Transcript Highlights:

• This is another constitutional amendment that addresses the critical bail issue.
• So what this joint resolution does, if approved by Texas voters, is amend the Constitution to require
• I mean, this bill, this constitutional amendment is meant to address...
• Given this fact, I am confused and disturbed by the introduction of yet another constitutional amendment
• This constitutional amendment adds insult to injury, and with that, we oppose this SJR. Thank you.

Bills: SB3073, SJR87

Keywords: Texas criminal procedure, magistrate, probable cause, written findings, arrest review, criminal justice, Article 15.17, pretrial release, judicial recordkeeping, court transparency, law enforcement, defendant rights, criminal proceedings, no probable cause, magistrate findings, bail reform, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, public safety, 1185

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I was hoping to be able to amend the bill.
• You know, I was hoping to be able to amend the bill that doesn't look like.
• Vice Chair, please move the strike-everything amendment. Mr.
• The amendment is adopted. Mr. Vice Chair, please move the bill as amended. Mr.
• Chairman, I move that SB 1317 as amended be returned with a due pass recommendation.

Bills: SB1317, SB1655, SB1656, SB1751, SCR1049

Keywords: reentry programs, criminal justice, funding, grants, recidivism, attorney general, jury duty, election worker, Arizona Revised Statutes, temporary appointment, civic duty, family court, professional personnel, parenting time, legal decision-making, evidentiary hearings, child custody, ethical standards, capital punishment, death penalty

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1655, which would have allowed qualified jurors to serve as temporary election workers instead of jury service if summoned 90 to 120 days before an election. The Arizona Association of Counties opposed the bill, saying the timing would create major planning and tracking problems for county jury commissioners and courts, and noting that jury service can already be excused in some circumstances. Members also raised concerns that jury duty and poll work are fundamentally different responsibilities. The motion for a due pass recommendation failed, 4-5, and the bill did not advance. The committee then heard SB 1751 and the related SCR 1049, both dealing with Arizona execution methods. The bills would expand the available methods of execution to include firing squad and lethal gas, alongside lethal injection, with the SCR going to voters. Senator Payne argued the change was needed because Arizona has had problems with past execution methods and that the inmate would choose among the options. Opponents, including a death penalty attorney and a corrections chaplain, argued the methods raise constitutional, operational, staffing, and trauma concerns, and that Arizona should not revive methods with a history of botched or prolonged executions. SB 1751 received a due pass recommendation, 6-2 with one absent and one present, and SCR 1049 also received a due pass recommendation, 6-2 with one absent and one present. The committee next considered SB 1317 as a strike-everything amendment appropriating $20 million in opioid settlement/remediation funds for county coordinated reentry planning services and a statewide database. Supporters from the Arizona Sheriffs Association and county sheriffs said the program has shown strong recidivism reductions, helps people transition from county jails back into the community, and should expand to more counties. Members asked about data, funding timing, and whether all counties should participate; supporters said the amount would likely be negotiated in the budget process and that the database funding was needed to track outcomes. The strike-everything amendment was adopted, and SB 1317 as amended passed 9-0 with one absent. Finally, the committee heard SB 1656, which would change how courts appoint professional personnel in family court cases and set guidelines for those appointees. Court representatives submitted written concerns, saying the bill would duplicate existing practice, require unnecessary and costly depositions of experts before appointment, mandate recordings of all interactions, and extend the statute of limitations for lawsuits. With no sponsor present and no outside speakers, members expressed concern that the bill was unnecessary and potentially costly. SB 1656 failed to receive a due pass recommendation, with three nays, six votes not in favor, and one absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• SJR 57 amends the Texas Constitution with voter approval. to make absolutely clear that the state is
• Again, this is just to codify and send to the voters this constitutional amendment resolution, and I
• How is passing a constitutional amendment, which is effectively a law, going to remove liability that
• I think, like other constitutional amendments, once it becomes a part of the Constitution, the ability
• That and putting it into the Constitution as an amendment.

Bills: HB3015, HB3521, HB5632, HJR182, SJR57

Keywords: healthcare, direct primary care, insurance deductibles, Texas Health Benefit Plans, telemedicine, police retirement, disability pension, municipalities, law enforcement, retirement benefits, retirement, beneficiary, Employees Retirement System of Texas, divorce decree, beneficiary designation, Veterans' Land Board, general obligation bonds, constitutional amendment, veterans, housing assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all know, proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution sometimes have long-term budgetary...
• see the proposed cost of a constitutional amendment on the Texas state ballot.
• Right now, when voters are asked to ratify a constitutional amendment, they may not fully understand
• Where it's going to the voters for a constitutional amendment.
• These constitutional amendments, there's a lot of attention on to these.

Bills: HB565, HB3743, HB4310, HB5083, HB5129, HB5195, HB5331, HB5469, SB21, HB3185, SB 21

Keywords: constitutional amendment, fiscal impact, state budget, ballot measure, transparency in voting, management-to-staff ratio, state agencies, employee regulations, government efficiency, workforce management, public information, governing board, transparency, confidentiality, access rights, privacy, identifying information, state agency, consent, occupational license

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is a constitutional amendment that limits the amount of State General Fund monies that
• Members, House Bill 824 is the companion bill to the constitutional amendment that we just did.
• And so this is basically establishing that limit to be able to use with the constitutional amendment.
• And so this is basically establishing that limit to be able to use with the constitutional amendment.
• So this is going to be a constitutional amendment? It is. I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. Okay.

Bills: HB316, HB549, HB646, HB752, HB824, HB873, HB1129, HB1157, HB1170

Keywords: literacy, adolescent, teacher education, high-dosage tutoring, reading intervention, workforce development, training programs, Bayou Growth Opportunity, funding, employment, skills gap, qualified employer, credential recognition, government growth limit, recurring revenue, state finance, Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, fiscal responsibility, legislative sessions, regular sessions

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 22 and took up several bills, beginning with House Bill 646 and its companion House Bill 824 by Chairman Beaulieu. HB 646 proposed a constitutional amendment limiting the amount of State General Fund recurring money that may be appropriated in a fiscal year, and HB 824 set the growth limit formula based on CPI, medical CPI, and population change. Amendments were adopted on both bills, including creation of a Louisiana Income Tax Elimination Fund, and both bills were reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced House Bill 1157, which creates the Louisiana State Infrastructure Fund to support infrastructure-related projects through a bank-like financing structure. After a technical amendment, the bill was reported favorably as amended. House Bill 316 on student literacy was presented as a continuation of prior literacy reforms, with the Department of Education stating it would not require new funding; it was reported favorably. House Bill 549 created the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program to help employers train and upskill workers, with supporters from business groups saying it would be industry-supported and modeled on a successful Michigan program; it was also reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1129, dealing with the sale of state-owned surplus movable property, drew support from Louisiana auctioneers who argued local firms should be allowed to bid on the state’s auction contract instead of relying on an out-of-state vendor. Members questioned whether the state could receive more revenue and expressed support for giving Louisiana companies a chance to compete. The bill was reported favorably. House Bill 873, which would add a $2 fee on driver’s license renewals to fund pursuit intervention technology and training for law enforcement, generated substantial concern about adding fees and whether the money should instead come from existing budgets. After discussion of the bill’s purpose, the technology involved, and the need for a sunset, the committee deferred the bill to work on revisions. Finally, House Bill 752, which would allow the timing and duration of regular legislative sessions to be set by joint rule, was reported without action after members noted the revised fiscal note showed a decrease in state general fund expenditures.

Transcript Highlights:

• earlier, is I'm I'm a big uh local earlier, is I'm I'm a big uh local control<00:12:09.120> kind
• guy and would really rather have his local police departments and sheriff’s departments work together
• >> Well, that was an amendment that was brought by Senator Albrittain.
• <00:54:07.200> So, local level to fund law enforcement.
• So, local level to fund law enforcement.

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

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

Bills: HB51, HB58, HB69, HB82, HB93, HB143, HB166, HB231, HB429, HB806, HB884

Keywords: bail, conviction, aggravated offense, minors, constitutional amendment, bail reform, post-conviction, minor victims, legal rights, ignition interlock device, DUI, public safety, vehicle operation, criminal justice reform, DWI, driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, penalties, criminal justice, jury commission

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the adoption of the amendment now. We're at the second amendment. So, Mr.
• It's the adoption of the amendment now. We're at the second amendment. So, Mr.
• It's the adoption of the amendment now. We're at the second amendment. So, Mr.
• It's the adoption of the amendment now. We're at the second amendment. So, Mr.
• It's the adoption of the amendment now. We're at the second amendment. So, Mr.

Bills: SB137, SB164, SB165, SB49

Keywords: sewer, wastewater, public service commission, PSC, utility regulation, private utility, regulated utility, affiliated system, consolidation, rate jurisdiction, rate setting, wastewater management entity, common ownership, control, Jefferson County Board of Health, local constitutional amendment, public utilities, Alabama Code Title 37, Alabama Code Title 22, certification

Transcript Highlights:

• There's an amendment on this, and I'll move a... It should be first. ...and I'll move an amendment.
• Okay, we've adopted the amendment. Are there any questions on the amendment?
• I'd like to go ahead and adopt the amendments or discuss the amendments. ...or discuss the amendments
• The amendment—I said amendments earlier; y'all forgive me—it is a two-page amendment.
• Senator Kelly's going to offer the amendment. Is there a second on the amendment?

Bills: HB191, HB35, HB29, HB123, HB35, HB29, HB191, HB123

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, sales and use tax, local tax exemption, county tax, municipal tax, county commission, municipality, Alabama Department of Revenue, tax exemption, ordinance, resolution, fiscal year, September 1 effective date, notice requirement, local government, tax administration, revenue law, state and local taxation, volunteer firefighters

Transcript Highlights:

• Taxpayer funded lobbying often pits local.
• Last session we had to fight them on a local bill to eliminate our local county treasurer's position.
• We had a local bill last session, even though it requires a constitutional amendment. constitutional
• The Constitutional Amendment to get rid of the Galveston County Treasurer's Office and y'all were vehemently
• So they used a lot of tax dollars to oppose local control, right?

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888

Keywords: Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• of the United States Constitution. institution.
• There's this misconception that it's solely the judiciary's role to enforce the Constitution. and it's
• Tom Glass, I lead a group called Texas Constitutional Enforcement and we're... testifying today on the
• Tom Glass, Texas Constitutional Enforcement, and we are in... favor of this bill.
• And it's a chilling... effect on local prosecutors protecting Texans when the feds... don't want them

Bills: SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB 18, SB 19

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

Transcript Highlights:

• Has there been an amendment to this bill? Mr. Chair, Senator Ezzell, no. There's no amendment.
• We generally provide chair and members a templated version in response to constitutional amendments as
• But as the senator indicated, this constitutional amendment would bring school boards into alignment
• with other local public bodies that already are part of the regular local election and also have the
• The local election law has school boards under local election, which is nonpartisan.

Bills: SB83, SB106, SB107, SB123, SJR1

Keywords: ecological monitoring, sustainability, tribal engagement, education, research funding, graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, out-of-school programming, education funding, youth programs, affordability, nonprofit organizations, defibrillators, public schools, health and safety, emergency response, school elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Gloria Dordy, and I am introducing House Bill 34 as amended.
• Is there opposition in the audience to House Bill 34 as amended? Online.
• Chair, I move to do pass House Bill 34 as amended. Right.
• You have a due pass on House Bill 34 as amended. Thank you.
• You have a due pass on House Bill 34 as amended. Thank you, Vice Chair.

Bills: SB83, SB106, SB107, SB123, SJR1

Keywords: ecological monitoring, sustainability, tribal engagement, education, research funding, graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, out-of-school programming, education funding, youth programs, affordability, nonprofit organizations, defibrillators, public schools, health and safety, emergency response, school elections

Transcript Highlights:

• later on to look at a constitutional later on to look at a constitutional amendment<00:34:34.079
• Uh, House File 3352 is a constitutional amendment.
• Um, 3352 is a constitutional amendment.
• and because it is a constitutional and because it is a constitutional amendment,<01:25:26.639>
• 01:25:32.080> amendment intent of this constitutional amendment intent of this constitutional

Bills: HF4736, HF4737, HF3806, HF3352, HF4840, HF3748

Keywords: emergency shelter, grant program, homelessness, capital investment, Minnesota Statutes, appropriation bonds, public funding, housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota constitutional amendment, public debt, state bonds, general obligation bonds, information technology, IT infrastructure, software licenses, technology modernization, capital improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• offers that amendment. Is there a second to that amendment? Thank you.
• That's a constitutional amendment, and I think this committee has already heard that and may be waiting
• We do have one amendment. Yeah, I've got one amendment.
• I know we discussed an amendment. ...an amendment.
• Okay, ma'am, back to you as amended. Anything else? Back to you as amended.

Bills: SB324, HB395, HB222, HB310, HB285, HB144, HB251, HB380

Keywords: Morgan County, judge of probate, legal qualifications, equity jurisdiction, constitutional amendment, campaign finance, electronic notifications, civil penalties, Fair Campaign Practices Act, Secretary of State, sex offenders, treatment programs, electronic media, post office box restrictions, Class C felony, parole, probation, human cloning, criminal penalties, embryo

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll also considered a local and untested calendar after the layout of bills. The committee.
• HB 1135 amends Chapter 125 by renaming the act as Terrence Solbrg Act.
• Chair now lays out for the May 25th, 2025 recommended local and untested calendar.
• You don't get amended. OK.
• Local and uncontested calendar is certified. Is there any business to come before the committee?

Bills: HCR 10, HCR 9

Keywords: balanced budget amendment, federal budget, deficit reduction, deficit spending, fiscal restraint, constitutional amendment, U.S. Constitution, Congress, PAYGO, Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, national debt, budget deficit, taxpayer dollars, balanced budget resolution, memorial resolution, Texas Legislature, federal spending, budget reform, fiscal conservatism, HCR 9

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee amendment pending, Mr. President. Committee amendment pending, Mr. President.
• President, I have an amendment with the D received and read the amendment.
• About 10 more... do you have another amendment? You had all those; that's my amendment.
• I'd like to amend... Would the desk receive the amendment?
• I'm sorry, that wasn't about my amendment. Let me do my amendment using previous rule.

Bills: SJR 1, SB 9, SB 40, SJR 36, SJR 1, SJR 5, SB 9, SB 40, SR 61, SR 91, SR 97, SR 103, SR 104, SR 112, SR 115, SR 116, SCR 16, SB 26, SB 26

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, Texas Music Advocacy Day, music industry

Bills: HB117, HB228, HB250, HB260, HB393, HB400, HB446, HB534, HB551, HB576, HB842

Keywords: Department of State, statutory entities, re-creation, termination, Louisiana laws, Department of State Civil Service, Louisiana legislation, government re-creation, authority termination, financial disclosure, public servants, ethics, immediate family, transparency, legislators, transportation, foreign travel, cultural exchange, public service, HB393

Transcript Highlights:

• The regular local election is by statute a nonpartisan election.
• It could also help by not having to delay a bond issue in local districts.
• Just one year delay in construction costs can be overwhelming for local finances.
• They are required to be the administrator at the local level.
• Madam Chair, Senator, so the local election law requires that school board members be elected at a local

Bills: SJR1, SM2

Keywords: school elections, partisan elections, voting rights, constitutional amendment, New Mexico, elector registration, pediatric palliative care, pediatric hospice, Medicaid, state plan amendment, Health Care Authority, children with serious illness, life-limiting conditions, complex medical conditions, curative care, concurrent care, family-centered care, hospice services, managed care, pain management

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll also consider a local and contested calendar after the layout of bills to the committee.

Bills: HCR10, HCR9

Keywords: balanced budget amendment, federal budget, deficit reduction, deficit spending, fiscal restraint, constitutional amendment, U.S. Constitution, Congress, PAYGO, Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, national debt, budget deficit, taxpayer dollars, balanced budget resolution, memorial resolution, Texas Legislature, federal spending, budget reform, fiscal conservatism, HCR 9