Transcript Highlights:

• appropriate placements for individuals in mental health crisis, including those under emergency detention

Bills: SCR17 , SB2104 , SB2155 , SB1428 , SB1250 , SB1651 , SB1794 , SB444 , SB1061 , SB1327 , SB1425 , SB1455 , SB1458 , SB1460 , SB1480 , SB1530 , SB1543 , SB1555 , SB1593 , SB1209 , SB1730 , SB1733 , SB1769 , SB1805 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1503

Keywords: Oklahoma Ireland relations, Ireland, Irish heritage, St. Patrick's Day, Choctaw Nation, Choctaw famine relief, Irish-American, cultural resolution, concurrent resolution, ceremonial resolution, economic development, trade commission, international relations, Tulsa IrishFest, ShamROCK the Gardens, Oklahoma City St. Patrick's Parade, Irish ancestry, Senate of Ireland, Aubrey McCarthy, Phil Thompson

Transcript Highlights:

• And I say that because right now there are only three things that are mandatory that the courts have
• We left<00:42:14.240><c> Davies</c><00:42:14.720><c> County</c><00:42:14.960><c> Detention</c><00:42:
• Detention Center and I<00:42:16.000><c> landed</c><00:42:16.240><c> in</c><00:42:16.480><c> warm.
• Now we have next on our agenda is Senate Bill 48, an act relating to mandatory re-entry supervision.
• Mandatory re-entry supervision exists so that no inmates would be released from prison to communities

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• To support the federal government in implementing this law, Texas must establish comparable detention
• DPS labs that are funded by the state, you're probably going to need to... to look at some mandatory
• The first bond on a pretrial detention in Harris County picks up a murder in Montgomery County.
• I am here today to speak in opposition to SB 9 because the standards of detention was already way too
• We have had three people die in LaSalle Corrections facility as pre-trial for pre-trial detention. detention

Bills: SB9 , SB1047 , SB1048 , SJR17 , SJR49 , SB40 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB 9 , SB 40 , SJR 1

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Bills: HB2993 , HB3850 , HB3595 , HB3763 , HB3760 , HB4272 , HB3277 , HB3148 , HB3651 , HB3323 , HB4287 , HB4105 , HB3304 , HB3345

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: rural law enforcement, grant fund, public safety, financial assistance, coordination districts, grant funding, law enforcement coordinators, municipal assistance, education, inmates, literacy, high school equivalency, Department of Corrections, parole, rehabilitation, HB3595, Safer Counties Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, county grants, traffic barrier equipment

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff did a good job of explaining the protections that are in this bill: the mandatory signage, 24/7

Bills: SB1108 , SB1205 , SB1241 , SB1286 , SB1366 , SB1431 , SB1473 , SB1477 , SB1478 , SB1479 , SB1492 , SB1517 , SB1563 , SB1586 , SB1665 , SB1671

Committee: Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: cash transactions, mandatory rounding, swedish rounding, public notice, Arizona Revised Statutes, motor vehicle booting, private property, fees, dispute process, regulations, SB1241, private permitting provider, private permit, private certificate of completion, building permit, building plan review, inspection, single-trade residential construction, residential construction, municipal permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• center without due process detention center without due process rights.<03:18:50.360><c> That</c><03
• I rise in support, Madam Speaker, with— When there's a detention. And that's what it's focused on.
• </c><03:53:47.560><c> And</c><03:53:47.640><c> that's</c> when there's a detention.
• And that's when there's a detention.
• ><c> time</c> It establishes mandatory jail time It establishes mandatory jail time beginning<04:32:27.800

Transcript Highlights:

• You hear a lot about recruitment for detention centers from counties.
• You hear a lot about recruitment for detention centers from counties.
• We have mandatory overtime in a lot of places, and obviously it puts everyone at risk, whether you're

