Transcript Highlights:

• such an incredible rise that a Class B misdemeanor is not acting, and it's not an enhanceable class
• I think community supervision isn't available for a Class B?
• Can a peace officer arrest on a Class B misdemeanor? Yes.
• Or their historic, that class over there, that history class is telling them that there, that there's
• a history class is telling them that there.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, received a House message announcing passage of H.B. 500, and a gubernatorial nomination for the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including SR 409 recognizing Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, SR 402 honoring the discovery of the woolly devil plant at Big Bend National Park, and recognitions for Operation Christmas RGV and Wilson County Day. The Senate also heard an announcement that the Committee on Senate Nominations action report had been placed on members’ desks. The body then took up and passed several bills. SB 2365 was passed to prohibit personal wireless communication devices by public school students during instructional time, with exceptions for health, special education, and safety needs. SB 1869 was passed to reaffirm the DSHS commissioner’s authority over controlled-substance schedule changes without rulemaking or judicial review. SB 1124 was passed to revise criminal discovery procedures in response to the Heath decision, with supporters saying it preserves exculpatory evidence protections while limiting suppression of inculpatory evidence when the defense already knew of it. SB 1758 was passed to create a Grayson County pilot study and temporary permitting hold concerning a cement kiln/quarry near a semiconductor wafer facility, and SB 2078 was passed to regulate composting in certain counties, after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed SB 33, barring governmental entities from transactions that support abortion assistance or out-of-state abortion procurement; SB 34, expanding wildfire preparedness measures, studies, equipment databases, and rural fire department funding; SB 1208, increasing the penalty for interference with public duties from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony; SB 1030, removing the maintenance, repair, and overhaul tax for general aviation; SB 505, creating processes to address election irregularities; SB 2411, updating the Business Organizations Code and changing filing-method requirements; and SB 1333, addressing unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, or conveyance of real property. Most measures advanced on voice vote or recorded roll call after motions to suspend the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule, with several members raising questions or objections, especially on the criminal justice, abortion, and public duties bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the class was designed to go with the manual.
• so um the class was designed to go class so um the class was designed to go with<00:13:46.320> the
• robust it's not like the two-day class robust it's not like the two-day class that<00:32:43.639>
• We had veterinarians there as well as ACOs. classes thinking they could do things classes thinking they
• <01:04:17.720> which incorporate that two-hour class which incorporate that two-hour class

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee work session focused on HB 153, a bill intended to improve law enforcement response to animal cruelty cases. The bill’s sponsor explained that the proposal would require one sheriff or deputy and one state trooper in each county to receive specific training in animal cruelty laws so they could serve as knowledgeable resources. The sponsor described real-world examples where agencies were unclear about jurisdiction, veterinary involvement, and response protocols, arguing that better training was needed because animal cruelty cases can require quick action and many towns do not have animal control officers. Jerry Sorenson, a retired UNH professor and longtime animal cruelty instructor, described the existing training structure at Police Standards and Training. He said recruits receive a required two-hour introductory block at the academy, while additional animal cruelty materials and a more comprehensive online resource library are available through the Benchmark system for certified officers. He noted that the older two-day in-service course he taught was more detailed and guided, but the current online materials are more of a self-study resource and are not mandated for in-service officers. He also said the committee could track usage through Benchmark analytics. Kurt Arenberg of the Humane Society of the United States and Rob Johnson of the Farm Bureau both supported the goal of ensuring a trained law enforcement contact is available statewide, but they questioned whether assigning one trained officer per county would be the best way to achieve it. They emphasized the need for a real-time response and for officers to know where to find help and guidance, rather than expecting one person per county to handle all cases. Vincent Greco of State Police said the agency is willing to help and has handled animal cruelty matters, but he said one trooper per county would not realistically meet the goal given coverage demands and vacancy rates; he suggested broader access to resources and training may be more effective. Representative Freeman asked how cases are handled now and was told State Police responses generally follow standard criminal investigation steps, with assistance from animal control, veterinarians, and other resources when available. No vote or final action was taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• 20,000; second class is 20,000 to 100,000; and first class is 100,000 or more.
• So again, focusing on third and fourth class, fourth class is 10,000 and below; third class is 10,000
• 20,000; second class is 20,000 to 100,000; and first class is 100,000 or more.
• So again, focusing on third and fourth class, fourth class is 10,000 and below; third class is 10,000
• Uh, nothing excludes cities of the first class. Uh, nothing excludes cities of the first class.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't have to have a special class for it.
• It's a class system; it's categorized by Class One through Class Nine.
• We're paying the annual fee; it's only $1,500 a year for Class 1 and Class 2, which would be the smallest
• Again, my calculations on looking at the cost of things is that it will cost you for Class 1 or Class
• one or class two.

