Transcript Highlights:

• It's reduced instances of guardianship, arrests, and incarceration for a small, very high-need group
• For sure. For sure.
• And then they're looking for a state hospital bed for them.
• Thank you for being here and for sharing your story.
• Thank you for being here and for sharing your story.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It brings the potential for real high-paying jobs to our communities.
• It brings the potential for real high-paying jobs to our communities. It allows us to retain.
• It brings the potential for real high-paying jobs to our communities.
• So thank you for this. I hope it makes it all the way through. Let's get all the way through.
• So thank you for this. I hope it makes it all the way through.

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:

• I've been a learning disabilities case manager at Mandan High School for 10 years.
• the high expectations we have for high schoolers.
• money for.
• When they come with, for example, a high-cost student, of course, we take into account what they can
• I think just for clarification, when I first saw this, the $5.5 million for high cost, North Dakota's

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to discuss special education funding and retention, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then hearing a presentation from North Dakota United on a statewide special education survey and retention rubric. Presenters described how the rubric and survey were developed from special educator input around four domains: paperwork and due process support, workload, student and staff safety, and paraprofessional management. They reported high levels of stress and burnout, including increased workload, difficulty taking prep and lunch time, concerns about mental health, and widespread difficulty filling special education positions. Committee members questioned the survey’s lack of a general-education comparison group, the interpretation of terms like “rarely” and “sometimes,” and whether results could be broken down further by district size, unit, or disability area. The survey results showed the weakest area was workload, with respondents reporting caseloads increasing without corresponding adjustments, little additional support or compensation when workloads rise, and few negotiated-agreement protections. Paperwork and due process also scored poorly, with many teachers saying they rarely receive dedicated time during the duty day, often work outside contract hours without compensation, and take work home on evenings and weekends. Student and staff safety scored somewhat better but still showed gaps in crisis follow-up, notification about violent behavior, protective gear, and leave options after incidents. Paraprofessional management also drew concern, especially low pay, insufficient staffing, limited administrative support, and the burden placed on teachers to supervise and train paras. Several teachers then testified directly about the practical impact of these issues. One special education teacher described the job as combining instruction, legal compliance, and paraprofessional supervision, often requiring work beyond contracted hours and contributing to burnout and turnover. Another testified that special education case managers are effectively doing three full-time jobs and that the paperwork and caseload demands are a major reason people avoid or leave the field. Committee members discussed whether the problems are primarily local or state-level, whether more funding would solve them, and whether changes to the funding formula or weighting for high-cost students might be needed. No formal vote or action was taken beyond a recess and return to order for the next presentation, which continued the discussion of possible special education study objectives and potential policy directions.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2 Thanks for watching. Thank you for watching. Thank you for watching. Thanks for watching!
• They appreciate everybody's support yesterday, and I hope for your favorable consideration today.
• Morgan for what purpose? Does the gentleman yield for questions?
• So, limited cost, but high cost of compliance for business, that we're going to get away with this and
• 44 42 Moved by Bojotin, relating to the elective courses, mindfulness for the middle school, junior high

Bills: HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135 , HJR1 , HJR2 , HB9 , HB22 , HB908 , HB1392

Keywords: constitutional amendment, property tax, ad valorem tax, tax exemption, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, equipment exemption, machinery, local government finance, school district revenue, county taxes, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax relief, commercial property, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what we're here for.
• Any questions for Ms. Keene? Okay, I don't think so. Thank you for coming today.
• I used to be for the call for a convention some time ago.
• And that's all I have time for. And that's all I have time for, Mr.
• That's a really high bar.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We hope to avoid that as much as we can and look to other areas for savings.
• And I'm available for any questions. Thank you. Thank you so much for that.
• Thank you for that.
• Well, thank you for that. Thanks for your questions.
• Thank you for that.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that includes consistent, high-quality training for everyone.
• </c> &gt;&gt; for we I don't think we have a date for &gt;&gt; for we I don't think we have a date for
• </c> if that's for you. if that's for you.
• the</c> represent for the question for the represent for the question for the question.<02:07:08.320
• Similarly with families, when our workers have high case loads, it's hard for our staff to be able to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is, I hope for your favorable support. Thank you. Thank you.
• And I missed the opportunity for questions, so I was just hoping maybe you could address this in your
• And I missed the opportunity for questions, so I was just hoping maybe you could address this in your
• But thank you for what you've done to pull the parties together yesterday, and I hope we can continue
• C for CS for SB 13. favorably.

