Transcript Highlights:

• Sea oats are along the shore, of course, and we've had a law in Alabama that you can't pick them since
• </c><00:10:10.480><c> in</c><00:10:10.720><c> Alabama</c> of course and we've had a law in Alabama of
• course and we've had a law in Alabama that<00:10:11.279><c> you</c><00:10:11.440><c> can't</c><00:10
• </c> commission to look at changing that law commission to look at changing that law to<00:10:22.320>
• </c> committee to to look at changing the law committee to to look at changing the law for<00:10:40.240

Bills: SB125 , SB123 , SB124 , HB38 , SB125 , SB123 , SB124 , HB38

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Keywords: oyster shell, tax credit, recycling, restaurant, state revenue, environmental benefit, sales tax exemption, seafood, fishing industry, local government, municipal exemption, seagrass restoration, environmental policy, water quality, marine ecosystems, conservation efforts, marine conservation, environmental remediation, coastal ecosystems, state waters

Transcript Highlights:

• Order of Police specialty license plate to ensure its long-term viability and increase funding for law
• The license plate will ensure its long-term viability and increase funding for law enforcement memorial
• Under current law, the FOP plate is limited to working law enforcement members, and each year the minimum
• Expanded sales directly translate to greater funding for Florida's statewide law enforcement memorial
• Purchased by just law enforcement officers, and this opens it up.

Bills: S0174 , S0388 , S0470 , S0488 , S0490 , S0584 , S0628

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation, memorial, honorary designation, Miami-Dade, Charlie Kirk, license plates, Florida Wildflower, vehicle registration, annual use fee, specialty plates, Fraternal Order of Police, license plate, funding, memorial foundation, law enforcement, motor carriers, fuel tax, military exemptions, safety regulations, electronic submissions

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard and advanced several bills, mostly related to honorary roadway designations, specialty license plates, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles administration. SB 628 designated a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as “Warrior Sacrifice Way” to honor Ensign Joshua Watson and Petty Officers Muhammad Hatham and Cameron Walters, who were killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack. The bill passed favorably with no debate or opposition. The committee also considered SB 174, naming a portion of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue. Senator Arrington opposed the bill during debate, citing Kirk’s public statements as inconsistent with the honor, while Senator Rodriguez argued the designation was an honorary roadway naming that did not require agreement with Kirk’s views. The bill was reported favorably. SB 388, which raises the annual use fee for the Florida Wildflowers specialty license plate from $15 to $25 while keeping the lower fee for owners with more than 10 vehicles, also passed favorably after a support-only public comment. Members then approved SB 470, which opens the Fraternal Order of Police specialty plate to the general public and allows redesigns to help sustain sales and increase funding for law enforcement memorial efforts. Public testimony from the FOP supported the change. SB 584 authorized DHSMV to enter agreements allowing county tax collectors to enforce certain commercial driving school provisions, aimed at addressing fraud and licensing abuses, and it passed favorably with support. Finally, the committee approved SB 488, the DHSMV agency package updating IFTA compliance, online filing, crash reporting thresholds, registration procedures, email communications, and tank vehicle definitions, along with SB 490, the companion public records exemption for email addresses used under SB 488; both were reported favorably, with SB 490 noted as requiring a two-thirds vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this law does is it codifies that.
• Um, we have other levers in state law like the other half...
• You all passed a law two years ago to clarify how that money flows. Okay.
• . this bill or anywhere else in state law.
• How can this law ban something which is undefined?

Bills: HB332 , HB166 , SB336 , HB447 , HB244

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: computer science, K-12 education, public schools, graduation requirement, digital literacy, coding, programming, STEM, artificial intelligence, AI, computational thinking, technology education, computer literacy, high school credit, middle school, elementary school, teacher training, professional development, distance learning, virtual school

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of county court laws and some even county judges that hear probate cases.

Bills: SB629 , SB1015 , SB2501 , SB2933

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Keywords: child support, interest accrual, family law, delinquency, financial judgment, statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• These systems have different rules and different purposes, but under current law, there's one very big
• The law today essentially provides an easier enhancement than what would be available for the equivalent
• All the current laws about law enforcement and DFPS getting involved remain.

