Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I know when projects are being considered and land use attorneys and others are trying to figure
• It's really common from our conversations with practitioners and attorneys that AB 2011, to the extent
• But as an attorney, I advise my clients: here are the costs, here are the benefits, here's the delta,
• So sometimes it’s, you know, I won’t disclose any particular attorney-client privileged communications
• I won’t disclose any particular attorney-client privileged communications that I have, but we always

Summary: The hearing was an outcome review of AB 2011, the Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022, focused on whether the law is being used as intended to speed housing production on commercially zoned land while maintaining labor and affordability standards. Chair Haney and Assembly Member Wicks emphasized that the point of the review was not to relitigate the bill, but to assess implementation and results. The first panel of researchers and policy experts said AB 2011 has had real but still limited uptake so far, with roughly 5,800 homes proposed, entitled, or permitted under the law through 2024, concentrated mainly in San Francisco and Los Angeles counties. They also noted that the broader housing market remains constrained by high construction costs, interest rates, and flat rents, making it hard to isolate the bill’s effects from overall market conditions. Witnesses generally agreed that AB 2011 has been most effective for 100% affordable projects and for projects already using public subsidies or prevailing wage, where the ministerial process and CEQA streamlining help move developments forward. Several speakers described the law as a useful bargaining tool that can push jurisdictions to rezone or approve projects more quickly even when AB 2011 is not formally invoked. At the same time, developers and advocates said the mixed-income pathway is much less usable in most of the state because prevailing wage and the 15% affordability requirement add significant cost, especially in lower-rent markets. They also pointed to implementation issues such as narrow site eligibility rules, the “substantially surrounded by urban uses” test, industrial-use exclusions, and confusion about whether the law applies to homeownership projects. The second panel, made up of practitioners using the law, described specific projects that moved forward under AB 2011, including affordable housing developments in the San Joaquin Valley and large mixed-use projects in San Francisco. They said the law’s biggest benefit is certainty: projects that once took years to entitle can now move in months. However, they repeated calls for changes such as clarifying homeownership eligibility, loosening density and site restrictions, narrowing the industrial-use exclusion, and making the law easier to understand for developers and local staff. Members also raised concerns about uneven use across regions, especially the relative lack of AB 2011 activity in Los Angeles and Santa Clara County, and about the accuracy and lag in annual progress report data. The final panel, including the original sponsors, said they remain supportive of the law but are open to adjustments to reduce costs and improve usability while preserving labor protections and affordability goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's an attorney, and he has helped introduce this type of a bill in several other states.
• I'm an attorney in private practice.
• You've got commissioners from Idaho, usually respected attorneys.
• You've got commissioners from Idaho, usually respected attorneys.
• Chairman, Representative, this was drafted by a handful of special-interest attorneys, right?

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and that attorney determines whether to file a petition in court. and proceed with adjudicating the
• The children's court attorney has the option to refer the youth for informal services rather than proceeding
• The court attorney takes it into kind of the formal process.
• youth are referred to... ...both in the informal process and perhaps because the children's court attorney
• I know there is the district attorney from Farmington that's stepping in and doing some things.

Transcript Highlights:

• I participated in that legislation because I was the attorney. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members.
• I'm an attorney representing groundwater conservation districts.
• No, Monique Norman, attorney for groundwater districts.
• Thank you, Norman, attorney for Groundwater Conservation Districts. Go ahead.
• Monique Norman, attorney for Groundwater Conservation Districts, I have nothing to add.

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• County complied with all Voting Rights Act and constitutional requirements, former United States Attorney
• State enforcement mechanism to ensure compliance involving action by the Attorney General has rarely
• Pleased to present AB 919 which would allow an individual holding power of attorney for a person with
• Additionally, this bill gives too much power to someone with a power of attorney over a voter with a
• The power of attorney already provides the option for for control of another's banking, and this might

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It talks about a written opinion from our attorney general certifying legality, etc.
• The attorney general would still have to review that.
• The attorney general would still have to review that.
• </c><00:58:34.000><c> These</c><00:58:34.319><c> remedies</c> reasonable attorney fees.
• These remedies reasonable attorney fees.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:56.920><c> that</c><00:01:57.320><c> on</c><00:01:57.479><c> those</c><00:01:57.640><c> attorneys
• </c><00:01:58.039><c> fees</c> bill um on that on those attorneys fees bill um on that on those attorneys
• The defense in that suit were John Choi in his capacity as the Ramsey County attorney and the Minnesota
• We are entitled to recover attorney fees and costs from those defendants, and we are seeking $754,234.15
• </c><00:10:10.040><c> General's</c> represented by the Attorney General's represented by the Attorney

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have no idea what the cost has been for, you know, obviously people have to hire attorneys and there's
• I'm not an attorney or any kind of expert, just why I'm incredibly perplexed at the in-your-face, out-loud
• I'm not an attorney or any kind of lawyer, just why I'm incredibly perplexed at the in-your-face, out-loud
• c><00:09:26.680><c> or</c><00:09:26.880><c> any</c><00:09:27.040><c> kind</c> midi um I'm not an attorney
• or any kind midi um I'm not an attorney or any kind of<00:09:27.640><c> lockert</c><00:09:28.640><c>

Bills: HF390, HF1202, HF550

Keywords: government data, data practices, record keeping, penalties, legal enforcement, public meetings, transparency, government accountability, interagency groups, Minnesota Statutes, redistricting, Bipartisan Commission, Minnesota Constitution, census, legislative districts, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• establishes basic standards of conduct and prohibits the use of confessions of judgment and power of attorney
• California Democratic Renters Council, LA Voice, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, and Consumer Attorneys
• Thank you, Ms. ...attorneys of California. And with that, I ask for your aye vote. Thank you, Ms.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, this addresses both the advisory board and the civil rights division within the Attorney
• Chair, members, this addresses both the advisory board and the civil rights division within the Attorney
• Chair, members, this addresses both the advisory board and the civil rights division within the Attorney

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus review of a large slate of House and Senate bills, with staff giving short descriptions and members flagging a few concerns. Topics included veterans’ services and courts, child care grants, midwife medication authority, home- and community-based services funding, EMS reciprocity, prescription monitoring, electronic monitoring in care facilities, pregnancy resource center funding, mental health transportation, Access coverage for mild obstructive sleep apnea, school spending requirements, mobile home park training, local government investment pools, task order contract posting, tourism improvement areas, child welfare and kinship placement, neglect standards, family court evidence, prostate cancer cost sharing, assisted living hearings, manufactured home installer licensing, supervised parenting time, vulnerable adult trespass penalties, uranium contamination monitoring, a gas and petroleum refinery study committee, and state park fee exemptions for veterans. Several bills were described as unanimous or on consent, while others drew objections or were noted as controversial. Members raised privacy concerns about electronic monitoring in nursing homes, due process and rural capacity concerns about restricting police transport for mental health patients, opposition to pregnancy resource center appropriations, concerns about environmental review for power plant replacement, and questions about the Access sleep apnea mandate as potentially favoring vendors. Some bills were noted as having committee amendments, including changes to appropriations, eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, and definitions. No floor votes were taken in the transcript itself; instead, the chair repeatedly noted whether bills were unanimous, on consent, or had split votes in committee. The caucus also heard brief announcements about an upcoming breakfast with the CAP director, a Latino Caucus meeting, and an Affordability Award presented to Representative Volk, after which the caucus adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if this municipality or mayor or whoever refuses to follow the law, the attorney general has a right
• The attorney general and the mayor and the sheriffs were unable to. This will allow this to happen.
• sometimes boulevards and roads are maintained jointly by highway districts and... fix that, the Attorney

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• NOT BEING AN ATTORNEY I DON'T KNOW THAT I COULD FRAME IT IN A LEGAL SENSE BUT TO SAY FROM A MORE LAYMAN'S
• > Mike LaRosa: I WOULD SAY IT WAS WHEN THE JUSTICES MADE THE COMMENT THEY NEED RECOGNIZING AS AN ATTORNEY
• BUT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE A TOP PRIORITY IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE YOUR STAFF AND THE ATTORNEYS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney and I serve as General Counsel for the Texas Association of Water Companies or TAWC.
• Thank you. attorney as well.
• I'm an attorney representing the Brazos River Authority.

Bills: SB 384, SB 503, SB 565, SB 616, SB 740

Keywords: hunting license, fishing license, donation, operation game thief fund, wildlife conservation, livestock, electronic registry, marks and brands, Texas Animal Health Commission, animal identification, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water and Agriculture and Rural Affairs convened under the leadership of Chairman Kelly Hancock, who opened the meeting with a prayer in remembrance of Chairman Perry, who was absent due to a personal loss. The session focused on the discussions surrounding SB384, which aims to support the longstanding initiative known as Operation Game Thief. Senator Flores presented the bill, emphasizing its essential role in the fight against poaching through public support. The operation has a successful track record of convictions but is currently dependent on donations and merchandise sales for funding. The committee aimed to vote on multiple bills during this session, contingent on achieving a quorum. Notably, discussions also revolved around fiscal notes on two bills that were set aside for later consideration, indicating the committee's intention to carefully manage their legislative decisions. The meeting showcased a productive atmosphere, with committee members actively engaged in the review and potential advancement of key legislative measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The CLTC designation was done by an attorney, Holly Gordon.
• The companies attorney, Holly Gordon.
• So, these people go to this attorney. The attorney sets it up.
• </c> So, these people go to this attorney. So, these people go to this attorney.
• </c> The attorney sets it up. The attorney sets it up.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to speak with an attorney who doesn't get flustered when he's asked basal-level questions.
• As an attorney, right? You're an attorney. Isn't that right?
• As an attorney, right? You're an attorney. Isn't that right?
• the reason why that's important to me is, before I came down here, I spent a number of years as an attorney
• working Down here, I spent a number of years as an attorney working in family court.

Summary: The House began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 123-1 roll call vote. Members then spent time introducing guests, including physicians, sheriffs, students, interns, and school groups from several districts. The chamber also heard a personal privilege statement recognizing a member’s son’s birthday. On third reading, House Bill 1758, dealing with permanent daylight saving time in Missouri, drew debate over whether ending clock changes would improve convenience or create safety and health problems by leaving more commutes in darkness. Supporters argued it would align with public preference and reduce disruption, while opponents warned of circadian and safety concerns. The bill passed 107-31 with two present. The House then moved to perfection of House Bill 3329, which repeals expired or unused tax credits, and House Bill 3405, which reclassifies SALT/pass-through entity items as deductions rather than tax credits for reporting purposes; both were described as cleanup and efficiency measures and were perfected without opposition. The chamber then took up House Bill 2426, a broad parental rights bill covering medical, educational, privacy, and related decision-making for children, and a major amendment focused on individualized education plans (IEPs). Supporters said the bill and amendment strengthen parental involvement and require stricter judicial review, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, school district administration burdens, transparency requirements, and possible conflicts with existing law on truancy, medical care, and records. House Amendment 1 was adopted 98-25 with six present, and debate continued on the underlying bill with no final vote shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've added, and we have lost attorneys along the way. We have one fiscal analyst position.
• And Emily's going to talk a little more about what she and our policy people and attorneys have done
• Another example, since you all know my love for tax, is your previous tax attorney.
• Another example, since you all know my love for tax, is your previous tax attorney, if you scroll down
• We have an attorney suggesting that's a great idea. Is there a second?

Summary: The Legislative Arrangements and Procedure Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up several follow-up items related to legislative security, public records, and the impacts of term limits. The Secretary of State’s office presented draft language to make legislators’ and candidates’ residential addresses confidential in public records, with discussion of who would be covered, how the protection would work, and whether it should expire when a candidate’s term ends. Members raised concerns about unintended consequences, transparency, and whether the public should still be able to see enough information to evaluate residency requirements. Rather than act immediately, the committee set the draft aside for a future meeting and asked for an amendment reflecting the Secretary of State’s suggested changes. The committee also reviewed a security best-practices memo and NCSL materials on capitol security. The memo encouraged legislators to be aware of their surroundings, avoid real-time vacation posting, vary routines, report threats, and follow security alerts. Members discussed a recent incident and the need to improve alert distribution and update contact information so legislators and staff receive notices consistently. The Secretary of State and committee members noted that the alert system may need refinement, including a separate legislative notification channel. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to Garrity Consulting’s final report on how to mitigate the effects of legislative term limits. The consultants summarized interviews, surveys, and focus groups with legislators, the public, and stakeholders, identifying major themes such as loss of institutional knowledge, leadership turnover, staffing pressures, and the need for stronger onboarding and training. Recommendations included considering annual sessions or shifting biennial sessions to even-numbered years, restructuring organizational session, making interim committees more consistent with regular committees, adding office hours, formalizing mentorship and leadership succession planning, expanding staff and professional development resources, creating public-facing educational tools, and improving communication and virtual testimony options. Members generally appreciated the report and its phased implementation roadmap, while also debating the practicality of some recommendations and the tension between making service more demanding and keeping the legislature accessible to new candidates.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, there was a million dollars for startup costs to the Attorney General to establish that office
• But then if you go down, an appropriation to the Attorney General's office for operating costs in FY
• , with regards for CYFD for transfers, and do we budget in the BAR authority with regards to the Attorney
• to request a letter be sent and reviewed a draft, but have not formally yet sent a letter to the Attorney
• Everyone needs accountants, everyone needs attorneys, everyone needs all these things and we're thinking

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an attorney at Brown Pruitt, and I'm speaking on the bill.
• I'm an attorney at Brown Pruitt, and I'm here testifying on the bill.
• As I said, I'm an attorney in Texas.
• My name is Alyssa Jacobs, and I'm an adoption attorney at Brown Pruitt.
• My entire practice... ...practice as an attorney is devoted to adoption, and I just want to raise one

Bills: HB163, HB216, HB721, HB2035, HB2038, HB3057, HB3153, HB3233, HB3595, HB3801, HB3812, HB4076, HB4129, HB4377, HB4535, HB4666, HB4730, HB4743, HB4903, HB5149, HB5155, HB1534, HB163, HB216

Keywords: epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• Justice Administration, the budget includes $5.1 million to enhance fee rates for court-appointed attorneys
• Also, the proposed budget funds $53 million in key IT projects for the DOC, DJJ, Attorney General, FDLE
• bill, I'm happy to announce, also appropriates $15 million for special pay adjustments for state attorneys
• , public defenders, and other justice administration attorneys.
• This funding is aimed at addressing both attorney recruitment and retention.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met for Budget Day and heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper said the plan reduces overall spending from the prior year, keeps strong reserves, includes a 4% pay raise for state employees, maintains employee health care contributions, and makes major investments in water quality, transportation, and education infrastructure. Committee chairs then summarized their budget silos, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Members asked questions mainly about school funding, AP and dual enrollment support, voucher and scholarship impacts, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted a large consent package of amendments and then approved three late-file amendments: funding virtual college tours for high school students, funding the FSU Sunshine Genetics program, and providing money for the Port of Fernandina customs facility. The committee then voted to report SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, as a committee bill. It also favorably reported SPB 2502 (implementing bill), SPB 2504 (state employees placeholder), SB 7022 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and DROP changes), CS/SB 1320 (recreating the Resilient Florida Trust Fund), SPB 2506 (gaming compact revenue distributions, including water projects and rural lands), SPB 2508 (29 new judgeships), SB 7014 (ending the court mediation and arbitration trust fund), SPB 2510 (K-12 conforming bill), SPB 2512 (higher education conforming bill), and SPB 2514 (health and human services conforming bill). The committee also took up several policy bills. It approved SB 7028 on cancer research, creating grant parameters, reporting requirements, a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative. It approved CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality, adding resident satisfaction surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, electronic health record requirements, financial reporting penalties, and a study of best practices. It approved CS/CS/SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion options, adds Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, expands grant uses, and creates a behavioral health data repository. It also approved SB 114 creating the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at FSU and moving the public hurricane loss model there. The committee then began considering SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, including a late-file amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• the General Business Law in relation to requiring prescription drug manufacturers to notify the Attorney
• the General Business Law in relation to requiring prescription drug manufacturers to notify the Attorney

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Consumer Protection held its first meeting of the year on January 28, chaired by Senator Rachel May, with Ranking Member Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and several other senators present. Chair May said the committee would focus this session on consumer protection issues such as surveillance pricing and the use of technology to target consumers unfairly. The ranking member briefly agreed on the importance of protecting vulnerable consumers and wished the committee a successful session. The committee then considered six bills, all of which had previously passed the Senate. The measures covered school security guards (S.194B), notice to the Attorney General about arrangements that delay generic drug introductions (S.488A), warranties and protections for purchasers of new and used motor vehicles (S.5597), a cap on credit service charges in retail installment contracts (S.5600), requirements for rental helmets to address concerns about damaged helmets (S.6985), and making renewed appearance enhancement and barber licenses and certificates available online in downloadable PDF form (S.7483). There was little discussion on most bills, though Senator May noted that the helmet bill was intended to address situations where rented helmets may have been damaged or consumers may not know their condition. Each bill was moved, seconded, and approved by the committee without opposition, with one bill reported to the Finance Committee and the others reported to first reading on the calendar. The meeting then adjourned after concluding legislative business.