Transcript Highlights:

• That the Dean of the Senate laid out for us relating to the jurisdiction of a court in a suit to divide
• 2524, Representative Cook's bill sponsored by Vice Chair Senator Johnson, about the recovery of fees, court
• 2524, Representative Cook's bill sponsored by Vice Chair Senator Johnson, About the recovery of fees, court
• the House is, of course, the bill that deals with updating and continuing to refine our business courts

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

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 considered several House bills dealing with family law and civil procedure. House Bill 1916, concerning a court’s jurisdiction in suits to divide property not divided on dissolution of marriage, was reported favorably on a 4-0 vote and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 1973, addressing proof of the identity of a child’s parents in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, was also adopted with a committee substitute, reported favorably 4-0, and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 2524, on recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family law proceedings, and House Bill 2530, on special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship, each received favorable 4-0 votes and were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 3180, which was reported favorably 4-0 and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The most detailed discussion centered on House Bill 40, relating to updates to business courts. Senator Hughes explained a committee amendment that made conforming changes requested by the Finance Committee and removed language creating two new judgeships, replacing it with a different judge allocation. The amendment was adopted, the amended committee substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably on a 4-0 vote and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. At the end of the meeting, members briefly clarified procedural details about the House Bill 40 amendment and then closed out the agenda. The committee also noted a correction to an earlier reference to Bartleby the Scrivener, and the Chair recessed the Committee on Jurisprudence subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you asked the question about whether a court can find— a court can find, and I'll tell you, in every
• If a court wants to order therapy between the non-custodial parent and the child, the court can certainly
• In my capacity as the judge of the family court, I handle... Family court of Hayes County, Texas.
• Obviously, the court has discretion to make changes as the court sees fit.
• Again, we give courts a lot of discretion, but there’s also a lot of the “court may not,” the “court

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

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.

Bills: SB208, SB216, HB187

Keywords: Montgomery, retirement system, employees, constitutional amendment, city council, retired law enforcement, retirement benefits, employment, firemedics, salary cap, HB187, court fees, docket fee, sheriff's fund, sheriff's office, jail operations, law enforcement, county sheriff, court filing fees, Alabama Code 12-19-312

Transcript Highlights:

• court.
• court.
• courts.
• courts.
• Court.

Bills: HB2226, HB2406, HB2663, HB2695, HB2805, HB2976

Keywords: veteran status, veterans court, treatment court, diversion program, initial appearance, arrestee processing, criminal procedure, DD-214, Department of Veterans' Services, prosecuting agency, court notification, military service, armed forces, veterans benefits, reentry, mental health court, drug court, specialty court, Arizona criminal law, pretrial hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• 2524, Representative Cook's bill sponsored by Vice Chair Senator Johnson, about the recovery of fees, court
• This is, of course, that bill that deals with updating and continuing to refine our business courts.

Bills: HB40, HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriffs, constables, contracts, county authority, 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

Transcript Highlights:

• To the court remains confidential. There is a court committee substitute, Mr. Chairman.
• If a court wants to order therapy between the non-custodial parent and the child, the court can certainly
• I have the honor of serving as the judge of the family court. Court of Hays County, Texas.
• The court has discretion to make changes as the court sees fit.
• But there's also a lot of the court may not, the court shall not.

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213, HB40

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

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally, the bill would remove antiquated language referring to the certificate of the clerk of the court
• , allow the court to remove a personal representative on its own motion after notification by certified
• committee substitute differs from the bill as filed in that it would replace the method by which courts
• The court would be required to ...
• A court order can then be issued.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally, the bill would remove antiquated language referring to the certificate of the clerk of the court
• , allow the court to remove a personal representative on its own motion after notification by certified
• There is a free option if it's heard in the existing county judge's court.
• If it's uncontested, if it's contested, then it can go into the district court free.
• To petition the court and have fraudulent deeds declared void efficiently and fairly.

Bills: SB 302, SB 1335, SB 1734, SB 1760, SB 1975, SB 2127

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

Transcript Highlights:

• in official court reports.
• Now, let's talk about official court reporters talking about in court.
• Every court of record is required to have an official court record.
• , or if a party requests a court reporter, is the court, are they going to get one?
• A court reporter, and the court was resistant, and ultimately the Supreme Court ordered them to provide

Bills: SB1538, SB2883, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3376

Keywords: digital court reporting, court reporting, court reporter, electronic recording, audio recording, video recording, transcription, verbatim record, judicial administration, Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial System, courts, depositions, grand jury, referee, court commissioner, court technology, courtroom technology, access to justice, accuracy

Transcript Highlights:

• Is anyone that looks transgender going to be detained or need to go to court?
• burden our court system further.
• That case has had its hearing and is sitting at the 15th court.
• The court is going to decide very soon, and every court who's looked at this has said that most of the
• This is the omnibus courts bill. There is...

Bills: SB6, SB7, SB8, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB 6, SB 7, SB 8, SB 11, SB 12, SB 13, SB 15, SB 17

Keywords: SB 6, Woman and Child Protection Act, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, pro-life, pro-choice, Texas abortion law, civil liability, qui tam, private enforcement, bounty hunter law, attorney general, parens patriae, abortion litigation, anti-SLAPP, Texas Citizens Participation Act, fee shifting

Transcript Highlights:

• , allow the court to remove a personal representative on its own motion after notification by certified
• To be clear, today there is a free option if it's heard in the existing county judge's court.
• If it's uncontested, if it's contested, then it can go into the district court free.
• If it's contested, then it can go into the district court free.
• On behalf of Senator Benton Court, I'm pleased to lay out Senate Bill 1975.

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

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:

• As written, the bill says that this training is to be provided by the Texas Supreme Court or the Court
• Statutory probate court judges, which are in the large. Ten largest metropolitan areas.
• Remove antiquated language referring to the certificate of the clerk of the court. would allow the court
• I'm Guy Herm, representing Statutory Probate Courts of the State of Texas.
• And the courts, because the clerks work for the courts. All right.

Bills: SB387, SB1335, HB1671, SB1760, SB1839, SB1923, HB1928, HB4942, HB5628, HB5642, HB1980

Keywords: judicial bond, guardianship, probate law, county judge, statutory county court, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, retroactive child support, parentage, genetic testing, family code, child's conception, incapacitated persons, court proceedings, guardianship fees, estate management, probate

Transcript Highlights:

• It changes the court creation dates that were set on January 1, 2026, to September 1, 2026.
• The committee substitute creates a new county court at law for Maverick County.
• It removes the civil preference for the 456th District Court in Guadalupe County.
• I've got you here on behalf of the Office of Court Administration, registered on the bill.
• For 47 months, those two courts have had an appeal of an anti-SLAPP motion before them.

Bills: HB16

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence met with a quorum present and took up House Bill 16, the omnibus courts bill that had been vetoed by the governor after the regular session. The committee substitute made several changes, including moving certain court creation dates, creating a new county court at law for Maverick County, repealing a missed youth diversion article, removing a civil preference for the 456th District Court in Guadalupe County, clarifying the digital court recording study makeup, correcting a drafting error involving prosecutors in the Special Prosecution Unit, and allowing the Office of the Attorney General to represent SPU prosecutors. Megan LaVoie of the Office of Court Administration testified as a resource witness in support of the bill and thanked the committee for working with the judiciary on the measure. Steve Bresnan of the Texas Court Reporters Association also testified in support of the bill, but used his time to urge action on a separate anti-SLAPP appeal that he said had been pending for 47 months; he distributed materials and proposed an amendment to impose deadlines on the courts, though he said he was not expecting discussion of it that day. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the substitute without objection. Representative Hayes moved that House Bill 16, as substituted, be reported favorably to the full House with the recommendation that it be passed and printed. The motion prevailed on a 10-0 vote, and the committee then adjourned.

