Transcript Highlights:

• judges from eight years to six years, prevent visiting judges from practicing in their assigned judicial
• In some cases, these fraudsters are sent to sell the property outside of the title insurance system.
• Senate Bill 1734 creates a legal process allowing property owners to seek judicial determination that

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 Senate Bill 1335, relating to decedents’ estates, would remove outdated references to a clerk’s certificate, allow courts to remove personal representatives on their own motion with notice by qualified delivery method, and add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.

Bills: HB29, HB39, HB77, HB153, HB183, HB211, HB263, HB299, HB324, HB519, HB520, HB533, HB538, HB559, HB562, HB805, HB823, HB1004, HB1011, HB1018

Keywords: insurance fund, retired employees, Ascension Parish, court clerks, premium costs, investment advisory board, HB 39, Act 283, peace officer, law enforcement officer, police certification, citizenship requirement, U.S. citizen, United States citizen, naturalization, lawful permanent resident, green card holder, immigration, public safety, law enforcement hiring

Bills: HB12, HB42, HB205, HB222, HB324, HB325, HB350, HB416, HB482, HB610, HB749, HB797, HB807, HB821, HB979, HB992, HB1193

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, phased retirement, Teachers Retirement System, faculty retention, administrative fees, public postsecondary education, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, judicial salaries, judges, judiciary compensation, cost of living adjustment, COLA

Bills: HR2, HR37, HR61, HCR11, HCR64, HB89, HB183, HB341, HB371, HB451, HB480, HB520, HB541, HB579, HB597, HB816, HB1004, HB1064, HB1165, SB44

Keywords: transparency, accountability, Justice Department, FBI, Jeffrey Epstein, victim protection, investigation, public trust, HR37, House Resolution 37, Honduras veterans, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, military medal, veteran recognition, Congress memorialization, U.S. veterans, foreign deployment, 1981 to 1992, military service awards, combat support

Transcript Highlights:

• A general purpose lane open to all cars is the most efficient highway system.
• If today is an average day, 11 people will die using the Texas transportation system.
• Um, Texans need responsible leaders to fix our broken system that's killing too many people. Mr.
• This bill helps create a fully digital modern system. The chair calls Tony Hall. Ms.
• like Texas law enforcement telecommunication systems.

Bills: HB 341, HB 469, HB 971, HB 1624, HB 2721, HB 2959, HB 3365, HB 3731, HB 3793, HB 3861, HB 3946, HB 3966, HB 4348, HB 4401, HB 4402, HB 4924, HB 4966, HB 5563

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• to be careful is that most of the time we see repeat offenders, people who come in and out of the system
• I'm asking about jurisdictions, about places where, for example, in the federal system, I don't think
• This bill addresses the lack of actionable prosecution data by requiring the Texas Judicial Council to
• That's ultimately reported to the criminal justice information system.
• It asks for a collaborative process for the Texas Judicial Council to work.

Bills: HB5621, HB4904, HB5067, HB5076, HB5081, HB5354, HB4862, HB3847, HB4088, HB4157, HB2966, HB2287, HB4203, HB4803, HB4737, HB5093, HB783, HB5411, HB4281

Keywords: HB 5621, consumer protection, Deceptive Trade Practices Act, DTPA, Business & Commerce Code, attorney general, consumer protection division, district attorney, county attorney, local prosecutor, civil investigative demand, CID, voluntary compliance, financial institution records, bank records, privacy, protective order, in camera review, trade secrets, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• A general-purpose lane open to all cars is the most efficient highway system.
• If today is an average day, 11 people will die using the Texas transportation system.
• Texans need responsible leaders to fix our broken system that's killing too many people.
• This bill helps create a fully digital, modern system.
• like the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System.

Bills: HB341, HB469, HB971, HB1624, HB2721, HB2959, HB3365, HB3731, HB3793, HB3861, HB3946, HB3966, HB4348, HB4401, HB4402, HB4924, HB4966, HB5563

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• That is why the pepperball launcher system and other less-than-lethal systems have been such an important
• That is why the pepperball launcher system and other less-than-lethal systems have been such an important
• It's a digital system.
• This system provides us the ability to do that through a digital system and provides accountability.
• This system provides us the ability to do that through a digital system and provides accountability for

Bills: SB1161, SB1215, SB1270, SB1400, SB1537, SB1538, SB1580, SB1584, SB1627

Keywords: appropriation, public safety, Yuma County, funding exemption, family advocacy center, firefighters, occupational disease, workers compensation, cancer presumption, police officers, hazardous duty, SB1270, Arizona retirement system, public safety personnel, defined contribution plan, correctional officers, corrections officers, retirement contributions, supplemental contributions, retention incentive