Bills: HB1821 , HB1822 , HB1943 , HB3882 , HB4263 , HB4476 , HB4628 , HB4631 , HB4885 , HB4923 , HB5461 , HB5483 , HB5525

Committee: House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Keywords: juvenile records, sealing, privacy, criminal justice, youth rehabilitation, legal procedures, juvenile court, record sealing, nondisclosure, age jurisdiction, criminal justice reform, juvenile board, compensation, Winkler County, juvenile justice, county funding, grants, career education, technical programs, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• Second degree is grandparent, brother, sister. grandchild, parent-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law
• I enforce the law, and then I I have to listen to my boss.
• Earlier this year in Arizona, a black masculine-presenting cis woman was confronted by male law... enforcement
• The law enforcement mechanisms are traumatizing. Men are not held accountable to the law.
• I was taught in law school, the law is a teacher. say something to our young ladies and to all of society

Bills: SB240 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1577 , SB2043 , SB2051 , SCR42 , SJR68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Second degree is grandparent, brother, sister. grandchild, parent-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law
• These weren't cases of someone causing harm or breaking the law.
• Earlier this year in Arizona, a black masculine-presenting cis woman was confronted by male law... enforcement
• The law enforcement mechanisms are traumatizing. Men are not held accountable to the law.
• I was taught in law school, the law is a teacher.

Bills: SB240 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1577 , SB2043 , SB2051 , SCR42 , SJR68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, that was a violation of an AG opinion regarding the practice and of Texas law.
• laws.
• An employee who reports a violation of law to a healthcare worker who reports a violation of law to their
• The law was broken.
• We've already had a hospital go woke by going against Texas law.

Bills: SB 240 , SB 1183 , SB 1184 , SB 1577 , SB 2043 , SB 2051 , SCR 42 , SJR 68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• , daughter-, son-in-law.
• Earlier this year, in Arizona, a Black masculine-presenting cis woman was confronted by male law enforcement
• The law enforcement mechanisms... The law enforcement mechanisms are traumatizing.
• I was taught in law school that the law is a teacher. We say something...
• I was taught in law school that the law is a teacher.

Bills: SB240 , SB1183 , SB1184 , SB1577 , SB2043 , SB2051 , SCR42 , SJR68

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1183, by Senator Creighton, which would require Lone Star Cards used for SNAP and TANF benefits to display the recipient’s name and photo, add fraud-reporting information, and require HHSC to track replacement-card requests. Creighton argued the bill would reduce fraud and protect taxpayer dollars, citing Texas SNAP theft and overpayment data. HHSC testified that photo IDs on the card are technically possible and explained how authorized secondary users are added. Dr. Amber O’Connor of Every Texan testified against the bill, saying SNAP fraud is a small share of expenditures, that the proposal would be costly and ineffective, and that federal rules limit mandatory photo requirements. Public testimony closed and SB 1183 was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1184, also by Senator Creighton, which would lower from 20 years to 10 years the minimum age of collectible wine that Texas collectors may sell to permitted restaurants. Supporters said the change would help Texas restaurants access desirable vintages, keep collectible wine in-state, and align with market demand; invited witnesses from the wine industry testified in favor. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1184 was left pending. Next, Senator Birdwell laid out Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68, both aimed at revising Texas impeachment procedures in response to issues identified during the 2023 impeachment process. The measures would clarify constitutional and statutory impeachment authority, require sworn testimony, extend review periods for House members, address conflicts of interest and presiding officers, require cost reporting, and modify rules for impeaching the governor or lieutenant governor. A committee substitute added protections for the accused, longer review periods, and a fallback presiding-officer option. Witnesses generally supported stronger accountability but raised questions about whether the language should also cover retired or visiting judges. Both measures were left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1577, which would expand Texas Motor Speedway’s alcohol sales authority to include distilled spirits and remove certain event and concession limits; the Speedway’s representative supported the bill and it was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and Senate Bill 240, which would recognize only two sexes and restrict access to sex-designated private spaces in public facilities based on biological sex. Supporters argued the measures were needed to protect women’s privacy and safety, including in schools and shelters, while opponents warned about enforcement problems, privacy concerns, and impacts on transgender Texans and others who do not fit stereotypical sex traits. After extensive testimony, both measures were left pending. The committee then took up multiple pending bills and reported several favorably, including SB 511, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 2024, SB 2166, SJR 27, SJR 40, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 2420, SB 1999, SB 2309, SB 1860, and SB 2429, with some also certified for the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Licensing and Regulation. and establish the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center in order to coordinate law
• So, Section A, notwithstanding any other law, this section applies only only to that first section is
• So in 20 2017 when this law was passed there was actually federal law in some respects requiring certain
• So, the only thing this bill does is it takes all of those protections which are already state law on
• that currently exist in state law for. commercial insurance products.