Bills: SB1864

Keywords: eggs, ungraded eggs, egg grading, poultry, farm products, local food, small farmers, direct-to-consumer sales, wholesale food sales, food safety, refrigeration requirements, sanitation standards, occupational license, dealer-wholesaler license, Texas Department of Agriculture, restaurants, small grocery stores, cooperatives, farmers cooperative, agricultural regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, class 3 municipalities can have over 50%.
• This allows class 2 municipalities to also be afforded that same consideration. Same consideration.
• Right now, it's only 10% for class 2 cities. This raises it to 50% of the commercial taxable areas.
• Class 3 has raised theirs to 50%.
• two for the same advantage that class two for the same advantage that class three has of raising their

Bills: HB567

Keywords: tax increment financing, economic development, municipal authority, urban revitalization, local government, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Class. Class 4 wells are shallow hazardous and radioactive waste injection wells.
• Yes, it has to be class 6. Yes, okay.
• Could they become class six sites? Class two sites?
• Yes, it's pretty common for class two injection wells to be converted to class six.
• The well bore is basically designed to the standard for class six effectively when they drill class two

Transcript Highlights:

• have about 1,400 civil service classes have about 1,400 civil service classes within<00:10:31.680
• So, if you do the $2,500 per class.
• pay in this class. Thank you. Okay. pay in this class. Thank you. Okay.
• Um would apply to what class of judges.
• <00:59:49.920> of multiplier you know what class of multiplier you know what class of employees

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In spring 2024, Dell Med graduated its fifth class with 100% of the class matching with residency programs
• The university itself has been one of the key drivers in creating a middle class and professional class
• 7% growth in our freshman class.
• classes?
• group class as well.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, there's going to be the class that is here and the class that is using their political right to
• Create two separate classes.
• while this group gets to be treated as another class?
• The Little amendment adds a second distinct class that is not of the same kind or type as the class in
• Senfronia Thompson came out of the class, and I came out of the class.

Bills: HB18, SB 54, SB 10, HR 76, HR 77, HR 78, HR 82, HR 83, HR 88, HR 89, HR 93, HR 94, HR 95, HR 98, HR 101, HR 102, HR 104, HR 105, HR 107, HR 108, HR 109, HR 110, HR 111, HR 112, HR 113, HR 123, HR 125, HR 79, HR 80, HR 81, HR 84, HR 85, HR 86, HR 87, HR 90, HR 91, HR 92, HR 96, HR 97, HR 100, HR 103, HR 106, HR 114, HR 115, HR 116, HR 117, HR 118, HR 119, HR 120, HR 121, HR 122, HR 124, HB 18, SB 54, SB 10, HB 8

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, drunk or sober, what class of felony?
• Okay, drunk or sober, what class of felony?
• Okay, drunk or sober, what class of felony?
• Okay, drunk or sober, what class of felony?
• Um, well, if we raise it to a misdemeanor as opposed to a Class C felony, would that make it...

