Transcript Highlights:

• eligible for appointment as visiting judges from eight years to six years.
• and require the visiting judges to comply with specific regulations. judges to certify to the Chief
• a contested case, the county judge is required to assign the case to a traveling judge.
• There are only 12 counties with a permanent probate judge out of 254.
• If someone requests a traveling probate judge, they're going to have to pay for it.

Bills: SB302 , SB1335 , SB1734 , SB1760 , SB1975 , SB2127

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, real property, deed fraud, title fraud

Summary: The committee heard several probate, family law, judicial, property, and contract-related bills. Senate Bill 1335, relating to decedents’ estates, would remove outdated references to a clerk’s certificate, allow courts to remove personal representatives on their own motion with notice by qualified delivery method, and add independent administrators to provisions that referenced only independent executors; an estate-planning attorney testified in support, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1760, concerning guardianship transfer fees and procedures, was described as setting a $45 filing fee for transferred guardianship cases and clarifying completion and dismissal procedures; it received no testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 2127 would shorten the eligibility period for retired judges to serve as visiting judges from eight years to six, restrict practice in their assigned region for two years, and require conflict-related certification; it also was left pending without testimony. Senate Bill 302 would shift the cost of a traveling probate judge to the requesting estate or parties rather than the county; one witness registered in favor, no one testified, and the bill was left pending. The committee then considered a committee substitute for Senate Bill 252, which would clarify the parental presumption in conservatorship cases, require non-parents seeking relief against a parent to file an affidavit showing significant impairment to the child if relief is denied, require courts to state specific findings when overcoming the presumption, confirm the clear-and-convincing standard, and clarify that agreed prior orders do not defeat the presumption. The substitute was explained as consensus language from a work group, public testimony was reopened, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1734, on deed fraud, would create a streamlined ex parte process for property owners to have fraudulent deeds declared void, modeled on the fraudulent lien statute; county clerk and title association representatives testified that it would provide a low-cost self-help remedy for a growing problem, and the bill was left pending subject to the chair. Senate Bill 1975 would prevent Texas contractors from being forced to litigate disputes in foreign jurisdictions and require disputes to be handled in the county where the project is located; it was presented as a repeat of a previously vetoed bill and was left pending. Finally, the committee took up a substitute for Senate Bill 1940, concerning transfer-on-death style beneficiary designations for manufactured homes. The substitute would allow one or more beneficiaries instead of only one, transfer the interest to surviving designated beneficiaries who survive by 120 hours, extend the application period for transfer to 365 days, void the designation if not timely filed, and require mailing by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested. The substitute was adopted without objection. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our agency employs 155 people, including 64 industrial appeals judges.
• Our agency employs 155 people, including 64 industrial appeals judges.
• Madam Chair, we're here from Judge Elizabeth Touch and Josh Weese.
• Go ahead, Judge Tuch. Good morning.
• I am an assistant presiding judge for Yakima County Superior Court.

Bills: SB5536 , SB5868 , SJM8006 , SB6011

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: divorce, dissolution, marriage, domestic partnership, property division, real property, community property, separate property, liabilities, family law, equitable distribution, court order, personal jurisdiction, absent spouse, absent domestic partner, creditors, secured creditors, unsecured creditors, home equity, family home

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much, Judge Bowman. Thank you so much, Judge Bowman. Any questions for the judge?
• Thank you so much, Judge Bowman.
• judges from eight to nine.
• County judges from four to five and the Yakima County judges from eight to nine.
• They currently have eight judges and 2.5 court commissioners. We're asking for a ninth judge.

Bills: SB5865 , SB5880 , SB5912 , SB5855 , SB6011 , SB6009 , SB5868 , SB5974

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: garnishment, debt, form standardization, financial protection, legal processes, toxicology testing, laboratories, accreditation, public health, standards, indigent defense, task force, criminal justice, legal aid, public defense, face coverings, law enforcement, public safety, civil liberties, court security

Bills: SB59 , SB221 , SB59 , SB221

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: military families, immunization, education, public health, school enrollment, Mobile County, judge of probate, compensation, salary, expense allowance, higher education, funding, annual report, state funds, federal funds, budget oversight, sales tax, credit card fees, tax exemption, merchants

Transcript Highlights:

• There's an in-camera examination by the judge.
• And then it lists a few situations where a judge can admit evidence.
• It took a minute to file the paperwork and for the judge to set it for a hearing.
• Magistrates, referees, associate judges, and hearing officers.
• So, what if a judge is in plain clothes? What if an officer is in plain clothes?

