Video & Transcript : 'morality police' :
Page 43 of 497
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Congressional Redistricting, Select Jul 26th, 2025
Congressional Redistricting, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- The Chair is going to recognize on the dais with us today Representatives Wally, Lalani, and Morales-Shaw
- Either that, or it's going to go... ...to the police.
- I teach them integrity and I teach them to have morals.
- Working immigrants are being hunted by police.
- Crystal Jordan, we're leaving your credit card with the University Police Department.
Committee:
House Congressional Redistricting, Select
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And maybe not morally or in their values, but it is so unfathomable for a woman like me to be in this
- And maybe not morally or in their values, but it is so unful. and maybe not morally or in their values
- We need to police value on ourselves, right? And that's something we don't do.
Summary:
The Senate debated House Joint Resolution 5, a proposed constitutional amendment to allow legislative compensation tied to median household income. Supporters argued that paying legislators would broaden access, improve representation, and help people who cannot afford to serve without outside income, while opponents said lawmakers should not raise their own pay given the legislature’s performance and the state’s budget and job losses. Three floor amendments were offered and all failed: one to change the ballot language to more directly say it would pay legislators a salary, one to add 16-year term limits, and one to deny per diem and mileage for meetings within 50 miles of a member’s home.
After extended debate, the Senate adopted the resolution on a roll call vote of 23-19, sending H.J.R. 5, as amended, forward. The chamber then passed Senate Memorial 31, which creates a work group to study the 2020 suspension of COLAs for retired state employees and possible retirement-fund recommendations, by a 42-0 vote. Senate Memorial 17 also passed unanimously, calling for a task force to study the status and backlog of sexual assault examination kits in New Mexico.
The Senate also received several House messages on bills returned or amended by the House, and adopted a committee report covering multiple House bills, including HB 20, HB 38, HB 108, HB 200, HB 270, HB 291, HB 306, and HB 309. The meeting ended with announcements about committee schedules and a recess until 10:30 a.m. the next day.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Retirement and Government Resources Feb 10th, 2026
Retirement and Government Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- If you're being dishonest with your employees, that's going to cascade into morale.
- This is a case where we're going to create an individual moral hazard to seek savings that might be counter
- I think will improve morale and, if it's handled correctly, maybe tease out some bad actors who, for
- There is one—the police pension fund—has dropped down temporarily for a little while.
Committee:
Senate Retirement and Government Resources
Summary:
The Committee on Retirement and Government Resources heard several bills dealing with state employment, purchasing, and retirement policy. Senate Bill 1415, by Senator Brooks, would prohibit nondisclosure agreements when a state employee resigns or is terminated, with exceptions for statutorily protected confidentiality such as physician or attorney privilege. Members questioned how the bill would interact with whistleblower protections and sensitive information, but the bill passed 6-1.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1714, by Senator Jett, which would expand an existing state employee suggestion/incentive program to encourage agencies to identify cost savings and efficiencies, require agencies to review recommendations in good faith, and report back on accepted or rejected ideas. Members raised concerns about open meetings, employee notification, written documentation of suggestions, and possible disputes over the value of savings. The author agreed to work on amendments, the title was struck, and the bill passed as amended 5-2.
Senate Bill 1962, by Senator Bullard, would move certain purchasing exemptions out of statute and into the administrative rules process so exemptions must be periodically renewed and justified. Supporters said this would reduce personality-driven exemptions and improve oversight, while concerns were raised about ongoing needs and emergency situations. The bill passed unanimously 7-0. The committee also passed Senate Bill 26, which would allow retired teachers to return to work after a 90-day break with a salary set by local districts and a 3% contribution back to the retirement system, and Senate Bill 172, which would tie cost-of-living adjustments for pension systems to funding benchmarks and a rolling average, rather than legislative discretion; both bills passed, with SB 26 passing 7-0 and SB 172 passing 6-1. The chair noted the committee expected at least one more meeting and hoped to finish the following week.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/21/2026 - Senate Public Safety
Senate Public Safety Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a retired Mesa police officer.
- Charlie Kirk advocated that everybody operate under a moral world order, not merely a way of thinking
- The last part you said, and it's a clarifying question: you said for a police officer acting in the line
- I'm the Executive Director of the Arizona Police Association." "Good afternoon.