Summary: The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee met and first heard House Bill 30, which would update New Mexico’s teacher residency program. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would raise and index residency stipends to a percentage of a level-one teacher salary, better align pay with teacher compensation over time, and loosen post-residency service rules so residents could teach anywhere in New Mexico rather than being tied to one district. Testimony from educators, school boards, unions, and teacher-preparation groups emphasized that year-long residencies improve classroom readiness, help recruit career changers and special education teachers, and increase retention, especially in rural areas. Members asked about the stipend calculation and funding impacts; the bill was described as using existing grow funding and possibly requiring tradeoffs in future years. The committee approved HB 30 on a do-pass vote. The committee then considered House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill. PERA staff explained that the measure makes technical corrections, resolves ambiguities, and aligns the statute with current administrative practice without making major policy changes. Supporters from AFSCME and the Educational Retirement Board said the bill would help administer retirement benefits more clearly, reduce litigation risk, and improve reciprocity for members with both PERA and ERB service credit. Committee questions focused on liability for overpayments, disability-retiree earnings limits, and survivor benefits for volunteer firefighters; staff said the changes were intended to broaden and modernize the language and mirror other retirement plans. HB 43 also received a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 255, which would consolidate separate public safety workforce funding streams into a single nonreverting public safety workforce capacity building fund. The sponsor and Department of Finance and Administration witnesses said the new fund would create a more durable, flexible way to support recruitment, retention, relocation assistance, training, equipment, and other workforce needs for police, corrections, firefighters, and related public safety personnel. Supporters from the State Police, counties, labor, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber said vacancies and short staffing are severe and that a stable grant program would help fill positions and improve public safety and economic stability. After brief questions about the fund structure and uses, the committee passed HB 255 on a do-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> detention facility by a private entity. detention facility by a private entity.
• </c> other real property as a detention other real property as a detention facility.<00:15:47.600><c>
• </c> Include all types of detention facilities operated by private entities.
• </c> and mandatory insurance coverage. and mandatory insurance coverage.
• Labor and employment mandatory meetings on religious or political matters.

Transcript Highlights:

• Immigration detention is not just one person's crisis.
• After three months of detention, fortunately, they were reunited with their children, and the children
• And similarly, no person should face prolonged detention and separation from their family and community
• So I urge you to continue to fund representation for families and communities impacted by ICE detention
• The detention and deportation collaborative that you heard about today is the first and unique here in

Summary: The committee heard budget and workload presentations from the Office of the State Public Defender, legal aid organizations, and the Judicial Branch. OSPD requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the work has become ongoing and now includes additional Supreme Court briefing, habeas proceedings, investigations, expert analysis, and data requests. The State Public Defender also presented the AB 625 public defense workload report, which found statewide staffing shortages, caseloads above recommended standards, and major gaps in investigators and support staff. Senators asked about racial bias claims, the volume of data requests, and the impact of Prop. 36, and OSPD said it would provide additional written information. The legal aid panel asked for a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, while also supporting Access to Justice Commission requests for loan repayment assistance, immigrant family preparedness services, and innovation grants. Witnesses described legal aid as homelessness prevention and cited examples involving eviction defense, domestic violence survivors, and immigration detention cases. Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Sergio Tapia discussed eviction data, low tenant representation, and court pilots in Compton and at Stanley Mosk that combine mediation, rental assistance, and legal help. Senators asked for service maps, outreach materials, and more detail on funding needs and federal funding losses. For the Judicial Branch overview, the Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including $70 million for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel, case processing, and courthouse construction. They said rising costs, staffing retention, and interpreter shortages continue to strain the courts, and described efforts to reallocate interpreter funds and recruit hard-to-find languages such as Mixteco. Senators pressed the branch and the Department of Finance on courthouse facilities, noting that the long-term need is far larger than the current budget proposal; Finance said the branch’s facility needs were estimated at about $22.5 billion over 10 years to start 68 projects and $29.4 billion to complete the remaining projects. The committee requested follow-up information on facilities, judgeships, and interpreter needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Either one of those actions gets you to a juvenile detention setting.
• I've checked with juvenile detention centers; only two of them have a capacity issue.
• Number two, I believe the expansion of mandatory expulsions for serious offenses off-campus, serious
• SB 1871 allows for mandatory expulsions for these serious offenses, whether or not they occurred on school
• You know, the idea of expanding the mandatory expulsions for serious offenses, serious misconduct, and

Bills: SB27 , SB226 , SB326 , SB570 , SB605 , SB870 , SB991 , SB1871 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1874 , SB1924 , SB1925 , SB 27