Bills: SB535 , SB664 , SB1019 , SB1020 , SB1120 , SB1537 , SB1804 , HB3207

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield, victim sexual history, past sexual behavior, sexual assault evidence, trafficking of persons, continuous trafficking, indecency with a child, continuous sexual abuse, aggravated sexual assault, indecent assault, consent defense, in camera hearing, Rule 412, Rule 609, victim protection, evidence admissibility, criminal evidence, sexual offense prosecution

Transcript Highlights:

• We're allowing retired judges and clerks to participate on the board.
• We're allowing retired judges and clerks to participate on the board. >> Any questions of the members
• There seem to be some improvement in the communication with the circuit judges or... >> Yeah, correct
• </c><00:09:10.480><c> or</c> &gt;&gt; with the circuit judges or &gt;&gt; with the circuit judges or
• </c> you're involving some retired judges. you're involving some retired judges.

Bills: HB150

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: improvement district, special assessment, assessment lien, public infrastructure, bond financing, bond interest rate, county commission, tax assessor, tax collector, judge of probate, ad valorem tax, tax lien, tax sale, foreclosure, delinquent taxes, municipal finance, public improvements, infrastructure financing, collection enforcement, property lien

Transcript Highlights:

• counties, you know, when the expansion and growth of those communities warrant additional Superior Court judges
• counties, you know, when the expansion and growth of those communities warrant additional Superior Court judges
• Both are in desperate need of an additional Superior Court judge, so I am yes, and I hope you'll join
• It ended up with the, I'm going to get into all the details on it, but a judge placed her with a girl
• But a judge placed her with a girl that was basically living on the streets.

Bills: HB2689 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB5877

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care

Transcript Highlights:

• The hearing is presided over by an administrative law judge who makes evidentiary rulings but is not
• the CJTC, a member of the CJTC, a member of the public who is not a prosecutor, defense attorney, judge
• think it's unfair or unrealistic for us to expect that at least half of those people who are going to judge
• I do not want to return to a majority of law enforcement judging other law enforcement because that has

Bills: HB2220 , HB2362

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: criminal justice training commission, CJTC, law enforcement training, peace officer certification, decertification, corrections officer certification, tribal police certification, police accountability, police oversight, public safety, academy training, in-service training, continuing education, use of force, misconduct investigations, disciplinary hearings, administrative law judge, hearing panel, law enforcement standards, background investigations

Bills: HB447 , HB447

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: HB447, school buses, student transportation, public schools, local boards of education, dual enrollment, career technical education, CTE, community college, trade school, technical college, offsite educational venues, student access, transportation policy, school bus law, Alabama education law, Montgomery County, probate court, judge of probate, will registration

Bills: HB446 , HB485

Committee: House Baldwin County Legislation

Keywords: HB446, Daphne, Baldwin County, annexation, municipal boundary, corporate limits, local act, municipal incorporation, city limits expansion, zoning, land use, property tax, municipal services, Section 11-42-6, Judge of Probate, County Road 54 W, County Road 64, Rigsby Road, Highway 181, Alabama State Highway 181

Bills: HB586 , SB107 , HB619 , HB586 , SB107 , HB619

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: HB586, Cullman, Cullman County, City of Cullman, annexation, municipal boundaries, corporate limits, local legislation, boundary adjustment, city limits, municipal expansion, zoning, municipal services, property tax, land use, metes and bounds, Alabama Highway 157, Judge of Probate, SSUT, simplified sellers use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• The ruling of Judge Charles R. Breyer of the federal district court...
• The ruling of Judge Charles R.
• Judge Breyer goes on to indicate that that is a complete violation of the law of posse comitatus and
• So if we really want to speak in fact, we have a judge, I'm sure.
• Judge Breyer goes on to indicate that that is a complete violation of the law of posse comitatus and