Bills: HB201 , HB272 , HB618 , HB 1094 , HB 1142 , HB201 , HB272

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, HB 618, Texas insurance code, IVF, in vitro fertilization, fertility treatment, infertility coverage, government employee health benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• It clarifies some existing law for the DOTD on how they operate and maintain their state ferry systems
• I don't think a law is needed for this. I don't think a law is needed for this whatsoever.
• They're talking about a different provision of the law altogether.
• That video would be produced to show our residents the updates that we have made to the laws.
• to keep his law license.

Bills: HB345 , HB502 , HB511 , HB655 , HB667 , HB713 , HB714 , HB730 , HB743 , HB777 , HB803 , HB836 , HB871 , HB1037 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: rail infrastructure, ports, Class II railroads, Class III railroads, transportation, Caddo Parish, property taxes, abatement, payment in lieu of taxes, taxing entities, governmental approval, pursuit intervention, law enforcement, safety technology, GPS tracking, public safety, ferries, Department of Transportation, contracts, state legislation

Summary: The committee heard several transportation and aviation measures. HB 1175, by Rep. Turner, updated aeronautics-related definitions and was reported favorably without objection. HB 655, by Rep. Brough, authorized DOTD to use cost-plus contracts for operation and maintenance of state ferry systems, with Secretary Glenn LaDay explaining it was intended to give DOTD flexibility for possible privatization or contracting of ferries such as Cameron; it was also reported favorably. HB 1037, by Chairman Borek, shifted certain DOTD operational responsibilities to a chief operating officer and was reported favorably, and HB 1174, also by Chairman Borek, recreated DOTD and was reported favorably as a cleanup measure. HB 714 and HB 502 were voluntarily deferred. The committee then considered several port-related bills. HB 871, by Rep. Carver, would have added two St. Tammany Parish appointees to the Port of New Orleans board, but the author asked to voluntarily defer it, saying the timing was premature given ongoing work on the Louisiana International Terminal and related access projects. HB 345, by Rep. McMakin, expanded the Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program to include rail infrastructure at ports and was reported favorably. HB 713, by Rep. McCormick, would cap the Caddo-Bossier Port executive director’s compensation at the statewide average of the top ten port directors; after extensive debate and testimony from the port, the Port Association, and Caddo Parish opposing the bill, the committee voted 12-1 to involuntarily defer it. HB 667, also by Rep. McCormick, would change Caddo-Bossier Port commissioners from appointed to elected; witnesses argued it would politicize the board, create election costs, and conflict with the port’s current structure, and the committee again voted 12-1 to involuntarily defer the bill. The committee also advanced local infrastructure and flood-protection measures. HB 743, by Rep. St. Blanc, creating the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District in St. Mary Parish, was reported favorably after testimony that the district would help the parish manage the airport as an economic development asset. HB 836, by Rep. Hilferty, would reconfirm members of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East by Senate confirmation; after concerns that the original August 1 date could interfere with hurricane-season operations, the committee adopted an amendment moving the reconfirmation date to December 1, 2026, and then reported the bill favorably by substitute. Finally, HB 730, by Rep. Cruz, was presented to prohibit the use of ADS-B aircraft tracking data to assess taxes or fees on aircraft owners, with an amendment narrowing the bill to smaller aircraft; the discussion continued into questions about enforcement and exemptions for carrier airports.