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Summary: The committee heard a series of school safety and discipline bills, beginning with SB 870, which would codify an attorney general opinion allowing local school boards to decide whether school marshals may openly carry, conceal carry, or store a firearm in a secure safe on campus. The bill was laid out with no public testimony and left pending. The chair then moved to a combined discussion of SB 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1924, all focused on school discipline, teacher authority, and student safety. Senators Perry and Creighton described the package as a response to rising classroom disruptions, assaults on teachers, and concerns that districts lack effective tools to maintain order. SB 1871 would expand teacher removal authority, require return-to-class plans before a student removed for certain conduct can return, make some serious offenses mandatory for placement in juvenile justice settings, and provide telehealth mental health services through a consortium. SB 1872 would require expulsion to a JJAEP for assaults on teachers or school volunteers and extend certain expulsion-eligible conduct to off-campus offenses. SB 1873 would restore the prior understanding that in-school suspension is not subject to a three-day limit. SB 1874 would grant teachers immunity from disciplinary action for reporting discipline violations or acting in compliance with Chapter 37. SB 1924 would restore authority for local police and school district police to issue Class C citations for school offenses and require criminal referrals for students posing an imminent threat or assaulting a teacher, with a substitute clarifying referral rules when a citation has already been issued. The committee adopted the substitutes for the bills and moved them forward. Invited witnesses from teacher and administrator groups largely supported the overall goal of stronger discipline and safer classrooms, while asking for refinements. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association testified that teachers need more autonomy to remove disruptive or violent students and that classroom removals should not mean removal from learning. Superintendents from San Angelo, Grandview, and Wiley ISDs supported the bills’ emphasis on safety, expanded ISS flexibility, mandatory placement for serious offenses, and telehealth mental health services, but asked for more local control, flexibility for Districts of Innovation, more than one campus behavior coordinator in large districts, clearer timelines for return-to-class plans, and more precise definitions for disruptive conduct. Several witnesses stressed that teacher retention and student learning are being harmed by current discipline problems, while some members raised concerns about vague standards and the risk of overuse or public humiliation through citations and removals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um mandatory training is a guidance.
• Um mandatory training is a really<00:58:50.720><c> important</c><00:58:51.200><c> component</c><00:58
• And we don't think it's actually appropriate to make it mandatory for all schools across the state to
• for all schools across the mandatory for all schools across the state<01:44:27.199><c> to</c><01:44:
• And we don't think it's actually appropriate to make it mandatory for all schools across the state to

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2485, which would require cardiovascular screening for student athletes. The Department of Education and Department of Health said they support the bill’s intent but noted that many screenings are already part of existing school-entry and well-child exams. The Attorney General’s office asked for clarifying language on who performs the screenings, where results go, how “positive findings” are defined, how referrals would work, and whether funding would be appropriated if DOE must hire health professionals. The American Heart Association strongly supported the bill, citing the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes and arguing that sports physicals are an effective opportunity for early detection. No vote was taken, and the committee moved on after testimony. The committee then heard HB 89, concerning a school psychologist working group and possible licensing or credentialing of school psychologists. The Department of Education and Board of Psychology supported the measure. The Hawaii Psychological Association said it supports licensing school psychologists but asked to be included in the working group, arguing it is an important stakeholder. The Hawaii Association of School Psychologists opposed including HPA, saying the issue is between school psychologists and DCCA and that HPA is not part of their organization. Testimony and discussion focused on the long-running disagreement over whether school psychologists should be regulated under the Board of Psychology or another mechanism, and on title protection and scope of practice. No action was reported during this portion. The committee also took up HB 2445, relating to standardized emergency responses for immigration enforcement at or near schools. The Department of Education said it already issued internal law-enforcement guidance and questioned whether the bill was necessary, while also raising concerns about the bill’s 1,000-foot buffer language and the limits of school authority over activity off campus. The Board of Education echoed those concerns and suggested the bill may need clearer definitions. Supporters, including the White Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and an attorney testifying on Know Your Rights training, argued that recent federal changes have increased ICE activity near schools and that a law is needed to ensure clear, public protocols, staff training, and family protections. A student testifier said the measure was a top priority of the state student council. The transcript ends during testimony, with no vote or final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• thrown in the local jail for a limited number of hours, and then you're transferred to the Everglades detention
• But ICE hauls them into some of the same detention centers where some of these atrocities are taking
• One in four of more than 6,700 detainees that were brought to the Everglades detention camp, based on
• an analysis from NBC... ...Detention Camp, based on an analysis from NBC 6 Miami.
• It imposes mandatory surveillance infrastructure that Florida has long rejected.

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered a series of bills affecting tax policy, workforce development, business regulation, consumer protection, rural development, and artificial intelligence. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 1266 would create a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with the Department of Commerce and Cyber Florida; an amendment removed an appropriation from the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. SB 554, a broad update to Florida’s not-for-profit corporation law, was also reported favorably after supportive testimony from Florida Bar representatives. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales and predatory financing practices, received strong support from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which provides rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, was likewise reported favorably. SB 214, expanding the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties for economic development purposes, was reported favorably. SPB 7030, a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations, was adopted as a committee bill and favorably reported. The committee also heard extensive discussion on SB 998, the Department of Commerce package. The bill would modernize the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program, clarify rural community eligibility for certain unincorporated areas, exempt military entities from a reverter clause on land conveyances, and revise E-Verify enforcement procedures. Members questioned the E-Verify provisions, including penalties, protections for workers incorrectly flagged, and the treatment of gig workers. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal treatment between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. Despite the debate, SB 998 was reported favorably, with Senators Bracy Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no. The committee also took up SB 482, an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” that would create consumer protections for companion chatbots, require parental consent and access for minors, mandate periodic disclosures that users are interacting with AI, restrict certain uses of personal data and likenesses, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. The bill drew both support and criticism: supporters emphasized child safety, transparency, and consumer protection, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, broad definitions, lack of audit mechanisms, and the absence of a private right of action for adults. Senators Smith and Davis urged clearer definitions and stronger accountability, but both said the bill was a starting point. The committee reported SB 482 favorably. The meeting ended with recorded affirmative votes requested by Senators Yarbrough, Wright, and Davis on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• thrown in the local jail for a limited number of hours, and then you're transferred to the Everglades detention
• But ICE hauls them into some of the same detention centers where some of these atrocities are taking
• One in four of more than 6,700 detainees that were brought to the Everglades detention camp, based on
• an analysis from NBC... ...Detention Camp based on an analysis from NBC 6 Miami.
• It imposes mandatory surveillance infrastructure that Florida has long rejected.

Bills: S0214 , S0482 , S7030 , S0554 , S0994 , S0998 , S1004 , S1074 , S1076 , S1266

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism heard and advanced several bills focused on economic development, consumer protection, workforce issues, and technology. SB 1076 would raise Florida’s research and development tax credit cap from $9 million to $50 million beginning with the 2027 allocation, and it was reported favorably. SB 1266, as amended, creates a cybersecurity experiential internship and clearance-readiness program with Cyber Florida and was also reported favorably. SB 554, a Florida Bar-backed update to the not-for-profit corporations statute, was approved without opposition. SB 1004, aimed at protecting buyers of dogs and cats from deceptive sales practices and predatory financing at retail pet stores, received supportive testimony from animal welfare advocates and was reported favorably. SB 1074, which sets rounding rules for cash transactions if pennies are unavailable, also passed favorably. The committee also considered SB 998, the Department of Commerce package, which combines updates to the Small Cities CDBG program, clarification of rural community eligibility, an exemption from a reverter clause for military-related land conveyances, and revisions to E-Verify enforcement. The E-Verify portion drew the most debate, with questions about employer cure periods, treatment of current investigations, and whether the bill creates a loophole for independent contractors. Senator Smith opposed the bill, arguing it creates unequal enforcement between employers and immigrant workers, while Senator Wright supported the military-related provisions. SB 998 was reported favorably on a divided vote. SB 214, which expands the rural community definition to include special districts in rural counties, was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 482, an artificial intelligence consumer-protection bill that creates an “AI bill of rights” covering companion chatbots, parental controls for minors, data privacy, de-identified data, unauthorized use of likeness, and enforcement by the Attorney General, with a limited private cause of action for minors. The bill drew extensive testimony both in support and in opposition, including concerns about privacy, age verification, and enforcement, but it was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7030, a public-records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations under the AI bill, and adjourned after members requested to be recorded on certain votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Originally, the 287G program was more tailored toward detention facilities.
• Of course, State Police does not operate any detention facilities, so it was specific to them.
• that have been detained, bring them to Little Rock for holding until they can be transported to a detention
• And then the detention facility can notify ICE to further vet that person to see if they can identify
• With any fatality, toxicology reports are mandatory.

