Transcript Highlights:

• If not, we will now move on to public testimony. Thank you, members. The chair calls Sarah.
• Senate Bill 1589 would amend language in the Texas Family Code allowing the Department of Family and
• I'm the VP of Public Policy.
• regular safety audits, and reports those audits to the Texas School Safety Center, just like our public
• There is a fairly well-established line in the property codes.

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• Their elected officials do get quick and efficient help right away.
• Resulted in a pretty large volume of applications was some changes that happened during the public health
• Naturally at this time on the calendar, plus folks who were also due during the public health emergency
• from public assistance.
• HB 2734 is a vital measure to safeguard the Integrity of our public assistance programs.

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation

Transcript Highlights:

• real barrier to participation in public real barrier to participation in public life. life. life
• the new notice publication. the new notice publication.
• It says all public officials and their deputies or employees, etc., etc.
• It says all public officials and their deputies or employees, etc., etc.
• Now, earlier in the bill, public officials includes all of us.

Bills: SF1750, HF2700, HF1606, HF3356, HF3946, HF3970, HF3658, HF3875, HF2627, SF856, HF1268, HF1338

Keywords: common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan

Transcript Highlights:

• finance markets, whether through lending through a financial institution or eventually through a public
• It also captures individuals working at other public entities that are under the state as well.
• Americans with Disability Act, and the new building code.
• , buildings with the current energy code, buildings with the current energy code, Americans<00:23
• It just it's new building code. It just it's mathematically<00:23:23.520> impossible.

Bills: SB62, HB361, HB244, HB377, HB411, HB422, HB423, HB425, SB16, HB452, HB354

Keywords: SB62, Alabama, conservation and natural resources, hunting license, fishing license, wildlife heritage license, license identification, government-issued ID, residency determination, in-state residency, student residency, tuition classification, public higher education, domicile, resident status, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, Section 9-11-32, Section 9-11-33, Section 16-64-3

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Clerk, Senate Bill 425 by Senator Morris provides for removal of certain public officials and grounds
• Oh, I mean, you know, just something in general that would put a public official on notice as to what
• For the felony, but for the commission of malfeasance or gross conduct for the public official, that
• For the felony, but for the commission of malfeasance of gross conduct for the public official, that
• official by the Attorney General.

Bills: HR275, HR276, HR277, HR278, HR279, HR280, HR281, HR282, HR283, HR284, HCR112, HCR113, HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, SCR63, SCR66, SCR67, SB414, SB484, SB513, HR168, HR174, HR194, HR216, HR264, HCR54, HCR74, HCR79, HCR85, HCR87, HCR94, HCR95, HCR97, HCR98, HCR104, SCR23, SCR29, SCR33, SCR38, HB75, HB705, SB54, SB56, SB72, SB79, SB97, SB105, SB123, SB125, SB129, SB163, SB171, SB252, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB461, SB466, HR84, HR188, HR205, HR3, HR197, HR243, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, SCR35, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB39, HB58, HB112, HB134, HB155, HB187, HB287, HB462, HB782, HB825, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB1200, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, HB842, HB633, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB251, HB582, HB646, HB819, HB998, HB1257, SB197, SB436, SB78, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: highway maintenance, signage, transportation safety, DOTD, infrastructure, public safety, federal grants, job creation, carbon storage, carbon dioxide storage, carbon capture and storage, CCS, mineral rights, mineral owners, oil and gas, disposal wells, injection wells, advanced drilling, carbon sequestration, Louisiana energy policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Provides relative to limitation on the institution of prosecution, provides for elected officials, public
• and public and time period for prosecuting certain crimes committed by elected officials and public
• Madam Clerk, Senate Bill 425 by Senator Morris provides for removal of certain public officials, grounds
• Oh, I mean, you know, just something in general that would put a public official on notice as to what
• For the felony, but for the commission of malfeasance or gross conduct for the public official, that

Bills: HR275, HR276, HR277, HR278, HR279, HR280, HR281, HR282, HR283, HR284, HCR112, HCR113, HR265, HR266, HR267, HR268, HR269, HR270, HR271, HR272, HR273, HCR107, HCR108, HCR109, HCR110, HCR111, SCR63, SCR66, SCR67, SB414, SB484, SB513, HR168, HR174, HR194, HR216, HR264, HCR54, HCR74, HCR79, HCR85, HCR87, HCR94, HCR95, HCR97, HCR98, HCR104, SCR23, SCR29, SCR33, SCR38, HB75, HB705, SB54, SB56, SB72, SB79, SB97, SB105, SB123, SB125, SB129, SB163, SB171, SB252, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB461, SB466, HR84, HR188, HR205, HR3, HR197, HR243, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, SCR24, SCR35, HCR6, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB39, HB58, HB112, HB134, HB155, HB187, HB287, HB462, HB782, HB825, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB1200, HB4, HB623, HB944, HB986, HB1098, HB1222, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, HB842, HB633, HB1191, HB625, HB1255, HB251, HB582, HB646, HB819, HB998, HB1257, SB197, SB436, SB78, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB258, SB149, SB382, SB441

Keywords: highway maintenance, signage, transportation safety, DOTD, infrastructure, public safety, federal grants, job creation, carbon storage, carbon dioxide storage, carbon capture and storage, CCS, mineral rights, mineral owners, oil and gas, disposal wells, injection wells, advanced drilling, carbon sequestration, Louisiana energy policy

Summary: The House met with a quorum and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several personal privileges recognizing National Police Week, fallen law enforcement officers, a young Olympic weightlifter, a community sports agent, a deceased coach, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Day, the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, aviation professionals, and a birthday tribute. The chamber also received Senate messages, committee reports, and a long series of resolutions and bills, many of which were adopted or concurred in without objection. Several measures were returned to the calendar, while others were advanced with technical or clarifying amendments. A major portion of the meeting focused on resolutions honoring or commemorating people and groups, including National Police Week, Barron Baker, Paul T. Derezel II, Coach Emilio Tese, Alpha Phi Alpha, Louisiana Realtors Day, Special Olympics Louisiana, and various memorial highway designations. The House also adopted or concurred in resolutions on topics such as DOTD signage, shrimp procurement, geothermal energy, opioid settlement reporting, hospital design standards, Medicaid redetermination flexibility, chronic wasting disease management, remote online notarization, and a task force on intestate succession. Testimony on these items was generally supportive and brief, with sponsors explaining that most were technical, commemorative, or requests for study. The chamber also took up several substantive bills and Senate amendments. Among the measures concurred in were bills on peace officer citizenship requirements, post-conviction bail limits, portable benefits for independent contractors, workforce development, construction debris burning, license plate coverings, insurance and captive insurers, oil field indemnification, and rural infrastructure financing. One notable bill, HB 39 on peace officer citizenship, drew questions about National Guard members and legal permanent residents before the House concurred in the Senate amendments by a 74-22 vote. HB 134 on harmful material and interactive computer services had its Senate amendments rejected, while HB 359 on nonaffiliated candidates was temporarily returned to the calendar. The most extended debate came on the conference committee report for HB 842, which addressed Louisiana election law in response to the federal Callais decision. Members questioned how the report would affect the current congressional election cycle, absentee ballots, qualifying dates, signature requirements, and whether the closed party primary for U.S. House races had been canceled in favor of an open primary in the fall. The sponsor explained that the report cancels the current closed party primary for congressional races, voids ballots cast in that canceled election, returns qualifying fees, lowers petition-signature requirements, and sets new dates for the open primary and runoff. The House suspended the rules to consider the report the same day it was received, and the discussion highlighted concerns about election administration, district maps, and the scope of the changes before the chamber moved forward.

Bills: HB375, HB986, HB1098, SCR35, SB97, SB123, SB466

Keywords: liability, regional transit, streetcars, trolley cars, motor vehicles, HB986, vehicular homicide, child support, surviving child, minor child, parent killed in crash, criminal restitution, family law, Louisiana child support schedule, R.S. 9:315.48, R.S. 14:32.1, victim compensation, traffic fatality, wrongful death, sentencing enhancement

Summary: The House Civil Law Committee met on May 11, 2026, and reported several measures favorably. Senate Bill 466 by Sen. Seabaugh was approved without objection; it bars foreign adversaries from using expropriation authority in Louisiana and creates a narrow expropriation category for very large aerospace/LED-related projects on at least 20,000 contiguous acres with no residential structures. House Bill 986 by Rep. Kerner was also reported favorably; it requires child support payments in cases where a parent is convicted of vehicular homicide, with the stated purpose of helping children who lose a parent in such cases. The committee then considered two constitutional amendments by Sen. Morris. Senate Bill 123 would require the governor to certify a legislative removal of certain judges for cause; an amendment changed the ballot language to refer to removal for malfeasance, gross misconduct, or incompetence, and the committee adopted the 6.8A report and reported the measure favorably after a roll-call vote of 8-1. Senate Bill 97 would require prosecutorial consent for a defendant to waive a jury trial, except in capital cases; after adopting an amendment clarifying that capital cases are excluded, the committee heard opposition from the Louisiana Citizens Advocacy Group, which argued that jury-trial waiver should remain a defendant’s right. The bill was reported favorably on a 5-1 vote. The committee also reported favorably Senate Concurrent Resolution 35, which asks the Louisiana State Law Institute to study remote online notarization for authentic acts, with support testimony from the Louisiana Bankers Association emphasizing rural access and modernization of notary services. Finally, House Bill 1098 by Chairman McFarland, a narrowly tailored limitation of liability for FAA-licensed aerospace entities, was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 375 by Rep. Freeman was voluntarily deferred, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Continuation of opportunities for public enjoyment of the beaches.
• access [clears throat] for the public access [clears throat] for the public that's<00:37:00.359>
• <00:37:43.080> trust our office also protecting public trust our office also protecting public
• building code council. building code council.
• speak to public safety It's not safety. speak to public safety It's not safety.

Bills: SCR8, SCR40, SCR83, SCR179, SCR90, SCR94, SCR159, SCR165, SCR177

Keywords: building permits, seniors, health care, disability, safety modifications, county regulations, expedited processing, environment, pollution, tourism, disposable bodyboards, polystyrene, marine ecosystems, lithium-ion batteries, environmental safety, recycling, public safety, waste management, Honolulu, Maui County

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions related to water, coastal management, and permitting. Early measures included SCR 8 on faster county action for certain home-modification permits for older adults and people with disabilities, SCR 40 on banning disposable body boards, SCR 83 on creating a lithium-ion battery disposal facility, SCR 179 on enforcing Maui fire-code provisions for brush clearance and emergency access, and SCR 90 on kupuna-friendly permit requirements. No testifiers were present for those measures, and the chair moved through them without taking votes in the portion provided. The most extensive discussion was on SCR 94, endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, and SCR 159, urging shared guiding principles for restoring and maintaining Waikiki’s beaches and shoreline. University of Hawaii testimony said the surfing-reserve designation would bring recognition, could help attract grants, and would require a stewardship committee and management plan, but would not itself block beach nourishment or shoreline restoration. Members asked about possible effects on dredging, beach nourishment, and shoreline structures; the witness said impacts on surfing were not expected to be immediate or significant. For SCR 159, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the resolution but requested clarifying amendments to broaden references to law, stakeholder collaboration, and coastal science expertise. The Waikiki Beach Special Improvement District Association also supported the measure, emphasizing coordinated maintenance, public access, and the economic importance of Waikiki beaches, while noting that existing legal agreements and court decisions should be reflected in the resolution. The discussion also covered whether the state and private owners share repair and maintenance obligations for Waikiki seawalls; testimony said existing agreements remain relevant but must yield to current law. The committee also heard SCR 165 designating March as Water Month, with support from the Board of Water Supply and others, and SCR 177 requesting DAGS to convene a cooperative working group on state projects needing county permits. Mary Alice Evans said the latter would help expedite permitting, especially for housing and other state projects, and would complement efforts to standardize county permitting processes. No final votes or dispositions were announced in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas and see who has tax exempt in Texas, and that's they would wind up on our database with our tax code

Bills: HB1590, HB3075, HB3548, HB3661, HB3986, HB4273, HB4346

Keywords: education funding, linked deposits, education infrastructure, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, Oklahoma Education Infrastructure Program, rounding, cash payments, public finance, Oklahoma Common Cents Act, political subdivision, youth entrepreneurship, tax exemption, small business, income tax, Oklahoma Youth Entrepreneurs Promotion and Development Act, HB3661, Oklahoma sales tax, sales tax exemption, revenue and taxation

Bills: HB213, HB136, HB182, HB213, HB136, HB182

Keywords: HB213, Calhoun County, board of registrars, registrar compensation, county commission, local legislation, election administration, county general fund, expense allowance, officeholder compensation, public officials pay, county election officials, Alabama Code 45-8-110, Teacher's Retirement System, TRS, DROP, Deferred Retirement Option Plan, retirement benefits, teacher retirement, classroom teacher

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Daniel, and I cover Public School Finance with the LESC.
• Denise Arras with the Public Education Department.
• So we'll go to public comment.
• public health in the country.
• It goes to Public Affairs, I think, after this. It goes to Public Affairs, I think, after this.

Bills: SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• This is something that I believe public servants believe is part of the agreement.
• Chair, but also as public employees.
• I did put in 32 years in the public schools. Mr. Chairman and Representative, what I go...
• I did put in 32 years in the public schools. Mr. Chairman and Representative, what I go... And, Mr.
• As public servants, we have a responsibility to serve all communities.

Bills: HB40, HB100, HJR1, SB64, SB19, SB44, SB83

Keywords: educational retirement, annuity adjustments, cost of living, non-compounding payments, retirement benefits, STEM funding, education, innovation, public education, New Mexico, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• support and public opposition, but I will not take it.
• So, and then what we will do is go to public comment.
• After public comment, you will have five minutes to respond to anything that was in public comment, which
• Okay, so we will have public testimony on this one. All right.
• Now I'm going to go to public support just by a show of hands.

Bills: SB36, SB88, SB92, SB97, SB48, SB55, SB58, SB76, SB93, SB89, SB60

Keywords: quantum technology, tax credit, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, foster care, income tax, guardianship, youth services, financial relief, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, tax credits

Bills: SB7, SB13, SB14, SB15, SB7, SB13, SB14, SB15, SB7, SB13, SB14, SB15

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects, developers, builders, local government, infrastructure, water efficiency, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, real property, fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• We will now open public testimony for House Bill 322.
• If not, public testimony will now be closed.
• That's House Bill 3, to improve public school safety.
• Hearing none, public testimony is now closed.
• With no other public testimony, public testimony will close. House Bill 1178 will be left pending.

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515, HB126, HB121

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll open public testimony on House Bill 272.
• However, the Commission's public report would only include the person's city, state, and zip code, just
• Seeing and hearing none, public testimony is closed.
• The mechanism is Chapter 152 of the Texas Family Code.
• I am an official TCUP patient.

Bills: HB46, HB272, HB551, HB1661, HB2820, HB3181, HB4145, HB4157, HB46, HB272

Keywords: low-THC cannabis, dispensing organization, Texas Compassionate-Use Program, medical use, patient access, registration, healthcare, legislation, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, election supplies, ballots

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair opens up public testimony on Senate Bill 612. Seeing none, public testimony is closed.
• All right, the Chair opens up public testimony for HB 1633.
• We are absolutely not protected by the current water code.
• The chair opens up public testimony for Senate Bill 3058.
• The Chair opens up public testimony on House Bill 2018.

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• consciousness, public knowledge, public activity, public behavior, and on democracy itself.
• Public testimony is closed. Bill's left pending at this time.
• This also has to do with 10-5 and the Code of Ethics.
• Public testimony is open.
• So it's actually antithetical to the code of ethics.

Bills: SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB 1130

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if the code of ethics that you have has an ethical process, And if the code of ethics that you have
• We still have to comply with the Code of Ethics.
• It requires them to act professionally with the public.
• Nora Detloff, a former public librarian, said, “When I worked at the public library, we were a lifeline
• When a municipal public When municipal public libraries in the state start a subjective examination of

Bills: SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB 1130

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The committee first reopened public testimony on Senate Bill 2713, which concerned protections for freedom of conscience in the context of Realtor association discipline. Texas Realtors representatives testified that their organization is a separate Texas legal entity but affiliated with the National Association of Realtors through a charter and code of ethics. They said Texas Realtors is neutral on SB 2713, that their ethics process is focused on fair housing and equal professional service, and that they have not suspended or terminated anyone in Texas for religious or political speech. Senators pressed them on whether national standards could override Texas law and on examples from other states; the witnesses said state and federal law control and that they would comply with Texas law if the bill passed. Public testimony then closed and SB 2713 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1698 on e-cigarettes. Senator Parker explained a committee substitute that tightened enforcement, required distributor registration, expanded regulation to nicotine from any source, added restrictions on child-appealing packaging, authorized inspections and audits, and set compliance deadlines later in 2025 and 2026. After questions, the substitute was adopted and SB 1698, as substituted, was reported favorably to the full Senate on a 6-0 vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 2487 on crisis and mental health facilities. Senator Parker described a substitute that renamed the program a crisis service model, allowed multiple county facilities, added local siting limits, expanded staffing options, shortened clinical timelines, required discharge referrals, directed law enforcement and EMS to transport people there first, and created local boards and expanded reporting. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-0 vote, also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2819, dealing with political activities of county elections administrators, was then reported favorably on a 6-0 vote and likewise sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2043 was withdrawn. The committee spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2101, which would require municipal public libraries to move sexually explicit materials out of minors’ sections and impose age-verification and review requirements. Supporters argued the bill would protect children from explicit material in public libraries and that libraries should not be left to self-regulate. Opponents, including librarians, parents, authors, and ACLU representatives, argued the definitions were vague, the bill would be costly and burdensome for small libraries, could function as a book ban, and would restrict teens’ access to classics, research materials, and other books. Several witnesses said parents should make those decisions, not the state. The bill’s author said the committee substitute was still being worked on and asked witnesses to review it; public testimony remained open in the portion provided, with no final action on SB 2101 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• in Chapter 32 of the Penal Code.
• for example, assault on public servants.
• A public servant is a third degree felony, as is harassment of a public servant, which involves various
• It follows Texas policy about enhancing criminal punishments for offenses against public servants. public
• House Bill 2760 makes a simple change to the labor code.

Bills: HB2226, HB2269, HB2343, HB2760, HB3621, HB4079, HB4204, HB4518, HB4531, HB4555, HB4850, HB4876, HB4903, HB4996, HB5122

Keywords: construction trust funds, Property Code, Chapter 162, construction payments, mechanics lien, contractors, subcontractors, laborers, material suppliers, materialmen, real property improvement, assignment of payment rights, unpaid trust funds, trust fund beneficiaries, construction industry, payment protection, Texas construction law, property owners association, landscaping, grass maintenance