Transcript Highlights:

• We also have both defense and prosecutors with concerns, which maybe indicates that we're starting to
• We also have both defense and prosecutors with concerns, which maybe indicates that we're starting to
• We don't have enough prosecutors and defense.
• The added appeal, while not all defense attorneys handle appeals, prosecutors do.
• My name is Liz Mustin, and I'm a supervising attorney at the State Office of Public Defense.

Bills: HB2389 , HB2456

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: juvenile justice, youth sentencing, juvenile rehabilitation, DCYF, Department of Children Youth and Families, community supervision, community transition services, suspended disposition, less restrictive alternative, sentencing grid, juvenile confinement, juvenile prison, rehabilitation, recidivism, mental health treatment, substance use disorder, chemical dependency, trauma-informed care, racial disparities, equity

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have both defense and prosecutors with concerns, which maybe indicates that we're starting to
• We also have both defense and prosecutors with concerns, which maybe indicates that we're starting to
• We don't have enough prosecutors and defense.
• The added appeal, while not all defense attorneys handle appeals, prosecutors do.
• My name is Liz Mustin, and I'm a supervising attorney at the State Office of Public Defense.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2456, which would create a juvenile firearm early intervention alternative for youth charged in juvenile court with unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree. Staff explained that the program would require prosecutor agreement, intensive community supervision, random suspicionless searches, therapy and mentoring services, periodic court review, and dismissal of the charge upon successful completion. The bill would also raise concealed pistol license fees by $100 each and dedicate the revenue to a new account funding the alternative. Representative Davis said the bill is intended to fill the gap between firearm possession charges and later juvenile sentencing, and to fund evidence-based services; one member questioned whether the fee increase functions more like a tax than a fee. The chair then paused testimony on HB 2456 to return to the other bill. The bulk of the hearing focused on House Bill 2389, which would expand suspended disposition alternatives, reduce some juvenile robbery sentencing ranges, add a midpoint review for certain youth committed to DCYF, and create new rules for juvenile rehabilitation capacity and emergency transfers. Supporters, including youth currently or formerly in juvenile facilities, defense advocates, restorative justice providers, and some judges, argued the bill would reduce overcrowding, improve rehabilitation, address racial disparities, and give judges more individualized options. Several testified that youth need treatment, family connection, and incentives for progress rather than long confinement, and that current sentencing practices are outdated and underuse suspended dispositions. Opponents, including sheriffs, prosecutors, county officials, victim advocates, and some judges, argued the bill would shift costs and responsibility to counties, require resources that do not exist, and weaken accountability for serious offenses such as robbery, assault, and trafficking. They raised concerns about expanded appeals, added court workload, the need for more staffing and programming, and the impact on victims and public safety. DCYF said it supports reducing overcrowding but wants clearer emergency transfer authority for Green Hill; facility staff described improved conditions as population has fallen, but said overcrowding still creates safety and programming problems. No vote was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe the language that we propose requiring all school districts to have a defensible screening
• I believe the language that we propose requiring all school districts to have a defensible screening
• Establishing a defensible screening process aligned with research-based practice demonstrates that the
• And it is not defensible to set the minimum on the screening at the same level as the minimum on the
• And so that's why I think if we establish parameters for a defensible screening criteria, but the local

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've gone to juvenile defense attorneys as well as law enforcement.
• So how do we preclude that defense or that the prosecution or whatever?
• So how do we preclude that defense or that the prosecution or whatever?
• Ibarra, New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
• I know that one defense attorney said it was...