Committee: All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas State Police leadership about the agency’s role in federal immigration enforcement. Colonel Mike Hager said State Police has completed 287(g) training for all but 12 personnel and is now authorized to assist ICE in an assisting role only, not as a primary immigration enforcement agency. He explained that troopers do not stop people based on appearance or conduct immigration checks during traffic stops; instead, when someone is lawfully detained for another offense and cannot be identified, officers may notify ICE for further vetting. Members asked about tracking, costs, and local participation, and Hager said the agency began keeping records in September and had detained 48 people since then, mostly in connection with other criminal matters such as pursuits, narcotics, DWI, or domestic violence. He also said any ICE-related operation would require approval up the chain of command and that State Police would use discretion and common sense. Members raised concerns about civil liberties, the treatment of long-term undocumented residents, and whether State Police could be drawn into aggressive federal operations. Hager said the agency was not conducting raids or proactive immigration sweeps and emphasized that troopers work for the state and will make the final decision on whether to participate in any operation. Questions also covered reimbursement and recordkeeping for local agencies and county jails, with Hager saying State Police training costs were absorbed during normal duty time and that counties generally keep separate records for federal billing. The chair said the committee would try to bring in the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training at a later meeting to answer questions about statewide training records. The committee then received an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission update from Director Doug Schoenrock on water management, duck season, and related issues. He reported that most moist-soil units and green-tree reservoirs were flooded or otherwise in usable condition, with only one pump issue tied to a new area lacking a gas connection. He also updated members on Lake Conway construction, dock removal notices, and a recent fatal boating accident at Biomito WMA, saying the agency is working on safety outreach and a memorial effort with the victim’s widow. On waterfowl, Schoenrock said Arkansas remains the nation’s top duck destination, but drought has reduced water availability and shifted bird numbers; he cited survey figures showing about 1.4 million ducks in late December and 545,000 in early January, with mallards making up most of the total. He rejected claims from the Louisiana-based Flyway Federation that standing corn is illegally holding ducks in the mid-latitudes, saying federal law still governs waterfowl hunting framework and that Arkansas is working with other states and federal officials on the issue. Members also questioned the commission about private-land hunting, U.S. Fish and Wildlife coordination, and possible impacts from wind turbines and solar panels on migration. Schoenrock said the commission works with federal officers when needed, but Arkansas largely enforces the same migratory bird rules on its own because federal resources are limited. He said the agency has a Conservation Incentive Program and other habitat programs, and acknowledged ongoing research at the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s waterfowl center on wind-related avoidance behavior, which he said could take at least two years. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• their own detention executing their own detention requests.<01:56:21.040><c> Did</c><01:56:21.360><c
• feature, I guess in a car it should have a mandatory feature that it won't hit people.
• </c><02:26:27.120><c> I</c> that should be a mandatory feature.
• I that should be a mandatory feature.
• feature that it won't hit mandatory feature that it won't hit people.<02:26:31.760><c> Um,</c><02:26

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• The politics around the issue of these detention centers are in the bones of the discussion around how
• these detention centers can operate and how information about their operations can be made public.
• The politics around the issue of these detention centers are in the bones of the discussion around how
• these detention centers can operate and how information about their operations can be made public.
• Speaker, you and I have both seen the protests at these detention facilities, particularly one here in

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2574 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2297 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2495 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2636 , HB2192 , HB2251 , HB2262 , HB2266 , HB2298 , HB2320 , HB2323 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2405 , HB2442 , HB2523 , HB2593 , HB2632 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2095 , HB2157 , HB2225 , HB2274 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2333 , HB2476 , HB2508 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1634 , HB1707 , HB1906 , HB1909 , HB2196 , HB2244 , HB2339 , HB2361 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2410 , HB2468 , HB2475 , HB2521 , HB2548 , HB2619 , HB2637 , HB2720

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, approved the prior day’s minutes, and adopted House Resolution 4691 recognizing Presidents’ Day. Supporters of the resolution praised presidential leadership and civic ideals, while one member used the occasion to note the historical harms and contradictions of figures such as Washington, Lincoln, and FDR. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the House also recognized visiting former legislators and Black leaders in the chamber. The chamber then took up several bills, often suspending the rules to move measures directly to third reading. Second Substitute House Bill 1923, creating a local option for passenger-only ferry districts, passed 84-11 after debate over ferry reliability, local control, and possible tax “stacking.” Substitute House Bill 2475, requiring language-accessible public programs and services, passed 62-33 amid support for access and safety and opposition over unfunded mandates, overregulation, and concerns about technology and assimilation. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2508, clarifying the Office of Independent Investigations’ authority, passed 90-6 after a technical amendment; supporters said it would improve police accountability processes, while some noted remaining concerns about investigations. House Bill 2464, requiring reporting and law-enforcement response data for incidents at private detention facilities, passed 58-38, with supporters emphasizing transparency and critics calling it political and questioning the agency chosen to collect the data. Substitute House Bill 2203, creating reckless interference with emergency barricades, passed 94-2 after testimony about flood rescues and the need for stronger deterrence. Second Substitute House Bill 2384, increasing oversight of continuing care retirement communities, passed 78-14; supporters cited senior protections and solvency, while opponents worried about duplicative costs. Second Substitute House Bill 2333, allowing certain campaign funds to be used for security and related protections for elected officials and candidates, passed 71-21 after debate over political violence and concerns about self-dealing. Second Substitute House Bill 1909, creating a Court Unification Task Force, passed 56-36, with supporters citing inconsistent court administration and opponents defending local control. The House also passed Second Substitute House Bill 1906 on water system rate transparency and consumer protection, 91-1; Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548 on health care market standards and mergers, 53-38; Substitute House Bill 2405 establishing a PTSD pilot program with early treatment and return-to-work provisions, 90-1; and Substitute House Bill 2323 creating a Blue Envelope Program for autistic and neurodiverse drivers during traffic stops, 92-1. Throughout the day, members frequently split along lines of transparency, consumer protection, public safety, local control, and concerns about mandates or regulatory burden.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we can look at different things from the importance of mandatory disqualifiers, because there are

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2574 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2297 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2495 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2636 , HB2192 , HB2251 , HB2262 , HB2266 , HB2298 , HB2320 , HB2323 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2405 , HB2442 , HB2523 , HB2593 , HB2632 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2095 , HB2157 , HB2225 , HB2274 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2333 , HB2476 , HB2508 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1634 , HB1707 , HB1906 , HB1909 , HB2196 , HB2244 , HB2339 , HB2361 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2410 , HB2468 , HB2475 , HB2521 , HB2548 , HB2619 , HB2637 , HB2720

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House first considered House Bill 2156, which would authorize investigators in the Attorney General’s Office to serve electronic search warrants in limited economic and financial crime investigations, especially organized retail crime. Members debated a series of amendments on training standards, scope, background checks, warrant service, and definitions of covered crimes. Some amendments were adopted, including changes clarifying training and decertification standards, narrowing the scope of economic and financial crimes, and refining warrant-service language; others were rejected or ruled out of scope. The amended striking amendment passed 52-39, and the bill then passed final reading 54-43. The House then moved through several other measures. House Bill 2219, dealing with child care operational efficiency and licensing, was amended to strengthen safety language around opioids in licensed child care settings and passed 95-1. House Bill 2124, which raises the threshold for lump-sum retirement allowance payments, passed 96-0. House Bill 2266, concerning permanent supportive housing, traditional housing, and indoor emergency housing, was amended to add local-government notice, transparency, community-meeting, and siting provisions, then passed 56-40. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1784, on certified medical assistants and telemedicine-related practice, received a cleanup amendment and passed 96-0. The House also passed House Bill 2523, which codifies the Community Reinvestment Program, after rejecting an amendment that would have redirected some funds to economic development; the bill passed 88-9. House Bill 2113, allowing certain medical supervision of diagnostic radiologic procedures in emergency settings, passed 97-0. House Bill 2632, updating state law terminology from “alien” to “non-citizen,” passed 58-39 after debate over precision versus respectful language. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2476, expanding seating limits for theaters serving alcohol, passed 81-50. Finally, House Bill 2320, addressing firearms manufacturing involving 3D printers and CNC machines, was heavily amended to narrow and clarify language around code and additive manufacturing before the striker passed. The bill’s supporters framed it as a response to ghost-gun risks and recent incidents involving 3D-printed firearms, while opponents raised constitutional concerns about speech and gun rights. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 2320 is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mandatory reporting is intended to protect children from serious harm.
• Mandatory reporting is intended to protect children from serious harm. mandatory reporting is intended
• I represent the detention center. I represent the Sheriff's Department.
• If I can have a... the inclusion of the family dynamic as both part of their time during detention, but
• As a society, we already have mandatory safety devices on vehicles such as airbags, seatbelts, backup