Summary: The committee considered a long agenda of bills, with most measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations, amendments, and roll calls. Early bills included SB 658 on lien waivers/releases, SB 736 on Brownfields redevelopment, SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, and SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage. Each was amended or discussed as needed and then approved by the committee. The committee also advanced SB 768 on foreign control interests in health care licensing, SB 772 on school diabetes management and access to glucagon, SB 1400 on removal of altered sexual depictions posted without consent, SB 1696 on prearranged transportation services, and SB 1374 on school district reporting requirements for educator arrests and misconduct. Several bills drew notable public testimony and debate. SB 1132 prompted strong support from the sponsor and agriculture interests, but opposition from equipment dealers, technology groups, and wireless industry representatives who argued the market already provides repair options and that the bill could harm dealer networks and security. SB 1730, the Live Local/affordable housing bill, received extensive discussion about parking reductions, height and density preemption, attorney’s fees, local government authority, and impacts on Monroe County and other areas; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably despite concerns from some members and advocates about parking, due process, and local control. SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments also generated significant debate, with opponents warning it could displace long-term guests and vulnerable families, while the sponsor said it clarifies transient occupancy and removes ambiguity in the removal process; the bill passed after the committee rejected a related amendment. Other measures advanced with less controversy. SB 576 updated service-of-process rules, and SB 1164 authorized email delivery of landlord-tenant notices if the parties agree in writing, though tenant advocates urged clearer safeguards and the sponsor said he was not yet committed to the House version. SB 940 prohibited the resale of restaurant reservations without consent and was supported by restaurant interests. SB 1690, allowing infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, drew emotional support from several witnesses who said it would provide anonymous, life-saving alternatives for mothers in crisis; the committee continued discussion into the latter part of the meeting. Throughout, the committee adopted several amendments, heard both support and opposition from industry, advocacy, and local-government witnesses, and reported the discussed bills favorably by recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I wish there was more, but I feel okay asking for an hour, hoping that it’ll lead to much more than that
• I wish there was more, but I feel okay asking for an hour, hoping that it’ll lead to much more than that
• Is that a requirement of high school students in New Hampshire? Thank you for your question.
• high standards for public our existing high standards for public education<01:03:16.680><c> and</c><
• quality of the minimum that the high quality of the minimum standards<01:15:39.679><c> for</c><01:15

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 749, which would require high schools to provide at least one hour of instruction on the nature and history of communism. The prime sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns that students lack basic historical knowledge about communism and its effects, and argued that a short, flexible requirement could be embedded in an existing course without creating a new full class. He described communism as a totalitarian ideology and cited historical examples including the Soviet Union, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Cold War, and current events involving Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as reasons students should understand the topic. Members asked whether the subject is already covered in current social studies standards, whether one hour is enough, and whether the bill would apply to public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The sponsor said he did not believe communism is specifically required in current standards, that he would prefer a full course but was proposing a minimal requirement, and that he intended the bill to apply broadly to schools under the Department of Education’s umbrella, though he acknowledged the wording may need clarification for charter schools. He also said the proposal was both reactive and proactive, based on anecdotal concerns and his teaching experience. A second supporter testified that he was born in the Soviet Union and favored the bill, but suggested the instruction should emphasize critical thinking and explain both why communism can appeal to some people and why it can have harmful consequences. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And while we are hoping for some... ...with AI now coming into our daily experiences.
• And while we're hoping for some synergistic and, you know, really co-beneficial futures, you know, we
• I want to thank the committee staff for their work and apologize for making you wait for me to come here
• And I apologize for making you wait for me to come here this afternoon.
• For these and other reasons, we respectfully ask for your no vote.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker protections, AI in the workplace, bereavement leave, and construction labor standards. SB 909 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would increase public works contractor registration fees, raise prevailing wage and related penalties, and direct half of collected penalties back into the Public Works Enforcement Fund. Supporters said the bill would help combat wage theft and misclassification and strengthen enforcement; opponents argued the higher fees and penalties would burden contractors without fixing enforcement backlogs. The committee voted the bill out on a due pass motion to Appropriations. The committee also approved SB 951 by Senator Reyes, which would require 60-day notice when 25 or more workers are displaced by technology and require reporting on AI-related job impacts. Supporters framed it as a response to rapid AI-driven layoffs and a way to gather real-time data; opponents raised concerns about small employers, proprietary information, and litigation. SB 947 by Senator McNerney, the “No Robo Bosses Act,” would require human review of automated discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and restrict predictive behavior analysis. Supporters said it would prevent biased or mistaken automated decisions; opponents objected to the inclusion of independent contractors, private rights of action, and other provisions. Both bills were advanced to the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee also passed SB 1149 by Senator Durazo, which would expand bereavement leave to cover a “designated person,” including chosen family relationships. Supporters, including AARP and a witness who described losing a long-term partner, said the bill reflects modern family structures; there was no opposition. In addition, SB 1185 by Senator Cortese, applying skilled and trained workforce standards to pharmaceutical facility construction, was approved despite opposition from business and construction groups who said there was no demonstrated safety problem and that the mandate could raise costs and reduce competition. Several other bills on the consent calendar were also approved, and all measures were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether you're an employer looking for workers, whether you're a job seeker or a worker looking for career
• And so people apply for programs. They don't apply for services.
• Go apply for public assistance.
• for programs right now.
• and the Hope Hub.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hope you can hear me. Duke Deas with Alons Richmond, Virginia. Thank you for bringing this bill.
• Homeowners would not only be responsible for the high cost of housing, but they would also be responsible
• Homeowners would not only be responsible for the high cost of housing, but they would also be responsible
• Uiro said housing starts are low because of high land costs and a limited amount of land zoned for housing
• </c><00:39:35.160><c> of</c> for housing and high costs of for housing and high costs of construction

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee met on February 12 and heard several bills. HB 97, relating to travel insurance, drew only brief testimony: the Insurance Division stood on written testimony, one industry witness supported the bill and requested a minor amendment, and no one else testified or asked questions. HB 226, relating to window tinting, received support from the Department of Transportation, while the Honolulu Police Department offered comments on the proposed amendments, asking for clearer language on what it means to roll windows down, when the requirement applies, how it handles bad weather, and what sanctions would apply for noncompliance. No further testimony was offered on that measure. The committee also heard HB 1179, relating to rural emergency hospitals. The Department of Human Services stood on written testimony, and Maui Health Systems strongly supported the bill, saying it would help critical access hospitals better serve kūpuna and provide long-term care beds. There were no questions or additional testimony. HB 420, relating to remedies and the contractor repair act, generated extensive and sharply divided testimony. Opponents, including attorneys representing homeowners and AARP Hawaii, argued the bill was anti-consumer, would weaken homeowners’ ability to recover for construction defects, and would shift costs and risk to consumers. Supporters, including builders, realtors, the Chamber of Commerce, and D.R. Horton Hawaii, said the bill would create a more balanced and efficient process, reduce unnecessary litigation, and help builders address legitimate defects more quickly. Testimony on HB 420 focused heavily on whether the contractor repair process and class actions help or hinder repairs. Opponents said the bill would delay or limit homeowner recovery, especially for life and safety defects, while supporters said current class-action litigation can prevent direct communication with homeowners and slow repairs. Committee members asked questions about when communication with homeowners stops and whether repairs could be made before a class is certified. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:31.280><c> president</c><00:25:31.760><c> for</c> for for for the vice president for for for for
• We are a high tuition state for our two-year institutions.
• ><c> state</c><00:42:16.440><c> for</c><00:42:16.720><c> for</c> are a high tuition state for for are
• a high tuition state for for for<00:42:18.120><c> our</c><00:42:18.200><c> two-year</c><00:42:18.560
• We are R1 high research institution<00:59:17.080><c> for</c> institution for institution for with<00:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met for its first summer interim meeting, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and took roll. The first presentation came from Jerry Gels, principal of Ignite Institute in Erlanger, who focused on the rising cost of dual credit. He said dual credit tuition has increased from about $150 to $290 for a three-credit course over roughly five years, which he argued is discouraging participation, especially for working-class and low-income students. He cited Ignite data and broader college outcomes to argue dual credit improves college persistence, shortens time to degree, and reduces student debt, noting that many of his students enter college with substantial credit and that low-income students at Ignite have increasingly participated after targeted efforts and scholarship use. He also said the instructional labor is largely paid by county school systems, so he questioned the size of the tuition increase and said the committee should examine how the costs are being set and whether college tuition should be stabilizing as more students arrive with credits already earned. Members asked about who pays for dual credit, the role of state scholarship support, and whether tuition varies by institution. Gels said students in his district generally pay the dual credit cost themselves, though some districts may cover it, and he noted the dual credit scholarship now covers fewer classes than before. He said the price appears to be set centrally rather than varying by university, and he emphasized that the higher cost is creating barriers even though the courses are taught largely by local teachers on school payrolls. He also described Ignite’s efforts to expand access for free- and reduced-lunch students, saying participation among that group rose from 27% with no dual credit to about 90-92% taking at least one dual credit class. The committee then heard from the Goldwater Institute, represented by Michael Frazier and Dr. Tim Minella by Zoom. They argued Kentucky’s public universities should face stronger accountability and transparency, citing declining public confidence in higher education, rising costs, and what they described as administrative growth and research spending that does not clearly benefit students or the Commonwealth. They proposed requiring a 10-year accounting of staffing growth by category, comparing it to enrollment and low-income Kentucky enrollment, and limiting non-STEM faculty teaching releases for research unless approved under a baseline consent process. They also criticized certain university-funded research projects as examples of misdirected spending and said public reporting should distinguish Kentucky residents from non-residents more clearly, pointing to a reported decline in low-income in-state undergraduate enrollment. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is all for in-person comment. I defer to Hannah for virtual.
• There are courses out there through the National Federation of High School Sports for the sportsmanship
• So I hope that you will support this bill for all of our colleagues, including my colleagues as school
• I hope that you will support this bill for all of our colleagues, including my colleagues as school social
• I'm here today to ask for your support for House Bill 425.

