Video & Transcript : 'nonemitting generation' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Majority Leader End-of-Session Media Availability - 05/18/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you to Senator inspector general.
- We don't use general funds, generally speaking, for transportation. It's a user fee source.
- We don't use general<00:18:26.040><c> funds</c><00:18:26.960><c> uh</c><00:18:27.400><c> generally</c
- ><00:18:27.760><c> speaking</c><00:18:28.720><c> for</c> general funds uh generally speaking for general
- funds uh generally speaking for uh<00:18:29.240><c> transportation.
Summary:
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said the 2026 session ended with major accomplishments despite frustration over what did not pass. She highlighted a $1.2 billion bonding bill, housing and rental investments, property tax reductions, support for HCMC and distressed hospitals, public safety and crime victim funding, IT modernization, and fraud-prevention measures. She also said the Senate pushed a tab fee holiday, though she criticized Republicans for delaying its start until January, and described the session as focused on a “fair deal” for Minnesotans facing higher costs.
Murphy said some of the most difficult work involved human services and fraud oversight. She said lawmakers created an independent inspector general office, funded the Attorney General’s Medicaid fraud unit, added training and electronic visit measures, and included payment-withholding language with due-process protections and continuity-of-care safeguards. She said the Senate tried to balance fraud enforcement with preserving access to Medicaid-funded services, and emphasized that legislators must continue oversight and follow audit recommendations.
She also expressed deep disappointment that a comprehensive gun violence prevention package did not pass the House, saying it included prevention, intervention, harm reduction, school safety, and mental health provisions. She said the package was rejected by House Republicans and that she would keep fighting for it. On immigration enforcement, she said the Senate proposed protections against ICE actions but could not get them enacted. She also discussed campaign strategy, saying Democrats would defend frontline seats and emphasize health care, housing, jobs, and affordability, while continuing to support roads, bridges, and transit.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It is self-generated money, as opposed to a donation or private money.
- Scott Sternberg, I’m the general counsel of the Louisiana Press Association.
- Scott Sternberg, I’m the general counsel to the Louisiana Press Association.
- Scott Sternberg, I'm the general counsel of the Louisiana Press Association.
- Self-generated? You're going to call them self-generated dollars.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee on Community Economic Mobility and Investment Apr 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Second, the Central Valley, and generally inland California, is the future of the state.
- If you look at the generation If you look at the generation of jobs, you could see that actually the
- of jobs that are being generated.
- So I would say in general, we really believe in the power of partnerships.
- For generations, they have to. ...to California and, of course, the San Joaquin Valley.
Summary:
The hearing focused on inclusive economic development in California’s Central Valley, with the chair describing prior state and federal investments in Fresno and the region, including Transformative Climate Communities funding, the Southwest Fresno Community College campus, affordable housing and infrastructure projects, medical education pathways, F3 Farm Food Future, and high-speed rail-related jobs. The chair emphasized that rural and historically disinvested communities often face complex application processes and limited technical capacity, and said the committee’s goal was to learn from successful local models and identify ways to better direct resources to communities that need them most.
The first panel featured representatives from the Sierra Health Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, and UC Merced. Chet Hewitt argued that health and economic opportunity are inseparable and described Sierra Health’s economic development portfolio, including the San Joaquin Valley Health Fund, the Impact Investment Fund, and the Community Economic Mobilization Initiative (CEMI), which together support healthier workplaces, microbusiness financing, and nonprofit capacity. Jessica Kaksmarik said Irvine’s place-based grantmaking in inland regions aims to strengthen worker and community power, support community-led development, and expand equitable pathways to mobility, while stressing that philanthropy must partner with government because it cannot meet the scale of need alone. Dr. Manuel Pastor and Dr. Ed Flores both argued that inequality and extractive development weaken long-term growth, and that community organizations need both power-building and technical expertise to influence regional planning; Flores also described the Valley Seed project and high-road economic development models that link labor, climate, and community benefits.
The second panel highlighted community-based programs and the effects of unstable funding. Yolanda Randalls described the Sweet Potato Project at West Fresno Family Resource Center, a youth agriculture and entrepreneurship program that combines hands-on farming, business training, and mental health support; she said participants improved from a 1.9 GPA to a 3.3 GPA and that the program is seeking long-term support as its funding nears expiration. Addie Carr of Neighborhood Industries described a second-chance employment model that provides job training, case management, literacy and life coaching, and small no-interest loans, and said CEMI helped the organization open a second store and create more jobs. Maria Redoubt Orozco of Community Alliance with Family Farmers said small farmers are central to the Valley’s economy but face land, water, climate, and market barriers, and warned that federal cuts to programs like Local Food Purchasing Assistance threaten local food systems. Daniela Rodriguez of Immigrants Rising described entrepreneurship and technical assistance for undocumented and mixed-status entrepreneurs, including the SEED initiative, and said policy uncertainty and access-to-capital barriers continue to constrain immigrant economic mobility. In closing discussion, panelists repeatedly called for longer-term, braided, and flexible funding rather than one-time grants, and the chair noted the need to continue supporting community-defined practices and public-private partnerships.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Mar 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Jason Kinney, Chief Deputy Director at the Department of General Services.
- As a general rule, we typically purchase properties that are design-construction ready, meaning clear
- population, as well as proximity to. a veteran demand in the general population, as well as proximity
- And I would also note that this is not coming from the general fund.
- I think generally most of what's sold in like a farmer's market or church bazaar would be like a CBD
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several CalVet budget updates first. CalVet reported progress on the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, explaining that DGS is revising the earlier feasibility study to reflect a smaller footprint and lower grading costs, with updated numbers expected by the end of April. Members and public commenters emphasized the project’s importance and asked whether additional budget authority or trailer bill language was needed; CalVet said it may need more spending authority but wanted to return after the revised study is complete. The committee also reviewed the Yountville skilled nursing facility replacement project, where CalVet said construction is nearing completion, a certificate of occupancy was received, and the new 240-bed facility will replace Holderman Hospital while older buildings will be repurposed for lower levels of care. CalVet also defended eliminating about 178 vacant positions at Yountville and West Los Angeles as a fiscal and staffing efficiency measure, saying current care levels can still be met and that retention and hiring efforts are improving.
The committee then took up the Department of Cannabis Control’s enforcement and legal affairs proposal. DCC described the size of the illicit cannabis market, said enforcement alone cannot solve the problem, and asked for additional sworn staff, a new Redding-area field office, and more analysts to focus on distribution networks, organized crime, environmental harms, and high-priority public safety cases. Finance supported the proposal as a targeted investment, while the LAO had no additional comment. Members asked about funding impacts and local co-location options, and DCC said the request would be funded from cannabis excise tax revenues and could help shift sales into the legal market. Public testimony from the cannabis industry strongly supported more enforcement against illicit retail and said it would help legal operators compete.
DCC also presented its hemp enforcement and regulation proposal tied to AB 8. The department said the law closes loopholes around intoxicating hemp products, strengthens enforcement across agencies, and prepares for hemp to enter the cannabis regulatory framework in 2028. DCC requested staff for a civil enforcement unit, field-testing equipment, lab capacity to detect synthetic cannabinoids, a track-and-trace specialist, and a policy specialist. Members asked about enforcement in informal retail settings and consumer confusion, and DCC said the biggest problems have been smoke shops and online sales. Public commenters from the legal cannabis industry supported the proposal, saying intoxicating hemp has harmed the regulated market and created public safety risks.
The Cannabis Control Appeals Panel then requested ongoing funding of $3.4 million to support 12 positions and its quasi-judicial appeals function. The panel said that with provisional licenses largely phased out, more annual licensees now have appeal rights and the workload is beginning to increase, with two cases currently on the docket. The LAO recommended limiting funding to three years and requiring a workload and comparative analysis before making the funding permanent, while Finance supported ongoing funding as consistent with the panel’s permanent statutory role. Members questioned the panel’s compensation and workload, noting that the five-member body is paid at a high statutory rate despite historically meeting only quarterly, though panel staff said the work now includes substantial case preparation and monthly hearings. Finally, the Department of Consumer Affairs introduced two proposals: $2 million ongoing for the Contractors State License Board’s IT needs and $251,000 plus one limited-term position for the Board of Pharmacy to implement Proposition 34-related licensing policy and reduce barriers to licensure.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Mar 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Jason Kinney, Chief Deputy Director at the Department of General Services.
- As a general... ...purchased by the state. A couple of really important notes on acquisition.
- And I would also note that this is not coming from the General Fund.
- This is a general question, and again, if you don't have the answer, it's okay.
- General question, and again, if you don't have the answer, it's okay.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks - Room 210, 18 March, 2026; 1:30 PM
Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> fifth generation cattle farmer. fifth generation cattle farmer.
- current generations out.
- </c><00:17:47.880><c> to</c> be there for the next generations to be there for the next generations to
- ,</c><00:17:56.360><c> the</c> uh and getting the next generations, the uh and getting the next generations
- </c> current generations out. current generations out. Opportunities. Opportunities. Opportunities.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Middle Class Scholarship at the 17.5% level of a student's unmet need, which will cost $513 million General
- the reduced award coverage, the proposed funding level would be an estimated $513 million ongoing General
- The state is using a General Fund cash loan to cover the payments to students.
- I want to highlight that many of the folks that are in the middle class were just one generation away
- That when we look at these students who are in the middle class, they don't have generational wealth
Summary:
The subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s budget proposals and higher education financial aid trends, with a major focus on the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS), Cal Grant spending, and the effects of recent federal student aid changes. The Department of Finance said the budget would fully fund Cal Grant at projected levels and reduce MCS coverage from 35% to 17.5% of unmet need in 2026-27, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office supported considering the reduction as a cost-saving measure given out-year deficits. UC and CSU representatives opposed the cut, saying MCS is important to affordability and debt-free degree goals; they estimated average awards would fall substantially and that campuses do not have funds to backfill the loss. The Student Aid Commission said the proposal would reduce aid but simplify administration, and members questioned how lower awards would affect students, borrowing, and work-study options. No vote was taken, and the issue was held open for possible future action.
The committee then discussed federal changes to student loans and Pell Grant policy under H.R. 1, including caps on Parent PLUS loans, elimination of Grad PLUS loans, and new proration rules for federal direct loans based on enrollment intensity. The LAO said these changes would likely push some borrowers into the private market, especially graduate and professional students and some parents of students at private institutions. CSU said the changes would affect thousands of graduate and part-time students and could reduce access by about $97 million in loan availability for part-time borrowers, while UC said the new definitions of professional degrees were too restrictive and would reduce access for nursing, teaching, law, dentistry, and other programs. Community colleges said they use relatively little federal loan aid but are monitoring Workforce Pell. Members raised concerns about workforce impacts, social mobility, and whether the state should consider alternative loan programs or other ways to reduce student costs. This issue was also held open.
In the segment financial aid update, the LAO reported Cal Grant spending is projected to rise to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by more recipients and higher awards tied to UC and CSU tuition increases, while CSAC said FAFSA and CADAA applications are up significantly year over year. CSU, community colleges, and UC described their aid packaging and rising aid totals, with CSU reporting over $5.5 billion in aid to 381,000 students, community colleges reporting over $4.3 billion to more than 920,000 students, and UC reporting $3.17 billion in grant aid to undergraduates. Members asked about Cal Grant reform, application trends, and long-term outcomes; UC and community colleges pointed to alumni and wage dashboards, and the LAO noted the state’s Cradle to Career data effort. The committee then took public comment, including testimony on library funding and other education-related priorities, and concluded by holding the issues open without formal action.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Middle Class Scholarship at the 17.5% level of a student's unmet need, which will cost $513 million General
- the reduced award coverage, the proposed funding level would be an estimated $513 million ongoing General
- The state is using a General Fund cash loan to cover the payments to students.
- I want to highlight that many of the folks that are in the middle class were just one generation away
- I want to highlight that many of the folks that are in the middle class were just one generation away
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We are trying to figure out how we can generate more Medicaid revenue through collection.
- When you talk about cases that have all been upheld, what kind of cases are those generally?
- And since he's the Attorney General, does that affect any of you? No.
- I am the general counsel to the board. The board meets in public.
- I am the chairman of our Attorney General James Uthmeier's PAC.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Feb 19th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So looking at what we're doing in the General Fund budget or what are our...
- There are four-star generals who are women.
- There are four-star generals who are women.
- Three generations later, the pain still echoes.
- It becomes generational.
Summary:
The Senate first took up two budget-related transportation bills. AB 107, a junior budget bill, was described as a technical measure that updates federal appropriations by about $15 million, exempts certain Proposition 4 funds from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed spending, and makes other technical corrections without adding new projects or General Fund spending. Some senators objected to the APA waiver as reducing transparency, but the bill passed 28-10. AB 117, an early-action trailer bill for Bay Area transit, authorizes a $590 million loan from the state’s transit and intercity rail capital program to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which can then lend the money to Bay Area transit agencies for operating support, with repayment and interest secured by transit revenues. Supporters called it an emergency bridge to prevent major service cuts at BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; opponents raised concerns about ridership recovery, accountability, and consolidation. The bill passed 28-9.
The Senate then confirmed two California Air Resources Board appointees: Sonoma County Supervisor Linda Hopkins and Riverside Mayor Patricia Locke Dawson. Both were supported by colleagues who praised their experience and backgrounds, and both confirmations passed. The body also adopted SCR 89, a resolution by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas opposing federal attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Supporters argued DEI is essential to civil rights, education, public service, and equal opportunity, while criticizing the Trump administration for dismantling related federal offices and funding. The resolution passed on a largely party-line vote after extensive floor debate.
Finally, the Senate adopted SCR 78, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Senators from both parties spoke about the injustice of the internment, the resilience and military service of Japanese Americans, and the importance of remembering the history to guard against future abuses. The resolution passed unanimously, and the author then introduced survivors and guests in the chamber.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Elementary and Secondary Education Feb 18th, 2026
Elementary and Secondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- These students have generally left high school after becoming pregnant and needed the flexibility of
- The 25% threshold is in the Constitution: 25% of general revenue has to go to K-12.
- Well, that is what, out of general revenue, we have to pay for K-12 currently.
- I don't want to take away money from this generation to pay for that generation, if you get what I'm
- But you're putting the word out generally to the public: here's what we can do for you. Yes, sir.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - State Gov Elections and Indian Affairs Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Some businesses have backup generators. We used electric fences on the farms all the time.
- Our general election will be in November, so how are we differentiating bonding time?
- Even yours is the general election. Thank you, Madam Chair. And they can't be on that. Thank you.
- The only change is really to allow the school districts a choice to be on the general.
- Even yours is the general election. which happens in odd years. Even yours is the general election.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Memorial 54, which would ask the Public Regulation Commission to convene a working group on utility service problems in manufactured home communities. The sponsor described repeated water, electricity, and gas outages in mobile home parks and said current remedies are too slow and often require attorney general lawsuits. Supporters from PNM and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty said manufactured home communities are an important source of affordable housing and that clearer coordination and oversight are needed. The memorial passed on a due pass motion with no opposition.
House Bill 166 then drew substantial debate. The bill would create a statewide permitting framework for battery-charged electric fences used by commercial businesses, while sponsors said municipalities would still retain zoning authority. Supporters argued the measure would reduce confusion, provide uniform standards, and help businesses deter crime without taxpayer cost. Several members raised concerns that the bill would override local zoning practices, favor a specific product type, and create conflicts with existing local codes and historic or mixed-use districts. Despite those objections, the committee advanced the bill on a 4-3 vote, with members noting it should be worked on further before floor consideration.
House Bill 20 proposed allowing Native American applicants to request a Native American designation on state driver’s licenses and ID cards, using tribal documentation but not naming a specific tribe. Supporters, including tribal representatives, State Police, and the sponsor, said the designation could help with law enforcement, turquoise alerts, child welfare, health and education verification, and recognition of tribal political status. Opponents and some members expressed concern about racial profiling, stigma, and whether the designation could create unintended consequences or extra bureaucracy. The bill ultimately passed, with several members explaining their votes and asking for continued discussion with tribes.
The committee also heard Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would remove constitutional language requiring school elections to be held separately from partisan elections, allowing school bond and mill levy questions to appear on the general election ballot. Sponsors and school board advocates said this could reduce special-election costs and increase turnout, while some members questioned ballot crowding and whether county clerks had been consulted. The resolution passed by due pass motion. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 295, a committee substitute creating an Office of Accessibility to centralize reporting and technical assistance on ADA compliance for state buildings and websites. Disability advocates and supporters said the office would improve coordination and accessibility, while opponents argued it lacked enforcement power and would not by itself change compliance. The discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Labor & Commerce Feb 2nd, 2026 at 10:30 am
Labor & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Significant impact on the general fund. Are there any questions?
- It removes enforcement from the Attorney General... ...and private construction projects.
- Generally, they've already paid them.
- The general just wouldn't take the risk. It is already against the law to not pay workers.
- The general just wouldn't take the risk.
Keywords:
SB 6053, domestic workers, domestic worker rights, labor protections, minimum wage, overtime, private household employment, nanny, home care worker, personal care provider, housekeeper, cleaner, cook, gardener, household manager, wage theft, retaliation, anti-discrimination, immigration status, privacy rights
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Jan 27th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Early Learning & K-12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- 18, except that 17-year-olds may vote in primary elections if they will be 18 by the time of the general
- So that goes into the general fund.
- So I am asking some general questions to see what that balance is.
- Is that generally consistent with your experiences?
- Is that generally consistent with your experiences?
Keywords:
voter registration, elections, national holiday, civic engagement, government initiative, school funding, financial management, budgeting, transparency, district governance, SB 6260, public education, K-12, Washington State, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, education finance, school transportation, school buses, zero-emission bus
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Generally, a taxing district may not impose an EMS levy if another taxing district has already imposed
- The Department of Revenue estimates no impact to the state general fund and one-time expenditures to
- We are generally supportive of House Bill 2334 for the various reasons that...
- The remainder of the taxes would be placed in the state general fund.
- I'm Michelle Wilms with the Associated General Contractors.
Keywords:
cash transactions, pennies, currency adjustment, economic impact, consumer protection, tax exemption, governmental transfer, agriculture, land use, property tax, emergency medical services, levies, healthcare funding, local government, taxation, excise tax, large companies, payroll expenses, minimum wage, Well Washington fund
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:00 am
Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- The exemption does not include general summaries that do not identify individual businesses.
- But in general, are they open for three meals a day?
- But generally speaking, you're probably talking about a 50-employee, I don't know.
- But generally speaking, you're probably talking about a 50-employee unit.
- The bill requires that before a generative AI system, or a substantial modification to a generative AI
Keywords:
tourism, promotion areas, state funding, economic development, community engagement, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They are generally appointed by the head of that particular agency.
- They are generally, the agency representatives are generally appointed by the head of that particular
- But what we know is that that funding is not sustainable as general fund state.
- Have they entered back into the markets in California, or have they generally stayed away?
- And then, of course, does this let the general fund off the hook for 1168 funding?
Summary:
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2275, which would create a Wildfire Prevention and Protection Fund and a new council to oversee utility wildfire mitigation, claims payments, and related administration. Staff explained that investor-owned utilities would be required to participate, consumer-owned utilities could opt in, and utilities would pay annual contributions and maintain approved wildfire mitigation plans to qualify for claims coverage. The prime sponsor, Rep. Christine Reeves, said the bill was intended to address wildfire liability, support prevention, and create a more comprehensive statewide approach to wildfire risk. Members asked about retroactivity to July 1, 2021, utility contribution limits, and whether the bill would lower rates or improve mitigation funding.
Public testimony was split. Supporters included the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Department of Natural Resources, wildfire survivors, and several wildfire and insurance advocates, who emphasized the need for compensation, stable funding, prevention, and better resilience planning. Opponents included several utilities, utility associations, business groups, and public utility district representatives, who argued the bill would shift uncapped costs to ratepayers, lacked clear liability reform and solvency protections, and could be vulnerable to future fund sweeps. Some witnesses cited California’s wildfire fund as a model, while others said Washington needed a broader, more holistic solution focused on prevention and liability reform. No vote was taken on HB 2275; the public hearing was closed after testimony.
The committee then moved to executive session on House Bill 2238, which directs the Department of Agriculture to develop a statewide food security strategy and adds food security coordination and food system performance monitoring to the department’s duties. Four amendments were adopted: L-061, requiring consideration of regulatory cost metrics and periodic competitiveness reporting; L-062, directing the strategy to recommend legislative actions to make food more affordable and reduce food assistance need; L-060, adding people with lived experience of food insecurity and BIPOC small farmers to consultation requirements and focusing on root causes of hunger; and L-063, adding fuel and labor cost tracking to agricultural viability metrics. Amendment L-064, which would have required a consultant study on proposed agricultural labor legislation, failed on a 5-6 roll call vote. The committee then adopted the amended substitute and reported Substitute House Bill 2238 out of committee with a due pass recommendation by an 11-0 vote.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 30th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2023 alone, more than 36 million visitors generated over $5 billion in economic revenue.
- And honoring the legacy we leave for future generations.
- Landscapes for current and future generations.
- I Worry about a generation from now whether that next generation will be able to have as informed a discussion
- But this is perhaps something that could generate bipartisan consensus in the next year.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Generally, House Bill 1916 would clarify that the court which issued the final divorce decree retained
- It would also require the Office of the Attorney General to include, in its biennial report regarding
- The chair calls as a resource Joel Rogers, Associate Deputy Attorney General for Child Support.
- The courts and the Attorney General support division have been little help.
- I'm the general counsel.
Keywords:
business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support
Summary:
The committee heard several House bills, most of them relating to family law and court procedure, and left each bill pending after testimony. House Bill 1916 would clarify that the court that issued a final divorce decree retains exclusive jurisdiction over later actions involving undivided property. House Bill 1973 would require a certified birth certificate, if reasonably available, to be filed with a SAPCR petition or allow alternative proof of parentage while keeping the information confidential. House Bill 2530 would add qualifications and procedural safeguards for appointing amicus attorneys in SAPCR cases, including notice and hearing requirements, minimum qualifications, conflict rules, and limits on what amicus attorneys may do. House Bill 2524 would make Family Code references to attorney’s fees consistent by using “reasonable and necessary” language. House Bill 3180 would correct a scrivener’s error in the civil discovery rules by changing “settlement” to “statement.”
The committee also heard House Bill 4213, which would change the interest rate on overdue child support from the current 6 percent simple interest to a fixed 5 percent and require the Attorney General to report on the impact of the change. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued lower interest could improve collections and help low-income obligors catch up, citing research and the size of child-support arrearages; opponents said lowering the rate would reduce incentives to pay and harm custodial parents and children. The Attorney General’s office raised implementation concerns about a House version that would have created a variable rate, while the committee substitute was described as restoring a simple fixed rate. After testimony, the bill was left pending.
The committee also discussed House Bill 40, updating business court provisions and supplemental jurisdiction; House Bill 3421, streamlining probate procedures for original wills and copies; and House Bill 417, clarifying venue for lawsuits involving private transfer fees on real property. Each drew limited testimony and was left pending. Finally, House Bill 3783 drew extensive testimony on court-ordered counseling and reunification therapy in family cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would protect children and abuse victims from coercive, unregulated reunification practices, while opponents argued it was too broad, could interfere with legitimate therapy and judicial discretion, and might affect military families and other high-conflict cases. The committee heard testimony from judges, therapists, parents, survivors, and advocates, but took no final action and left the bill pending.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The committee substitute automatically exempts the generator from penalties if it can demonstrate the
- And, you know, it made sense, given the Janus decision and what the Attorney General has said on the
- The proceeds from the sale will be deposited into the general revenue fund.
- payment of debts and extract. in value from companies or just generally harassment.
- Generally, they were perceived to be not enough.
Keywords:
SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service