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 25, which would prohibit a juvenile who committed a firearm-related delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult from legally owning or possessing a firearm for 10 years after disposition. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to address serious youth gun violence without lengthening juvenile sentences or unsealing records, and they emphasized that the substitute language was meant to clarify, not change, the bill’s intent. Support came from law enforcement, the district attorney’s office, CYFD, and business interests, while opponents including the Public Defender, ACLU, and criminal defense advocates argued it conflicts with juvenile-code principles, creates civil disabilities based on juvenile conduct, and could raise Second Amendment and sealing-record concerns. Members raised extensive questions about how the NICS background-check process would work, what offenses would qualify, whether the measure would apply retroactively, and how sealed juvenile records and pardons would be handled. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided; members discussed possibly working on the language further in Judiciary or tabling it. The committee then took up House Bill 15, the Medical Injury and Collaborative Resolution Act, described by the sponsor as New Mexico’s version of a candor law. The bill would create a protected adverse outcome conference process allowing patients and providers to discuss medical injuries or undesirable outcomes outside of court, with the goal of improving communication, giving patients answers, and reducing litigation. A family medicine doctor and a trial lawyer testified in support, saying patients often want explanations more than money and that open conversations can sometimes resolve disputes early. Public commenters also supported the concept, though one noted concerns about how pro se litigants would fit into the process. Committee questions focused on how the bill would define injury, how confidentiality would be enforced, whether statements could be used in court, who would pay for the process, and how it would interact with existing malpractice procedures. The sponsors said the conference would be voluntary, not require an apology, and would be protected by evidentiary rules; if protected statements were introduced at trial, they said remedies such as mistrial could apply. The discussion continued into procedural details, but no final action on HB 15 appears in the provided portion.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the House of Representatives, House Bill No. 532 by the Transportation and Defense Committee, an act
• House Bill No. 532 by the Transportation and Defense Committee, an act relating to motor vehicles, amending
• House Bill No. 533 by the Transportation and Defense Committee, an act relating to vehicle registration
• House Bill No. 534 by the Transportation and Defense Committee, an act relating to motor vehicles, amending
• House Bill No. 535 by the Transportation and Defense Committee, relating to transportation funding.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just trying to think of what opposing counsel, defense counsel, might do.
• And then I... but what I'm getting at is, does this open the door for opposing counsel, defense counsel
• And then I, but what I'm getting at is, does this open the door for opposing counsel, defense counsel
• Or is it upon the motion of a party—one party, you know, plaintiff, defense, neither, the judge?
• Or is it upon the motion of a party—one party, you know, plaintiff, defense, neither, the judge?

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, you're asserting an affirmative defense, and she's, I think she's right.
• question the Chair is getting to is if they have alleged that, and the consumer says as an affirmative defense
• And they allege as an affirmative defense that you were not licensed, the burden of proving an affirmative
• defense falls to the party who's alleging that affirmative defense.
• The burden of proving an affirmative defense falls to the party who's alleging that affirmative defense

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Summary: The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee heard three bills. SB 849 by Senator Weber Pearson would address physician sexual misconduct by clarifying that physicians or surgeons who committed specified sexual offenses against patients cannot petition for license renewal, and by requiring automatic revocation in certain misconduct-related cases, including where a license was surrendered, revoked, or the person was convicted or required to register as a sex offender. Support came from the California Medical Association and the American College of OBGYN; there was no opposition in the room. The bill was moved do pass to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote, then later confirmed out on call. SB 96 by Senator Umberg would extend California’s advertising-volume rules to streaming services, podcasts, and similar content by requiring ads to be kept at the ambient level of the surrounding content. The author said the bill was inspired by a child awakened by loud streaming ads and argued it would update the earlier CALM Act for modern media. There was no support or opposition testimony in the room. The committee discussed how the rule might affect platforms operating statewide or nationally, and the bill passed do pass on a 9-0 vote, then was confirmed out on call. SB 342 by Senator Umberg, the Contractors Licensure Fairness Act, would allow contractors to recover payment for work performed while licensed even if they were unlicensed for part of a project, while still barring payment for unlicensed days and preserving existing prohibitions on starting work without a license. Supporters, including representatives of the California Conference of Carpenters, State Building and Construction Trades, and contractor associations, argued the current law can be overly punitive and can create windfalls for owners when a technical lapse is discovered later. Committee members raised concerns about consumer protection, burden of proof, and whether the bill could create loopholes, but the author and supporters said existing protections remain and the bill is intended to be proportional. The bill passed do pass to Judiciary on a 9-0 vote and was later confirmed out on call to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to that, it also makes it more viable, especially for self-defense of individuals of smaller
• Kyle Carruth: In addition to that, the self-defense aspect of it not only does this again, and I don't
• It's much easier to maneuver and much easier to utilize whether it is hunting or self-defense in either
• In addition to that, uh, Again, the self-defense aspect of it not only does this again, and I, I don't
• It's much easier to maneuver and much easier to utilize whether it is hunting or self-defense in either