Transcript Highlights:

• along with accompanying statements of the fact that guidance documents lack the force and effect of law
• setting the administrative rules for each agency on a rotating review based on essentially the Idaho law
• He used that because again this is modeled after the Idaho law and Idaho does it every 8 years.

Bills: HJR1088 , SB1280 , SB1316 , SB1433 , SB1455 , SB1456 , SB1457 , SB1459 , SB1461 , SB1463 , SB1465 , SB1466 , SB1721

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Keywords: education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools, Statewide Charter School Board, career and technology education, CTE, OEQA, rule approval, legislative oversight, permanent rules, school governance, teacher retirement, education agencies, excise tax, oil tax

Transcript Highlights:

• along with accompanying statement of the fact that guidance documents lack the force and effect of law
• setting the administrative rules for each agency on a rotating review based on essentially the Idaho law
• He used that because, again, this is modeled after the Idaho law, and Idaho does it every eight years

Bills: SB1280 , SB1316 , SB1433 , SB1455 , SB1456 , SB1457 , SB1459 , SB1461 , SB1463 , SB1465 , SB1466 , SB1721 , HJR1088

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Keywords: excise tax, oil tax, natural gas tax, state revenue, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, administrative rules, sunset provision, state agencies, regulatory review, legislative oversight, guidance transparency, administrative procedures, public inspection, state agency accountability, regulatory oversight, architects, landscape architects, interior designers, licensing, professional regulation

Summary: The committee first advanced Senate Bill 1721, which extends the sunset date for the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education and requires appointed members to represent a tribe or be involved in tribal education. It then passed Senate Bill 1433, a mirror bill requiring agencies to publicly post guidance documents and state that such documents do not have the force of law. Both bills were adopted without opposition and reported out favorably. The bulk of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 1316, which would create a rotating, eight-year review of administrative rules modeled on Idaho law. Members questioned whether the process would duplicate existing rule review, whether it would be used as a rubber stamp or to remove needed protections, and how AI tools might assist. The sponsor said the goal is to verify statutory authority, identify obsolete or duplicative rules, and use a limited AI system built from Oklahoma constitutional, statutory, and code materials only as a research aid, not a decision-maker. The committee then passed the bill unanimously. The committee also advanced a series of sunset-extension bills for various boards and agencies, including oil and gas tax apportionments, the Board of Governors of Architects, Landscape Architects, and Licensed Interior Designers, the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, the Construction Industries Board, the Oklahoma Abstractors Board, OETA, the Polygraph Examiners Board, the Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors, and the Advisory Committee on Midwifery. Most passed unanimously, though the Construction Industries Board bill passed 11-1, OETA passed 7-5, and the midwifery bill passed 10-2. The committee also approved H.J.R. 1088, which ratifies education agency rules, by an 11-1 vote. At the end, the chair outlined the committee’s remaining workload and said several bundled rule resolutions and a few major rules would be coming soon, including a large health-agency bundle. Members were asked to return rule assignments quickly so resolutions could be prepared before the end of session. The meeting adjourned after the chair said the next meeting would likely be brief and focused on one or two resolutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:37.919><c> and</c> do it consistent with our laws and do it consistent with our laws and protections
• That's existing law.
• </c><00:48:02.800><c> And</c> regulatory laws and litigation. And regulatory laws and litigation.
• That’s actually firm law.
• </c><00:58:27.359><c> as</c> entities that are a creation of law as entities that are a creation of law

Bills: HF4348 , HF4186 , HF4202 , HF4455 , HF3884 , HF3883 , HF3882 , HF3881 , HF2688 , HF3295 , HF3862 , HF3362 , HF4242 , HF3798

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: HF4186, Minnesota local government finance, housing and redevelopment authority, HRA, public investment authority, qualifying government, State Board of Investment, SBI, index mutual fund, multifamily housing development, long-term equity investment, investment-grade fixed income, federally insured securities, government-sponsored entities, municipal investing, local government investments, housing finance, public funds, investment policy, risk of loss