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with enough members present to conduct business and approved the June 17 minutes. It first heard HB 459 with House Amendment 1, which would prohibit the sale of energy drinks on public middle and high school campuses during school hours or school events. The sponsor and Department of Education explained that the bill targets beverages containing caffeine and marketed as energy drinks, not ordinary soft drinks or coffee/tea products. Public testimony from the Medical Society supported the bill on health grounds, while the beverage industry said its companies already voluntarily limit school offerings and that the bill does not reflect current practice. No vote was taken in the transcript. The committee then heard HB 461, a follow-up to prior legislation on New Castle County property reassessment and school tax rates. Senator Cruz said the bill would let New Castle County school districts adjust and reset tax rates to reflect reassessment changes without increasing projected operating revenue, and that it includes a sunset. DSEA supported the measure, saying fair property values are important to public education funding. The committee also heard HB 452, which would require additional background checks and training for DIAA sports officials and strengthen DIAA enforcement procedures. Members questioned how checks would be handled, who would see the results, and who would provide training; the DIAA compliance coordinator said the checks would be maintained through the state process and that associations would verify eligibility. The bill’s sponsor and DIAA said the goal was to align officials with existing child-safety standards. Next, the committee considered HS1 for HB 425, which raises the salary supplement from 6% to 12% for nationally certified school counselors, nurses, and school social workers, and allows DOE to identify additional qualifying positions by regulation. Supporters, including school social workers, nurses, and DSEA, argued the change would improve retention and recognize advanced credentials. Senator Hansen raised concerns that school psychologists were not included; sponsors said a broader study and possible future legislation or budget language would address other nationally certified school-based professionals. The committee then heard HS1 for HB 358 on student elopement notifications, inspired by Ace’s Law, but administrators and the chair raised concerns that the bill may be too prescriptive and difficult to implement in practice, especially when schools may not immediately know a student has left campus. Finally, the committee discussed HB 379 on the comprehensive school discipline improvement program; DOE said the substitute was intended to consolidate prevention and intervention supports and avoid competition for funding, while DASA asked that the bill be paused or tabled. The meeting ended before action on the remaining bill, and HB 443 was deferred to a future executive meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a straightforward one is during a hot summer day when air conditioning load is high, we
• Those decisions used to be made by the utility, and for better or for worse, there was the ability for
• So I'm hoping that we also get high participation. Understood. Great, great.
• For the investors and it's bad for the communities.
• House Bill 3809 establishes requirements for BESS facilities for full financial assurance for facility

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It brought me back to a little PTSD from high school chemistry, which wasn't a very strong class for
• I hope... ...I hope we can make that happen for you.
• My, and I thank you for the author, not only for bringing the bill, but for our discussions about the
• McClatchy Senior High School, I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
• McClatchy Senior High School, I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Batone, serving in that capacity, has been at it for a while, and we hope that there are going to be
• Since we're here for two days, I hope we can get a lot of communication and collaboration done.
• I'm hoping something like maybe these regulatory fees can help pay for something like that.
• heat or high smoke events for communities.
• We hope Combined with renewable energy resources for that electrification, like a mini-split, we hope