Bills: SB108 , SB318 , SB507 , SB511 , SB533 , SB1026 , SB1386 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1596

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: elections, Election Code, poll workers, election clerks, presiding judge, alternate presiding judge, polling place, central counting station, county chair, political party, gubernatorial election, vote counting, election administration, Texas elections, precinct officials, ballot counting, county election officials, election integrity, election fraud, Attorney General

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1596, which would remove short-barreled rifles from the list of prohibited weapons in the Texas Penal Code. The author, Sen. Hagenbuch, said the bill would align state law with federal realities and argued that the current prohibition is arbitrary and unnecessary. Supporters, including representatives from Gun Owners of America and Texas Gun Rights, said the bill would reduce confusion, protect lawful gun owners, and preserve the ability to use shorter firearms for self-defense, hunting, and for smaller shooters. One supporter also described a recent case in which an AR pistol was mistaken for a short-barreled rifle and led to a state charge that was later dismissed. Public testimony was split. Supporters said stabilizing braces and shorter firearms can improve accuracy, safety, and accessibility for women, children, and smaller-statured shooters. Opponents, including Texas Gun Sense and two Santa Fe shooting survivors, argued that short-barreled firearms are more concealable and dangerous, and pointed to the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting as evidence of the risks of easier access. They urged the committee to keep the existing restrictions in place to protect public safety. After public testimony closed, the committee took up pending business. Senate Bill 1505, relating to the Compassionate Use Program, was reported favorably to the full Senate on an 8-0 vote. Senate Bill 17, relating to the acquisition of real property by certain aliens or foreign entities, was first amended by adopting a committee substitute and then reported favorably to the full Senate by a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed until after the Senate’s adjournment or final recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I filed a statement of defense on June 11th of 2024 and sent that to the gentleman from the chief
• Please find attached the Texas Ethics Commission's statement of defense for citizens of Cedar Hill, and
• And then the day that I found out on June 11th of 2024, I then emailed my defense that very day, June
• Uh, when the filer filed an affidavit, of defense for the semiannual reports, the PFS had not been filed
• And when the filer filed her PFS and submitted an affidavit of defense for those reports, the assessed