- How many times have we talked within the police group where Phoenix goes up and all your people leave
Summary:
The Public Safety Committee met for its first session, introduced staff and pages, and then heard several bills. SB 1010 would designate Loop 202 as the Charlie Kirk Highway; an amendment to rename it the Freedom of Speech Highway failed, and after testimony both supporting the honor and objecting that it would affect the Ed Pastor portion of the freeway, the bill received a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. SB 1077 would impose felony penalties for operating online services that facilitate prostitution, pandering, or child sex trafficking, and also address harmful sexual material and age verification; with no public testimony, it passed 5-2. SB 1093 would expand the definition of riot to include force or violence causing property damage and add riot to racketeering and conspiracy provisions; the ACLU opposed it as overbroad and harmful to protest rights, but the committee still gave it a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. SB 1058 would create the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act to bar government firearm registries and restrict firearm-related merchant category codes; gun-rights advocates supported it as a privacy measure, and it passed 4-3.
The committee also heard SB 1035, which appropriates funds for a 5% pay increase for sworn correctional officers and department civilians at ADCRR. The sponsor said the raise is a top priority and part of budget discussions. Correctional employee representatives supported the pay increase but argued it is not enough and urged a larger raise, while private prison representatives and the Arizona Police Association asked that the increase also cover private prison employees to preserve pay parity and retention. Some members raised concerns about the fiscal impact and about whether private prison funds would be directed to salaries rather than profit. An amendment extending the raise to private prison employees under contract with the department was adopted, and the amended bill passed 4-3, with several members explaining their votes based on the need for a footnote or further safeguards and others supporting parity across state and private facilities.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Lambert voting aye, Morales voting aye. They have all members voted. members voted.
- Morales of Paris. Morales of Maverick, Morales Shaw. Munoz. Ordaz.
- Morales voting no. I'll go back to my desk. You're good. If all members voted.
- Morales of Harris. Morales of Maverick. Alice Shaw, Munoz. Or does? Or Perez of Harris.
- Morales voting aye. All members voted. I have all members voted.
Keywords:
appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Good morning, Sean Talese, Vice President, California Police Chiefs Association, police chief for the
- Leo Morales from the Youth Advisory Council, and I strongly support.
- I'm a captain for the Downey Police Department.
- of Upland, Upland Police Department, Chief Marcella Belon, and City of San Bernardino Police Chief Darren
- , in accurately assessing biases in policing.
Committee:
House Public Safety
Summary:
The committee heard several measures, with AB 366 on ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders receiving the most extensive debate. The author, Senator Archuleta, and MADD representative Colin Campbell testified in support, describing personal losses to drunk driving and arguing that mandatory interlocks would prevent repeat offenses and save lives. Support also came from firefighters, law enforcement groups, AAA, medical and traffic safety organizations, and others. Opposition from public defenders and criminal justice advocates argued the bill removed judicial discretion, could impose costs on low-income people, and relied on a policy they said had inconclusive recidivism benefits. After discussion, the committee adopted AB 366 as amended and sent it to Appropriations on an aye vote.
The committee also heard AB 1380, which would create a permanent pathway for formerly incarcerated Cal Fire hand crew members into firefighting careers, and AB 461, which would remove criminal penalties for certain school attendance violations and replace them with supportive responses. AB 1380 drew broad support from reentry, labor, and justice organizations, and opposition from Cal Fire-related interests was withdrawn after negotiations, though concerns remained about implementation and a possible two-tier system. AB 461 was backed by education, poverty, youth justice, and public defender groups, with testimony emphasizing family hardship, immigration fears, and the limits of punitive truancy enforcement; no opposition appeared. Both bills were moved forward but remained on call pending additional votes.
The committee also adopted ACR 60, a Downey Police Department resolution highlighting voluntary special-needs stickers, yard signs, and dispatch alerts to help officers interact more effectively with people with disabilities or communication challenges. Later, AB 746 on prison cooperatives and a green reentry reserve was presented as a recidivism-reduction and workforce-development measure, with support from reentry and legal advocacy groups and no opposition testimony; it was advanced to Appropriations but also left on call. Finally, AB 379 on human trafficking was heard with strong support from survivor advocates, law enforcement, and local officials who said it would fund survivor services and target buyers, while opponents warned it could revive harmful loitering enforcement and criminalize survivors. The bill drew significant committee debate and was left pending after testimony and discussion.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Alan Thompson, the executive director of WASCOP, the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police
- I was isolated because talking about my situation could jeopardize the police investigation.
- Alan Thompson with WASCOP, Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police.
- There is no moral reason to send a picture of an adult male's genitalia to a child.
- There is no moral reason to send a picture of an adult male's genitalia to a child.
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Education (2-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- :22.360><c> juvenile</c><00:04:22.840><c> violence</c><00:04:23.840><c> with</c><00:04:24.040><c> police
- </c> and juvenile violence with police and juvenile violence with police reporting<00:04:24.680><c> in
- here to give voice to Jewish students that have been repeatedly silenced and to stand for simple morality
- c><00:34:35.119><c> simple</c> silenced and to stand for simple silenced and to stand for simple morality
- the issue of anti-Semitism on morality the issue of anti-Semitism on campus<00:34:37.760><c> is</c><
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 19, which would require a daily moment of silence or reflection in Kentucky public schools and clarify that students may use the time as they choose without coercion or religious direction. The sponsor and supporters, including representatives of the Kentucky Jewish Council, argued the bill is nonsectarian, intended to promote calm and focus, and supported by research and prior bipartisan backing. Opponents from the Jewish Federation of the Bluegrass said they supported the anti-coercion language but objected to making the moment of silence mandatory rather than permissive, citing concerns about the statute’s interaction with the Lord’s Prayer language already in law. After discussion, the committee voted to pass SB 19 unanimously with favorable expression.
The committee then considered SB 83, which revises the KEES scholarship program so homeschool and non-certified school students can receive awards using an ACT-to-GPA conversion and be treated more comparably to public school students. The sponsor described the bill as a recurring measure and walked through how the award amounts would be calculated under the substitute. There was no opposition raised during the hearing, and the committee adopted the substitute and passed SB 83 unanimously with favorable expression.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Joint Resolution 55, directing Kentucky public postsecondary institutions to combat anti-Semitism. The resolution would require campuses to adopt policies using the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, notify students of Title VI and state-law complaint rights, recognize Jewish organizations as community resources on the same basis as other religious organizations, take action against student groups supporting designated terrorist organizations, and collect and report campus anti-Semitism data. The presenters and supporters described a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents on campuses after October 7 and said schools have not responded adequately. The committee adopted the substitute and began hearing testimony on the resolution, but the transcript cuts off before any final vote on SJR 55.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Jonathan Feldman with the California Police Chiefs Association.
- But when I finally did, by flagging down police, my nightmare continued.
- Chair members, Jonathan Feldman with the California Police. Thank you.
- Police agencies... Community Foundation in support.
- Jonathan Feldman with the California Police Chiefs Association.
Committee:
Senate Public Safety
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs (01/17/2025)
State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- When I came home, I had a collecting job, history, construction, police, iron worker.
- When I came home, I had a collecting job, history, construction, police, iron worker.
- When I came home, I had a collecting job, history, construction, police, iron worker.
- When I came home, I had a collecting job, history, construction, police, iron worker.
- Go into a combat role if they have moral objections to it.
MI
Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session
Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety 26-06-18
Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Investments in these prevention efforts are both fiscally responsible and morally necessary.
- Then the police are called. Then prosecutors respond. Then courts process the case.
- Lieutenant Mark Young, representing the Detroit Police Lieutenants' and Sergeants' Association, also
- Lieutenant Mark Young, representing the Detroit Police Lieutenant's and Sargent's Association.
- City of Detroit and the Detroit Police Department in support of the bill.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety met with a quorum and adopted the June 4, 2026 minutes. The committee first took up Senate Bill 712, adopting the S-2 substitute, which expands residency requirements to include adjoining districts and removes a provision allowing a district to appoint someone employed by the district. The committee then reported SB 712 to the floor. It also considered House Bills 4025 and 4026, described as safe storage tax exemption bills; the committee heard one supportive written card and reported both bills to the floor, each on a 5-1 vote.
The committee next heard testimony on Senate Bill 885, which would create a statewide Parent and Child Legal Representation Commission and Office within LARA to address child protective legal representation. Senator Singh and Alicia Moon of the Michigan Supreme Court described the current county-by-county system as uneven, with attorney shortages, inconsistent pay, and limited specialized training. They said the bill would set standards for training, caseloads, client contact, and compensation, while requiring public comment and future appropriations before implementation. Testimony and written cards from a broad range of organizations and judges supported the measure, and the committee reported SB 885 to the floor on a 6-0 vote.
The committee then heard extensive testimony on Senate Bills 1015 and 1016, which would create an Office of Community Violence Intervention and Prevention within MDHHS and establish a grant program to support community violence intervention efforts statewide. Sponsors and witnesses from Force Detroit, D-Live, Seize the Smoke, Advance Peace, public health, law enforcement, and advocacy groups described CVI as a public health and public safety strategy that reduces shootings, supports survivors, and saves public costs. Several witnesses cited local data showing reductions in shootings and homicides in Detroit and Lansing, while one witness from the Michigan Sheriff's Association opposed the bills as written. The committee voted to report both SB 1015 and SB 1016 to the floor, each on a 5-0 vote with one pass, and then adjourned after additional testimony and reading of support cards.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, February 24, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- A graduate of Hollidaysburg High School, Don joined the Allegheny Township Police Department in 1968
- and honorably served for 32 years, culminating as the chief of police.
- Since the Congress was sworn in TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 1968, AND HONORABLY SERVED FOR 32 YEARS
- , CULMINATING AS THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
- Virginia Beach Police Department since 2020. He leaves behind his wife.
Keywords:
impeachment, judge, criminal conduct, judicial behavior, Supreme Court, assassination attempt, sentencing, ideology, National Chemistry Week, education, STEM careers, science promotion, public engagement, government transparency, communication, House of Representatives, appropriations, furlough, Federal agencies, military service
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, our police, our fires, the personnel, they are there to keep us safe.
- Members, our police, our fires, the personnel, they are there to keep us safe.
- Supporting our seniors is just not a moral obligation. I guess so.
- Supporting our seniors is just not a moral obligation.
- It goes to our police. It goes to services for the everyday Floridian.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Children and Family Law (04/24/2025)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a moral one.
- It's a moral one.
- It's a moral one.
- It's a moral one.
- I'm police chief in Alexandria, representing the police chiefs in support of the bill.
Committee:
Senate Children and Family Law
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 28th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Today I rise to address a critical and pressing humanitarian, moral, and economic issue: the extension
- Without it, these schools simply can't meet the legal and moral promise of a free and appropriate public
- blatant gap, and they do not receive full workers’ compensation benefits and disability that other police
- If someone sells these goods on our streets without a permit, police would be able to enforce initially
Summary:
The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, with members observing a moment of silence for the Minnesota tragedy mentioned by the Speaker. The chamber then moved quickly through a large daily file, taking up many Senate amendments and third-reading measures, with most bills passing by wide margins or unanimously. Early procedural actions included returning AB 1308 to the Senate, rescinding action on SB 863, and later taking up several resolutions and bills on concurrence and third reading.
Among the main policy items, members adopted AJR 8 on temporary protected status after debate over immigration policy, and AJR 19 urging opposition to dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The Assembly also adopted ACR 112 recognizing September as Deaf Awareness Month, with several members speaking in support of the deaf community and accessibility. Other notable measures included bills on water reclamation and Colorado River Aqueduct maintenance (AB 580), telehealth (AB 688), housing approvals and ADU enforcement/cleanup (AB 920, SB 9, SB 543), pension and retirement rules (SB 301), volunteer fire department tax exemptions (SB 87), dementia training for home care aides (SB 412), and a San Francisco public-safety measure on stolen goods resale (SB 276), which drew opposition over permitting and criminalization concerns.
The Assembly also passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills dealing with local government finance and infrastructure, public contracts, the Delta, fairgrounds compensation, and San Francisco liquor licenses, as well as AJR 3 on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Most measures were approved on roll-call votes with few no votes; SB 227 and SB 276 were urgency measures and received the required two-thirds support. The consent calendar was adopted unanimously, and the day concluded with several adjournment-in-memory tributes, including remembrances of former Assembly staffer Lawrence Merman, Jeff Brady, Fran Urcini, and Alejandro Luna, before the House adjourned until the next morning.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a retired Mesa police officer.
- Charlie Kirk advocated that everybody operate under a moral world order, not merely a way of thinking
- You said for as a police officer acting in the line of duty, can you explain part of that?
- You said for as a police officer acting in the line of duty, can you explain part of that?
- We have it—how many times have we talked within the police group, where Phoenix goes up and all your
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, our police, our fire personnel, they are there to keep us safe.
- Members, our police, our fires, the personnel, they are there to keep us safe.
- Supporting our seniors is just not a moral obligation. I guess so.
- Supporting our seniors is just not a moral obligation.
- It goes to our police. It goes to services for the everyday Floridian.
Summary:
The House took up the special order calendar for a proposed constitutional amendment on property taxes, CS/HJR 1F, which would create a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property, and restrict how counties and municipalities may use ad valorem tax revenue. The sponsor, Rep. Overdorf, said the measure would give homeowners tax relief and argued local governments could adjust spending or use other revenue sources. Opponents repeatedly questioned the ballot language, the lack of a fiscal estimate or backfill, and the potential impact on local services, public safety, and debt obligations. The House adopted the special order report and then debated the resolution and a series of amendments.