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just think for a second on the high- It also includes other elements that are related to that as
• The barrier to entry for building housing here in Massachusetts is astronomically high, particularly
• Anderson, the head of the Mass High Tech Council, would pull in, what are we, I think it's $31,000 for
• So, like many of you, one week ago today I was at Lawrence High School for the Ways and Means hearing
• , the top marginal rate being high, stimulates the economy for everyone else.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on two proposed ballot initiatives: one to reduce the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years, and another to revise the state’s tax collection cap/62F process so it would be based on prior-year collections plus wage growth and include surtax revenue. The committee chair and House co-chair outlined the hearing process, and the first witness was Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, who testified as the committee’s subject-matter expert on both measures. He said the income tax proposal would lower taxes broadly but would reduce state revenue by about $5.4 billion when fully implemented, with an estimated $800 million hit in FY27, and he discussed possible effects on competitiveness, taxpayer savings, and public finances. On the 62F proposal, he said the revised cap would make refunds more likely, could have produced several large refunds in recent years, and would reduce stabilization fund deposits and constrain recovery after recessions. Committee members questioned Howgate about competitiveness, outmigration, prior tax ballot measures, spending growth, MassHealth, and the interaction between the income tax and surtax. He emphasized that taxes are only one part of the state’s overall competitiveness and that housing, public services, and other factors also matter. He also noted that the surtax is constitutionally restricted but can still support ongoing spending choices. After his testimony, the committee moved to the proponents’ panel. Proponents of both initiatives, including representatives from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, the National Federation of Independent Business, Pioneer Institute, and the Mass Opportunity Alliance, argued that the measures would improve affordability, help retain residents and businesses, and support job growth. They cited polling support, outmigration, small-business reinvestment, and comparisons to lower-tax states such as North Carolina. Their economist, Rebecca Paxton, said her model showed smaller revenue losses than critics claim and projected that the revised revenue cap would not create additional annual revenue losses while producing more regular taxpayer refunds. Committee members pressed the panel on competitiveness, prior ballot initiative implementation, and whether the measures would actually address broader affordability pressures; the hearing ended with the committee continuing to take questions from the proponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, but my hope is that we find a pathway for this in both bodies.
• Chair, but my hope is that we find a pathway for this in both bodies.
• Chair, but my hope is that we find a pathway for this in both bodies.
• Chair, but my hope is that we find a pathway for this in both bodies.
• Chair, but my hope is that we find a pathway for this in both bodies.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, at a high school in the suburbs of Austin, several teenage girls who were dressing out for band
• For those that have fled the state to escape this hate, Hold on to hope and keep living.
• Thank you for your time. Thank you for your time. Nice for your testimony.
• Thank you for being here. Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for being here.
• Thank you for being here for testify. Yes.

Bills: SB7 , SB14

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, with the author and committee substitute explaining that the bill would require public facilities to designate multi-use private spaces by biological sex, restrict access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping quarters, shelters, and correctional facilities, and create civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Members asked about how the bill would apply to family violence shelters, children in mixed-family settings, venue layout, and venue for lawsuits; the author said the bill was similar to prior legislation but with stronger penalties and the 15th Court of Appeals as the exclusive intermediate appellate court for challenges, while clarifying that trial venue should generally be local except for state agencies. The committee also heard that the bill would be amended to better address local venue concerns and shelter-related issues. Invited testimony was largely in support of the bill from witnesses who described personal experiences in women’s sports, prisons, shelters, and public facilities, arguing that single-sex spaces are necessary for privacy and safety. Supporters included parents, former incarcerated women, a Republican county chair, a legal advocate, and a prison educator, who cited incidents involving transgender-identifying individuals in locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and restrooms, and said the bill would restore sex-based boundaries and protect vulnerable women and girls. One witness from Texas Values said the bill was needed despite the recently enacted Women’s Bill of Rights, and another ADF witness said the measure would protect privacy in schools and shelters. Opponents testified that the bill would harm transgender and intersex Texans, create harassment and “gender policing,” and expose cisgender women and children to invasive enforcement. Several witnesses argued there is no evidence that transgender women pose a restroom safety threat, while others said the bill would worsen mental health, employment, and school conditions for trans people and could conflict with prison standards and federal law. Family violence advocates urged changes to protect shelter operations and clarify that children can stay with parents, while other witnesses said the bill would create barriers for victims seeking help. The hearing featured extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.