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill is a request bill by the Uniform Law Commission, which strives to reduce redundancy
• Representative, would you agree that currently a lot of what this bill is codifying is done by case law
• , and we're just trying to create certainty in the law so that people can practice law in a way that
• And then I know a lot of states have different versions of this ABC law, but I think some states may

Bills: HB3041 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1064 , HB3265 , HB3721 , HB3028 , HB3313 , HB3588 , HB3020

Committee: House Banking, Financial Services and Pensions

Keywords: credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, public finance, pension, pension fund, retirement system, board of trustees, proxy voting, proxy proposal, shareholder vote, shareholder activism, fiduciary duty, pecuniary factors, nonpecuniary factors, ESG, environmental social governance, social goals

Transcript Highlights:

• There's not, unfortunately, a couple weeks that go by where we're alerted to law enforcement looking
• We would like to see it the way it is right now in current law, that the counties establish a fee and
• We would like to see it the way it is right now in current law, that the counties establish a fee and
• It adds equipment, software, and storage necessary for law enforcement agencies to begin or continue
• It adds equipment, software, and storage necessary for law enforcement agencies to begin or continue

Bills: S0018 , S0028 , S0260 , S0848 , S0934 , S1014 , S1102 , S1264 , S1566 , S1622 , S1724

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Keywords: negligence, compensation, child welfare, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, police negligence, law enforcement, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills focused on water safety, utilities, housing, transparency, and claims relief. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was presented as a follow-up to prior water-quality legislation and reported favorably with one support waiver. SB 28, a claims bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child-drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy and drowning-prevention groups in strong support; amendments required rental license applicants to certify compliance and removed local-government add-on authority, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 18, a claims bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, prompted questions about settlement and responsibility but was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from a waiver form. Several utility and infrastructure measures were considered. CS/SB 1724 would regulate municipal utility service outside city limits, limit revenue transfers, require public meetings, and cap rate differences; an amendment added gas utilities, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from municipal utility representatives and small-county advocates. CS/SB 1014 would require municipal utilities to extend water and wastewater service to certain nearby residential properties without conditioning service on annexation; an amendment narrowed the bill to residential uses and clarified capacity and grandfathering provisions, and it passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 would allow local infrastructure surtax revenue to fund body camera programs, with an amendment making the surtax authorization prospective and requiring a new referendum; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 260 on electric-vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to focus on storage only and to tie the higher fee to the period before fire-risk inspection, then reported favorably after testimony from insurers, fire officials, and EV industry representatives. The committee also advanced education, housing, and ethics-related bills. SB 1264 would ease zoning and code barriers for small private schools and micro-schools, with supporters arguing it would expand school choice and opponents raising implementation concerns; it was reported favorably. SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a tax-exemption section that conflicted with the Live Local Act, then reported favorably. SB 1622 would provide a one-time waiver of late financial-disclosure fines under specified conditions and was reported favorably. Finally, CS/SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related materials, and an amendment added utility revenue reinvestment and other changes while removing DEI spending restrictions; the bill drew support for transparency but concern from small cities and counties about cost and workload, and it was reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment after senators recorded votes on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and we're just trying to create certainty in the law so that people can practice law in a way that
• And then I know a lot of states have different versions of this ABC law, but I think some states may
• , and we're just trying to create certainty in the law so that people can practice law in a way that
• I would agree. that people can practice law in a way that is actually more efficient.
• And then I know, I know a lot of states have different versions of this ABC law, but And I know a lot

Bills: HB3041 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1064 , HB3265 , HB3721 , HB3028 , HB3313 , HB3588 , HB3020

Committee: House Banking, Financial Services and Pensions

Keywords: credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, public finance, pension, pension fund, retirement system, board of trustees, proxy voting, proxy proposal, shareholder vote, shareholder activism, fiduciary duty, pecuniary factors, nonpecuniary factors, ESG, environmental social governance, social goals