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 335 would route objections by political party officers to candidate nomination papers through the Office of Elections. The State Election Director testified that his office was not the right venue for party-membership challenges because it could create conflicts and force the Attorney General to represent the chief election officer in court; members discussed whether all objections should instead go directly to Circuit Court, but no action was taken. SB 280 would expand first-degree negligent injury to cover injuries negligently caused by intoxicated drivers. The Public Defender opposed the bill as too harsh and urged either a lower penalty or clearer statutory definitions of “under the influence,” while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it as a needed increase in accountability for drunk drivers who actually injure someone. Committee members raised concerns about overlap with existing offenses, proportionality, and whether the change would increase jury-trial volume; the prosecutor responded that the bill would apply to a smaller subset of cases involving actual injury and would help ensure more serious treatment of those cases. The committee also heard SB 292, establishing Safe Harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance, with testimony in support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, HPD, U Alliance, and others, and no opposition. SB 31, concerning an additional penalty for dog owners whose dogs destroy property on agricultural land, drew only supportive testimony. SB 356 would require restitution in the form of financial support to the minor children of victims killed or disabled by an intoxicated driver; the Public Defender opposed it as better suited to civil court and questioned enforcement after probation, while the Prosecuting Attorney supported it and said courts can issue enforceable restitution orders. Testimony also strongly supported SB 1284, a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes, with supporters arguing it would strengthen protections in response to current political conditions. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all equivalent Class C-level offenses.
• Once you make something a Class C felony, you are entitled to a jury trial.
• These are all equivalent Class C-level offenses.
• Once you make something a Class C felony, you are entitled to a jury trial.
• Once you make something a Class C felony, you are entitled to a jury trial.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on February 6, 2025, and heard testimony on several transportation-related bills. HB 667 would require DOT or county departments to scan deceased cats or dogs found on public roadways for microchips, record information, and report it to county animal services. DOT said it supported the bill, and the Hawaiʻi Humane Society and others strongly backed it, describing it as important for grieving pet owners. A private citizen also testified in support, saying the measure could help families learn what happened to missing pets. The chair noted there were nine supporters. The committee then heard HB 230 on sending a carbon copy of traffic citations to vehicle owners, followed by HB 77, which would make civil identification cards free to issue or renew. The Attorney General’s office said it had already submitted comments on HB 77, DOT opposed it, and a private citizen supported it as a way to reduce barriers to basic services. HB 668, which would make license suspension mandatory for operating a vehicle without insurance, drew opposition from the Office of the Public Defender and DOT. The Public Defender argued current law already allows suspension and that a mandatory rule would discourage people from obtaining insurance, increase court burdens, and disproportionately affect indigent drivers; the chair emphasized that driving is a privilege and raised concerns about uninsured driving in rural areas. The Public Defender also said it would look into whether state insurance options could help people who cannot get traditional coverage. The committee also took up HB 12, which would bar inspection certificates for mopeds or vehicles modified to increase NOx emissions. DOT offered comments, Citizens Against Noise supported it, and the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed it; the chair noted six additional supporters and ten opponents. HB 169 would raise the minimum age for moped operators from 15 to 16 and increase the helmet requirement age from 18 to 21; DOT supported it, while Moped Doctors, Moped’s Direct, and seven individuals opposed it. HB 220 would require moped operators to carry insurance under motorcycle/motor scooter insurance laws; DCCA offered comments, DOT supported it, and Moped Doctors and ten individuals opposed it. Finally, the committee heard HB 277, which would establish a statewide vehicle pursuit policy for law enforcement agencies. The Policing Project at NYU and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi supported the bill, citing national data on deaths and injuries from pursuits and arguing for a baseline limit on pursuits for minor offenses; the Hawaii Police Department and Maui Police Department opposed it. The committee also heard HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture. DOT supported it, while the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill was overly harsh, internally inconsistent, and likely to strain courts, law enforcement, and probation systems by turning a traffic offense into a felony with prison exposure and jury-trial rights. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can, if you finish a class early, for example, want to get started on the next one, you can do that
• More levels of what classes are going to be taught at the university.
• So it does not increase or decrease the levels of classes or authorities. at an institution.
• A student in my Middle Eastern music class learned about his own Coptic Christian identity.
• I teach a class called History of the Modern Middle East in One Hundred Objects.

