Transcript Highlights:

• agencies, to establish and maintain a directory web page locating publicly accessible lactation accommodations
• agencies, to establish and maintain a directory web page locating publicly accessible lactation accommodations

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Women’s Issues Committee met on February 25, 2026, with a quorum present and Senators Baskin and Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick participating. The committee considered six bills focused on women’s health, maternal care, and lactation access. These included S.520 on ovarian cancer survivor screening rights, S.1305A on hospital care for mastectomy, lumpectomy, and lymph node dissection patients, S.6232 to make permanent a prenatal and postpartum informational mobile app currently being piloted by the governor, S.7048 on review of projects affecting maternal service availability, S.7731 on insurance coverage for a hospitalized birth parent’s inter-hospital transport to accompany an infant, and S.8542 to create a directory webpage for lactation accommodations in state-owned and state-leased buildings. Members generally expressed support for the measures, with brief discussion on the prenatal/postpartum app bill noting it had been operating as a pilot and would be made permanent. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick also shared a personal comment in support of the infant transport coverage bill, describing the difficulty that would arise if a newborn needed NICU transport while the parent remained at another hospital. The chair emphasized the importance of the bills for birthing people and maternal health access. All six bills were approved by motion and vote. S.520 and S.6232 were advanced to finance, while S.1305A, S.7048, S.7731, and S.8542 were reported to first reading. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the governor has a reasonable concern about short-term. basic assessment as we have in January
• The May Revision is one reasonable approach, but you could have a different balance: more COLA, less
• So, turning to page 13, the bottom line is that we think this is a reasonable starting point.
• I guess what reason do you have to believe that revenues are going to drop so significantly that you
• This is a reason that teachers are leaving the profession.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To accommodate our agenda and the condensed timeline of the special session, the committee will be hearing
• And the reason why I'm still calling it a STAAR test is because it is TEA-created, and we're going from
• There's 81 A reason that this bill, which is almost exactly what the Senate passed, was rejected by us
• For all of these reasons, I sincerely hope you will listen to the voice of someone who is in the 160
• And so I mean, I'm not hearing any reason why we should continue to use this part of the test that is

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Summary: The House Committee on Public Education met to hear House Bill 8, which would replace STAAR with a new assessment and accountability system beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The chair described the bill as reducing testing time, limiting benchmark tests, adding beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year assessments, requiring faster score turnaround, involving Texas teachers in test development, and tightening accountability timelines and transparency rules. Members also discussed provisions on A-F ratings, cut scores, CCMR, local accountability plans, and TEA reporting requirements. Committee members and invited witnesses split sharply on the bill’s approach. Supporters, including the chair, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, and Ed Trust’s Nicholas Munyon Penny, argued the bill would reduce high-stakes pressure, provide quicker and more actionable data, limit over-testing, and better align assessments to Texas standards while preserving criterion-referenced accountability. They said the new system would help teachers and parents intervene sooner and would improve transparency, including parent access to student responses and automatic rescoring in some writing cases. Opponents, including Rep. Hinojosa and student witness Ella Moran, argued the bill still increases testing and replaces one high-stakes test with multiple TEA-created tests. Moran testified that STAAR creates anxiety, disrupts instruction, and does not reflect real learning, while Hinojosa said the House had previously passed a better bill based on a nationally norm-referenced model and criticized the new proposal as a concession to the Senate. Questions also focused on AI scoring of writing, rescoring rates, and whether the bill’s new accountability rules would be reliable and fair. The committee did not take a final vote during the portion provided, but the chair said a vote on HB 8 would be called after public testimony later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• , whether it's supply chain, pricing, or other reasons.
• So that's my main reason for it.
• There are two reasons why we face this problem: not enough supply and too much demand.
• Is divided between who benefits and who's paying for it, is the only reason this exists.
• Over these decisions, and for these reasons, we think it's a great bill.