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a busy floor session with several procedural motions and bill actions. Members suspended rules to allow speeches and guests, withdrew AB 362 from Appropriations to the second reading file, and voted 41-13 to suspend the rules for that motion. The body also took up a number of items on the daily and third reading files, with several measures passed, retained, or moved to inactive file. The main policy focus was ACR 70, designating September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Assembly Member Pellerin presented the resolution with a personal account of losing her husband to suicide and urged greater use of 988, secure firearm storage, and open conversations about mental health. Many members from both parties and caucuses spoke in support, sharing personal experiences with suicide and emphasizing stigma reduction, access to care, and the importance of checking in on others. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, Senate amendments were concurred in, and suicide awareness pins were distributed to members. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 977 on Native American human remains, with unanimous support and a 68-0 vote, and to AB 1510, the Assembly PERS Committee bill, which passed 66-1. Members then adopted H.R. 65, recognizing October as Filipino American History Month, after extensive remarks celebrating Filipino American history, labor organizing, public service, and community contributions; 63 co-authors were added without objection before the voice vote. Later, the chamber passed SB 81, protecting access to health care facilities from immigration enforcement, and SB 98, requiring schools and campuses to notify communities when immigration enforcement is present; both were framed as part of a broader package to protect immigrant communities and passed on urgency votes. The session concluded with debate on SJR 9, a resolution condemning mass immigration raids and defending civil liberties, which drew sharply divided remarks from supporters and opponents, with no final action shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• He was appointed in the 1980s to serve as a criminal justice judge.
• &gt;&gt; I RISE TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF JUDGE DAVIS WHO PASSED AWAY AT 106 YEARS OLD.
• HE WAS APPOINTED IN THE 19 80'S TO SERVE AS A CRIMINAL JUSTICE JUDGE.
• THEY HUNG EFFIGIES UP OF JUDGE DAVIS IN THE SCHOOL AND THE PRINCIPAL LET THEM STAY THERE FOR WEEKS TO
• Judge Henderson, the first Black judge to serve on the New Mexico Court of Appeals; Senator Harold Pope

Bills: HR818 , HR832 , HR825 , HR828 , HR804 , HR754 , HR788

Keywords: impeachment, judge, criminal conduct, judicial behavior, Supreme Court, assassination attempt, sentencing, ideology, National Chemistry Week, education, STEM careers, science promotion, public engagement, government transparency, communication, House of Representatives, appropriations, furlough, Federal agencies, military service

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, the Chair calls Guy Herman and Judge Herman, along with Ed Heinlein.
• Hold on, Judge, I haven't called on you yet. Sorry.
• I'm Guy Herman, presiding. to our probate court judges here in the state of Texas.
• Thank you, Judge. Members, any questions for Judge Herman?
• and statutory county court judges. associate judges, master referees, and magistrate judges.

Bills: SB1015 , SB2933

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 7 authorizes the use of active compensation judges from the Court of Administrative Hearings
• Section 7 authorizes the use of active compensation judges from the Court of Administrative Hearings
• Court of Administrative Hearings, assign an active workers' compensation judge from CAH to hear the
• </c><00:23:35.760><c> as</c> a case, including from retired judges as a case, including from retired
• </c> an active workers compensation judge an active workers compensation judge from<00:23:45.919><c>

Bills: HF4862 , HF4598

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: apprenticeship, education, teacher training, grant program, labor and industry, workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, just adds clarity for our election judges.
• :22:06.320><c> uh</c><00:22:06.799><c> very</c><00:22:07.120><c> well</c><00:22:07.440><c> uh</c> judges
• I think it was uh very well uh judges.
• versus judge issue.
• This makes it judge so each individual judge can carry one ballot from outside the polling location and

Bills: HF4319 , HF3295 , HF3589 , HF3587 , HF3588 , HF4295 , HF3571 , HF3895

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: public utilities commission, Lake City, port authority, Red Wing, terms of appointment, local government, elections, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, voter access, polling place, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, HF4295

Bills: HB446 , HB446

Committee: House Agriculture and Forestry

Keywords: HB446, Daphne, Baldwin County, annexation, municipal boundary, corporate limits, local act, municipal incorporation, city limits expansion, zoning, land use, property tax, municipal services, Section 11-42-6, Judge of Probate, County Road 54 W, County Road 64, Rigsby Road, Highway 181, Alabama State Highway 181

Transcript Highlights:

• The judge refused to convict, and the reasoning of that judge, if adopted, would gut this bill.
• The judge refused to convict, and the reasoning of that judge, if adopted, would gut this bill.
• The judge refused to convict, and the reasoning of that judge, if adopted, would gut this bill.
• The judge refused to convict, and the reasoning of that judge, if adopted, would gut this bill.
• The judge refused to convict, and the reasoning of that judge, if adopted, would gut this bill.

Bills: SB2567 , SB2448 , SB3046 , SB2231 , SB2526

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: harassment, restraining order, temporary restraining order, injunction, protective order, public employer, public servant, public employee, government employee, state employee, legislator, judge, judicial branch, executive branch, local government, political subdivision, workplace violence, threats, stalking, employee safety

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• So we do want accountability, and accountability is judge us by our outcomes.
• You know, judge us by our outcomes, not inputs.
• Would you say that school, judging from Muir School District, that school's in trouble.
• And so that's why I say, you know, judge, judge on.

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace