Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be reviewing the Request for the New Mexico Sentencing Commission agency code (3 5 4).
• Yes, the criminal code update. We did do a lot of Work, Madam Chair, Representative.
• We had seven subcommittees that worked on the criminal code chapters 30 and 31.
• The department has separated itself into two distinct programs or P codes.
• I think it's very important with our code enforcement.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 328 changes to align the registrar's editorial powers with the Delaware code editors to remove
• The landlord-tenant code specifically says that you should not be allowed attorney's fees for anything
• where it makes sense, and potentially put it right into the manufactured housing community code.
• The existing portion of code only references New Castle County, which we’re working on now.
• cleanup but it's still fairly straightforward what we're trying to do here the existing portion of code

Bills: HB89, HB328, HB344, HB365, HB283, HB89, HB328, HB344, HB365, HB283

Keywords: home improvement, consumer protection, consumer fraud, dispute resolution, mediation, contractor registration, home repair, renovation, homeowner, building contractor, construction fraud, treble damages, attorney fees, Department of Justice, Division of Consumer Protection, Department of Labor, good faith, unfair trade practices, Delaware, regulations

Summary: The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee met in hybrid format, approved the June 10 draft minutes, and then heard a long agenda of bills. HB 89 (home improvement fraud dispute resolution) was presented as a consumer protection measure developed with DOJ to address contractor fraud, especially against vulnerable homeowners; members voiced support and asked to be added as sponsors. HB 283 updated realty transfer tax exemptions to use gender-neutral “spouses” language and add a direct grandparent-to-grandchild transfer exemption; it drew supportive public comment. HS1 for HB 390 would let DelDOT choose electronic-only bidding for projects, remove newspaper bid-opening notices, and clarify bidding records, with no opposition raised. HB 328/H.A. 2 modernizes the Register of Regulations statute, keeps newspaper distribution requirements, and delays some effective dates to 2027; it was described as a technical update. HB 365 would create the Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, prompting supportive testimony from Indigenous community members and some discussion about representation and internal tribal اختلافs, but no formal opposition. HB 423 would automatically enroll new state employees in the 457B deferred compensation plan unless they opt out, with exclusions for collective bargaining units and implementation tied to payroll readiness; it was presented as a retirement-savings measure. SS1 for SB 342 would modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission to support a broader film/media incentive package, with support from the Delaware Arts Alliance and a request to help attract productions to Delaware. The committee also heard SB 331, a cleanup bill on garagekeeper liens for manufactured housing and related assets. The sponsor and an attorney explained it as clarifying who can recover funds and attorney’s fees in lien sales, but the Chief Magistrate and the manufactured housing association said the issue should be addressed more carefully and possibly in another section of code; they were open to further work. HB 436 would update the Smyrna charter, including school impact fees, election challenge procedures, vacancy rules, domicile standards, Board of Elections terms, and meeting schedules. HS1 for HB 376 made technical and organizational changes to the Millville charter, including a tiebreaker for municipal elections and a property tax cap, with the town solicitor saying there was little substantive change. HB 460 would require New Castle County municipalities to submit permit data monthly rather than on a much slower schedule, limited to closed permits with certificates of occupancy, to improve property assessment data; it was presented as part of broader reassessment/data-quality efforts. Public comment was heard on several items, especially HB 365 and SS1 for SB 342. Indigenous speakers supported the commission as a way to preserve heritage, improve representation, and create a formal seat at the table. The Delaware Arts Alliance supported the film commission modernization bill as part of a broader creative-economy plan. No recorded votes were taken on the individual bills in the transcript, and the meeting ended with a unanimous motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would increase annual salary schedules in the code for the base pay for state police troopers
• rewrote the state code related to real estate tax lien sales.
• rewrote the state code related to real estate tax lien sales.
• This bill would amend provisions of the West Virginia Code related to the Neighborhood Investment Tax
• lottery and add two new provisions to code to authorize revenue bonds for improvements at the State

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate. Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection. The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , FOR EXAMPLE, AT EEOC THAT WE ARE BUILDING HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA THE WIND CODE IS TO BUILD IT
• WE BUILT A PORTION TO 200 THAT'S CODE PLUS INSTRUCTION WHICH IS AVAILABLE AS MITIGATION.
• THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE HAS IMPACTED THIS BUSINESS.
• FLORIDA BUILDING CODE NOW REQUIRES A CERTAIN NUMBER OF TIEDOWNS ON BRAND NEW MANUFACTURED HOME.
• NOW HOWEVER THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS ESPECIALLY OLDER

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is section 1.30 of the Code of Ethics.
• That is section 1.30 of the Code of Ethics.
• To me, that is a violation of our Senate rules and our Code of Ethics.
• 1.30 of the code of ethics. 1.30 of the code of ethics.
• <01:38:42.400> of which is a violation of our code of which is a violation of our code of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hotel occupancy taxes under the Texas Tax Code Section 351.004 remain unaffected.
• Restaurants comply with health codes. Home-based businesses get...
• I serve as the managing partner of Code Concepts Group, where my partner and I...
• The Department of Licensing and Regulation has adopted the 2023 National Electric Code.
• Following that code, these systems should be safe.

Bills: HB346, HB1360, HB1510, HB1606, HB1804, HB1805, HB2156, HB2391, HB2767, HB3022, HB3044, HB3272, HB3293, HB3493, HB3809, HB3824, HJR110, HB2463

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a recommendation that would require changes in North Dakota Century Code.
• This would require administrative code changes.
• There are some Century Code things.
• This email included a link to the survey and a QR code.
• This email included a link to the survey and a QR code.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is a recommendation that would require changes in North Dakota Century Code.
• And this would require administrative code changes.
• And so we all of the definitions in code that would need to change. And so we've got those.
• There is some Century Code things.
• And a QR code, and we requested that the providers share that with their clients.

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• A violation of Texas Family Code 156.006(b)(1).
• You'll find similar citations to the Penal Code in Chapter 41 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code
• What's the first penal code reference? It's 28.02.
• It references these codes and these codes reference a bunch of other CFRs, and if you dig into those
• Speaker, the reason we tied it to federal transportation code and state transportation code was because

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike medical, there is no ICD-10 code or diagnostic code in dentistry, right?
• Two of the codes have now reached, for adults, pay parity to the children's rate.
• One code was adjusted and increased.
• Tara Nova, and she's poured through thousands of codes.
• And so one of... ...and she's poured through thousands of codes.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Care Management Meeting opened with a DSS update on the PCMH program. Staff reported the program remained steady at 124 practices, 553 sites, and 2,548 providers, with some month-to-month fluctuation driven by practice consolidation, retirements, and a few practices leaving the program because NCQA requirements were burdensome. Members asked about declining provider and site counts, member attribution trends, and whether PCMH practices overlap with behavioral health homes; DSS said attribution changes are largely due to members becoming ineligible, moving, or getting other insurance, and that PCMH and behavioral health homes are separate programs that coordinate informally. The committee also discussed why some smaller practices leave the program and whether the requirements could be made easier to support retention. The committee then resumed a detailed presentation on the Husky Dental program. The presenter described the dental benefit’s history, the importance of preventive oral health, workforce and consolidation pressures in dentistry, and the lack of interoperability between dental and medical records. Network data showed year-over-year declines in enrolled dental practitioners and service locations, with access gaps concentrated in rural and eastern parts of the state. Appointment availability surveys showed average waits of 38 days for adults and 23 days for children, but much longer waits at FQHCs than private fee-for-service practices. The presenter said Connecticut remains above the national median on CMS pediatric dental quality measures, though sealant rates remain a concern, and noted that preventive care is associated with lower per-member costs. Members raised concerns about provider participation, large practices dropping Medicaid, mobile dental care, and whether the public directory accurately reflects which dentists are actually accepting new patients. The presenter said the plan uses secret-shopper calls, tracks appointment availability, and has begun using place-of-service coding to better identify school-based dental care. She also noted a new MOU with 20 Head Start programs to share data and provide oral health literacy and navigation support. The final major topic was implementation planning for HR1. DSS said CMS guidance was expected in early June and proposed using upcoming meetings to cover medical frailty, communication strategy, and data integration/ex parte verification. Committee members urged the department to create a dashboard to track disenrollments and other impacts of HR1, to build a process for complaints and problem resolution, and to think through cost-sharing, caregiver verification, exemptions, and notices. Members also asked about using existing eligibility structures such as the working-disabled program as a model. The committee agreed to move the next meeting to June 10 by Zoom, with the agenda to be circulated in advance and any PCMH Plus quality data shared if available.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are items that BLR is not able to track using fund codes, and so that's why they're not included
• We can't track the expenditures because there's not a separate fund code for that funding; it's part
• Some of our difficulty is when there's not a fund code or an expenditure code attached to a particular
• And so some of our difficulty is when there's not a fund code or an expenditure code attached to a particular
• And that is a handbook that's used for analysis purposes to help identify which codes mean what.

Summary: The House/Joint Education committee continued its adequacy study with a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, focusing first on matrix spending and then non-matrix spending. Staff explained the methodology for mapping APSCN expenditure data to matrix lines, reviewed district and school categories used in the analysis, and highlighted key findings: foundation funding covered a large share of matrix costs but total spending on matrix items exceeded foundation funding, with classroom teachers making up the largest share. Members asked for additional breakdowns on waivers, superintendent survey responses, trend data, and spending by district type, size, and rural/urban status. Staff also noted limitations in tracking two matrix lines—salary enhancement for other employees and all personnel health insurance—because of coding and definition issues. The committee then reviewed non-matrix expenditures, including instructional aides, facilities, school safety, mental health, dyslexia services, gifted and talented, and career and technical education. Staff reported that non-matrix spending remained above $2 billion over the last three years, with most of it coming from other funds rather than foundation funding. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, mental health needs, school safety, food service, athletic transportation, and whether some items should be added to the matrix. The Department of Education clarified that the building fund reflects district-held funds for construction and maintenance projects, while the facilities partnership program is a separate state process for approved projects. In the final discussion, staff summarized total spending as more than $15,800 per student in 2025, with about 69% going to matrix resources and 31% to non-matrix resources. The chair explained the adequacy process and the committee’s role in setting future funding recommendations, and members discussed the recommendations worksheet included in the binder. The chair then proposed postponing the remainder of Part Two of the presentation until a May meeting after the fiscal session, along with inviting the Department of Education back for more detailed questions; with no objections, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill references 304.003 of the finance code, so that's not a fixed 7.5 percent, is it?
• . ...But we wouldn't want to say that's a fixed 7.5% because it's suggested monthly in the finance code
• Renders the language regarding attorney's fees in the family code consistent.
• The issue under Section 150.011 of our civil practice and remedy code...
• The code already defines all the different levels of abuse: psychological, emotional, because of all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Non-profits are kind of in the same code as 2254.004 and local government code chapter 1.
• Utilizing AI to the detriment of the payment methodology code.
• You can't claim that more expensive code. And our computer system... Catch that.
• They coded a level 5 instead of a level 1. They add on, oh, you had this, you had this.
• And I saw a doctor, and I think he coded it a level five. He probably should have.

Bills: SB 6, SB6, SB504, SB765, SB815, SB929

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Transcript Highlights:

• We're often perplexed by the fact that the legislature adopted the procurement code as a fair way of
• Those are all provisions of the procurement code, and we think that they're very important to keep.
• Those are all provisions of the procurement code, and we think that they're very important to keep.
• We strongly support the procurement code.
• That code is there to protect the taxpayer and prevent any type of fraud or anything.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 422, relating to school impact fees. The Education Committee recommended passage with amendments, and Ways and Means concurred. The amendments would repeal the construction fee component of the school impact fee while retaining the land impact fee and in-lieu fee requirements, remove related statutory language, exempt certain developments from school impact fees, raise the unit threshold for satisfying the land component to 100 units, require the School Facilities Authority to adopt rules and policies, and require a report to the Legislature on the effect of repealing the construction portion of the fee. The measure was also given a sunset date of June 30, 2029, with the committee report to note that the changes are intended to test the efficiency and efficacy of the fee structure and could be made permanent if the report supports that outcome. The committees adopted the recommendation, with one senator initially voting no and then changing to yes after the amendments were explained. The meeting also included a separate hearing on House Bill 1155, concerning procurement for Department of Transportation projects and construction manager/general contractor procurement. DOT testified that it supported the concept but wanted to narrow the bill, saying the current language was too broad and that the goal was to allow more innovative procurement while preserving selection safeguards. The State Procurement Office said it supported the bill’s language but was willing to work with DOT on alternative wording. Several construction-related organizations, including subcontractors, iron workers, elevator constructors, and building trades representatives, opposed the bill, arguing that exemptions from the procurement code would weaken protections such as retainage, equality, and prompt payment and could invite favoritism or corruption. In response to those concerns, the chair proposed amendments limiting the exemption to DOT, narrowing the qualifying contracts, adding a two-year sunset, requiring a report after the first year, and clarifying that project management could not be procured under the section. The amended recommendation passed, though several members voted with reservations. A separate item, House Bill 476, was briefly called up at the end of the agenda, with a recommendation to pass with amendments to increase a rate from 7.25% to 8%, but discussion was not completed in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• > fund<00:07:28.479> there<00:07:28.639> are in the construction code fund there
• are in the construction code fund there are expense<00:07:29.360> increases<00:07:29.919>
• <00:15:40.399> Um<00:15:40.720> this construction code fund.
• Um this construction code fund.
• :16:00.079> and proposed construction codes and proposed construction codes and licensing<00:16

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment also includes a technical correction to reflect the proper fund account name per Arkansas Code
• This updates Arkansas Code to designate the Department of Agriculture as the responsible agency for the
• Also, it amends code to phase out the teacher equalization funds as per Act 909 of 2025, and that requires
• current fiscal year. 39 through 43 pages also for the Department of Education this amends Arkansas code
• It also repeals code that is duplicative and that requires budget manuals to include the minority report

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• committee, and we found out that we were in violation of some issues dealing with our uniform sales tax code
• So the description of used clothing is not at all clear in Century Code.
• There are four pages, I believe, in the uniform sales tax code that deal with the description of clothing
• So the description of used clothing is not at all clear in Century Code.
• Maybe you had to go to new because of the IRS code. I'm not that familiar with that designation.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on HB 1428 met to discuss amendments affecting sales tax treatment of clothing sold by nonprofit thrift stores. Members explained that the original bill focused on used clothing, but the language was changed in appropriations to “all clothing” after concerns were raised that the term “used clothing” was too vague under North Dakota’s sales tax code and could create compliance problems with the streamlined sales and use tax agreement. Testimony and discussion focused on practical issues such as distinguishing new from used clothing, whether items with tags donated by retailers would qualify, the burden on volunteer-run nonprofits to determine taxability, and whether the change would put nonprofit stores in competition with for-profit retailers and consignment shops. Several members supported the policy goal of encouraging reuse and reducing landfill waste, while others argued the broader exemption would be unfair to taxable businesses and could invite more nonprofits to seek similar treatment. Senators emphasized that staying in compliance with the streamlined agreement was necessary to avoid jeopardizing reciprocal agreements with other states, while House members noted the original used-clothing concept had support in both chambers. No final compromise was reached, and the committee adjourned to be rescheduled.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the building code.
• considering a violation in the building code doing his job he's he's following the code but the antiquated
• It is a life safety issue and really has nothing to do with fire code.
• Fourth, the bill risks conflict with existing building and fire codes.
• 527 CMR state fire code.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on a range of public safety bills, with especially emotional testimony on the Maggie Hubbard Rental Safety Act, which would require short-term rentals to be inspected for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and require platforms or agents to verify compliance before listing. Rep. Hadley Luddy, Sen. Julian Cyr, and the Hubbard and Waldron families described the fatal Airbnb fire that killed Shannon Hubbard and her daughter Maggie in New York, saying the deaths were preventable and that the bill would save lives. Committee members expressed sympathy and support for the families’ efforts to turn their loss into legislation. The committee also heard testimony on a proposed peace officer oath (S. 1680), described by Sen. Lydia Edwards as a binding ethical standard tied to certification and recertification, with discipline and annual reporting to promote accountability and de-escalation. Rep. Tom Walsh testified for a bill requiring hotel and motel workers to be trained to recognize human trafficking and to post hotline signage, and later testimony supported a school safety data grant program to provide first responders with standardized, up-to-date school maps for emergencies. Another major topic was a bill to allow temporary door-locking devices in public buildings; supporters said the devices are removable, do not alter fire code, and could improve lockdown response during active shooter events. Additional bills discussed included measures to transfer the Office of Emergency Medical Services to EOPSS, increase penalties for unlicensed hood-system cleaning, expand membership on the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, and strengthen confidentiality for peer support and critical incident stress debriefings. Firefighters and fire chiefs also supported a bill to tighten penalties for violations of hot-work regulations, citing the 2014 Beacon Street fire that killed Lt. Walsh and Firefighter Kennedy. Law enforcement groups backed a package including a Blue Star plate and Blue Alert system for fallen officers’ families, stronger move-over penalties, and a memorial fund, while the State Police Association supported the move-over provisions but asked for further work on the special state police officer bill before final action. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the Property Tax Code authorizes the board of directors of appraisal districts to purchase or
• biggest concerns relates to Section 4 of the bill, which adds Section 209.018 to the Texas Property Code
• And Senator Inohosa, Chapter 209 of the Texas Property Code legally requires every owner the right to
• chose the zip codes for the Universal Basic Income Pilot in Harris County.
• It was the poorest zip codes that needed it the most. So I just want to... We're using a...

Bills: SB434, SB844, SB898, SB1177, SB1214, SB1454, SB1920, SB1927, SB1935, SB1965, SB2010, SB2046, SB2068, SB2073, SB2183, SB2260, SB3034, SB907

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several bills dealing with local government authority, homeowners associations, hospital district policing, school AED inspections, special district annexation, public contracting penalties, and guaranteed income programs. Senate Bill 2073 by Sen. Zaffirini would clarify that appraisal districts may finance purchases, leases, or construction of real property for appraisal offices without prior approval from taxing units; it was supported by the Texas Association of Appraisal Districts and left pending. Senate Bill 1935 by Sen. Hinojosa would increase homeowner control of property owners association boards, require more transparency, limit fines and assessment increases, and require accessible meeting locations; HOA and builder representatives opposed it, arguing it would hinder maintenance and make dues harder to manage, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 434 by Sen. Miles would authorize Harris County Hospital District police officers, was supported by Harris Health, and was left pending. Senate Bill 1177 by Sen. Alvarado, as substituted, would require school AED inspections during fire inspections and reporting to school leadership; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1214 by Sen. Perry would update Concho County Hospital District law to align with current procurement and notice rules; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1965 by Sen. Middleton, for Sen. King, would tighten notice and proximity rules for special district annexations; district witnesses warned the bill could interfere with service to noncontiguous tracts, and the bill was left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 2046 by Sen. Bettencourt, which would increase criminal penalties for county purchasing act violations involving unauthorized separate or sequential purchases to evade competitive bidding, and create a tiered penalty structure based on contract amount. Former Harris County DA Kim Ogg, Deputy Attorney General Josh Reno, and James Quintero supported the bill, citing recent Harris County bid-rigging cases and arguing the current Class C misdemeanor penalty is too weak to deter misconduct; some members questioned whether the proposed thresholds were too low and whether stronger oversight, rather than higher penalties alone, would be more effective. The bill was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 2010 by Sen. Bettencourt would bar counties and other political subdivisions from operating guaranteed income programs and address constitutional gift-clause concerns. Testimony split sharply: Ogg and Quintero argued such programs are unconstitutional, can be used for political data collection, and should not be funded with public money, while Paige Terry Barry defended the bill as protecting taxpayers and discouraging dependency. Senators also debated whether the state can restrict use of federal grant funds and whether local governments should be allowed to run such programs; the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the Medical Board and the Labor Code define... what major bodily function is.
• Section 178.002.B, I mean, B2 in the health and safety. code.
• alive in the other code.
• Well, it might, except for the Code Construction Act.
• That's. to chapter 311 of the government code. Right.

Bills: HB44, HB2200, HB1612, HB2747, HB2038, HB3717, HB1431, HB3800, HB3801, HB3560, HB3246, HB44

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care