Bills: HB2476, HB2893, HB4848, HB5062, SB37, SB60, HB2860, HB4930, SB646, SB 37

Keywords: living expenses, higher education, student support, homeless students, financial aid, grant program, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, workforce development, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, competency-based education, baccalaureate degree, cost of attendance, dual credit, computer science, course credit, foreign language requirement, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:55:25.119> a does create an additional um class a does create an additional um class a
• <03:34:13.120> B as such shall be guilty of a Class B as such shall be guilty of a Class B
• I'm just curious, looking through the difference between a Class A felony and a Class B felony.
• A and a Class B.
• > difference between a Class A Class B and difference between a Class A Class B and a<04:40:20.560>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so for this, it treats this particular taxpayer class separate from everybody else.
• As amended, this is classified as a class two felony. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions.
• Failure to do so will result in a class two misdemeanor.
• to a class six felony for failure to report.
• Celiana, a quick question: what is the maximum penalty for a class six felony? Class 6 felony.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder on consent calendars and how bills can be pulled for floor debate or amendment. Members were told that third-read consent bills bypass caucus debate, while caucus consent bills may have committee amendments adopted together unless pulled. The meeting then moved into Minority Caucus Calendar No. 2. A large number of bills were briefly presented, with several members pulling measures from consent or voicing opposition. Topics included appropriations and federal monies accounting (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety center administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning disclosures (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighter workers’ compensation definitions (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), late tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineering and professional licensing reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and mutilation penalties (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting of partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking and fentanyl sentencing changes (HB 2131 and HB 2132), drive-by shooting forfeiture rules (HB 2045), probation review notice changes (HB 2046), venue changes for cases involving court employees (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Members repeatedly criticized several abortion-related bills, the library bill, and the tax and agriculture measures as harmful, unnecessary, or unfunded mandates. The latter part of the meeting focused on water and election legislation. Water bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), water conservation grant disclosures (HB 2029), removal of education/research as an eligible water grant use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource conservation board changes (HB 2117). Election-related items included moving the primary date earlier and changing signature cure timelines and observer rules (HB 2022), a memorial urging designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization (HCM 2001), a memorial urging review of CAIR for terrorist designation (HCM 2002), and a constitutional amendment on citizenship, voter ID, foreign contributions, and early voting limits (HCR 2001). Members raised concerns about voter access, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the practical effects of the election changes. The caucus concluded with birthday acknowledgments and an announcement for Muslim Day at the Capitol before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• class for it.
• It's a class system. It's um categorized by Class 1 through Class 9.
• one and Class two, which would be the smallest producers out there.
• or class 2 under the agency's fees, it will cost you $100 a year for fees.
• one or class two.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I got in, I took his classes, and he made it very accessible for me.
• So he, his class, allowed me to do it on my phone, on my iPad at the time.
• His class provided me a level of reference that I hadn't known.
• You know, I've been taking plenty of classes. I've gone to college.
• I've been taking plenty of classes. I've gone to college.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the only changes that class it changed the first offense on attempting to allude to Class A and then
• Uh, the only changes that class it changed the first offense on attempting to allude to Class A and then
• Uh the only changes that<00:08:53.839> class<00:08:54.160> it<00:08:54.399> changed<
• /c><00:08:54.640> the<00:08:55.040> uh<00:08:55.200> first that class it changed
• offense on attempting to allude to class offense on attempting to allude to class A<00:08:58.080

