Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the bill establishes a complaint procedure and administrative penalties for failure to comply
• The substitute adds current and former employees and commissioners of the State Commission on Judicial
• I'm with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. I'm their general counsel.
• We have Megan LaVoy from the Texas Office of Court Administration.
• I'm the administrative director for the Office of Court Administration.

Bills: HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending. The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• common law principles of parliamentary law: common law is defined as the body of law developed by judicial
• decisions, and it is the judicial decisions that affect meetings or assemblies.
• Provisional ballots take longer to process and add to the administrative burden on the back end.
• adjustments. clarifications, conforming changes, and administrative adjustments.
• It supports election administration at the county level, and it expands voter access.

Bills: AB534, AB562, AB595, AB597, AB600, SB74, SB226, SB422, SB488

Keywords: election reform, voter accessibility, conditional ballots, voter registration, mechanical voting systems, election audits, voter access grants, provisional ballot, voting technology, AB562, Nevada, Secretary of State, elections, elections management system, HAVA, Help America Vote Act, automatic voter registration, AVR, election technology, state appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this bill actually was brought to me by the Administrative Office of the Courts, and they have a
• office<00:14:04.079> of<00:14:04.240> the<00:14:04.399> courts, the administrative
• office of the courts, the administrative office of the courts, and<00:14:05.680> they<00:14:05.920
• And then it's also over the administrative director of court. >> Miss Bates, if I may step in because
• , clarity for business and administrators, clarity for business and administrators, uh<00:18:51.200

Bills: SB182, SB251, SB252, HB74, HB159, HB292, SB182, SB251, SB252, HB74, HB159, HB292

Keywords: psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabis, beverage prohibition, criminal penalties, youth access, Jefferson County, pistol permit, gun permit, concealed carry, firearm permit, sheriff fee, permit fee, weapons license, gun licensing, school security, Jefferson County Sheriff's Fund, retirement system, Gardendale, Birmingham legislative office, local bill

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, HB17, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB17, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB2, SB5, SB10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings

Bills: SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 1, HB4, HB4, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SB2, SB5

Keywords: school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Bills: SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 1, HB4, HB4, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB1, SB2, SB5

Keywords: school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the state court administrator for the Minnesota judicial branch and happy to be here with you this
• I'm the state court administrator for the Minnesota judicial branch and happy to be here with you this
• I'm the state court administrator for the Minnesota judicial branch and happy to be here with you this
• I'm the state court administrator for the Minnesota judicial branch and happy to be here with you this
• . administrators. administrators.

Bills: HF3874, HF3875, HF3378

Keywords: judicial funding, Chief Justice security, fiscal year 2028, court system, judicial branch, judiciary, court notices, restitution, child protection, publication process, human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Judicial Branch on House File 3874, which was laid over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and Chief Judge Michael Fritz testified in support of a supplemental funding request focused on judicial branch safety and security, along with funding to cover the employer share of Minnesota Paid Leave costs. Shorba said the branch is seeking help because it did not receive funding for paid leave in the last session and is having to hold positions open to absorb the cost. The safety and security request included five parts: personal data protection for judges and court administrators, home security, two additional staff positions for threat assessment and coordination, security for the chief justice at public events, and a revived courthouse security grant program for counties. Testimony emphasized rising threats and incidents involving judges and court staff, including examples of doxing, home surveillance, and threats involving litigants, and cited increases in reported incidents, threats, and disturbances. Fritz said the branch’s current response system is stretched and that more law-enforcement-trained staff would improve coordination and response. Members questioned why the judicial branch should receive state funding for paid leave when private employers must absorb the cost, and Shorba responded that the branch was excluded from end-of-session funding decisions and that the mandate should be funded for all branches of government. Members also asked about the threat-response process and whether local law enforcement should be used more directly. Another concern raised was whether State Patrol troopers assigned to judicial security would have the training needed for criminal-code enforcement, and Shorba said the branch is discussing that issue with the State Patrol. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Bills: HB9, HB10, HB16, HB44, HB46, HB61, HB101, HB126, HB153, HB164, HB233, HB242, HB436, HB455, HB571, HB594

Keywords: HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, legal holiday, Acadia Parish

Bills: SB 2, SB 10, HB27, HB18, HB17, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB18, SR 1, SR 2, SR 5, HB18, HB17, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SR1, SR2, SR5, SB2, SB10, HB27

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:

• call session, adjourn, sign, and die pending the receipt of House messages and the completion of administrative
• Sign die, pending the receipt of House messages and the completion of administrative duties.