Several amendments were offered to carve out or protect specific services from the tax changes. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to protect Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was supported by members who said those entities fund early learning, mental health, aftercare, and other services for children and working families, but it failed 25-74. Rep. Cross offered an amendment to include water management districts in allowable ad valorem uses, warning of impacts on flood control, water quality, Everglades restoration, and water supply; that amendment also failed. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment requiring the Legislature to backfill public safety funding if local revenues fall, arguing police and fire services, staffing, and response times would be at risk; it failed 25-71.
The chamber then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other local senior programs, and opponents saying the proposal was outside the bill’s scope. Finally, Rep. Gant offered an amendment to protect veteran services, saying local governments fund housing, mental health, transition, and family support programs for veterans; debate emphasized the importance of honoring veterans and avoiding cuts to those services. The transcript cuts off during debate on that amendment, before a final vote is shown.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Feb 24th, 2026
Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Addressing hate incidents in California is not just morally important. It is also critical.
- Addressing hate incidents in California is not just morally important.
- Later, the men learned the police hadn't recorded the was provided.
- First, when people are affected by hate, they need more options than just calling police.
- First, when people are affected by hate, they need more options than just calling police.
Committee:
House Human Services
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And on the outside of an envelope, it notifies police officers.
- And on the outside of an envelope, it notifies police officers.
- You know, we did a lot of work in police reform, making sure that police interact appropriately with
- And of course, the State Police Association of Massachusetts.
- You know, we did a lot of work in police reform, making sure that a police interact appropriately with
Summary:
The Senate took up several committee reports, resolutions, and House messages, then moved through a series of bills on the calendar. Early action included adopting a Ways and Means order on Senate Bill 2549, which promotes student learning and mental health, by substituting a new draft and setting amendment deadlines and a second reading date. The chamber also adopted congratulatory resolutions for the Sport Fish Restoration Program’s 75th anniversary and the Hawthorn Hotel’s 100th anniversary, and suspended rules on a sick leave bank petition for a trial court employee and on a House bill validating a special election in Hardwick, which was ordered to a third reading. The Senate also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Peter Hayden Lapin of Springfield, a veteran and former public servant.
The Senate then considered Senate Bill 137, renaming and updating references in the General Laws to replace outdated and offensive terms regarding people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Senators spoke at length in support of the bill, emphasizing respect, disability rights, and the work of advocates such as Melissa Riley and the Arc of Massachusetts. An amendment by Senator Creem replaced “hearing impaired” with “deaf or hard of hearing,” and a corrective amendment by Senator Lovely was also adopted. The bill was then passed to be engrossed by a unanimous 40-0 roll call.
Next, the Senate considered Senate Bill 1034, which repeals archaic laws including sodomy-related provisions, the common nightwalker law, and the blasphemy statute, and creates a commission to review archaic laws going forward. Senators described the measure as a civil liberties and dignity issue, with particular attention to the misuse of the common nightwalker law against women and trans people and the historical injustice of blasphemy laws. Amendments were adopted to add the Supreme Court as a recipient of commission reports and to remove the crime of petite treason. The bill was then passed to be engrossed unanimously, 40-0.
Finally, the Senate considered Senate Bill 2558, the “blue envelope” bill to improve interactions between police officers and people with autism spectrum disorder. Supporters said the voluntary program would help drivers and passengers with ASD during traffic stops and would be made permanent through the Registry of Motor Vehicles, with the State Police and advocacy groups involved. An amendment requiring in-service training by the Massachusetts Police Training Council was adopted, while a proposed yellow-dot amendment for older drivers with chronic illness was rejected 5-34. A Ways and Means amendment was then adopted, and the bill passed to be engrossed unanimously, 39-0. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- If the police were called, you go back and you look at police reports and you say, I mean, were they
- And that police officer or somebody, or another police officer, some later point requests a blood draw
- And you asked the police officer, bring a police officer back: hey, you searched your vehicle before
- So whenever I started getting abused by a police officer while I was an explorer for that police department
- No police time is used in these cases.
Bills:
HB 1194 , HB 1221 , HB1738 , HB1913 , HB2177 , HB2178 , HB2180 , HB2229 , HB2282 , HB2448 , HB2492 , HB2777 , HB2984 , HB3357 , HB3553 , HB3602
Committee:
House Criminal Jurisprudence
Keywords:
emergency protection order, protective order, magistrate, criminal procedure, victim safety, family violence, domestic violence, stalking, assault, magistrate's order, temporary protection, court order duration, defendant restrictions, Article 17.292, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, emergency restraining order, victim protection, firearm restriction, pretrial intervention, reimbursement fee
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending.
The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.