Transcript Highlights:

• They, like other victims of violent crime, are unable to work as a direct result of the crime committed
• Rape doesn't always involve a violent attack by a stranger in a dark alley.
• I am a two-time survivor of violent crime. In addition to which I...
• Sometimes it takes a look at an offense and it doesn't see a survivor.
• Toward the end of the abuse, they became more violent.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits. Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws. No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• People who have mental crises are not all violent or a threat to others. We are all just human.
• , and offenses where there is an allegation that the— Firearm offenses, offenses where there is an allegation
• Serious violent offenses are excluded, but this bill does provide individualized justice.
• Serious violent offenses are excluded, but this bill does provide individualized justice.
• Crimes of this nature are not minor offenses simply because they perpetrate by a juvenile.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on February 6, 2026, and first voted to suspend the five-day notice rule for all bills on the agenda. Senators Braun and Gildon objected, arguing the bill needed more public review and that the fiscal note had only just been released, but a roll call vote passed 15-9 and the committee proceeded to Senate Bill 6346. Staff briefed SB 6346 as a proposal to create a 9.9% income tax on Washington taxable income above a $1 million per-household standard deduction, with a $50,000 charitable deduction, apportionment rules for nonresidents and certain professions, quarterly estimated payments, and credits for capital gains tax and certain business taxes. Staff said the tax would begin in 2029 and eventually raise about $3.5 billion annually from roughly 30,000 taxpayers. The bill also would expand the Working Families Tax Credit, create a sales tax exemption for grooming and hygiene products, increase the small business B&O tax credit and filing threshold, and end the B&O surcharge on high-grossing businesses one year early. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, its exemption from referendum, treatment of student athletes, natural-resource industries, and whether real estate gains would be captured. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including labor groups, educators, health care advocates, counties, child care workers, and some business owners and high-income individuals, said the bill would make the tax code more progressive and provide stable funding for health care, education, child care, public defense, and other services, while expanding the Working Families Tax Credit. Opponents, including many small business, construction, housing, and taxpayer advocates, argued the measure would function as a tax on pass-through businesses and retained earnings, harm housing production and investment, encourage wealthy residents and businesses to leave the state, and violate the state constitution or the will of voters. No final action on SB 6346 was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reflect the severity of the offenses reflect the severity of the offenses however<01:26:27.920><
• Those would be felony-level offenses.
• <01:42:32.520><c> um</c> offense um offense um which<01:42:34.480><c> um</c><01:42:35.400><c> the</c>
• She had no prior offenses on her record.
• </c><01:58:28.960><c> to</c> make those uh uh first level offenses to make those uh uh first level offenses

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The minutes said "new offenses and penalty changes," it needs to read "new offenses and changed penalties
• One, there needs to be actual innocence of the offense. Two, guilty of only a lesser offense.
• This is strictly to non-violent misdemeanor offenses, right? Right.
• offenses.
• However, if there are offense reports, designated documents or papers arising from the alleged offense

Bills: HB200

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living

Transcript Highlights:

• It would significantly increase fines for violations under Chapter 90 for the first offense, second offense
• , and third offense.
• The first offense for driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor.
• much more important than administering traffic offenses.
• crime and doing things that are much more important than administrating traffic offenses.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on several bills related to driver’s license suspensions, junior operator training, online driver education, and regulation of e-bikes/scooters. A major focus was the Road to Opportunity Act (H. 3662/S. 2368), which would end license suspensions and registration holds for unpaid fines and fees unrelated to road safety, create hardship waivers and payment options, and replace suspension with nonrenewal in some cases. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, ACLU, CPCS, Greater Boston Legal Services, transportation and anti-poverty advocates, and several affected residents who described job loss, housing instability, and difficulty paying toll and fee debts. They argued the current system punishes poverty, disproportionately affects Black and Latino residents, and is costly to enforce. Some testimony also noted that the bill would preserve suspensions for dangerous driving offenses. District Attorney Marion Ryan testified in favor of two bills: one allowing partial payment plans for certain RMV penalties and another closing a loophole that makes the penalty for violating a hardship license less severe than driving after a full suspension. Senator Sear and Representative Reed also spoke for the Road to Opportunity Act, while the AAG said the Attorney General supports it. Committee members asked about RMV implementation and whether the agency supports payment plans; Ryan said the RMV has been cooperative but believes legislation is needed. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting young drivers. Senator Lovely and Representative Cruz supported a bill to create a junior operator license training fund, expand access for low- and moderate-income families, require refunds in some cases, and allow earlier passenger privileges. Another bill would make virtual instructor-led driver education permanent; AAA and several driving school owners supported it as an access and convenience measure, while other instructors opposed it, arguing in-person instruction is safer and more effective. Finally, Senator Collins and others testified for a transportation safety bill regulating motorized bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, and mopeds, increasing fines, requiring insurance for commercial use, and requiring public hearings and accessibility review for new bike lanes. Advocates for blind and disabled pedestrians supported that bill, while some transportation and business voices backed it as a safety and planning measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, um, courthouses were not always violent places.
• We've had 409 juvenile cases referred to my office. 72% were considered violent or serious crimes. 83
• In order to prioritize violent crimes, we, but that just, it didn't magically happen.
• These are not violent people. These are not people who maybe even be shoplifting.
• Chairman, from a macro, um, From a macro perspective is that we are living in a more violent society,

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> That does say arrested for or convicted of an offense.
• Wouldn't it be okay to amend that, or it's just for conviction of an offense?
• another commits a violent act against another person. person. person.
• He said it clarifies that the offense is a Class D on the first offense, but it escalates if there is
• The clerk then called up House Bill 111 by Representative Rigsby, relating to crimes and offenses.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what are some of the offenses that are?
• You're requiring notification for the same offenses?
• Related. to the issuance of certain protective orders for certain burglary offenses.
• SB 9505 by Parker Riddling, the punishment of the offense of trafficking.
• and harassment by sexually violent predators and other persons.

Bills: HB14 , HJR31 , HB43 , HB18 , HB 106 , HB36 , HB26 , HB149 , HB 121 , HB206 , HB136 , HB3114 , HB2733 , HB1732 , HB3700 , HB467 , HB 1130 , HB1846 , HB1442 , HB 1147 , HB2176 , HB2701 , HB805 , HB2890 , HB 1154 , HB1644 , HB2118 , HB1718 , HB2488 , HB2596 , HB1971 , HB2468 , HB484 , HB2578 , HB3204 , HB 1041 , HB307 , HB685 , HB1710 , HB538 , HB2525 , HB3125 , HB2027 , HB2894 , HB3077 , HB3684 , HJR99 , HB1399 , HJR5 , HB1330 , HB2110 , HJR2 , HJR6 , HB1587 , HB14 , HJR31 , HB43 , HB18 , HB 106 , HB36 , HB26 , HB149 , HB 121 , HB206 , HB136 , HB3114 , HB2733 , HB1732 , HB3700 , HB467 , HB 1130 , HB1846 , HB1442 , HB 1147 , HB2176 , HB2701 , HB805 , HB2890 , HB 1154 , HB1644 , HB2118 , HB1718 , HB2488 , HB2596 , HB1971 , HB2468 , HB484 , HB2578 , HB3204 , HB 1041 , HB307 , HB685 , HB1710 , HB538 , HB2525 , HB3125 , HB2027 , HB2894 , HB3077 , HB3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm serving victim one of several, excuse me, I am a surviving victim of one of several violent sexual
• After being ordered to report to the warden's conference room by Rodriguez in 2022, he violently held
• I'm serving victim one of several, excuse me, I am a surviving victim of one of several violent sexual
• After being ordered to report to the warden's conference room by Rodriguez in 2022, he violently held
• After being ordered to report to the warden's conference room by Rodriguez in 2022, he violently held

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> what the severity of the current offense what the severity of the current offense is<00:33:09.679
• should be uh to give the judge a offense should be uh to give the judge a starting<00:33:13.840><c>
• </c><00:58:55.400><c> crime</c> benefits to victims of violent crime benefits to victims of violent crime
• He also provided funding for a violent crime reduction unit in the last biennium.
• </c> he also provided funding for a violent he also provided funding for a violent crime<01:08:47.839

Bills: HF2432

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF2432, judiciary finance bill, public safety finance bill, corrections policy, crime victims, victim services, Minnesota victims of crime account, court fees, marriage license fee, financial crimes, fraud investigations, insurance fraud, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Commerce Fraud Bureau, wage theft, automobile theft prevention, nonprofit security grants, 911 funding, POST Board

Transcript Highlights:

• And the point of the deferred prosecution program is to take low-level non-violent offenders, put them
• offenders, put them into non-violent offenders, put them into treatment,<01:10:46.719><c> and</c><01
• We're not just turning these folks loose into the community to go commit new offenses or walk in the
• We're not just turning these folks loose into the community to go commit new offenses or walk in the
• offenders that we are non-violent offenders that we are looking<01:13:13.600><c> to</c><01:13:13.920

Keywords: 0:00:04 Call to Order 0:00:50 Dept for Public Advocacy 0:51:31 Life Learning Center 1:21:06 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary heard testimony from the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) on attorney compensation and alternatives to incarceration. Because the committee lacked a quorum, the chair skipped formal roll call and minutes approval, then invited DPA Public Advocate Damon Preston, Deputy Public Advocate Melanie Lowe, and alternative sentencing worker Cena/Tina Mills to present. Preston said DPA is fully state-funded, has 698 funded positions, and was near full staffing with 673 filled positions and 42 new law graduates expected to join in August. He argued that DPA’s resources lag behind those of prosecutors, noting that local prosecutorial offices receive substantially more total funding and have additional revenue sources beyond the state budget. Preston focused on salary disparities and turnover. He said DPA trial-office attorneys total about $26 million in salaries, compared with about $41.9 million for prosecutors on publicly listed state funding, and estimated that more than 100 additional prosecutors are paid through other sources, bringing total prosecutor compensation to a little over $50 million versus DPA’s $26 million. He said starting DPA attorney pay is $58,200, experienced attorney pay averages about $73,000, and that these levels are too low given law school debt and the state’s constitutional obligation to provide defense counsel. He also said DPA attorney turnover is about 20%, median service time before separation was 15 months in 2024, and exit interviews often cite salary as the main reason for leaving. He gave examples of former DPA attorneys moving to prosecutor offices for raises ranging from 12% to 50%. Committee members asked about how often defendants are represented by private counsel versus DPA and how that affects workload. Preston said a 2017 study found about 50% of misdemeanor cases and about 75% of circuit court cases were handled by DPA, with DPA handling most of the most labor-intensive cases. He said DPA will step aside when a defendant hires private counsel or is found ineligible, and he acknowledged the system historically erred by denying counsel in some cases, though he said the current concern is whether DPA is now appointed too broadly. Members requested updated trend data on appointments over the past decade. Preston also described DPA’s pay scale and said the agency’s compensation structure makes retention difficult. Mills then described DPA’s alternative sentencing worker program, which she said has operated for about 20 years and has received national recognition. She shared a case example involving a client named Patrick, who faced a prison sentence on a possession charge and was referred to a horse-based treatment and certification program in Shelbyville. She said the client wanted treatment and a fresh start, a bed became available, and she and the client’s attorney presented an alternative sentencing plan to the court. The presentation was interrupted briefly by a technical issue, but the testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Article 15 requires that any offenses, so that's limit offenses is wide, but crimes specifically
• It is a crime or an offense. An offense which is a civil tort.
• I am not a violent person. civil. I am not a violent person.
• That's a violent crime.
• </c> crime and a violent crime. crime and a violent crime.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , 177,000 weapons charges, 6,400 kidnappings, and 4,000 commercial sex offenses.
• </c><01:01:39.920><c> 177,000</c><01:01:40.799><c> weapons</c><01:01:41.200><c> charges</c> DUI offenses
• 177,000 weapons charges DUI offenses 177,000 weapons charges 6,400<01:01:43.079><c> kidnappings</c><
• and that doesn't that that list offenses and that doesn't that that list doesn't<01:01:48.480><c> even
• We all dread a violent criminal event by citizens or non-citizens.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's only regular traffic offenses. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Right.
• It's only regular traffic offenses. Okay. Thank you. Right. Uh, not see any other questions.
• It's only regular traffic<00:16:17.440><c> offenses.</c> traffic offenses. traffic offenses.

Bills: HB10 , HB33 , HB35 , HB42 , HB74 , HB102 , HB107 , HB10 , HB33 , HB35 , HB42 , HB74 , HB102 , HB107

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: body-worn cameras, dashboard cameras, law enforcement, public disclosure, investigation, transparency, juveniles, nonviolent offenses, intervention program, juvenile detention, youth services, volunteer firefighters, cancer compensation, death benefits, line of duty, first responders, bail reform, cash deposit, judicial discretion, criminal justice

Transcript Highlights:

• When a driver's issued a traffic citation, most minor traffic offenses are eligible for dismissal if

Bills: HB 341 , HB 469 , HB 971 , HB 1624 , HB 2721 , HB 2959 , HB 3365 , HB 3731 , HB 3793 , HB 3861 , HB 3946 , HB 3966 , HB 4348 , HB 4401 , HB 4402 , HB 4924 , HB 4966 , HB 5563

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• This is evidence of a felony offense, a second-degree felony offense, leading to engaging in organized
• criminal activity, so actually a... first-degree felony offense being disposed of.

Bills: HB886 , HB1514 , HB2434 , HB2688 , HB2802 , HB3161 , HB3221 , HB4029 , HB4339 , HB4591 , HB4774 , HB4802 , HB4853 , HB5627 , SB1737

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Bills: HB886 , HB1514 , HB2434 , HB2688 , HB2802 , HB3161 , HB3221 , HB4029 , HB4339 , HB4591 , HB4774 , HB4802 , HB4853 , HB5627 , SB1737

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Bills: SB 21 , SB 72 , SB 140 , SB 262 , SB 370 , SB 372 , SB 495 , SB 627 , SB 703 , SB 764 , SB 842

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: cryptocurrency, bitcoin, investment reserve, economic resilience, financial security, vehicle rental, damage waiver, consumer rights, business regulations, refund policy, telephone solicitation, telemarketing, text message marketing, SMS marketing, robotext, spam text, consumer protection, deceptive trade practices, DTPA, Business & Commerce Code

Transcript Highlights:

• So, 202C deals with violent crime.
• So, if someone is accused of a violent crime and they have been determined that they can't go to trial
• So, 202C deals with violent crime.
• So, if someone is accused of a violent crime and they have been determined that they can't go to trial
• ,</c><00:34:57.160><c> all</c><00:34:57.360><c> that</c> uh to a misdemeanor offense, all that uh to

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:49 Calendar/2nd Readings 06:27 Report of Committees 08:12 Orders of the Day/HB 485 09:40 HB 43 23:13 HB 139 25:09 HB 414 31:49 HB 297 36:16 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 41:08 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 51:25 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 53:41 ConC/Rules Report 56:40 Floor Amendments 57:54 Adjournment 58:17, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of cases where you've had an individual that, and I know this has been very much limited on the offenses
• , not just one mistake, multiple offenses, not just one mistake, but<00:34:13.240><c> multiple</c><00
• offenses, violation of protective orders, violation of interpersonal protective orders, stalking second
• </c><00:57:03.160><c> resolution</c><00:57:03.880><c> to</c><00:57:04.000><c> a</c> toward a violent
• resolution to a toward a violent resolution to a conflict<00:57:05.040><c> or</c><00:57:05.240><c> an

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all