities. counties

Bills: HB1520 , HB1525 , HB1530 , HB1535 , HB2068 , HB2091 , HB2347 , HB2372 , HB2805 , HB2815 , HB2867 , HB3154 , HB3482 , HB3483 , HB3663 , HB3781 , HB3901 , HB3915 , HB4135 , HB4153 , HB4158 , HB4329 , HB4331

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• And the reason is that there's the unknown of the legal fees. Ms.
• That partition took another seven years. $1.2 million in legal fees only.
• The problematic attorney fee provision requires non-heir co-tenants to pay legal costs.
• . fees to the government if it loses its appeal, discouraging delay tactics.
• You can send an offer of settlement and they end up paying costs and attorney's fees.

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

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

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

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

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

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

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:

• This fund also has the ability to issue both grants and loans.
• So this would mean there are fewer loans in any given period of time.
• back out, the interest and principal, is immediately loaned back out.
• So I wouldn't lean toward saying it means less loans.
• Chair, if I could please add to that, none of WIFA's other loan funds have a cap.

Bills: SB1137 , SB1200 , SB1419 , SB1447 , SB1560 , SCM1004

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park, sewer line