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1161, which would prevent lapse of a $750,000 FY2026 appropriation to DPS for the Yuma County Family Advocacy Center (Amberly’s Place). Testimony described the center’s 24/7 crisis response, forensic interview and medical services, and satellite offices in nearby communities. The bill was moved and received a do pass recommendation on an 11-0 roll call, with three members absent. The committee then considered SB 1215, a clarifying bill on the list of cancers covered by the occupational disease presumption for firefighters and peace officers, with a retroactivity amendment to June 30, 2021. Firefighters’ representatives said the measure corrects a drafting issue involving adenocarcinoma and would prevent denials of claims; members asked about peace officer coverage, independent medical exams, and workers’ compensation impacts. The amendment was adopted and the bill received a do pass recommendation, with 11 ayes, one present, and two absent. SB 1270, dealing with supplemental employer contributions to defined contribution accounts for corrections employees, drew testimony focused on severe retention problems in corrections and county detention. Supporters said the bill would allow optional incentive payments at service intervals to help keep trained officers on the job; members discussed vesting, recruitment versus retention, and whether the program could be funded without a new appropriation. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a do pass recommendation, with ten ayes, one nay, two present, and one absent. The committee also heard SB 1400, authorizing law enforcement wellness and crisis response programs and setting confidentiality rules. Police association testimony supported the concept but noted concerns about the breadth of the privilege carve-outs, especially if licensed therapists are involved; several members said they would support the bill after an amendment clarifying privilege protections. The bill was reported do pass with ten ayes, one nay, and two present. SB 1538, as a strike-everything amendment, would require workers’ compensation coverage for PTSD treatment for firefighters and peace officers and allow one MDMA treatment course if federal approval and rescheduling occur by January 1, 2029. Supporters described promising clinical trial results and argued it could help severe PTSD cases, while county representatives opposed the mandate and raised cost and approval concerns. The amendment was adopted and the bill received a do pass recommendation, with seven ayes, three nays, and one present. Finally, the committee considered SB 1537, renaming the peace officer training equipment fund as the public safety de-escalation and life safety fund and repealing its advisory commission. Testimony explained the change was meant to reduce confusion between similar funds and reflect the fund’s use for de-escalation and safety equipment; some members noted opposition from the Arizona Police Association and concerns about whether the money might be better used for raises. The bill passed on a 7-4 vote with three absent. The committee then began SB 1580, which would appropriate Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund money for fire incident management support and other public safety equipment, including pepperball equipment, simulators, records management software, and retention/recruitment efforts. Testimony supported the equipment and data-sharing investments, but members also questioned accountability, ongoing costs, and whether the listed uses were the best use of the fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 324 provides relative to judicial salaries.
• A lot of the systems, most of the systems, had frozen unfunded liabilities at one point.
• State and statewide systems.
• And so our judicial system is on the struggle bus right now with funding.
• They went to the Judicial Council.

Bills: SB25, SB250, HB22, HB27, HB33, HB47, HB233, HB290, HB308, HB324, HB382, HB533, HB559, HB575, HB980, HB1157, HB1207, HB1236, HCR45

Keywords: registrar of voters, parish registrar, chief deputy registrar, confidential assistant, election administration, elections, salary schedule, compensation, merit evaluation, population-based pay, census-based pay, Department of State, Secretary of State, State Board of Election Supervisors, redistricting, senate districts, Senate District 33, Senate District 34, Senate District 35, precincts

Transcript Highlights:

• Judicial Branch Certification Commission, and the Texas Court of Appeals Association.
• Chairman, yes, Ronald Morgan, I'm the director of the Judicial Branch Certification Commission.
• system and to address a couple of issues.
• Then we want to integrate the business court more closely into the judicial system as a whole.
• Resolved by the court system, which is as you would hope it would be in most of these.

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:

• The bill leverages a system that's already in place today to make this as easy as possible for the taxing
• As a result of these initiatives, infrastructure such as walls, roads, and surveillance systems have

Bills: HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34

Keywords: HB 195, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Schedule IV, controlled substances, mifepristone, misoprostol, carisoprodol, Health and Safety Code, drug scheduling, pharmacy regulation, prescription drugs, reproductive health, abortion medication, medication abortion, women's health, prescribing, dispensing, law enforcement, drug control, education reform

Transcript Highlights:

• This places tremendous strain on the judicial system.
• Our judicial system and our democracy is really too great.
• If the committee's true goal is to improve the functioning of the judicial system writ large, and not
• The answer is not to transform the judicial system.
• You're an expert on sensible ways to reform the judicial system.

Keywords: universal injunctions, legislative reforms, judicial authority, executive power, balance of power, judicial overreach

Summary: During this meeting, the committee focused on the implications of universal injunctions, which have become a significant concern in recent years. The discussion centered around various legislative proposals aimed at addressing the perceived overreach of district judges who issue nationwide injunctions that affect policies across the entire country. Several members expressed the belief that such injunctions undermine judicial authority and disrupt the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. Expert witnesses testified about the historical context of universal injunctions and the necessity for reforms that would limit the power of courts to grant remedies benefitting non-parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Particularly in the ERS system and also the TMRS system.
• There is no reason why we need to have a TRS system and an ERS system; we can combine that, save money
• in administration, and bring us all together under one system.
• We have seven tiers now in the TRS system since it has been adjusted.
• Every major police system in Texas that has a pension system provides for disabilities for officers like

Bills: HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank him for acknowledging the needs... ...of retirees in the ERS system to receive a supplemental
• In the last legislative session, employees... ...with the Teacher's Retirement System received both a
• retired state employee with over 35 years of service, and I retired from the Employees Retirement System
• The stability of the Teacher Retirement System. That is correct, by about $13 million. Thank you.
• Unfortunately, it's the retirement system and the members of the trust fund that are subsidizing that

Bills: HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the issue that we have is that the current rules of evidence are considered to be a judicial
• In Texas, a judicial officer presides over certain criminal cases and some civil actions.
• They should not have been defeated in the most recent judicial election.
• Judicial conduct directs the local administrative judge to provide oversight over the magistrate.
• It clarifies that ankle monitoring data is not a judicial work product, allowing all relevant parties

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

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:

• They're in between the system.
• It's a cost of $3.5 million to the police system and $5.8 million. to the fire system.
• I absolutely said $3.5 million to the police system and $5.8 million to the fire system is the fiscal
• Members Senate Bill 1174 rejects the judicial pay increases in the final report of the Board on Judicial
• The Judicial Board on Judicial Compensation makes recommendations and we either accept or reject those

Bills: HB3312, HB3700, HB2981, HB2961, HB3016, HB4478, HB4326, HB3025, HB3710, HB4125, HB2951, HB3082, HB4142, HB4106, HB1752, HB3268, HB4440, HJR1067, SB1144, SB1145, SB1146, SB1147, SB1148, SB1156, SB1157, SB1158, SB1159, SB1161, SB1162, SB1163, SB1164, SB1165, SB1166, SB1149, SB1167, HJR1024, SB1174, SB1175, SB1176, HB3419, HB3748, HB4335, HB3057, HB3279, HB4428, HB3420, HB3040, HB4140, HB1638, HB3298, HB4113, HB1082, HB4301, HB3269, HB3587, HB4226, HB4324, HB4339, HB4342, HB3278, HB3996, HB4236, HB4352

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Bills: HB3312, HB3700, HB2981, HB2961, HB3016, HB4478, HB4326, HB3025, HB3710, HB4125, HB2951, HB3082, HB4142, HB4106, HB1752, HB3268, HB4440, HJR1067, SB1144, SB1145, SB1146, SB1147, SB1148, SB1156, SB1157, SB1158, SB1159, SB1161, SB1162, SB1163, SB1164, SB1165, SB1166, SB1149, SB1167, HJR1024, SB1174, SB1175, SB1176, HB3419, HB3748, HB4335, HB3057, HB3279, HB4428, HB3420, HB3040, HB4140, HB1638, HB3298, HB4113, HB1082, HB4301, HB3269, HB3587, HB4226, HB4324, HB4339, HB4342, HB3278, HB3996, HB4236, HB4352

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Transcript Highlights:

• He availed himself of our legal system to win back his freedom.
• And so for us, changing this system disrupts that system overnight.
• And so for us, changing this system disrupts that system overnight.
• The rest of the state has to pay more for New Orleans' judicial system than any other place per capita
• New Orleans gets 70% more funding than any other parish clerk judicial system in the state.

Bills: SB256

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're ensuring that the system is working correctly and recording all votes.

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

Bills: HB141, HB178, HB179, HB187, HB188, HB527, HB782, HB911, HB916

Keywords: court proceedings, transcription, criminal law, recording, judicial discretion, court reporters, record retention, criminal cases, civil cases, legal proceedings, judicial administration, Louisiana Supreme Court, court reporting services, digital reporting, remote proceedings, virtual courts, court reporter fees, judicial district, statewide revision, costs