Bills: SB233, SB233

Keywords: ad valorem, taxation, local governance, advisory committee, Alabama Department of Revenue, eluding officers, law enforcement, penalties, public safety, criminal justice, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He has taken language and culture classes in elementary at Cochiti Elementary.
• He also took language and cultural classes in middle school.
• a more advanced class than I have now.
• When you talk about advanced class, you talk about language class or any other content classes in your
• We can identify that; the team can identify that by looking at the class code.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The cool teacher next door lets me use my cell phone during class; why can't you?
• The cool teacher next door lets me use my cell phone during class; why can't you?
• The cool teacher next door lets me use my cell phone during class; why can't you?
• The results were staggering: nearly 1,100 notifications in just one class.
• <01:00:49.640> the notifications in just one class the notifications in just one class the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee heard testimony on Senate File 508, a bill to restrict cell phone use in schools. Senator Mann said the proposal was based on roundtables with school districts across the state and on reports from other states, and argued that cell phones are harming student attention, mental health, classroom culture, and student-teacher relationships. She said K-8 restrictions are broadly supported, while high school policies should be more flexible, and emphasized that districts should control implementation. The bill also includes funding for education efforts around why the restrictions are being adopted and how students can use technology responsibly. Testifiers largely supported the bill or the general goal of limiting cell phone use. Dr. Anna Tyranny, a parent and licensed psychologist, said cell phones and social media can contribute to anxiety, poor concentration, cyberbullying, and inappropriate sharing, and urged a balanced approach that includes digital literacy education. St. Cloud Area Public Schools Superintendent Laori Pam and Tech High School staff member Molly Kenzie described their district’s policies, which keep phones away for the day in elementary and middle school and restrict them during class in high school. They cited U.S. Department of Education guidance, research on mental health and sleep disruption, and the need for age-appropriate, equitable, and consistently communicated policies. St. Cloud reported that its middle school policy, piloted and then expanded districtwide, led to a 50% reduction in cell phone discipline referrals and fewer classroom power struggles. The district said high school violations remain concentrated in certain grades, especially ninth and eleventh, and that it continues to address the issue through PBIS teams. No vote or final committee action on the bill was described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm just curious: how do you find this impacting members of your class?
• But I'm just curious, how do you find this impacting members of your class?
• chosen for that class by the professor.
• The class was taught with more passion and depth than many of the classes I've taken.
• That class was taught with more passion and depth than many of the classes I've taken that rely on traditional

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a broad set of bills focused on making public higher education more affordable and accessible, protecting student information, and changing social work licensure rules. Chair Rogers and Senator Comerford opened by emphasizing the committee’s focus on financial aid, tuition and fee waivers, scholarships, admissions, and institutional changes, and they reminded witnesses about the three-minute testimony limit. No votes were taken during the hearing. A large portion of the hearing centered on the “Super Act” (H. 1423/S. 218), which would eliminate the master’s-level social work licensing exam and create grant support for social work internships. Supporters—including students, practitioners, educators, and advocates—argued that unpaid internships and the exam create financial barriers, worsen workforce shortages, and disproportionately affect Black, brown, older, ESL, and other marginalized candidates. Opponents from the Association of Social Work Boards argued the exam is a necessary public-protection standard, helps maintain uniform licensure, and is important to the social work licensure compact; they said workforce shortages should be addressed through pay, working conditions, and caseloads instead. Committee members asked detailed questions about compact participation, exam accommodations, and how other states such as Rhode Island and Connecticut have handled similar changes. The committee also heard extensive testimony in favor of debt-free public higher education bills (H. 1436/S. 929). Witnesses, including students, faculty, advocates, and Senator Eldridge, said Massachusetts should expand on free community college by covering tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities, with additional aid for living costs for lower-income students. Supporters said student debt delays homeownership, family formation, and career entry, and that the state should use Fair Share revenue to invest in public higher education. Some committee members voiced support but also raised concerns about prioritizing K-12 funding and the cost of expanding free college further. Several witnesses also supported bills to extend tuition and fee waivers to young adults raised by grandparents or other kinship guardians outside the DCF system, arguing that these students face the same trauma and financial barriers as foster youth but do not receive the same benefits. Representative Donato, Joseph O’Leary, Shauna Manning, Sandra Vecchio, Karen Gardner, Judy Walter, Elaine Arsenault, and others described the financial strain on grandparents raising grandchildren and urged parity with DCF-related waivers. In addition, Senator Jake Oliveira testified for a bill to protect public higher education student directory information from data mining and unauthorized sharing, and Deirdre Cummings testified for an open educational resources bill to reduce textbook costs. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on kinship care and college access, with committee members thanking witnesses and indicating follow-up on some bill language issues.