Bills: SB 2, SB 10, HB27, HB18, HB17, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB18, SR 1, SR 2, SR 5, HB18, HB17, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SR1, SR2, SR5, SB2, SB10, HB27

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:

• House Bill 4339 modifies the notice requirement for a combined notice of petition of summary administration

Bills: HB1082, HB1638, HB3040, HB3269, HB3278, HB3298, HB3587, HB3996, HB4113, HB4140, HB4226, HB4236, HB4301, HB4324, HB4339, HB4342, HB4352, SB1082

Keywords: child custody, joint custody, best interest of the child, guardian ad litem, domestic violence, substance abuse, Governmental Tort Claims Act, definitions, torts, political subdivisions, governmental immunity, medical providers, sex offenders, safety zones, minors protection, loitering restrictions, criminal penalties, arrest warrant, criminal procedure, telephonic communication

Bills: HB398, HB906, HB1201, SB41, SB47, SB106, SB210, SB218, SB220, SB248, SB289, SB397

Keywords: travel expenses, reimbursement, state officials, US General Services Administration, disaster management, nominating petitions, unaffiliated voters, party primaries, political participation, elections, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, boards and commissions, public records, contact information, email addresses, phone numbers

Transcript Highlights:

• We are opposed to some middle ground solutions the Texas Judicial Council has proposed.
• And so in 2020, the Texas Judicial Council had a recommendation to the legislature to adopt some kind
• Across district courts, reduce administrative confusion and align compensation with county budgeting.

Bills: HB1193, HB2495, HB2733, HB3104, HB3395, HB4325, SB3009

Keywords: HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill authorizes the Office of Court Administration to conduct a study about digital reporting and
• to require the Office of Court Administration (OCA) to submit a report of findings to the Governor and
• Office of Court Administration? Oh, Office of Court Administration. Okay.

Bills: HB1193, HB2495, HB2733, HB3104, HB3395, HB4325, SB3009

Keywords: HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute to Senate Bill 1538 authorizes the Office of Court Administration to conduct
• Office of Court Administration. Oh, Office of Court Administration. OK.

Bills: HB 1193, HB 2495, HB 2733, HB 3104, HB 3395, HB 4325, SB 3009

Keywords: HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative, Texas marriage law, child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education

Bills: HB177, HB210, HB238, HB258, HB307, HB359, HB398, HB661, HB705, HB752, HB858

Keywords: court reporter, official court reporter, courts, judicial system, ethics, post-employment restrictions, cooling-off period, two-year waiting period, rehiring, reemployment, contractual services, former public employee, public employer, Louisiana ethics law, R.S. 42:1121, Act 532, lobbying, public service, statewide officials, compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the bill establishes a complaint procedure and administrative penalties for failure to comply
• I am the general counsel for the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
• We have Megan Lavoie from the Texas Office of Court Administration.
• I'm the Administrative Director... for the Office of Court Administration.
• So that provision allows court staff, or clerk staff, or Judicial Conduct Commission staff to use their

Bills: HB12, HB149, HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696

Keywords: election law, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, law enforcement, jurisdiction, voter fraud, local prosecuting attorney, public safety, communication, governor approval, interoperability, political subdivision, radio systems, artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute also removes the judicial remedies that require the tenant's rent to be paid into the

Bills: HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696, HB12, HB149

Keywords: artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing

Transcript Highlights:

• mention was, like for example, pin number three on page three on line 59, it says appoint a chief administrative
• regarding the police department of the municipality, including but not limited to personnel actions, administrative
• mention was, like for example, pin number three on page three on line 59, it says appoint a chief administrative
• regarding the police department of the municipality, including but not limited to personnel actions, administrative
• And I don't want anyone to think that this city administration or that this city council is not about

Bills: HB450, HB469, SB298, HB450, HB638, HB469, SB298

Keywords: HB450, judges, judicial office, constitutional amendment, Alabama Constitution, age limit, mandatory retirement, judicial eligibility, supernumerary judge, judicial retirement, state judicial retirement benefits, election law, appointment, voter approval, ballot measure, Judiciary Committee, ambulance services, balance billing, health insurance, emergency transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• reading and referral of bills, the receipt of messages, committee reports, and the completion of administrative
• reading and referral of bills, the receipt of messages, committee reports, and the completion of administrative

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments