Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I respectfully ask for your support, and I close.
• And with that, I respectfully ask for your support, and I close. Any questions, members?
• This ensures that state-level resources can support enforcement in cases that cross jurisdiction lines
• So it's not just the assaultive behavior, the assaultive crimes.
• The assaultive behavior, the assaultive crimes, that deserve a family violence finding.

Bills: HB115

Keywords: public funds, lobbying, political subdivision, government spending, transparency, HB 115, taxpayer-funded lobbying, local government lobbying, county association dues, municipal lobbying, lobbyist registration, Chapter 305, Government Code Section 556.0056, Local Government Code Section 89.002, county government, city government, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, state association of counties, sheriffs association

Summary: The Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence reconvened with a quorum present and announced it would likely not vote that night because of confusion over the bill list; members were told a definitive list would be circulated the next morning and a formal meeting would be scheduled later. The chair then heard a series of bills, generally taking testimony and leaving each pending without action. House Bill 1847 would set maximum caseload standards for private attorneys handling indigent criminal appointments through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission; House Bill 2417 would expand compensation eligibility for some wrongfully imprisoned people; House Bill 2813 would require earlier and more specific victim notice of scheduled court proceedings; and House Bill 2309 would expand state and local authority in certain civil asset forfeiture cases involving human trafficking, health care fraud, and organized crime. Each bill was laid out by its author or a member, with no opposition witnesses registered, and each was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 4733, which would require sealing records for people acquitted of charges when they were not convicted on the related allegation; House Bill 2328, which would modernize expunction service by encouraging electronic notice, setting a standardized fee when electronic service is unavailable, extending clerk retention of expunction orders, and preserving certain mental health commitment orders; and House Bill 115, which would revise Texas’s “junk science” post-conviction writ law by providing counsel, changing the relief standard, requiring written decisions, and easing procedural barriers. Testimony on HB 2328 was mixed: county clerks supported the bill as a cost-saving modernization, while legal advocates warned that permanent retention of expunction orders could undermine true expunction and create privacy risks. HB 115 drew support from innocence and defense organizations, with some concern about a provision affecting subsequent writs. All were left pending after testimony. Later, the committee heard House Bill 2046, which would allow affirmative family-violence findings for any Penal Code offense rather than only Title V offenses; testimony from a Dallas County prosecutor and a committee member emphasized that family violence can involve arson, burglary, fraud, and other non-Title V conduct, and the bill was left pending. House Bill 1765 would tighten restrictions on no-knock warrants by requiring higher-level approval, judicial review, and identifiable officers; members discussed the dangers highlighted by the Harding Street raid and similar incidents, and the bill was also left pending. The meeting ended with the chair noting that some bills had been removed from the agenda at the author’s request and that members should be prepared to finalize the vote list the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I support this bill and urge the body to support it as well. Further discussion.
• So I support this bill and urge the body to support it as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• So I support this bill and urge the body to support it as well.
• So I support this bill and urge the body to support it as well. Further discussion.
• I really appreciate everyone's support.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the previous day’s journal by a 126-0 roll call, and then heard several points of personal privilege, including recognition of National Fentanyl Awareness Day and a moment of silence for journalist Ray Hartman. Members also introduced numerous student groups, interns, and other guests in the gallery. The chamber then took up conference committee action on House Bills 2637 and 3155, a large public safety/criminal justice package. Debate focused on juvenile justice changes, including narrowing prosecutorial authority to seek juvenile certification, provisions for juvenile detention facilities, assisted outpatient mental health treatment, cyberstalking, drone restrictions, and related sentencing and sex-offender registry provisions. The House adopted the conference committee report 124-13, passed the bill 119-18, and then adopted an emergency clause for the drone-related sections by 125-15. Members also passed Senate Bill 834, a consumer protection and mortgage-related bill covering mortgage modifications and sale-leaseback disclosures, by 139-1, and Senate Bill 937, a land transfer measure authorizing the governor to dispose of certain state properties, by 137-2-1. Senate Bill 938, which raises recording fees to support the Missouri land survey program and recorder of deeds offices, passed 121-21-2. Senate Bill 973, dealing with wholesaler disclosures and adding land bank provisions while removing a school property right-of-first-refusal section, passed 110-36. The House then moved to announcements, noted upcoming committee meetings and Kentucky Derby Hat Day, and adjourned until April 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's help protect the children and support this bill.
• Watch us strongly supports this bill.
• supported.
• Please support the bill. Thanks so much. Thanks so much.
• Please, I urge support. Thanks so much, Senator Christian.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5977, which would require DCYF to publish child near-fatality review reports within 180 days and post them publicly, with confidential information redacted as allowed by law. Senator Nikki Torres said the bill is intended to improve transparency, accountability, and child protection. There was no public testimony on the bill, and the hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6184, an Office of Homeless Youth request bill sponsored by the chair. The bill makes technical and policy updates to OHY programs, including replacing the term “street youth” with “unaccompanied homeless youth,” allowing certain flexible funds to go directly to youth or vendors, renaming and making permanent the H-Sync program, expanding eligibility and housing options in the Independent Youth Housing Program, and clarifying shelter and reporting provisions. Testifiers from Commerce, advocates, school support organizations, and a youth advocate all supported the bill, emphasizing that the changes would improve access, consistency, and housing stability for unhoused youth. The hearing was then closed. The committee moved into executive session on seven bills. SB 5681, concerning intellectual and developmental disability services at age 20, had Amendment A1 fail and the proposed substitute was adopted and sent to Ways and Means. SB 5917, regarding abortion medication in DOC, saw one amendment adopted and multiple Christian amendments rejected before the bill was sent to Rules. SB 5942, renaming the DCYF Oversight Board as the DCYF Accountability Board and revising its duties, had only Amendment C16 adopted; the amended bill passed to Rules. SB 6024, on duplicative audits for community residential providers, passed without amendment. SB 6036, concerning adult family homes and foster care licensees, had Amendment D1 adopted and the bill passed to Rules. SB 6085, on the DOC institutional welfare account, had Amendment E1 adopted and the bill was sent to Ways and Means after several other amendments failed. In each case, the committee voted to advance the bill after considering amendments, with most of the proposed changes from Senator Christian failing except where noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I support this bill and urge the body to support it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• So I support this bill and urge the body to support.
• So I support this bill and urge the body to support it as well. Further discussion.
• I really appreciate everyone's support.
• So I would like to support the amendment. Further discussion.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the House Journal for the prior day by a 126-0 vote, and then heard several points of personal privilege, including recognition of National Fentanyl Awareness Day and a moment of silence for journalist Ray Hartman. Members also introduced numerous student groups, interns, and special guests visiting the chamber. The chamber then took up conference committee business on House Bills 2637 and 3155, a large public safety/criminal justice package. Members discussed the bill’s juvenile justice provisions, including narrowing prosecutorial certification of juveniles to certain serious offenses, changes to age language, juvenile detention facility funding, outpatient mental health treatment, cyberstalking provisions, drone restrictions, prosecutorial salaries, and sex offender registry language. The House approved the motion to exceed the conference differences, adopted the conference committee report by 124-13, passed the bill 119-18, and adopted the emergency clause for the drone-related sections by 125-15. The House also passed Senate Bill 834, a consumer protection measure dealing with mortgage modifications and sale-leaseback transactions, by 139-1 after discussion of its protections for homeowners. Senate Bill 937, a land transfer bill authorizing the governor to dispose of certain state properties, was amended and passed 137-2-1. Senate Bill 938, which raises recording fees from $4 to $6 to support the state land survey program and recorder of deeds offices, passed 121-21-2 after supporters said the increase was overdue and necessary to sustain the program. Finally, House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 973, concerning wholesaler disclosures and land banks, was amended to remove a school property provision and add land bank authority, then passed 110-36. The House adjourned after announcements and was set to return the next day with several bills on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> little habius corpus ative behaviors little habius corpus ative behaviors corpus<00:21:55.840><c
• </c><01:22:15.040><c> We</c><01:22:15.360><c> support</c><01:22:15.600><c> this</c> Their current behavior
• </c> support. Thank you. support. Thank you.
• As a society, we support of SF 3590.
• And that support the constitution.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Online, there were 83 in support and 15 opposed. There were 83 in support and 15 opposed.
• I'm here in support of this bill.
• I'm here in support of this bill.
• </c> online was two in support 261. online was two in support 261.
• </c> in support, 73 opposed, zero neutral. in support, 73 opposed, zero neutral.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would appreciate your support on this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• We would appreciate your support on this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Okay, last question from Senator Mills. in anti-semitic Behavior well I think in anti-semitic Behavior
• </c> Resources improve reimbursement support Resources improve reimbursement support quality<00:30:24.320
• </c> procedures and policies exist to support procedures and policies exist to support those<00:48:52.680

Keywords: Discussion on SB 132 - 00:06 Vote on SB 132 - 04:41 Discussion on HB 219 - 43:49 Vote on HB 219 – 49:00 Discussion on HCR 20 – 50:08 Vote on HCR 20 – 51:28, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, which would create conscience protections for health care professionals who object to participating in certain procedures or services on religious, moral, or ethical grounds. Senator Donald Douglas and several supporters argued the bill is a recruitment and retention tool for Kentucky’s health care workforce, emphasizing provider shortages, maldistribution, and the need to protect individual conscience rights. Supporters said the bill would not apply to emergency care, would not permit denial of care based on a patient’s identity, and would mainly protect professionals from being forced to perform procedures they believe are unethical. They also cited similar laws in six other states and said the bill would have a cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Supportive testimony came from an emergency physician, a registered nurse, and others who described personal experiences or examples involving objections to abortion-related care, opioid prescribing, and pressure to participate in procedures that conflicted with conscience. They said conscience protections would help attract providers, preserve ethical integrity, and allow clinicians to make professional judgments without corporate or institutional coercion. In questioning, senators asked about practical examples, the scope of the bill, whether it would cover hypothetical cases involving patients of particular religions or identities, and which states have similar laws. The sponsor and supporters repeatedly said the bill is about procedures, not patients, and that it should not be read to allow discrimination against individuals. Opponents, including pediatricians and a registered nurse/minister, warned that the bill is overly broad and could allow refusals of care by not only physicians but also pharmacists, clerks, and ambulance drivers. They argued it could delay treatment, increase discrimination, and worsen access problems in rural areas, especially for contraception, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other services. Critics said existing professional ethics already require patient care and that the bill could undermine evidence-based medicine and worsen Kentucky’s provider shortage. The committee took testimony and questions; no final vote or disposition was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Kimmy Luong, and I'm in support of this bill. support of Hawaii's viable and support of Hawaii's
• We have David CR and Scott Liter in support, and Michael Grank in support, HPO Seals in support.
• I support the bill. I really would support the bill.
• I support the bill. I really would support the bill.
• ><c> don't</c> other states support to counties I don't other states support to counties I don't support

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, greatly supports the, the efforts by Representative Morgan on 4092.
• House Bill 2076 supports women.
• I'm here to testify in strong support of HB 2076.
• We support it.
• We support the legislation, strong consumer bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support this bill. My name is CJ Grisham. I'm here to support HB 2929 on my own behalf.
• A comprehensive wellness support program.
• The task force will be supported jointly by HHSC and TCOL.
• And as you said, sir, I'm testifying in support of House Bill 5528.
• I respectfully ask for your support. Members, any questions?

Bills: SB 36

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• We support legislation like this throughout the United States.
• I'm here to testify in strong support of HB2076.
• Help support it.
• We support it.
• Okay, we support the legislation on consumer bill.

Bills: HB854, HB 1052, HB1642, HB2076, HB3042, HB3695, HB3787, HB4062, HB4092, SB213, SB493, SB896, HB5519, HB4635

Keywords: insurance, replacement cost, homeowner's policy, renter's policy, condominium insurance, property damage, claims process, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health benefit plan, insurance coverage, out-of-state services, anxiety, pain management, contraceptive devices, women's health, medical procedures, healthcare, laboratory

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> the</c><00:05:36.960><c> particular</c> supporters don't like the particular supporters don't like
• </c> problems, and high-risisk behaviors. problems, and high-risisk behaviors.
• </c> stand in support of this bill. stand in support of this bill.
• And so I would ask for your support. support. support.
• </c> we would support it. we would support it. &gt;&gt; Speaker<02:34:17.200><c> Prom.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you adopt my amendment, it helps prevent that type of behavior.
• If you adopt my amendment, it helps prevent that type of behavior.
• And now I fully support this if this gets adopted.
• student's personal education planning process so that the student and family are aware of available supports

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, some of the ideas that came up were things like behavioral health treatment centers, training
• And then we don't have enough children to support the teachers that we employ.
• looked at whether, depending on the structure of the facility, it could be turned into an inpatient behavioral
• And I know that that's probably what you're having to do is figure out a package, and I support that.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• INSURERS ARE USING AI TO SUPPORT AGENTS AND BROKERS THROUGH INCREASING EFFICIENCIES IN THE APPLICATION
• APC IA IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING INNOVATION AS WE MOVE WITH POLICYMAKERS TO ENSURE AI REGULATION AFFECTS
• QUESTIONS ABOUT LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY RELATED TO AI RATHER THAN SPECIFIC INDUSTRY TRENDS OR COMPANY BEHAVIOR
• FORWARD, INSURERS ARE CONSIDERING HOW TO USE AI FOR CUSTOMER RETENTION, ANALYZING THE NEEDS AND BEHAVIORS

Transcript Highlights:

• We support thousands of Hampshire.
• :48.319><c> of</c> request supports a workforce of request supports a workforce of 1,151<03:12:50.399
• ><c> services</c> essential internal support services essential internal support services across<03:13
• Additional support is necessary.
• </c><03:47:53.439><c> this</c> transfer of funding to support this transfer of funding to support this

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:59.279><c> um</c> our written testimony instr support um our written testimony instr support
• </c> kapuna and I hope that you do support kapuna and I hope that you do support this<00:47:24.119><c
• </c> want to make it clear that we support want to make it clear that we support legal<00:52:35.400><
• </c><01:02:40.359><c> supporting</c> status and I don't support supporting status and I don't support
• We do support this measure.