Summary: The Banking, Financial Services and Pensions Committee met and announced that several bills would be laid over, including HB 4225 and HB 4263, while also noting that actuarial follow-up reports on prior referrals were still being revised. The committee then worked through a long agenda, with members frequently noting schedule conflicts and the chair alternating between bills and committee business. The meeting adjourned after the agenda was completed, with the chair saying the committee would return the following week with a longer agenda, likely including additional pension bills. Several bills related to payment processing and pension governance were heard and passed. HB 3041 would allow merchants to pass along credit card surcharges up to the amount charged by the card company, with the author noting some businesses face fees of 4% to 5%; it passed 9-0. HB 4428 and HB 4429, both dealing with shareholder proxy advisors for pension funds, passed 8-1 and 9-0 respectively; supporters said the bills would require fiduciary standards and transparency, while the speaker referenced opposition from GreenAmerica.org as evidence of the bill’s value. HB 3028, which lets technology center districts and public schools pass on credit card service fees, also passed 7-0. The committee also advanced several pension-related measures. HB 3265, requested by the Police Pension Board, defines who qualifies as a mental health specialist for disability evaluations; testimony explained the change would let the board use psychologists because psychiatrists are harder to contract with, and the bill passed 7-0. HB 3721 would adjust the DROP benefit for public safety officers so surviving spouses can claim it if the officer dies before electing the option; the author said it has no actuarial cost, and it passed 7-0. HB 3313, a defined contribution retirement bill, would raise contribution levels, eliminate vesting delays, and add retirement planning and lifetime income options; members questioned whether it would affect retention or other retirement plans, and it passed 8-0. Other bills addressed creditors, housing, and financial exploitation. HB 3588, a Uniform Law Commission request bill on assignment for the benefit of creditors, was described as codifying existing case law and passed 8-0. HB 1064, which would restrict large institutional investors from buying single-family homes in Oklahoma, was amended in concept during discussion to narrow the hedge fund definition and remove a resale requirement; supporters framed it as protecting homeownership, while opponents raised concerns about restricting sales and the evidence for housing impacts, and it passed 5-2. Finally, HB 3020, the Protections for Financial Exploitation of Protected Adults Act, would let financial institutions place temporary holds and act in good faith when they suspect fraud against vulnerable adults; members asked about training and safeguards, and it passed 9-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• State law imposes restrictions and... ...in a lawful profession, trade, or business.
• Had SB 547 been the law, it would have spared me all of this.
• Turning to the bill, I'll highlight the changes it makes to current law.
• The law allows for DSHS, DCYF, HCA, L&I, and DES.
• And their laws are very different than the one in this bill.

Bills: SB5437 , SB6152 , SB6058 , SB5944 , SB6039 , SB6117

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: noncompete, noncompetition agreement, restrictive covenant, nonsolicitation, employment contract, worker mobility, labor law, wage suppression, trade secrets, confidentiality agreement, franchise, independent contractor, employee mobility, economic growth, entrepreneurship, job mobility, restraint of trade, customer solicitation, post-employment restrictions, FTC noncompete rule

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, state law prohibits Senator Hinojosa: Disrupting lawful meetings or processions, but it does
• I think the heavy lift for law enforcement, some of our concerns were with over 2,700 law enforcement
• Chairman and members, current Texas law requires local law enforcement agencies to publish notices of
• We've got to err on the side of law and order, right?
• Tom Glass: Our motto is no law is any good if not enforced, and on this particular type of law, the question

Bills: HB 33 , HB 45 , HB 48 , HB 1261 , HB 1465 , HB 1778 , HB 2596 , HB 5238 , SB 2969

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft

Transcript Highlights:

• The law library is very limited.
• of upholding those laws. potential criminal liability for enforcing the laws that they swear an oath
• . color of law.
• My sister and my brother-in-law are in law enforcement. I don't know whether you know that or not.
• And he was convicted under a theory of law known as parties? Law of parties. Yes, sir.

Bills: HB285 , HB795 , HB1795 , HB1871 , HB2407 , HB2461 , HB2695 , HB3507 , HB4911 , HB200

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, aggravated assault, penal code, public servant, deadly weapon, mass shooting, Penal Code, penalties, felony, Texas Penal Code, felony enhancement, first-degree felony, second-degree felony, violent crime, assault punishment, serious bodily injury