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Detention camps and organizing against 287G agreements. Sounds like terror to me.
• However, H.R. 1 did not change the federal law that governs mandatory SNAP E&T work requirements.
• H.R. 1 did not change the federal law that governs mandatory SNAP E&T work requirements.
• Still, HB 693 improperly attempts to impose mandatory SNAP E&T work requirements on people up to the
• SNAP participants through its mandatory SNAP employment and training program and through time limits

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report for the day and approved a Rules and Ethics Committee report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber then took up several bills. HB 1405 on a statewide project for missing persons with special needs passed unanimously. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, passed 94-10 after debate focused on conservation land surplus procedures and agricultural use of state lands. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, foreign gifts, critical infrastructure, sister city agreements, and related restrictions, passed 80-20 after the House adopted an amendment adding a prohibition on certain surrogacy contracts involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern. CS/CS/HB 1197, dealing with information technology procurement and contracting, passed 109-0. HB 1103 on local administration of vessel restrictions passed unanimously. The House also debated CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations. Supporters said it would limit development fees, standardize compatibility rules, allow manufactured homes in RV parks, and lower voting thresholds for comprehensive plan changes to address housing affordability; opponents argued it would preempt local control, weaken voter-approved urban boundary protections, and risk conservation lands. An amendment to preserve Orange County’s boundary rules failed, while a technical amendment on manufactured homes passed. The bill then passed 71-38. The House also passed several local bills, including measures for the Pace Fire Rescue District, Avalon Beach/Mulat Fire Protection District, East Point Water and Sewer District, Fellsmere Water Control District, and Headwaters Water Control District, with votes ranging from 83-27 to unanimous approval. The transcript also included farewell remarks from Representative Angie Nixon before the House returned to remaining business.

Transcript Highlights:

• In this particular renewal cycle, in my life, I was required to take a mandatory a course on family law
• lawyer, I certainly think that a judge, a judicial magistrate should, in fact, have some... you know, mandatory
• This is Senator Zaffirini's bill, sponsored by Speaker Moody, relating to the emergency detention of

Bills: SB1015 , SB2933

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary, revenue distribution, SB 2933, elder abuse, neglect, judicial training

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence heard testimony on Senate Bill 1015, which would clarify that the comptroller is responsible for distributing excess judicial fund payments back to statutory probate courts. Judge Guy Herman testified in support, saying the bill would help ensure probate courts receive funding they are entitled to, while Ed Heimlich testified against the bill with broad criticism of probate courts and judicial practices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2933, which would add elder abuse training to required judicial education for several categories of judges and judicial officers; Dr. Bruce Hargrave supported the bill, citing the prevalence and underreporting of elder abuse and the need for judges to recognize warning signs. No votes were taken on either of those bills, and SB 2933 was left pending. The committee then reconsidered Senate Bill 38, an eviction-related bill, and Vice Chair Hayes described two agreed floor amendments: one limiting the summary disposition procedure to forcible entry and detainer cases involving squatters, and another requiring a notice to pay rent or vacate for tenants who had been timely payers but missed a payment. After discussion, the committee voted 6-4 to report SB 38 without amendments. The committee also adopted or advanced a series of other bills and resolutions, including SB 293, SB 1141, SB 1448, SB 1536, SB 1558, SB 1838, SB 1940, SB 2127, SB 53, SB 251, SB 311, SB 387, SB 441 (with a substitute), SB 1164, SB 1335, SB 1574 (with a substitute), SB 1719, SB 1760, SB 1839, SB 1923 (with a substitute), SB 2807, and SJR 27 (with a substitute). Most measures were reported favorably on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with a few close votes on SB 942, SB 311, SB 2807, and SJR 27. SB 942, relating to retroactive child support beginning at conception, initially failed 5-5 but was reconsidered and then passed 6-5. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.