Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Um, and I I called protective services. Um, and I I called protective services.
• Um, many provisions protecting from tenants exploiting the eviction law, causing unnecessary delays with
• I have seen those eviction cases. cause. I have seen those eviction cases.
• </c> it would be grounds for eviction. it would be grounds for eviction.
• </c> and evict. and evict.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Eviction court judges can't take eviction cases under advisement.
• If someone is evicted, the constable must, the writ is issued within 24 hours of the eviction.
• "What about a city court eviction?
• We hear evictions every day, 25 evictions, more evictions, no matter how many evictions are necessary
• , we'll hear our evictions.

Committee: Senate Judiciary A

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2265 protects tenants from periods of extreme heat.
• We need preventative housing protections.
• We need preventative housing protections.
• You have to stop the process, stop the court, stop the eviction, proceed with the eviction.
• It is mostly a permission slip, not a protection.

Summary: The committee heard public hearing testimony on House Bill 2265, which would expand tenant protections during extreme heat. Staff explained that the bill would bar landlords from restricting portable cooling devices, require written notice of tenant rights and landlord immunity for tenant-installed devices, add a cooling duty under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, and prohibit sheriffs from physically evicting tenants during defined extreme heat periods. Representative Mena said the bill responds to the 2021 heat dome and is intended to address a gap in housing law, while committee members and the sponsor discussed unresolved questions about what “reasonably required” cooling means, how the eviction pause would work, and whether the bill could raise rents or create liability and operational burdens for landlords. Supporters, including climate, public health, tenant, and clean energy advocates, said extreme heat is a growing health threat and that renters need a right to cooling; opponents from multifamily housing, property management, and rental housing groups argued the bill is too vague, could effectively mandate costly cooling upgrades, create safety and insurance issues, and complicate eviction enforcement. The hearing also included testimony from landlords and housing providers who said the bill should be narrowed or amended, and from tenants and advocates who said it does not go far enough because it mostly permits tenant-installed cooling rather than requiring landlords to provide it. The committee then heard House Bill 1974, a proposed substitute authorizing land banks. Staff described the bill as allowing public corporations, housing authorities, and nonprofit corporations to acquire, hold, improve, lease, transfer, or dispose of property for affordable housing, with 30-year affordability requirements, annual reporting, tax exemptions, and priority transfer of certain tax-foreclosed properties. Vice Chair Hill said the bill was scaled back from earlier versions and is meant to create a flexible tool for turning difficult parcels into housing-ready land aligned with local housing plans. Testifiers from the Spokane Regional Land Bank, housing authorities, developers, youth shelter providers, and housing advocates supported the bill as a way to lower land costs, clear title issues, reduce displacement, and create a pipeline of permanently affordable housing. A counties representative also supported the concept but said they would like the grant program restored. One committee member raised a question about whether the tax-foreclosed property language could bypass the normal surplus distribution process, and staff said the provision is placed in the chapter governing properties that have already gone through foreclosure and auction, though the wording may need further review. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 2452, which would change how rent increase notices are served. Staff said the bill would remove the current requirement that rent increase notices be served like unlawful detainer notices and instead allow service by personal delivery, mail, or posting on the dwelling unit, with service by mail complete when deposited in the mail; the manufactured home version would follow the general notice rules under that act. Representative Connors said the bill responds to problems created when prior legislation required certified mail, which she said has led to tenants not receiving notices and housing providers facing higher costs and administrative burdens. Housing provider and industry witnesses supported the bill, saying certified mail is expensive, inefficient, and often not actually received, while tenant advocates opposed it, arguing that mail-only service weakens notice protections and can cause missed rent increases and displacement; they urged the committee to preserve stronger in-person or posting requirements. Some witnesses also suggested broader changes, including electronic notice, while others said the bill should be expanded to fix certified mail requirements for more than just rent increase notices.

Bills: HB198 , HB303 , HB1535 , HB2742 , HB3305 , HB3348 , HB3505 , HB3711 , HB4753 , HB2715 , HB21 , HB30 , HB21 , HB198 , HB303

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening, fire protection personnel, local government, political subdivision, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, National Fire Protection Association, NFPA standards, occupational medical examination, public safety, firefighter health, cancer prevention, annual health screening, confidential medical exam, pulmonary function test, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, blood test

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill provides confidentiality protections to include current and former administrators.
• So it also protects personal identifying information held by SOA in its capacity as an employer that
• This bill is regarding title theft and protection from Title V.
• However, when fraudulent documents are found, such protections no longer exist.
• I think it's the right move in order to kind of protect people. people's interest in real property.

Bills: SB 438 , SB 512 , SB 647 , SB 648 , SB 1495 , SB 2121 , SB 2145 , SB 2154 , SB 2167 , SB 2184 , SB 2211 , SB 2268 , SB 2349 , SB 2443 , SB 2629 , SB 2702 , SB 2902

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The meeting of the committee commenced with the establishment of a quorum, where members discussed and voted on five significant bills related to energy efficiency, insurance regulation, and public utility governance. Notably, Senate Bill 2717 was presented, incorporating feedback to foster collaboration among various state agencies for improved energy efficiency performance. This was followed by a detailed discussion on Senate Bill 1642, which proposed changes to the Texas Department of Insurance's executive structure to optimize management and consumer focus. Each bill saw active participation from senators who moved to adopt committee substitutes for clarity and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, indicating a proactive approach to legislative issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• The floodplain notice requirement was created in 2021 to protect long-term leases for renters, people
• We've got wide open space... ...financiality protections to include current and former administrative
• This bill is regarding title theft and protection from title theft.
• Senate Bill 648 protects Texas homeowners from deed theft by providing additional requirements a person
• However, when fraudulent documents are filed, such protections no longer exist.

Bills: SB438 , SB512 , SB647 , SB648 , SB1495 , SB2121 , SB2145 , SB2154 , SB2167 , SB2184 , SB2211 , SB2268 , SB2349 , SB2443 , SB2629 , SB2702 , SB2902

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, voting favorably on SB 1612, SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789. SB 1612 was reported favorably with objections to the local and contested calendar, while SB 2717, SB 1468, SB 1642, and SB 1789 were reported favorably, with SB 1642 and SB 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council; SB 1642 would add an executive director to the Texas Department of Insurance structure; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards and clarify PUC authority and remedies. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from CEO Pablo Vegas on the updated long-term load forecast, which showed a much higher unadjusted growth projection driven largely by data centers. ERCOT described an adjusted forecast using historical delays and lower realized build rates, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, and the importance of SB 6 for demand response and flexibility. The committee then heard and left pending SB 2629, which would allow condominium and property owners’ association meetings and voting by electronic means; SB 2702, which would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies without a separate TCEQ license; SB 2167, which would let TDLR pause new license applications tied to human trafficking emergency orders or pending SOAH cases; SB 2349, which would exempt short-term leases and certain leasebacks from flood disclosure requirements; SB 2121, which would tighten the data broker registry law; and SB 2443, which would authorize TDLR electronic delivery of notices and other documents. Testimony generally supported these bills as cleanup, modernization, or workforce-streamlining measures, with some members expressing caution about electronic meetings and emphasizing in-person accountability. The committee also heard SB 2902 on coerced debt and identity theft, with testimony from a law professor and family violence advocates supporting stronger protections for survivors and suggesting a police report as an additional proof option. SB 512, a refiled bill restricting money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2145 on allowing certain TIF boards to meet virtually in narrow circumstances, SB 2268 on extending Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in some cases, SB 1495 creating an EV supply equipment advisory board, SB 2154 regulating delivery network companies under a statewide framework, SB 2184 lowering the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18, SB 2211 on combining data centers, power generation, and produced-water desalination projects, and SB 647 on title theft protections and clerk authority to refuse fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after brief testimony and questions, with members focusing on reliability, regulation, and safeguards against fraud.

Transcript Highlights:

• The floodplain notice requirement was created in 2021 to protect long-term leases for renters, people
• This bill extends confidentiality protections to include current and former administrative law judges
• This bill is regarding title theft and protection from title theft.
• This bill is regarding title theft and protection from title theft.
• However, when fraudulent documents are filed, such protections no longer exist.

Bills: SB438 , SB512 , SB647 , SB648 , SB1495 , SB2121 , SB2145 , SB2154 , SB2167 , SB2184 , SB2211 , SB2268 , SB2349 , SB2443 , SB2629 , SB2702 , SB2902

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first voted out several pending bills. Senate Bill 1612 was reported favorably to the full Senate with objections sent to the local and contested calendar. The committee then adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported Senate Bills 2717, 1468, 1642, and 1789, with 1642 and 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council and add agencies to it; SB 1468 and SB 1642 were discussed as changes affecting utility and insurance-related structures; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards, with the author saying it would clarify PUC authority and create more practical statewide standards. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from Pablo Vegas, who said Texas load growth remains strong but ERCOT is adjusting its large-load forecast downward using historical delays and realization rates for data centers and other large loads. He said the adjusted forecast is still very high, but more realistic for planning, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, demand response, and the role of Senate Bill 6 in helping model large data centers as flexible load. The committee then took testimony on a series of bills and left most pending after public comment. SB 2629 would allow condominium and property owners associations to hold meetings and vote electronically; testimony supported it as a way to improve access, though some members expressed concern about overuse of virtual meetings. SB 2702 would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies instead of requiring a separate TCEQ license, and was supported as a workforce and public health measure. SB 2167 would let TDLR pause new massage-establishment license applications when an applicant is subject to a human trafficking emergency order or pending SOAH case. SB 2349 would exempt short-term residential leases and certain leasebacks from floodplain disclosure requirements while allowing the notice to be included in the lease packet. SB 2121 would tighten the data broker registry law from the prior session, and SB 2443 would allow TDLR to use electronic delivery for notices and contested-case documents. Additional bills focused on consumer protection, housing, and regulatory administration. SB 2902 would help victims of coerced debt and identity theft stop collection efforts by requiring proof such as a court order or FTC report; advocates said it would protect survivors while still preventing fraud. SB 512 would bar money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations in a way that forfeits account funds, and supporters framed it as a protection against private financial penalties. SB 2145 would allow public improvement districts and tax increment finance districts to meet virtually with at least one member physically present, while SB 2268 would give the PUC flexibility to extend Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in certain cases. SB 1495 would create an advisory board for electric vehicle supply equipment standards, SB 2154 would extend statewide regulation to delivery network companies, SB 2184 would lower the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display licenses from 21 to 18, SB 438 would expand confidentiality protections for SOAH administrative law judges, SB 2211 would treat digital products and desalinated water as industrial products to support combined energy-water projects, and SB 647 would strengthen title-theft protections by improving notice and clerk authority to reject fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after testimony, and several drew support from industry, consumer, or advocacy witnesses along with some member concerns about electronic meetings, licensing, and data accuracy.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Legislature passed House Bill 20 in the 87th Legislature, second special session to protect citizen
• In closing, please support Senate Bill 1626 to enhance Texans' ability to protect themselves and their
• We are. ...in support of Senate Bill 1626, which strengthens protections against digital censorship by
• And so in a case like that, are there protections already in place for those... ...of situations.
• I want to thank the author for the support. bill and the protections that it offers landowners.

Bills: SB38 , SB287 , SB291 , SB292 , SB508 , SB618 , SB901 , SB1436 , SB1494 , SB1626 , SB1719 , SB1999 , SB1333 , SB 38

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal case law protects this right.
• It's the requirement to protect the rights of freedom of speech and religious liberty.
• These are our Texans; we are supposed to... to protect and love them.
• And if my teacher had been protected by a similar bill...
• If a public employee bullies or harasses someone, there's no protection for them.

Bills: SB38 , SB287 , SB291 , SB292 , SB508 , SB618 , SB901 , SB1436 , SB1494 , SB1626 , SB1719 , SB1999 , SB1333 , SB 38

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• evict somebody.
• </c> want to evict. want to evict.
• I could evict this way or I could evict that way. Oh, well, if I evict this way, it'll be quicker.
• </c> for any reason to evict anyone. for any reason to evict anyone.
• </c> protections for tenants in all eviction protections for tenants in all eviction scenarios.<02:46

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• tenants from runaway rent increases and no-fault evictions, ...their communities and protect tenants
• evictions.
• As we speak, Rent increases to inflation and protects tenants from no-fault evictions.
• , a no-fault eviction.
• Many people like me also need protections against no-fault evictions.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a long public hearing focused mainly on two sets of issues: proposals to amend or repeal the MBTA Communities Act, and bills to allow local rent stabilization. Committee chairs opened by explaining the hearing would be tightly managed because of the very large number of speakers, with testimony limited to two minutes per person and written testimony still accepted by email. Members and witnesses were called in a mix of in-person and virtual order throughout the hearing. On the MBTA Communities Act, several legislators and local officials argued the law is too rigid and should be revised to account for local conditions. Speakers from small, rural, or infrastructure-limited communities such as Hanson, Halifax, Marshfield, Winthrop, Dracut, Carver, Rehoboth, and others said the law’s one-size-fits-all approach does not fit towns with limited water, sewer, transit access, or buildable land. Some filed bills would repeal the law, exempt certain communities, or create appeals processes based on infrastructure, environmental, or historical constraints. Supporters of the law’s changes emphasized local control and the need to avoid forcing development where communities believe it is impractical or inconsistent with town character. A large portion of the hearing was devoted to rent stabilization legislation, especially S. 1447 and related House bills. Supporters included legislators, city councilors, tenant advocates, labor leaders, housing nonprofits, public health organizations, and residents who described sharp rent increases, displacement, homelessness risk, and the strain on working families, seniors, students, and people with disabilities. They argued local-option rent stabilization would let municipalities cap excessive increases and prevent no-fault evictions while preserving flexibility for local conditions. Opponents, including small landlords and property owners, said rent control would discourage investment, worsen housing quality, burden responsible owners, and drive small landlords out of the market. Some witnesses also supported a Cape Cod/Island transfer fee bill and a suburban infrastructure fund, arguing those would provide local revenue for housing or roads. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that type of protection just open?
• In an eviction lawsuit, the current rule is that if you're being evicted by your landlord, you must be
• Eviction, as long as an hour away.
• For this bill, Senate Bill 38 currently includes language that conflicts with federal eviction protections
• By expediting the evictions process in response to eviction notices, this bill undermines fundamental

Bills: SB2405 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB6 , SB7 , SB36 , SB38 , SB815 , SB1856 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1120 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SB263 , SB370 , SB663 , SB924 , SB1939 , SB1937 , SB1598 , SB2798 , SB2801 , SB2580 , SB2569 , SB2514 , SB2064 , SB1940 , SB1621 , SB2601 , SB1379 , SB1376 , SB1372 , SB1353 , SB2216 , SB552 , SB2405 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB2166 , SB2148 , SB535 , SB777 , SB827 , SB1141 , SB1330 , SB1352 , SB1664 , SB1612 , SB1862 , SB1936 , SB1453 , SB1448 , SB1398 , SB2137 , SB2111 , SB53 , SB226 , SB1677 , SB1723 , SB1839 , SB6 , SB7 , SB36 , SB38 , SB815 , SB1856 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SCR8 , HCR88 , HCR91 , HCR129 , HCR130 , HCR131 , HCR133 , HCR137 , HCR138 , HCR139 , HCR140 , HCR143 , HCR145 , HCR147 , HCR150 , HCR152 , HR6 , HR105 , HR112 , HR124 , HR146 , HR151 , HR158 , HR221 , HR222 , HR237 , HR469 , HR543 , HR571 , HR605 , HR702 , HR703 , HR704 , HR705 , HR706 , HR707 , HR708 , HR709 , HR710 , HR713 , HR714 , HR715 , HR716 , HR717 , HR718 , HR719 , HR720 , HR721 , HR722 , HR723 , HR724 , HR725 , HR726 , HR727 , HR728 , HR729 , HR730 , HR731 , HR732 , HR733 , HR734 , HR735 , HR736 , HR737 , HR738 , HR739 , HR740 , HR741 , HR742 , HR743 , HR744 , HR745 , HR746 , HR747 , HR748 , HR749 , HR750 , HR751 , HR752 , HR782 , HR787 , HR789 , HR796 , HR798 , HR799 , HR800 , HR801 , HR802 , HR804 , HR807 , HR812 , HR813 , HR814 , HR817 , HR819 , HR820 , HR821 , HR822 , HR824 , HR827 , HR828 , HR830 , HR831 , HR832 , HR833 , HR837 , HR839 , HR840 , HR841 , HR842 , HR843 , HR844 , HR847 , HR849 , HR850 , HR851 , HR852 , HR853 , HR854 , HR855 , HR856 , HR858 , HR859 , HR861 , HR865 , HR871 , HR873 , HR874 , HR875 , HR876 , HR880 , HR881 , HR884 , HR886 , HR887 , HR890 , HR892 , HR894 , HR895 , HR898 , HR900 , HR901 , HR903 , HR904 , HR905 , HR908 , HR910 , HR912 , HR913 , HR915 , HR916 , HR917 , HR918 , HR919 , HR920 , HR921 , HR922 , HR923 , HR924 , HR925 , HR926 , HR927 , HR928 , HR930 , HR931 , HR932 , HR936 , HR937 , HR938 , HR939 , HR940 , HR941 , HR942 , HR943 , HR946 , HR947 , HR948 , HR949 , HR952 , HR953 , HR954 , HR955 , HR956 , HR960 , HR964 , HR965 , HR967 , HR968 , HR969 , HR970 , HR972 , HR973 , HR974 , HR975 , HR976 , HR977 , HR978 , HR979 , HR980 , HR981 , HR982 , HR983 , HR984 , HR985 , HR987 , HR988 , HR989 , HR990 , HR991 , HR992 , HR993 , HR994 , HR995 , HR996 , HR997 , HR998 , HR999 , HR1000 , HR1002 , HR1003 , HR1004 , HR1005 , HR1006 , HR1007 , HR1008 , HR1009 , HR1010 , HR1011 , HR1012 , HR1013 , HR1014 , HR1015 , HR1016 , HR1017 , HR1018 , HR1019 , HR1020 , HR1024 , HR1025 , HR1026 , HR1027 , HR1028 , HR1029 , HR1030 , HR1032 , HR1034 , HR1035 , HR1036 , HR1038 , HR1040 , HR1041 , HR1042 , HR1043 , HR1044 , HR1046 , HR1047 , HR1048 , HR1049 , HR1050 , HR1051 , HR1052 , HR1053 , HR1055 , HR1056 , HR1057 , HR1059 , HR1064 , HR1067 , HR1068 , HR1069 , HR1070 , HR1071 , HR1073 , HR1074 , HR1075 , HR1077 , HR1078 , HR1079 , HR1080 , HR1081 , HR1083 , HR1086 , HR1087 , HR1088 , HR1089 , HR1090 , HR1091 , HR1092 , HR1093 , HR1094 , HR1095 , HR1096 , HR1098 , HR1099 , HR1100 , HR1101 , HR1103 , HR1104 , HR1105 , HR1106 , HR1109 , HR1111 , HR1112 , HR1115 , HR1116 , HR1117 , HR1118 , HR1119 , HR1121 , HR1123 , HR1125 , HR1128 , HR1130 , HR1131 , HR1132 , HR1139 , HR1140 , HR1143 , HR1144 , HR1146 , HR1147 , HR1148 , HR1149 , HR1151 , HR1153 , HR1154 , HR1155 , HR1156 , HR1157 , HR1158 , HR1159 , HR1160 , HR1161 , HR1162 , HR1163 , HR1164 , HR1165 , HR1166 , HR1167 , HR1168 , HR1169 , HR1170 , HR1171 , HR1172 , HR1173 , HR1174 , HR1175 , HR1176 , HR1177 , HR1178 , HR1179 , HR1180 , HR1181 , HR1182 , HR1183 , HR1184 , HR1185 , HR1186 , HR1187 , HR1188 , HR1189 , HR1190 , HR1191 , HR1192 , HR1193 , HR1194 , HR1195 , HR1196 , HR1197 , HR1198 , HR1199 , HR1200 , HR1201 , HR1202 , HR1203 , HR1204 , HR1205 , HR1206 , HR1207 , HR1208 , HR1209 , HR1210 , HR1211 , HR1212 , HR1213 , HR1214 , HR1215 , HR1216 , HR1217 , HR1218 , HR1219 , HR1220 , HR1221 , HR1222 , HR1223 , HR1224 , HR1225 , HR1226 , HR1227 , HR1228 , HR1229 , HR1230 , HR1231 , HR1232 , HR1233 , HR1234 , HR1235 , HR1236 , HR1237 , HR1238 , HR1241 , HR1243 , HR1244 , HR1245 , HR1246 , HR1247 , HR1248 , HR1249 , HR1252 , HR1253 , HR1255 , HR1256 , HR1257 , HR1260 , HR1261 , HR1262 , HR1263 , HR1264 , HR1266 , HR1267 , HR1268 , HR1269 , HR1270 , HR1271 , HR1272 , HR1273 , HR1274 , HR1275 , HR1278 , HR1280 , HR1281 , HR1282 , HR1283 , HR1284 , HR1285 , HR1286 , HR1287 , HR1288 , HR1289 , HR1290 , HR1291 , HR1293 , HR1294 , HR1295 , HR1299 , HR1300 , HR1301 , HR1302 , SCR49 , HCR134 , HCR136 , HR18 , HR247 , HR428 , HR494 , HR538 , HR540 , HR786 , HR791 , HR803 , HR805 , HR808 , HR809 , HR811 , HR816 , HR825 , HR826 , HR836 , HR838 , HR845 , HR846 , HR862 , HR869 , HR870 , HR878 , HR879 , HR896 , HR899 , HR902 , HR911 , HR914 , HR933 , HR934 , HR935 , HR951 , HR958 , HR959 , HR986 , HR1021 , HR1022 , HR1039 , HR1054 , HR1058 , HR1061 , HR1062 , HR1065 , HR1072 , HR1107 , HR1108 , HR1110 , HR1114 , HR1120 , HR1122 , HR1129 , HR1142 , HR1145 , HR1239 , HR1242 , HR1250 , HR1251 , HR1254 , HR1258 , HR1259 , SCR21 , HB3228 , HB2802 , HB45 , HB1318 , HB5560 , HB2894 , HB4344 , HB4238 , HB 130 , HB2775 , HB34 , HB33 , HB 12 , HB148 , HB4273 , HB4850 , HB2733 , HB4783 , HB4187 , HB39 , SB2155

Keywords: criminal justice, parole, medical supervision, rehabilitation programs, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, offenders with medical impairments, Windham School District, Sabine River Authority, board of directors, term limits, removal grounds, government oversight, training requirements, Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, Lower Neches Valley Authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, public participation, complaints resolution, electric power

Transcript Highlights:

• Judge presides over a weekly eviction calendar.
• It's an undesirable situation on all sides of an eviction case.
• Things such as civil protection orders.
• A historic increase in civil protection order filings in addition to historic filings in eviction cases
• So, problems: eviction timeline.

Summary: The committee held a work session in Mill Creek focused first on the eviction process. Judge Michael Scott of King County Superior Court described historic highs in unlawful detainer filings across Washington, especially in urban counties, and said King County has reduced its backlog and average time to resolution to about 60 days by adding two dedicated eviction judges and using more judges when needed. He also described how King County and other counties are implementing the right to counsel for indigent tenants, and noted that additional housing commissioners may help. Office of Civil Legal Aid representatives Philippe Knapp and Jane Paxe said the statewide appointed counsel program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, referred clients to social services, and helped many remain housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without representation. A landlord-side panel argued that eviction timelines remain too long and fragmented, creating unpaid rent, safety issues, and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants; they urged more uniform procedures, streamlined rental assistance, and procedural changes to reduce refiling and delays. The second work session addressed theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff reviewed existing criminal and regulatory laws covering malicious mischief, theft, scrap metal businesses, and metal property deception. Comcast, Mason Public Utility District, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft of aerial cable and copper has become a crisis affecting power, internet, 911 service, schools, hospitals, and line-worker safety. Utility representatives described outages, hazards, and rising costs, and asked for stronger audits of scrapyards, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, and tighter rules on payment and identification. Recyclers said they oppose the thefts and already operate under heavy regulation, but acknowledged enforcement gaps and the need for better coordination; committee members discussed possible bill concepts and asked for written recommendations. The final work session covered standards for law enforcement personnel. Criminal Justice Training Commission Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained current certification and decertification rules, including background checks, training requirements, mandatory and discretionary grounds for decertification, and the hearing process. They said elected sheriffs are not currently required to undergo the same pre-election background check as other applicants, though they can still be decertified if already certified, and they reported a backlog of more than 1,000 cases with about 70 to 80 new cases coming in each month. Retired Judge Ann Levinson then outlined ways the legislature could strengthen and align standards for chiefs, sheriffs, and marshals, including requiring certification within a set time, setting a minimum age, requiring recent state background checks, and making loss of certification a vacancy in office. Committee members asked questions about accountability for elected sheriffs, background-check administration, and decertification outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eviction court judges can't take eviction cases under advisement.
• If someone is evicted, the constable must, the writ is issued within 24 hours of the eviction.
• What about a city court eviction?
• We hear evictions every day—25 evictions, more evictions, no matter how many evictions are necessary,
• we'll hear our evictions.

Committee: Senate Judiciary A

Summary: The committee first approved the May 5 minutes and then heard House Bill 578, which would define sex in Louisiana law as biological sex, replace references to gender with sex in various statutes and forms, and direct the Law Institute to make conforming changes. Supporters from the governor’s office said the bill would bring clarity and consistency, while opponents argued it could create conflicts with existing law and weaken protections tied to gender identity. After debate, the committee reported HB 578 favorably. Members then considered House Bill 1250, a measure aimed at aerospace-related litigation. The bill would allow a special motion to strike certain claims against aerospace flight entities when the claims are preempted by federal law. Senators raised concerns that the language was broad enough to affect airports, airlines, contractors, and even unrelated incidents, and the author said he was willing to work on narrowing amendments. The committee nevertheless reported HB 1250 favorably. House Bill 718, dealing with liability protections for private airstrips used for recreation, was amended to narrow its scope and then reported favorably, while House Bill 163, a narrower related airstrip bill, was voluntarily deferred so the committee could work from the other measure. The committee also approved House Concurrent Resolution 61, which asks the Louisiana Law Institute to review possible conflicts between the constitution and statutes on expropriation. House Bill 180, defining foreign adversaries and agents of foreign adversaries for a proposed constitutional amendment, and House Bill 192, a constitutional amendment barring foreign adversaries from expropriating land in Louisiana, were both reported favorably. House Bill 1008, which sets out academic freedom and whistleblower protections for higher education, was rejected on a roll-call vote after concerns about its scope and limits on university discipline. House Bill 638, a prompt-payment bill for contractors, was set aside while amendments were being located. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 71, which would extend existing liability protections for justified use of force to properly trained armed security guards. The author and the Board of Private Security Examiners said security officers receive training and often face dangerous situations, but opponents argued the bill would give too much protection to personnel with far less training than law enforcement and could shield bad shootings. After debate, the committee voted to defer HB 71. The last measure discussed was House Bill 1082, which would change venue rules for lawsuits involving the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System so actions by the system would be filed where the employer is located; the author said the bill was meant to help small municipalities, and members indicated they were open to narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eviction protections and emergency supports kept families housed and prevented deeper instability.
• Eviction protections and emergency supports kept families housed and prevented deeper instability.
• Preventing eviction is one of the most concrete ways we can protect children, families, and communities
• Eviction protections and emergency supports kept families housed and prevented deeper instability.
• Preventing eviction is one of the most concrete ways we can protect children, families, and communities

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3403, authored by Vice Chair Rep. Kazowski, and first adopted an A1 amendment. The amendment made technical and implementation changes recommended by the Department of Revenue, allowed a small portion of funds for county and tribal administrative costs, and clarified timing and reporting for spent and unspent funds. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was moved to Ways and Means. Rep. Kazowski described HF 3403 as a $50 million emergency rental assistance measure to help stabilize households facing eviction, with $44 million directed to counties and $6 million reserved for tribal nations, administered through the Department of Revenue using the existing local homeless prevention aid formula. Supporters said the bill would provide immediate, targeted help to renters and landlords, prevent evictions, and reduce downstream costs to shelters, schools, employers, and health systems. Several testifiers, including representatives from Greater Twin Cities United Way, St. Louis County, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, social workers, a resident, and tribal housing leaders, said local resources were insufficient to meet rising need and emphasized the impact of federal immigration enforcement and related economic disruption on families, workers, and communities. Testimony highlighted sharp increases in rental assistance requests, rising eviction filings, depleted county funds, and the strain on nonprofit and mutual aid efforts. County and city officials said emergency rental assistance and related legal services had already prevented thousands of evictions, but current funding was not enough. Tribal testimony stressed disproportionate homelessness among Native Americans and supported the bill’s tribal allocation. During member discussion, Rep. Amani Hiltsley said the bill was an economic stabilization tool and requested a roll call vote, noting safeguards against fraud and the broader costs of inaction.

Transcript Highlights:

• evict somebody.
• </c> want to evict. want to evict.
• </c> for any reason to evict anyone. for any reason to evict anyone.
• </c> protections for tenants in all eviction protections for tenants in all eviction scenarios.<02:46
• process that eviction after an eviction process that eviction case<03:05:36.479><c> is</c><03:05:36.720

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> low-income tenants facing eviction. low-income tenants facing eviction.
• </c> tenants in eviction proceedings. tenants in eviction proceedings.
• </c> eviction cases. eviction cases.
• I don't control who gets<01:12:38.000><c> evicted."</c> gets evicted." gets evicted."
• </c> renter protections. renter protections.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, April 3, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But California law provides strong protections.
• When we stop an unlawful eviction, we also... ...stabilize a family and protect public investments.
• When we stop in an unlawful eviction, we also, to stabilize a family and protect public investments.
• Our favorite judge, Judge Tapia, thank you so much for the work around the evictions and the eviction
• I'm just, um, uh, and the eviction data.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as a defendant in the eviction case, meaning that you have an eviction on your record.
• subject of eviction proceedings.
• case, meaning that you have an eviction case, meaning that you have an eviction<00:25:17.040><c> on<
• and that eviction parents were evicted and that eviction keeps<00:25:35.600><c> showing</c><00:25:35.960
• </c> eviction notice. eviction notice.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a protection for youth.
• notice that we couldn't evict somebody.
• We want to avoid evictions.
• And we are Don't pay within these days, you will get evicted.
• So SB 841 will protect all victims from this type of coercive control and will protect not only domestic

Summary: The committee heard several bills from Senator Umberg and Senator Allen, with testimony from supporters and opponents before roll-call votes were taken once quorum was established. SB 253, the annual State Bar fee bill, would keep fees unchanged while requiring two-year notice for substantial changes to the bar exam, including vendor changes, and returning to an older delivery method for the upcoming exam; it was presented as a response to recent State Bar problems and the February bar exam failure. SB 25, the Pre-Merger Notification Act, would require certain merger parties to provide California’s attorney general the same Hart-Scott-Rodino materials filed federally, so state antitrust review can occur in parallel with federal review; supporters said this would reduce delay and uncertainty, while members questioned whether it would add another layer of review. SB 36 would strengthen price-gouging enforcement after the January 2025 Southern California firestorms by requiring rental-listing platforms to report suspected gouging, expanding consumer and prosecutor remedies, and allowing warrants in housing-related cases; supporters said it would close loopholes, while opponents from business groups raised concerns. All three bills were later approved on roll call, with SB 36 and SB 413 placed on call before final passage and SB 253 and SB 25 moving forward on committee votes. The committee also heard SB 413, which would streamline access to juvenile case files in certain civil cases brought by or on behalf of the youth who is the subject of the file, allowing attorneys to use heavily redacted records without first petitioning the juvenile court. Supporters, including Los Angeles County counsel and county associations, said the current petition process is costly, slow, and routinely granted, creating delays in civil litigation and court congestion. Opponents, including the Youth Law Center, argued the bill would weaken longstanding juvenile confidentiality protections by bypassing judicial review and could expose sensitive information unnecessarily. After discussion about redactions, sealing, and the scope of access, the bill was passed on a do-pass-as-amended vote. Finally, Senator Wahab presented SB 436, which would extend the notice period for nonpayment of rent from three days to 14 days. Supporters, including tenant advocates, legal aid groups, and several local governments, argued the change would reduce unnecessary evictions, give renters more time to obtain assistance or a paycheck, and help prevent homelessness. Opponents, including apartment associations, property owners, and the California Association of Realtors, said the bill would burden landlords, especially small owners, and could unintentionally affect commercial leases; members also raised concerns about repeated late payment and the lack of stronger guardrails. The author said she would work on clarifying commercial coverage and safeguards, and the bill remained under discussion as the hearing continued.