Bills: HB16

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments

Transcript Highlights:

• match those of statutory county and district courts.
• courts.
• create new statutory probate courts, and we hope are supporting this.
• Probate court, there is no plaintiff. You are the applicant.
• He got abused and exploited by the probate court.

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

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:

• match those of statutory county and district courts.
• courts.
• Guy Herman, presiding statutory probate court judge here in the state of Texas.
• create new statutory probate courts, and we hope are supporting this.
• He got abused and exploited by the probate court.

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The district courts are really struggling with getting bailiffs and this increases their salary.
• House Bill 3970 is just going to authorize court reporters to be able to use the machine where you speak
• House Bill 3177 is a parody for the court for reporters for the corporation commission, similar to what
• This is for those times in the interim when a court shall interpret if there are duplicate sections within

Bills: HB2650, HB2696, HB3177, HB3264, HB3298, HB3321, HB3322, HB3497, HB3499, HB3500, HB3742, HB3845, HB3941, HB3970, HB3980, HB3981, HB4421

Keywords: probate, estate administration, summary administration, decedent, inheritance, open records, educational records, cybersecurity, student privacy, confidential information, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes

Transcript Highlights:

• The district courts are really struggling with getting bailiffs, and this increases their salary. ...
• Members, House Bill 3970 is just going to authorize court reporters now to be able to use the machine
• I know that the court system is very anxious about being able to... Thank you for amending that.
• I know that the court system is very anxious about being able to implement this as soon as budget goes
• This is, for those times in the interim, how a court shall interpret if there are duplicate sections

Bills: HB2650, HB2696, HB3177, HB3264, HB3298, HB3321, HB3322, HB3497, HB3499, HB3500, HB3742, HB3845, HB3941, HB3970, HB3980, HB3981, HB4421

Keywords: probate, estate administration, summary administration, decedent, inheritance, open records, educational records, cybersecurity, student privacy, confidential information, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met and advanced a large slate of House bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support and little debate. Early in the meeting, House Bill 2696 passed to exempt sensitive cybersecurity records—such as network configurations, passwords, and incident response plans—from public disclosure. House Bill 3941, which modifies the salary structure for bailiffs to help district courts recruit and retain them, also advanced. House Bill 3970, authorizing court reporters to use speech-to-text technology, was amended to add an effective date and emergency clause before passing. The committee also approved several criminal justice and court administration measures. House Bill 3264 makes domestic violence by strangulation an 85% crime. House Bill 3321 directs the cost administration implementation committee to gather county data and produce an annual report. House Bill 3497 clarifies when the state may appeal pretrial decisions to the Court of Criminal Appeals. House Bill 3499 expands special judges’ authority to include certain vehicle and personal property title matters, and House Bill 3500 passed from a committee substitute. House Bill 3845 was described as bringing Oklahoma into compliance with federal requirements tied to child support enforcement and driver’s license revocation processes. Several bills focused on district attorney recruitment and criminal procedure. House Bill 3980 creates a loan repayment assistance program for assistant district attorneys serving in high-need areas, and House Bill 3981 creates a related locality incentive program; both advanced after questions about title status and later appropriations handling. House Bill 4421, “Leo’s Law,” aimed at protecting children from fentanyl poisoning, also passed. House Bill 3742, described as a due process protection act, would require timely disclosure of charges and evidence to defendants and their counsel. The committee also advanced House Bill 3177, extending parity to Corporation Commission reporters, and House Bill 3322, which addresses how courts interpret duplicate statutory sections. No bills were rejected, and the meeting adjourned with notice that more controversial measures would be heard the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute creates a new county court at law for Maverick County.
• in Guadalupe County, and specifies the makeup of the digital court recording study.
• I've got you here on behalf of the Office of Court Administration, registered on the bill.
• the Supreme Court of Texas.
• But for 47 months, these two courts.

Bills: HB16

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, 997, house, all