Keywords: 910, house, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:45.519><c> assessing</c> they would um support assessing they would um support assessing insurance
• </c> support a growth in that department. support a growth in that department.
• </c> centralized administrative uh support centralized administrative uh support and<00:16:03.199><c>
• </c> current state supported insurance current state supported insurance program<01:18:51.840><c> and
• I mean, that kind of awareness and that kind of behavior is what we have.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They are specifically trained to support first responders in crisis.
• Safe facilities require supported staff. Accountability must apply to everyone.
• Officers play pivotal roles supporting our expansive programming and education.
• Officers play pivotal roles supporting our expansive programming and education.
• My job and... ...roles supporting our expansive programming and education.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The special commission on consolidation and cooperation among public safety agencies held a hearing focused on union and correctional staff testimony. Chair Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger opened by noting the commission’s extensive site visits and prior testimony, and they recognized Correctional Officers Week. Union representatives from KOUF, NCEU, AFSCME, and local county correctional unions described the daily realities of correctional work, emphasizing staff safety, staffing shortages, retention problems, mental health impacts, and the need to preserve local sheriff’s offices and collective bargaining agreements. Testimony centered on several recurring concerns: violence inside facilities, the spread of synthetic drugs such as K2, inmate suicides and suicide attempts, and the strain these issues place on officers, EMS, and local resources. Speakers also raised concerns about gender-identity housing policies, arguing they can create safety and workplace issues for staff, and urged more support for officer wellness, debriefing, and programs like OnSide Academy. Several witnesses argued that county facilities should remain locally controlled and that consolidation with the Department of Correction would weaken programming, staffing, and community-based reentry work. One witness described the Norwegian correctional model as a possible source of ideas for more rehabilitative approaches. Commission members responded with support for correctional staff and asked questions about K2 detection, paperless systems, EMS transports, and possible metrics to quantify incidents and facility needs. Members also discussed the importance of individualized assessments of each facility rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The commission voted to seek an extension of its reporting deadline from September 30 to November 30, and agreed to continue site visits, including the upcoming Barnstable visit and a June 15 hearing. The meeting adjourned after the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are specifically trained to support first responders in crisis.
• They are specifically trained to support first responders in crisis.
• Safe facilities require supported staff. Accountability must apply to everyone.
• Officers play pivotal roles supporting our expansive program and education.
• The work our officers do is supported by our—uh, our aim is to reduce the recidivism.

Summary: The special commission on consolidation and cooperation in public safety held a hearing focused on correctional labor testimony, with union leaders and officers from multiple county facilities and the Department of Correction describing staffing, safety, wellness, and programming concerns. Speakers emphasized that correctional officers face high levels of workplace violence, exposure to synthetic drugs like K2, inmate suicides and assaults, and significant mental health strain. They also raised concerns about gender-identity housing policies, arguing that current practices can create unsafe conditions for staff, and urged stronger debriefing and wellness supports after traumatic incidents, including fuller use of programs like OnSide Academy. Several witnesses from unions including KCU/NCU and local county bargaining units argued against consolidating sheriff’s offices or merging them with the Department of Correction. They said consolidation could weaken collective bargaining, harm retention and recruitment, increase commute times, and disrupt locally tailored programming and reentry services. Multiple speakers stressed that county facilities are distinct and should be evaluated individually, not by a single formula, and that staffing levels, training, and facility-specific needs must drive any policy changes. One witness described innovative programming such as welding and shed-building partnerships, while another highlighted Norfolk County’s accreditation, budget stability, and reentry efforts. Commission members largely thanked the witnesses and echoed concerns about officer safety and wellness. They discussed the need for more facility tours, including Norfolk, and debated whether the commission should seek an extension beyond its September 30 reporting deadline. After discussion, the commission voted to request an extension to November 30, with the understanding that the report would still be completed and filed later. Members also discussed the possibility of examining the Norwegian correctional model and reaching out to the judiciary for additional testimony. The hearing concluded with an adjournment after public testimony closed.