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not defense. It's not balance. It appears to be more abuse. The Constitution is clear.
• Department of Defense, now called Department of War.
• There's also a Purpitz versus Department of Defense, now called Department of War. 1990, the Supreme
• And the defense of the homeland can incorporate so many things, weather-related.
• And the defense of the homeland can incorporate so many things, weather-related.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hybrid public hearing on seven House bills and seven Senate bills related to the Massachusetts National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserves. Opening remarks covered hearing procedures, livestreaming, testimony limits, and expected reporting dates, and chairs noted the committee’s focus on Guard and Reserve issues. Testimony then moved through several bills, including S. 2465 to expand the National Guard welcome-home veterans bonus to all deployed Guard members regardless of residency, H. 3876/S. 2462 to authorize military-style headstones for long-serving or deceased Guard members, and S. 2482/H. 3833 to establish a Massachusetts National Guard Museum in Salem. Supporters of the bonus and headstone bills argued they would correct inequities and better honor service; Senator Lovely described the museum proposal as a way to preserve the Guard’s history in Salem and potentially support federal funding for the project. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 3829/S. 2471, the “Defend the Guard” proposal that would bar Massachusetts National Guard deployments into active combat absent a formal congressional declaration of war. Supporters argued the bill would restore constitutional war powers, reduce repeated undeclared deployments, and protect Guard members’ mental health and state readiness. Opponents, including retired Guard leaders and current service members, warned it could conflict with federal law and Title 10 authority, undermine federal funding and training, and harm readiness, force structure, and unique Guard capabilities. Committee members repeatedly questioned the bill’s legal authority, constitutional basis, and practical effects under the Supremacy Clause and Title 10, and several witnesses were asked to submit additional written legal support. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3831, which would extend Chapter 115 benefits to currently serving Guard and Reserve members who do not meet federal veteran-status thresholds, and on related proposals to clarify Guard command structure and the duties of the Adjutant General. Supporters said these changes would improve access to benefits, reduce confusion in the chain of command, and strengthen discipline and responsiveness. Separately, the National Guard Association of Massachusetts backed H. 3860/S. 2458, the Guard Enlistment Enhancement Program, as a recruiting tool, while opposing the Defend the Guard bills. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• California's longstanding issues providing public defense to individuals who are accused of crimes has
• It was stated by the author that counties are front lines in providing defense for indigent individuals
• in California, making sure we have enough staff and resources to provide public defense for people.
• Note that California significantly underfunds public defense compared to other states.
• Fourth, it's funded and filled public defense positions by type.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of local government bills, beginning without quorum and later taking up measures once quorum was established. AB 748 would expand the pre-approved housing plan model for small single-family projects and ADUs, with delayed implementation for smaller jurisdictions; it drew support from housing advocates and some local governments opposed it. AB 1786 would extend best-value contracting authority to general law cities and the San Gabriel Valley COG for larger projects, with broad local government support and no opposition. AB 1712 would let Santa Fe Springs pursue sale of its troubled water system to a larger provider through a protest process instead of a municipal election, citing major capital needs and rate pressures. AB 1679 would create a temporary commercial activation permit for pop-up businesses in vacant storefronts for up to 120 days, with support from business and downtown groups and questions about local control. AB 1738 would require jurisdictions to offer virtual inspections for certain simple residential inspections; supporters emphasized efficiency and existing use in some counties, while labor and local government opponents raised safety and implementation concerns. The committee voted 3-0 to send AB 1738 to Housing, with the bill remaining on call. The committee also heard AB 1578, which would require elected state and local officials to take anti-hate speech training as part of existing harassment training. Supporters argued it would help officials understand the impact of rhetoric on hate and violence, while opponents said it was vague and threatened free speech; the bill passed 3-1 to Governmental Organization and remained on call. AB 1693 would speed retail tenant-improvement permits by requiring review by a qualified professional certifier and shorter local review timelines; it had support from retailers and business groups and passed 4-0 to Business, Professions, and Economic Development. AB 1914 would require local governments to include child care in general planning, with supporters calling child care essential infrastructure and opponents warning about mandates; it passed 2-0 to Human Services and remained on call. AB 1997 would shorten the review period for 90% affordable housing projects after EIR certification, and AB 2605 would require counties to report data on public defense systems and caseloads; both passed their committees and were sent onward, with AB 2605 noted as conditional on appropriation. Later items included AB 2224, which would raise and restructure county recorder fees to fund electronic recording systems and modernize service delivery, with county recorder and county association support and no opposition; it passed to Appropriations and remained on call. The consent calendar included AB 2640. At the end of the meeting, Senator Seyarto presented AB 2110 on behalf of Assemblymember Johnson, proposing workforce housing enhanced infrastructure financing districts for education, health care, manufacturing, and public safety workers, using existing EIFD authority without affecting school funding or ERAF; the presentation was introduced as having bipartisan support, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the Department of Defense. Hey, good morning, Chair Yamashita.
• I'm the current Adjutant General for the State of Hawaii Department of Defense.
• There's been a lot of turnover within the Department of Defense, so with your permission I'd like to
• The Hawaii Department of Defense is to enable a safe, secure, and thriving state and nation.
• I don't know that it's going to come from the Department of Defense.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held informational briefings first with the Department of Defense on its FY 2026 budget request, then with the Hawaii School Facilities Authority. Major General Steve Logan outlined the Department of Defense request for $40.5 million in state funds, which he said would leverage about $74 million in federal matching funds and support 411 open projects that could attract up to $2.3 billion in additional federal grant money. He said the budget focuses on sustainment, safety, and reorganization in light of lessons from the Maui wildfires. Key requests included $1.3 million to sustain IT systems, $2.7 million for 32 HEMA emergency management positions, three new Hawaii Army National Guard positions plus four upgrades, and $1.9 million for the Youth Challenge Program to cover state-mandated fringe costs and staffing needs. He also reviewed capital improvement projects, including Youth Challenge facility upgrades, siren modernization, ADA improvements, building retrofits for disaster resilience, Army facility upgrades, a third state veterans home on Maui, HEMA EOC improvements, and a maintenance/fuel building at Diamond Head. Members asked about the siren modernization timeline, and HEMA said roughly 26 to 31 sirens would be modernized this year, with 15 on Maui, eight on Oahu, and eight on the Big Island. Questions also focused on Youth Challenge and Job Challenge enrollment and vacancies, with the department saying the Hilo Job Challenge Academy is growing and that combining Youth Challenge recruiting statewide into one Kilauea program has helped enrollment. Logan also answered questions about the New Year’s Eve medical transport mission, explaining the Hawaii Air National Guard’s relationship with active-duty Air Force assets and saying the flight cost is about $20,000 per flight hour, though the final bill had not yet been determined. On the Maui veterans home, staff said the University of Hawaii site was no longer viable after faculty senate opposition, so the department is now focused on a 10-acre Puna District site; the project remains tied to a certified $35 million state match and August 2025 and August 2026 federal suspense dates. Logan said the veterans home remains one of the department’s highest priorities, but it could not be moved higher in the submitted CIP ranking. The department also discussed a Governor’s add-on for a fire marshal/Office of Recovery and Resiliency proposal. Logan said the fire marshal position was reestablished last session but has not yet been filled, and that if the function is transferred to the Department of Defense, the department wants funding ready to move quickly. Staff later said the request would include about $1.1 million for seven positions and about $2.2 million for operating costs, though details were still preliminary. The committee then reconvened for the School Facilities Authority briefing, where Executive Director Ricky Fujitani described the agency as a startup created in 2020 to improve school and workforce housing development through standardized designs, prefabrication, best-value procurement, and public-private partnerships. He said Hawaii’s single school district still functions like 15 different districts because of its 264 schools across 15 complex areas, and that the authority’s goal is to create more efficient, maintainable, and cost-effective facilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we work very closely with the Department of Defense, the Defense State Liaison Office.
• I know we work very closely with the Department of Defense, the Defense State Liaison Office.
• I know we work very closely with the Department of Defense, the Defense State Liaison Office.
• I know we work very closely with the Department of Defense, the Defense State Liaison Office.
• I know we work very closely with the Department of Defense, the Defense State Liaison Office.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August minutes, and heard a brief announcement from Senator Richardson about the Missing in America Project interring unclaimed veterans’ remains at the Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Hopkinsville. He read the names of several veterans being laid to rest with military honors, and the chair thanked the volunteers involved in the effort. The main presentation was an update on Kentucky’s urban search and rescue program from the Department of Military Affairs and Kentucky Emergency Management. Officials said the program is being built around two regional task force hubs, a helicopter aquatic rescue team, an incident support team, and a rescue aid fund for local search and rescue units. They reported that the $8.3 million appropriated for the program in the 2025 budget was fully executed, that $482,670 of the rescue aid fund went to 29 local teams, and that $493,592 has already been allocated in the current year to 36 teams. They also described warehouse and equipment purchases, staffing with full-time and part-time personnel, and a new training site on state property for collapsed-structure and multi-agency exercises. Officials said the program has already been used in recent disasters, including flood response and urban search and rescue operations in several parts of the state, and claimed the effort has impacted more than 1,500 citizens through rescues, evacuations, and related assistance. They said the helicopter aquatic rescue team is fully operational, the task force roster should be finalized by January, incident support should be online by April, and the full program should be deployable by June 30 or July 1, 2026. Members asked about statewide response times, K-9 search capabilities, and the long-term cost of the program, including concerns about reliance on federal matching funds. The presenters said K-9 assets will be part of the task force, that pre-positioning during forecasted storms can reduce response times significantly, and that they would provide more detailed budget information later.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the House of Representatives, House Bill No. 532 by the Transportation and Defense Committee, an act
• House Bill No. 532 by the Transportation and Defense Committee, an act relating to motor vehicles, amending
• House Bill No. 533 by the Transportation and Defense Committee, an act relating to vehicle registration
• House Bill No. 534 by the Transportation and Defense Committee, an act relating to motor vehicles, amending
• House Bill No. 535 by the Transportation and Defense Committee, relating to transportation funding.

Summary: The House convened with 66 members present, approved the journal, and received committee reports noting the enrollment of House Concurrent Resolution 22 and the printing and committee referrals for House Joint Memorial 11 and House Bills 520-531. The chamber then moved through first reading of several new bills, including transportation measures on motor vehicle identity verification, registration and validation stickers, driver training, and transportation funding; local government bills on agricultural pests and open meeting public comment; and state affairs bills on governmental flags and temporary administrative rules. All of these new bills were referred for printing and further committee review. During third reading, the House granted unanimous consent to return House Bill 489 to the Judiciary and Rules Administration Committee so it could be replaced with a different version, and to hold House Bill 493 on the Third Reading Calendar for one legislative day. No floor votes were taken on the substantive bills in this transcript. The remainder of the meeting consisted of announcements recognizing visitors and groups at the Capitol, including ISU nursing students pursuing CRNA degrees, Idaho nurse practitioners, Capstone Student Legislature homeschool students, Nampa Councilwoman Debbie Skog, and University of Idaho Aggie Con students. Members also announced upcoming caucus and committee meetings, including a tax conformity caucus, and the House adjourned by motion until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• industries, again, aviation, aerospace,... ...state, elevate into a state where military and defense
• Defense manufacturing—Florida, with 20 major military installations here—we have a unique defense-military
• Really, the largest overall defense sector now in the state in terms of workforce is actually in the
• defense sector now in state in terms of war force is actually in the Florida Panhandle.
• I would have memorized this, but my business is going through your annual aerospace defense audit.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee met to hear an overview of its jurisdiction and then focused primarily on Florida manufacturing. Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly described manufacturing as central to a more resilient, diversified economy, citing the 2023 Florida Manufacturing Report and noting strong growth in manufacturing businesses, jobs, exports, and workforce programs. He emphasized that most Florida manufacturers are small businesses, that the sector is increasingly STEM- and technology-driven, and that the state’s main challenge is workforce aging and the need to retain trained talent. Members also discussed how to better expose students and parents to manufacturing careers, improve startup access to capital, and strengthen regional manufacturing corridors and transportation links. Kevin Carr of FloridaMakes said Florida is on track to become a top-five manufacturing state, but warned that productivity, technology adoption, and workforce shortages remain key issues. He said a proposed manufacturing bill would create a chief manufacturing officer and help address workforce, technology, and market-visibility challenges. Bain Beecher of PGT Innovations described the company’s growth and community role, but highlighted obstacles such as affordable housing, insurance costs, permitting delays, supply-chain disruptions, and limited awareness of manufacturing careers among students and parents. Andrew Kosowski of Veterans Metal focused on small- and medium-sized manufacturers, citing labor shortages, the cost of adopting new technology, regulatory burdens, and cybersecurity compliance as major pressures, and urged support for the draft manufacturing bill. Brian Giuliani of the Port of Tampa Bay outlined the port’s cargo mix, infrastructure investments, and role in moving fuel, construction materials, and manufactured goods, saying the port’s expansion and transloading plans could better connect Florida manufacturers to suppliers and markets. Committee members repeatedly stressed the need to promote manufacturing careers earlier in school, improve public perception of the industry, and reduce barriers to investment. No formal vote was taken during the discussion, but the panelists broadly supported the draft manufacturing legislation and the committee’s focus on manufacturing policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's up to those joint account holders to assert their defenses.
• So these are actually like 100% defenses that need to be raised, These are actually like 100% defenses
• The bank can always use that as a defense. And we let the jury decide that.
• It's a little bit of a defense. That's all.
• So this is more of a criminal term, but an affirmative defense, if you will, or?

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 2116, which drew comments about children’s education and an amendment offered by Representative Hinman. Hinman explained the amendment would phase out the Missouri tax subtraction for contributions to non-Missouri 529 plans for new users beginning January 1, 2027, while allowing existing users to continue. The committee adopted the amendment, rolled it into a substitute, and then voted the House Committee substitute do pass by a vote of 11 yeas, 3 nays, and 1 present. Hinman also noted concerns from the investment community about the absence of an advisor-sold 529 option and urged the department to work toward restoring it. In public hearing, Representative Lane Roberts presented House Bill 1870, a garnishment and exemption update that would modernize long-outdated exemption amounts, tie some amounts to CPI adjustments, increase the homestead exemption, and create new procedures for garnishment of financial institution account funds. The Missouri Bankers Association supported the bill, saying it was the product of extensive work with stakeholders and would improve efficiency and reduce legal risk for banks, while also protecting debtors’ rights. Questions focused on joint accounts, business accounts, and notice to account holders; a private attorney speaking in opposition argued the bill could improperly shift burdens onto non-debtor account holders and raised concerns about tenancy by the entirety, corporate accounts, and equitable garnishment. Representative Castile then presented House Bill 2586, which would lower the minimum credit union membership share from $25 to $1 and allow credit union board and committee meetings and voting by electronic means. The Missouri Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying it would improve access for members who need the $25 and help boards meet despite weather or distance, while also aligning state law more closely with federal practice. Finally, Representative Oehlerking presented House Bill 3107, the “Safe Harbor” bill, which would shield financial institutions from civil liability under state law when they act in good faith reliance on written guidance from regulators, while excluding fraud, intentional misconduct, willful wrongdoing, and gross negligence. Credit union and banking representatives supported the measure as a defense against costly litigation based on compliance with required forms and guidance, while an opposing attorney argued the bill relied on nonpublic agency guidance, raised separation-of-powers concerns, and could leave consumers without recourse; witnesses also discussed possible examples such as overdraft fee litigation and the need for any guidance to be public and reviewable.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am one of five DWI specialist defense attorneys in the state of Texas.
• I'm a defense attorney as well, based out of Dallas, Texas.
• Gonzales, you are registered as David Gonzales, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
• I'm really happy to hear from these defense lawyers today.
• DWI defense attorneys in Fort Worth.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislature has made it intent very clear we are to protect and uphold every Texan's right to self-defense
• . defense.
• In 2024, the State Fair of Texas denied citizens their right to self-defense, implementing a no-gun policy
• In 1988 Congress adopted the Exxon Florio Amendment to the Defense Production Act, granting the President
• In Section 47091, the defenses to prosecution are removed. necessary to avoid the fuzzy animal defense

