Transcript Highlights:

• I'm saying, like, your statement earlier, that if people are getting prosecuted by this statute, that
• But I'm saying instead of making the law say that for the prosecution, shouldn't the prosecution, in
• This will not make cases too easy to prosecute.
• Well, the way the law is written, I can't prosecute it. So that's what we've got to do.
• Being prosecuted for any criminal act resulting therefrom. In your view, yes, you're right.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• stolen cars to commit more crimes and often bait police into chasing them, knowing they won't be prosecuted
• stolen cars to commit more crimes and often bait police into chasing them, knowing they won't be prosecuted
• The tampering statute is just a straight misdemeanor, the way this statute is written in House File 7
• a gross misdemeanor.
• a gross misdemeanor.

Transcript Highlights:

• a gap in state law to ensure that sexual battery committed during a residential break-in may be prosecuted
• sexually touches a sleeping victim with no intent to steal or commit another felony may face only misdemeanor
• California law recognizes the gravity of this crime by allowing it to be charged as a wobbler, meaning a misdemeanor
• Misdemeanor charges.
• California law recognizes the gravity of this crime by allowing it to be charged as a wobbler, meaning a misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• of the integrity in our negligent operator point system, as the author had stated, you know, the misdemeanor
• Diversion allows people to complete rehabilitation programs in lieu of prosecution, and upon successful
• the Chair is mentioning, the reason you can go to diversion is you can only go to diversion for a misdemeanor
• And so if I kill someone and there's no intent, it's vehicular manslaughter and you get a misdemeanor
• Member Hart: It's a vehicular manslaughter and you get a misdemeanor and I can go through a diversion

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard six bills. AB 1837 (Gonzalez) would remove the sunset on transit agencies’ authority to use forward-facing cameras to enforce parking violations in bus lanes and at bus stops. The author and supporters from transit agencies, Streets for All, and the California Police Chiefs Association said the program improves bus reliability, safety, and access for riders, especially seniors and people with disabilities. Some members raised concerns about automated enforcement error rates and due process, but the bill was advanced on a due pass motion to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 1944 (Lee), presented by Assemblymember Arreguín, would delay implementation of declining axle-weight limits for zero-emission buses while keeping the existing final cap in place. Supporters, including the California Transit Association and several transit agencies, said heavier batteries are needed for longer-range zero-emission buses and the delay would help agencies comply with clean transit goals. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1599 (Arreguín) would require Caltrans to create a centralized statewide transit stop registry with standardized stop information. Move LA, AARP, Streets for All, and others supported the measure, saying it would improve trip planning, data consistency, and accessibility for riders; the bill also passed to Appropriations. AB 1608 (Wilson) would expand the California High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General’s authority, including hiring and contracting flexibility and a requirement to publish reports with limited confidentiality protections. The author, the Inspector General, and the First Amendment Coalition said the bill would improve oversight and transparency while protecting sensitive information; it passed to Judiciary. AB 1613 (Wilson) would create a mandatory off-highway vehicle safety and stewardship course for access to off-highway lands starting in 2029. Supporters from the off-road community said the bill was developed through stakeholder safety summits and would reduce accidents and protect public lands; it passed to Water, Parks, and Wildlife. AB 1662 (Wilson) would require DMV points for certain offenses that are dismissed through diversion programs, which supporters framed as a needed accountability measure for dangerous driving and opponents from ACLU Cal Action criticized as undermining diversion and harming low-income drivers. The bill passed to Appropriations. Final roll calls showed each bill advancing, with AB 1662 receiving the strongest support and the other measures also moving forward despite some no votes on AB 1837, AB 1944, AB 1608, and AB 1613.

Transcript Highlights:

• County, you know, he said that he'd had a similar, basically the same exact thing happened, and his prosecuting
• attorney said they couldn't define serious injury, that they wouldn't prosecute because the bill said
• physical injury and the definition of that, that it would make it more of a penalty that could be prosecuted
• First, anyone attempting wrongful conduct, defined as any felony, misdemeanor, or intentional tort, will

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and took up House Bill 3443, relating to court costs. Members adopted House Committee Amendment 1, which changed a January reference to July, updated language regarding the Department of Labor or its successors, and removed round-up numbers. The committee then rolled the amendment into a House Committee substitute and voted the substitute do pass by a roll call of 11 ayes and 1 no. House Bill 3304, concerning the offense of keeping a dangerous dog, was then amended to restore prior-bite language and narrow the injury definition to serious physical injury; the committee adopted the amendment, adopted a substitute, and voted the bill do pass 11-1. House Bill 2865, dealing with attorney’s fees and expenses in civil actions and agency proceedings, was approved do pass 12-0. House Bill 2255 was announced as not being taken up that day. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2777, the Public Nuisance Reform Act, was presented as a measure to narrow public nuisance claims, limit suits involving lawful products and regulated activities, strengthen causation requirements, and restrict who may sue and what damages may be recovered. Supporters from consumer reform, insurance, and civil justice groups said it would curb abusive litigation while preserving traditional nuisance claims; no opposition testimony was offered. House Bill 2667, the Eliminate Criminal Profiteering Act, would bar negligence claims arising from a person’s own wrongful conduct, limit negligent security liability, require apportionment of fault in some cases, and restrict certain recoveries by unauthorized aliens in auto cases. The sponsor and supporters said it would prevent criminals from profiting from their wrongdoing and protect businesses, while committee members raised questions about scope, premises liability, and sovereign immunity. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2666, an anti-SLAPP bill intended to provide a faster dismissal process for lawsuits that are meant to chill speech or petitioning activity. The sponsor and supporters said it would protect free expression and align Missouri with other states, while still preserving claims for genuinely harmed parties. No opposition testimony was presented on either House Bill 2667 or House Bill 2666, and the hearing concluded without any votes on the public hearing bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• We chose the simple misdemeanor.
• I think is important just for the public to know is that we do pursue election crimes and we do prosecute
• Chief Deputy, question from the Chair: Has there been any successful prosecution of extortion in Idaho
• statutes that we're looking at today are actually not statutes that our office has jurisdiction to prosecute

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a verdict for him that was given to a jury of peers in that Othell Wallace prosecution.
• The law could be nuanced sometimes, but you realize that had the prosecutor, had the prosecution properly
• And most of us know first-degree felony, second, third, first-degree misdemeanor, second-degree misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• Their most popular diversion programs are something called a deferred prosecution agreement that gives
• They also have an alternate program of just straight deferred prosecution, meaning we're gonna talk to
• Your low-level felonies, your property crimes, misdemeanors, etc.
• Especially if they're repeat misdemeanors, which are typically your mentally ill population We do have

Committee: House A&B Judiciary Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• if it used to be just a misdemeanor if it used to be just a misdemeanor<00:57:49.760><c> in</c><00:57
• :57:51.599><c> misdemeanor</c><00:57:52.079><c> if</c><00:57:52.319><c> someone</c><00:57:52.480><c>
• is</c> a gross misdemeanor if someone is a gross misdemeanor if someone is supposed<00:57:52.960><c>
• </c><01:37:47.199><c> in</c> arrested and successfully prosecuted in arrested and successfully prosecuted
• Although a demolished car remained next to mine, no driver could be identified for prosecution.

Bills: HF3429 , HF3418 , HF3431 , HF1597

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: intelligent speed assistance, transportation, speeding offenses, public safety, license restrictions, speed control, pedestrian safety, traffic safety, roadway improvements, nonmotorized transportation, crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, complete streets, Vision Zero, Toward Zero Deaths, MnDOT, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, local road authority

Transcript Highlights:

• In enabling law enforcement to dedicate a singular prosecutor for each stage of a vertical prosecution
• AB 2052 promotes vertical prosecution of crimes perpetrated against older adults, including elder abuse
• In some states, they have tried to extradite... ...to investigate and prosecute California providers.
• This measure will assist the prosecution of adults that recruit or solicit minors to conduct or assist
• Consequently, gun prosecutions informed by the ATF fell by 10% in 40 of the nation's 94 federal court

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Under California law, my son's death is a misdemeanor.
• SB 953 is a necessary common sense reform by adding two points to DMV points when a misdemeanor vehicular
• Under current law, a driver who commits misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter but completes diversion can
• restrictions to this technology if... ...this technology, if they just need to be essentially, you know, prosecuted
• And I'd rather see 10, 15, or 20 in a month be captured, caught, and prosecuted than not have any system

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills on transportation, privacy, enforcement, and high-speed rail, with most measures discussed under a quorum and then formally voted on later. SB 953 by Senator Nilo would add two DMV points for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases that are dismissed through diversion; the author, a victim’s mother, and CHP representatives argued it would help identify high-risk drivers, while no opposition witnesses appeared. SB 1292 by Senator Richardson, as amended, would let certain cities use stationary cameras or sensors to enforce curb and loading-zone rules, with human review of citations; supporters said it would improve compliance and safety, while a privacy group remained cautious but said the amendments improved the bill. SB 1228 by Senator Rubio would create a permanent compliance path for a small number of existing redevelopment-era LED messaging signs; supporters said it preserves local revenue and avoids fines, while billboard industry opponents warned about federal compliance and highway funding risk. SB 1013 by Senator Cervantes would tighten ALPR privacy rules through DOJ audits, employee training, hot-list limits, and a 30-day retention cap; privacy advocates supported it as a needed safeguard, while law enforcement groups opposed the retention limit and query restrictions as too restrictive. SB 1218 by Senator Arreguín would block DMV registration renewal for vehicles with unpaid illegal dumping fines, modeled on parking citation enforcement; Oakland officials and local government groups strongly supported it as an accountability tool, and the bill drew no opposition in the room. SB 1136 by Senator Blakespear would require intercity and regional rail operators to better coordinate service, fares, and trip planning for large events; transit and rail advocates supported it, while some agencies were neutral or “work with author” pending further changes. SB 1425, the chair’s bill, would create a permitting process for encroachments in the high-speed rail right-of-way; supporters said it would streamline construction and protect the project, while utilities and the City of Burbank raised concerns about reciprocity, enforcement, and local infrastructure impacts. SB 1411 by Senator Stern would expand high-speed rail authority to pursue public-private partnerships and early works, removing a project cap; supporters said it could leverage private capital and save costs, while local agencies from Merced expressed concerns but noted amendments addressed some issues. After roll calls, SB 1013 failed to advance on a 4-1 vote and remained on call, while the consent calendar and the other bills moved forward on unanimous or near-unanimous committee votes and remained on call pending final action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under California law, my son's death is a misdemeanor.
• SB 953 is a necessary common-sense reform by adding two points to DMV points when a misdemeanor vehicular
• Under current law, a driver who commits misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter but completes diversion can
• laws and more restrictions to this technology if— If they just need to be essentially, you know, prosecuted
• And I'd rather see 10, 15, or 20 in a month be captured, caught, and prosecuted than not have any system

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard a series of bills focused on driver accountability, curb management, privacy, illegal dumping enforcement, rail coordination, billboard signage, and high-speed rail development. SB 953 by Senator Nilo would add DMV points for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases dismissed through diversion; the author and supporters, including a victim’s mother and CHP representatives, argued it would ensure fatal conduct is reflected in driving records, while no opposition testified. SB 1292 by Senator Richardson would let certain cities use stationary cameras or sensors to enforce curb use in designated zones with human review of citations; supporters said it would help manage modern delivery and loading activity, while one privacy group remained cautious but noted the committee amendments improved the bill. SB 1228 by Senator Rubio would create a permanent compliance path for a small number of existing redevelopment-era LED advertising displays; supporters said it preserves local revenue and existing signs, while the outdoor advertising industry opposed it over federal compliance and fairness concerns. SB 1013 by Senator Cervantes would tighten ALPR privacy and security rules, require DOJ audits, training, and a 30-day retention limit; privacy advocates supported it as a needed enforcement measure, while law enforcement groups opposed the retention cap and hot-list limits as too restrictive. SB 1218 by Senator Arreguín would block DMV registration renewal for vehicles with unpaid illegal dumping fines, modeled on parking citation enforcement; local officials and city representatives strongly supported it as a deterrent, and no opposition was heard. SB 1136 by Senator Blakespear would require rail agencies to better coordinate service to major events and integrate fares and schedules; transit and rail advocates supported it, with some agencies taking a work-with-author or neutral position. SB 1425 by the committee chair would create a permit process for new encroachments on high-speed rail right-of-way; supporters said it would help protect and manage the corridor, while utilities and a city raised concerns about rights-of-way and enforcement language. SB 1411 by Senator Stern would expand high-speed rail authority to pursue public-private partnerships and early works, removing a project cap; supporters from Metro, labor, and rail groups said it would help leverage funding and advance the project, while Merced-area agencies remained cautious but noted amendments. Most bills were moved on committee votes, generally along party lines or with broad support, and several were left on call after roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under California law, my son's death is a misdemeanor.
• SB 953 is a necessary common sense reform by adding two points to DMV points when a misdemeanor vehicular
• Under current law, a driver who commits misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter but completes diversion can
• restrictions to this technology if... ...this technology, if they just need to be essentially, you know, prosecuted
• And I'd rather see 10, 15, or 20 in a month be captured, caught, and prosecuted than not have any system

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills, with testimony focused on transportation safety, enforcement, privacy, curb management, rail service, and high-speed rail. SB 953 by Senator Nilo would require two DMV points to be applied in misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter cases even if the criminal case is dismissed through diversion; supporters, including a victim’s mother and the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, said the bill would prevent serious fatal crashes from disappearing from driving records, while no opposition was presented. SB 1292 by Senator Richardson would authorize selected cities to use stationary cameras or sensors to enforce curb and loading-zone rules, with human review of citations and a pilot-style, optional local framework; supporters argued it would improve safety, turnover, and compliance, while privacy concerns were noted but softened by amendments, and the bill drew neutral or conditional support from some groups. The committee also heard SB 1228 by Senator Rubio, which would create a permanent compliance path for a small number of existing redevelopment-era outdoor advertising displays. Supporters said the bill would preserve local revenue and avoid penalties for legally established signs, while the California State Outdoor Advertising Association opposed it over federal highway beautification compliance and fairness concerns. SB 1013 by Senator Cervantes would tighten safeguards for automated license plate reader systems by requiring DOJ audits, employee training, limits on data retention, and restrictions on hot lists and queries; privacy advocates supported the bill as a response to documented misuse, while sheriffs and narcotics officers opposed it as an unnecessary restriction on a valuable law-enforcement tool. The committee voted to move SB 1013, but the roll call was 4-1 and the bill remained on call. Other measures discussed included SB 1218 by Senator Arreguín, which would block vehicle registration renewal for owners with unpaid illegal dumping fines, using a process similar to unpaid parking citations; Oakland officials and several local government and waste-management groups supported it as an accountability tool, and the bill passed committee on an 8-0 vote and remained on call. SB 1136 by Senator Blakespear would require rail agencies to better coordinate service, fares, and trip planning for large events and intercity/regional rail connections; supporters said it could boost ridership and make rail more useful for major venues, and it also passed 8-0 and remained on call. The committee also advanced the chair’s SB 1425, which would create a permitting program for new encroachments along the high-speed rail right-of-way; supporters said it would help protect the project and manage utilities and other uses, while some utilities and the City of Burbank raised concerns, and the bill passed 8-1 and remained on call. Finally, SB 1411 by Senator Stern would expand high-speed rail authority to pursue public-private partnerships and early works, remove a project cap, and support bookend investments; it drew broad support from transit, labor, and rail groups, with some local agencies noting amended concerns, and the discussion continued as the hearing moved toward the final bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under California law, my son's death is a misdemeanor.
• SB 953 is a necessary common-sense reform by adding two points to DMV points when a misdemeanor vehicular
• Under current law, a driver who commits misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter but completes diversion can
• restrictions to this technology if... ...this technology, if they just need to be essentially, you know, prosecuted
• And I'd rather see 10, 15, or 20 in a month be captured, caught, and prosecuted than not have any system

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• The FBI took the case and we prosecuted it federally.
• I've never seen a state prosecute a crime against a federal officer.
• I have seen people prosecuted and put in the penitentiary for spitting on an FBI agent.
• Now it's becoming more common They charged him with a misdemeanor and couldn't get a conviction.
• Also, rely that you have grand juries who will say no, you have prosecutors who won't prosecute, you

Bills: HB9 , HB50

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: Immigrant Safety Act, immigration detention, civil immigration violations, ICE, federal immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, public bodies, local government, sheriff's department, school district, higher education, deputization, 287(g), 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 C.F.R. 287.7, intergovernmental services agreement, detainer, immigration cooperation, public property, attorney general enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• We have, sorry, Maui County, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, in support on Zoom.
• of the prosecuting attorney, three organizations and one individual.
• Attorney, one other organization, and 20 individuals. the Department of the prosecuting attorney for
• We're saying it was a—we were asking it to be a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
• Also, testimony in opposition from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorneys for the City and County

Bills: HCR93 , HCR14 , HR85

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a misdemeanor. What we're adding here is a second tier, which is a felony.
• penalty if you have been a misdemeanor penalty if you have been convicted<00:32:06.159><c> of</c><00
• What we're adding here is a misdemeanor.
• The state's attorney's office can either prosecute or bring a civil action.
• There's no prosecution. That's never the intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Indeed, state law requires an assessment of diversion in mental health and misdemeanor diversion, and
• We are also concerned about the fourth-time misdemeanor provision.
• Second, it requires the prosecution, when refuting a claim, to prove by a preponderance of the evidence
• When we prosecute violent sex offenders, victims step forward. They testify.
• I think of a woman whose case we prosecuted, who later contacted our office to tell us that her former

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• stolen cars to commit more crimes and often bait police into chasing them, knowing they won't be prosecuted
• The tampering statute is just a straight misdemeanor.
• if you're convicted and you do it again, it becomes a gross misdemeanor.
• The tampering statute is just a straight misdemeanor.
• if you're convicted and you do it again, it becomes a gross misdemeanor.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• one, two, or three felonies, as well as modifies how a county attorney may bring about a criminal prosecution
• reclassifies class four, five, or six felonies that do not involve a dangerous offense as a class one misdemeanor
• As a class one misdemeanor, as a class one misdemeanor, as a class one misdemeanor, as a class one misdemeanor
• Madam Whip: Currently, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor to lend someone a vehicle that requires an interlock
• by means of indecent behavior, profane discourse, or unnecessary noise, establishing a Class 1 misdemeanor

Summary: The meeting was a lengthy caucus-style review of many bills and resolutions across multiple committees, with staff giving brief descriptions and most items placed on consent or third-read consent calendars. Topics included appropriations, commerce, education, government, health and human services, environment, public safety, and transportation. Measures discussed ranged from school policy and board continuations to housing, water, public safety, licensing, and election-related changes. Several bills were noted as strike-everything amendments or as having been amended in committee. A number of bills drew sponsor comments or brief questions. In education, members discussed bills on teacher strikes, school math placement, school meals, student clubs, bond election disclosures, and a proposed commission on student outcomes. In health and human services, members discussed nursing board rules, pharmacist testing and treatment authority, medical records timelines, opioid antagonist expiration dates, and a proposed constitutional amendment on the right to refuse medical mandates. In government and public safety, members debated funding and staffing issues for DPS and corrections, including a proposed public safety parity fund, as well as bills on county sheriffs, legal representation for DPS, and corrections oversight funding. There was also discussion of election and local government measures, including inactive voter list procedures, circulator disclosure rules, and committee termination filings. Other topics included housing affordability districts, development fees, historic-area middle housing exemptions, water and groundwater management, environmental compatibility siting, and trade-related commissions. One notable exchange involved HB 4044, where members debated whether using rainy day fund interest for public safety pay was fiscally responsible; supporters argued it was a practical way to fund raises, while opponents said it would weaken the fund and should instead be handled through the general fund. No roll-call votes were taken in the transcript, and most items were simply presented, briefly discussed, and left on consent or third-read consent calendars.