Bills: HB1951, HB2715, HB3092, HB3237, HB3278, HB3511, HB3592, HB3675, HB3778, HB3782, HB3826, HB3970, HB4016, HB4049, HB4341, HB4344, HB4406, HB4427

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• some other scheduling conflicts, and he was unable to attend the first couple of meetings for that reason
• Not everyone can come during the day and testify, so we want to try and accommodate those hopeful exceptions
• <01:06:38.640> to<01:06:38.760> try<01:06:39.520> and<01:06:39.720> accommodate
• we want to try and accommodate we want to try and accommodate those<01:06:41.840> uh<01:06
• that we have so many people that we need to expand testimonies to multiple days, but we'll try and accommodate

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy for New Hampshire held its first organizational meeting. The chair read the committee’s updated mission statement, which says the bipartisan committee will fact-find on the state’s COVID-19 response and its impact on the healthcare system, with focus areas including federal guidance, federal funds, emergency use authorization vaccination efforts, long COVID, the Patient Bill of Rights, and vaccination policies. The chair also announced committee staffing changes: Linda McGrath stepped down as vice chair and Representative Gerard was named vice chair; Representative DeRoy was named clerk. The chair emphasized the committee’s work is intended to be science-based and fact-finding, not anti-vaccine, and noted that the committee may issue follow-up reports and recommendations. Members discussed a broad list of topics for future hearings, including long COVID treatment, ongoing vaccination policies, reporting of COVID deaths, standards of care and provider discretion, COVID-related funding such as ESSER/CARES Act money, and communication of treatment developments during the pandemic. Representative Pollina argued the committee should examine specific treatments and outcomes, including remdesivir, oxygen/intubation practices, and ivermectin, and raised concerns about whether some treatments were harmful or suppressed. He also focused on pediatric vaccination policy, saying the committee should review New Hampshire’s recommendations for children and medical students, and questioned the state’s reliance on federal guidance versus independent review. The chair responded that shifting federal positions may justify an independent New Hampshire evaluation and asked him to gather more information and potential witnesses. In open discussion, members suggested additional witnesses and topics, including local funeral directors, nursing homes, and emergency medical services, as well as how nursing homes were affected by positive tests and admission restrictions. Another member suggested the committee consider what products it should produce, such as a final report, possible bill recommendations, and better documentation or footnotes tying findings to testimony and scientific sources. The chair said the committee’s deliverables could include reports, letters to department heads or legislative leaders, and other actions, and noted that the committee’s 2024 report and supporting documents are available on the House committee page. No votes or formal actions beyond the organizational appointments were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm laying it that is one of the reasons I'm laying it over<00:08:38.880> today<00:08:39.159>
• I ran into some time considerations myself that were graciously accommodated by your side in terms of
• by your side in terms were accommodated by your side in terms of<00:32:40.120> getting<00:32:
• why some of this language landed reason why some of this language landed here<00:40:09.839> and
• for a reason and I respect<00:46:03.000> that<00:46:03.200> and<00:46:03.359> I

Bills: HF414, HF768, HF359

Keywords: data practices, filing fee, government transparency, complaints, public access, free speech, human rights, censorship, protected speech, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, real property, partition, eminent domain, transfer on death deeds, property rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, for being so accommodating. I appreciate that.
• utilize the other's facilities inadvertently forces public schools to take in more than what they can accommodate
• And so for those reasons, I'm a yes on this bill today. Thank you very much.
• There's no willingness to have conversations about whether things are reasonable or not. Mr. Chair.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and took up several education bills. SB 1150, which would remove an unrelated exam barrier for school social workers to help districts retain them, was briefly explained and reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1514 on anaphylaxis in public schools, which would require emergency action plans and training for school personnel; amendments narrowed and clarified the bill, including applicability to K-8 schools and FDA-approved epinephrine devices. Orange County Public Schools waived in support, and CS/CS/SB 1514 was reported favorably. The committee spent the most time on SB 1708, which expands Schools of Hope and creates a co-location framework allowing high-performing charter operators to share space in underused public school facilities, with the sponsor explaining that agreements would address safety, supervision, grade levels, emergency protocols, and liability. Members raised concerns about who would be served, lottery access, accountability, and whether the bill would worsen inequities or strain public schools; many public speakers opposed the bill on similar grounds, arguing it would divert resources from already underfunded schools. The sponsor clarified that Schools of Hope recruitment is exempt from lottery, that the bill would not use classrooms already in use, and that districts would receive $600 per student plus associated funding for vacant space. Despite mixed debate, CS for SB 1708 was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 822, which updates charter school governance by limiting sponsor-imposed deadlines, preventing enrollment caps below facility capacity, improving data sharing, and allowing high-performing charter schools to assume existing charters. A charter school advocate supported the bill as a fairness and efficiency measure, while senators pressed him on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for the bill’s deadline changes. After brief debate, CS/SB 822 was reported favorably. The meeting ended with members recording votes on prior tabs and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, for being so accommodating. I appreciate that.
• utilize the other's facilities inadvertently forces public schools to take in more than what they can accommodate
• And so for those reasons, I'm a yes on this bill today. Thank you very much, Senator Simon.
• There's no willingness to have conversations about whether things are reasonable or not. Mr.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and took up several education bills. SB 1150, by Senator Calatayud, was presented as a measure to help school districts retain school social workers by removing an exam requirement unrelated to the profession. With no questions or debate, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then moved to SB 1514, by Senator Smith, on anaphylaxis response in public schools. After adopting a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment clarifying FDA-approved epinephrine devices and weight-based dosing, the committee heard support from Orange County Public Schools and reported the bill favorably. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1708, also by Senator Calatayud, which would expand Schools of Hope by broadening the definition of low-performing schools from those in the bottom 10% in both math and reading to those in the bottom 10% in either subject, and would authorize co-location of Schools of Hope in underused public school facilities. Senators questioned how co-location would work, who could enroll, how liability and contracts would be handled, and whether the bill would help the specific students most in need. Many public speakers opposed the bill, arguing it would strain already underfunded public schools, reduce space and resources, and unfairly favor charter operators. The sponsor said the bill would not reduce classroom space in use, would require contracts to address safety and liability, and would provide a net positive to districts through a $600-per-student facility payment plus associated funding. After debate from both supporters and skeptics, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered CS for SB 822, by Senator Rodriguez, which would give charter schools more autonomy over governance and operations, including deadlines, enrollment caps, student conduct policies, and data sharing. The Florida Charter School Alliance supported the bill, arguing it would create parity and reduce burdens on charter schools, while committee members pressed the witness on claims of district “harassment” and the basis for those concerns. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on prior tabs, thanked staff, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• When that happens, we are prepared to make accommodations so the public will still be able to access
• that happens, we are prepared to When that happens, we are prepared to make<00:07:41.599> accommodations
• c> so<00:07:42.479> the<00:07:42.639> public<00:07:42.880> will make accommodations
• so the public will make accommodations so the public will still<00:07:43.360> be<00:07:43.520

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson and State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogey announced that weapon screening will begin Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol at the start of the 2026 legislative session. They said the change is based on an independent security assessment and the Axtell report’s top recommendation, and framed it as an added layer of protection rather than a weapons ban or a change in state law. Both emphasized that the Capitol will remain open, accessible, and welcoming while reducing preventable risks, citing heightened threats to public officials and the recent murders and shootings involving Minnesota lawmakers and their families. Bogey outlined the screening plan: visitors will use four public access points, with the south ground-level entrance as the primary entry, while other exterior doors will not be open for public entry. She said the process should take only seconds for most people, with bags going through separate scanners and additional screening only if needed. The Capitol will close to the general public at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, though accommodations will be made when hearings or floor sessions run later. She also said the entrances and screening areas are ADA accessible and that staff will be available to help guide visitors. In questions, officials said prohibited items are defined by statute and administrative rules and referred reporters to the State Patrol website for the full list. They confirmed that lawful permit-to-carry holders may still bring firearms, but must declare the permit, show government ID, and go through screening; elected officials are exempt, while staff are not. They also said the State Patrol will fund the rollout from its own budget, with costs to be evaluated over time, and that tunnel key-card access will be restricted to everyone. The briefing ended with a plan to demonstrate the screening equipment upstairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• that financially without having to pass that all on to our participants to raise fees to accommodate
• make sure that<00:14:54.440> we're<00:14:55.079> appropriately<00:14:55.639> accommodating
• that we're appropriately accommodating that we're appropriately accommodating that<00:14:56.800>
• <00:15:02.279> some<00:15:02.399> of to raise fees to accommodate some of to raise
• fees to accommodate some of those<00:15:02.720> increasing<00:15:03.600> expenses<00:15

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the past with both wind and data centers, closing that door as soon as possible, but trying to accommodate
• That's where we came up with the January 5th date, and the reason we used 2028, and the reason that is
• all of you, as well as the industry for bringing this up in the latter part of April, and the only reason
• I have no reason to doubt you Provenzano, thank you Mr. Chair.

Bills: SB44, SB237, SB248, SB985, SB1204, SB1239, SB1307, SB1360, SB1390, SB1400, SB1405, SB1427, SB1428, SB1732, SB1832, SB1859, SB1989, SB2018, SB2143

Keywords: sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, contractors, charitable purposes, state law, ad valorem tax, manufacturing facilities, exemption, battery energy storage, employment, payroll, state tax regulation, tourism, revolving fund, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, real property, fund management, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• Fire trucks got bigger over time, and so is it for safety reasons, or is it more of a spiteful thing?
• So if it would not, and it wasn't for safety, you said, what's the reason for expanding the road?
• city water utility to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in water and sewer infrastructure to accommodate
• For years with hopes of one day having the reward of a reasonable payday with reasonable development

Bills: SB840, HB2025, HB2512, HB3139, HB3798, HB3892, HB4373, HB4398, HB4582, HB4689, HB5187, HB5658, HB5666

Keywords: HB 2025, Texas Property Code, plat filing, replat, amended plat, condominium plat, subdivision, county clerk, tax certificate, ad valorem taxes, delinquent taxes, property records, real property, land use, local government, property development, subdivision recording, condominium recording, tax receipt, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• 43.680> to clerk's office yesterday afternoon uh to clerk's office yesterday afternoon uh to accommodate
• 44.480> the<00:08:44.640> closure<00:08:44.959> of<00:08:45.120> the accommodate
• the closure of the accommodate the closure of the legislature<00:08:46.320> due<00:08:46.560>

Bills: SB2060, SB2342, SB2577, SB2580, SB2809, SB2397, SB2315, SB2442, SB2152, SB2380, SB2462, SB2055, SB2438, SB2533, SB2203, SB2087, SB768, SB877, SB1139, SB787, HB963, SB277, SB2663, SB2555, SB2140, SB2115, SB2761, SB2198, SB2032, SB2579, SB2671, SB2835, SB2356, SB2095, SB2093, SB2318, SB2323, SB2485, SB2309, SB2321, SB2405, SB2153, SB2129, SB2170, SB2259, SB2578, SB2544, SB2701, SB2861, SB2108, SB2089, SB2106, SB847, SB3326, SB2047, SB2695, SB2667, SB2919, SB2446, SB2146, SB2723, SB2210, SB2527, SB2645, SB3331

Keywords: rental housing revolving fund, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, mixed-income housing, mixed-income rental project, affordable housing, low-income housing, housing finance, housing development, preservation, rehabilitation, pre-development, construction financing, equity investment, credit enhancement, collateral, gap financing, area median income, AMI, perpetual affordability

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, many charitable health and hospitality homes do not have the capacity to accommodate every
• This... ...accommodate every family and leave many without a safe and affordable place to stay.

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and took up one bill, Senate Bill 182, the Home Away from Home Tax Credit Program. Senator Kalata explained that the bill would create a tax credit to encourage business donations supporting charitable health and hospitality homes that house families of children receiving long-term medical treatment away from home. He described the program as a way to help families avoid sleeping in cars or hospital lobbies and said it was modeled after Florida’s Strong Families Tax Credit. Senator Gates asked who could contribute and how the credit would work; the sponsor said it would apply to corporate insurance premium tax contributions and would be capped at $2.5 million. Gates noted the need was significant and said he would support the bill, though he questioned whether the cap was enough to start. No one appeared in opposition and there was no debate. The committee then voted on SB 182, and it was reported favorably. Afterward, the chair said the committee was taking a measured approach to reviewing bills with financial impacts, citing a tightening fiscal outlook and the need to consider budget effects before advancing additional proposals. With no further business, the committee moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry, but I cannot accommodate those needs and you know But yes, I mean it would it stand to reason
• fault, but for whatever reason.
• And some of it could have been outside reasons.
• And the reason I'm asking.
• And no student is turned away for financial reasons.

Bills: HB3, HB3

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• AND YOU ALSO HAVE TO HAVE THE PROPER NUMBER OF PFD'S OR PERSONAL COVER AND ACCOMMODATE THE VESSELS YOU
• I THINK IT IS THE REASON WHY MANY OF US ARE REVISITING BOATING SAFETY THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND WE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and now the real reason we are here today.
• To try to accommodate as many members as possible in our introductions, let’s say we take one minute
• Our sheriffs are in the house as well; they are one of the reasons we feel so safe.
• And one of the reasons I got elected was a good friend, Susan Tendell, who worked very hard on my campaign
• At this time, we are reorganizing the House to accommodate the senators and their guests for the joint

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the cost of land, which was pretty reasonable in Spokane in 2014, at this point is making it very
• . ...usually the state of those properties is not one that is going to, like, get—like, there's a reason
• And the reason I ask this is because I think of a mobile home park.
• And how do we actually accommodate that in our systems?
• just a brief definition of what a home share is: a living arrangement where home providers offer accommodation

Summary: The committee met for work sessions on land banking/shared homeownership and on maximizing existing housing stock. Members first heard an overview from Commerce on alternative homeownership models, including community land trusts, limited equity cooperatives, condominiums, accessory dwelling units, middle housing, church land for housing, and public land transfers. The discussion focused on how these models can help households build equity while keeping housing permanently affordable. Committee members asked about statewide counts of co-ops and land trusts, and Commerce said it does not track all of those entities directly. Pierce County staff then described the Pierce County Community Development Corporation’s rapid acquisition fund and its role in acquiring, holding, and transferring public land for affordable housing. They said the county used general fund and affordable housing sales tax dollars to buy properties, preserve a manufactured home park through resident ownership, and create a pipeline of sites for future development. Members asked about the advantages of a public development authority, funding sources, the use of surplus and underutilized public property, and how the model works with housing authorities. Spokane land bank staff followed with testimony that land banks can reduce blight, preserve affordability, and help nonprofits acquire land quickly, but that holding costs and taxes can make the work harder without state support. They also described brownfield assessments, donated properties, and work on Black homeownership and public surplus properties. The committee then heard from the Northwest Cooperative Development Center on limited equity cooperatives, especially in manufactured housing communities. The witness said Washington now has about 43 limited equity co-ops and that recent subsidy funding and legislation have accelerated resident purchases of manufactured home communities. Members asked how residents benefit from capped equity, how values are affected, and whether the model improves access to lending; the witness said the model stabilizes costs, allows modest equity gains, and that a recent law allowing manufactured homes in co-ops to be titled as real property should improve access to traditional financing. The committee also discussed House Bill 1974 from the prior session and possible updates to land banking legislation. In the second work session on maximizing existing housing stock, Commerce reviewed recent housing laws and implementation timelines, including ADUs, middle housing, condo liability reform, SEPA changes, tiny homes, and co-living. Members raised concerns about the long implementation horizon, vacancy data, corporate ownership of homes, and the need for better support for small landlords and first-time ADU owners. Sightline then testified on mobile dwelling units, arguing that RVs, tiny houses on wheels, and similar units are a low-cost, quick-to-install housing option that is often blocked by zoning; the witness said many Washington residents already live in these units, often informally. Finally, AARP discussed housing options for older adults, including ADUs, missing middle, manufactured home communities, co-living, universal design, and village-style support models, emphasizing aging in place and the need for more accessible, affordable housing choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no reason for some of the things to be happening that are dragging us down in terms of regulation
• One of the reasons why I wanted to make sure that you were here today is not only labor standards, but
• One of the reasons why I wanted to make sure that you were here today is not only labor standards, but
• required to balance our allocation for housing, population, and jobs to show that our zoning can accommodate
• we have to balance our allocation for housing, population, and jobs to show that our zoning can accommodate

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee work session focused first on Civic Commons’ “starter home production plan,” a statewide strategy intended to increase production of homes affordable to households roughly between 60% and 120% of area median income. Presenters said the Covenant Home Ownership program will not succeed without more starter homes, and outlined recommendations including a temporary cross-sector crisis task force, a developer network, new financing tools, public seed funding, and a multi-site demonstration program to test off-site construction and standardized designs. Committee members asked about silos in the current system, the role of off-site and modular construction, target income ranges, and where the plan would be most useful. Civic Commons said the plan is meant to be statewide, community-informed, and respectful of local context, with pre-approved plans and standardized approaches for both single-family and multi-unit housing. The Department of Labor and Industries then gave an update on factory-built housing oversight. Officials said residential factory-built structures are a small but important part of their work and described progress in prioritizing residential plan reviews, which they said has reduced review time from months to about two days. They also reported creating a plans examiner supervisor position, moving forward with rules for third-party plan review and inspection, and beginning analysis of national standards from the Modular Building Institute to see whether they align with state code. Committee members and L&I discussed the value of standardized plans, real-time tracking for applicants, and the role of state inspection in reducing local jurisdictional variation. The Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council testified that it supports efforts to reduce permitting delays and increase housing production, but warned against weakening safety standards or labor protections. The labor representatives said prefabrication and modular construction can help if the workforce is protected, wages and apprenticeship opportunities are preserved, and projects use tools such as community workforce agreements. They also raised concerns about wage theft, misclassification, and unlicensed contractors in residential construction, and suggested stronger front-end contractor education or licensing. Committee members responded that the goal is to expand production without sacrificing safety or good jobs. The committee also heard city perspectives on local housing reforms. Olympia described its affordable housing emergency ordinance, which gives qualifying projects priority in the permitting queue, and said success depends on communication among housing staff, planners, engineers, and developers. Walla Walla, an early adopter of middle housing, reported increased ADUs, duplexes, and smaller-lot development after eliminating single-family zoning and expanding tools such as MFTE and ADU flexibility. Des Moines described adopting middle housing and ADU ordinances in June 2025 after a lengthy public process, while Poulsbo described proactive code changes including duplexes on corner lots, unit lot subdivisions, manufactured home protections, expanded ADU allowances, and pre-approved ADU plans shared with neighboring jurisdictions. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• was discovered that the former student who had recently been released from prison and required accommodation
• was discovered that the former student who had recently been released from prison and required accommodation
• electronic customer data in non-criminal circumstances to our agencies when the provider has a reasonable
• This is a provider determining that they have a reasonable belief to make the disclosure, either based
• Combating Global Organ Trafficking Organization, and I'm here to support strongly SB 456 for the reasons

Summary: The committee heard and laid out a series of criminal justice bills, with public and invited testimony on restitution, juvenile justice, child abuse reporting, public-safety protections, organ trafficking, property fraud, disaster-response worker protections, fentanyl exposure, emergency data disclosure, insurance-fraud investigations, blood warrant execution, human smuggling, and TJJD advocacy access. Several measures drew support from prosecutors, clerks, law enforcement, utility companies, and victims who described real-world harms and delays in current law; opposition or caution came from civil-rights and advocacy groups on bills involving expanded criminal liability, data disclosure, and juvenile-facility access. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with the committee later voting out SB 127 favorably and placing it on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1666 would streamline restitution payments for parole or mandatory supervision cases by requiring TDCJ to include victim information when forwarding payments, shortening the period before unclaimed funds go to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, and clarifying confidentiality and contact procedures; county clerks supported it as an efficiency measure. SB 2776 would let TJJD disclose certain information, with written consent, to support the Credible Messengers Program, and SB 127 would extend limitations periods for failure-to-report child abuse and concealment offenses, with testimony emphasizing delayed discovery of abuse and the need for accountability. SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting or interfering with peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers, and SB 456 would raise penalties for organ purchasing/trafficking and create a more specific criminal framework for the offense; both drew strong support from law enforcement and victims. The committee also heard SB 2611 on real property theft and deed fraud, which would create separate offenses for real property theft and fraud, add a ten-year limitations period, require criminal judgments to be filed in county property records, and expand restitution and title-clearing remedies. Witnesses described forged deeds, stolen church and family properties, and long, costly efforts to restore title; county clerks and prosecutors said the bill would help victims and streamline civil remedies. SB 482 would increase penalties for offenses against utility workers during declared disasters or evacuation orders, prompted by reports of threats and assaults during Hurricane Beryl; utility representatives said the bill is needed to keep mutual-aid crews coming to Texas. SB 1234 would add fentanyl to the endangerment statute for vulnerable people, while SB 816 would allow providers to disclose electronic data in immediate life-threatening situations; both drew support from prosecutors and criticism from civil-rights advocates concerned about overbreadth and liability protections.