Bills: SB1065 , SB2117 , SB2217 , SB2363 , SB2533 , SB2742 , SB2743 , SB2881 , SB2964 , SB3013 , SB3014

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• I saw the public defense council.
• A lot of times it's the same defense counsel that you worked with before, especially in Wyoming.
• </c> you are working directly with defense you are working directly with defense counsel.<01:04:46.720
• </c> state level, but I have done defense state level, but I have done defense work<01:05:16.319><c>
• </c> judges and prosecutors, defense judges and prosecutors, defense attorneys,<01:18:52.320><c> I</c

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like you said in the falls, you know, that we should have the Attorney Association of Defense Attorneys
• really more looking for those statistics, and that's why I included the state's attorneys and the defense
• It's not very often indigent defense stands up here and says maybe we need to be tougher on crime, but
• or even in the family law... ...the members that we have that provide criminal defense or even in the
• attorneys and perhaps in indigent defense.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard House Bill 1582, a study bill on false accusations and false reports of a crime. The sponsor argued the issue is broad but important, citing concerns about weaponized accusations in custody, civil, and political disputes and saying the study should gather statistics on how often these offenses are charged and prosecuted. Testimony in support came from the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents and the North Dakota Association for Justice, both describing cases where false domestic-violence allegations or false reports caused arrests, jail time, and court burdens, while noting the difficulty of finding statistics or examples of prosecutions. Members questioned the bill’s scope, and the committee amended it to narrow the study to North Dakota Century Code Chapter 12.1 before giving it a do pass recommendation by roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 1613, which addresses autonomous vehicles, robots, and law enforcement use of technology. The sponsor explained the amendment was intended to create definitions for autonomous, remote, lethal, and less-than-lethal systems, while preserving current law enforcement tools such as body cameras, license plate readers, and other cameras, and requiring warrants or use-of-force policies in certain situations. Testimony and discussion focused on ensuring humans remain involved in decisions to deploy weapons, limiting autonomous use of lethal force, and clarifying how drones and other devices could be used for surveillance or emergency response. After discussion of concerns from law enforcement, technology, and other stakeholders, the committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended by roll call vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1499, which would make home addresses and telephone numbers of federal judges, magistrate judges, and U.S. Supreme Court justices confidential under state open-records law. The sponsor and the Attorney General’s office said the bill would extend protections already given to state judges and other justice-system employees, noting increased threats to judges and explaining that federal law does not fully protect these records in state files. With no opposition offered, the committee gave the bill a do pass recommendation and then adjourned after noting it had completed action on all 122 bills before it, with only two conference committees remaining.