Transcript Highlights:

• Organ and tissue donations are simple. They say it's a simple way until you go through it.
• Fee shifting.
• They don't get to go back and get fees later, correct?
• other side to get their fees.
• This is a simple amendment, members.

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, prayer, approval of the previous journal, and messages from the House, then moved through several recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups. Members adopted resolutions recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America, Fine Arts Education Day, Donate Life Texas Day, Baha’i Capitol Day, County Government Day, Jack County Day, Crockett County Day, and a recognition of Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanik for service during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The chamber also heard remarks from visiting doctors, students, county officials, and community groups, with multiple senators speaking in support of military families, arts education, organ donation, and local government service. The Senate then took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2779, relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues. Senator Birdwell said the bill would stop local governments from conditioning HOT funds on race- or class-based priorities and would require Galveston to transfer the full state rebate for beach cleaning and maintenance to its park board. After questions, the Senate suspended the rules, passed the bill to engrossment, suspended the three-day rule, and finally passed it, though the final vote showed significant opposition. The chamber also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2322, described as a cleanup bill removing the compelling-factor test for dispatchable generation from the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act. A major debate centered on Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2253, which would phase out uncertified teachers in core classrooms and strengthen educator certification requirements. Senator Creighton argued the bill responds to a teacher pipeline crisis, adds parent notification, creates multiple preparation pathways, and provides financial incentives for certification; Senator West and Senator Sparks pressed for rural flexibility and implementation details. An amendment from Senator Gutierrez to add a teacher student-loan repayment program failed on a 11-17 vote, while other technical and fiscal amendments were adopted. The bill then passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed. The Senate also passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2371, updating skimmer-reporting rules to cover electronic terminals beyond fuel pumps, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2351, relating to the construction of certain concrete plants under a standard permit. Senate Bill 619, a conscience-protection bill for health care workers, drew extended questioning from Senators Cook, Eckhardt, and Menendez about patient abandonment, scope, and whether it could allow refusals of legal services such as vaccines, antibiotics, contraception, or personal care; despite those concerns, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment. Finally, the chamber began consideration of Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1169, which would allow public entities to form public utility agencies to cooperate on water and wastewater projects without eminent domain or cross-collateralization, with Senator Hinojosa explaining it as a tool for small and rural communities facing utility infrastructure problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a simple logger, not a lawyer. I'm not an attorney. I'm a simple logger, not a lawyer.
• You know, I'm just a simple caveman lawyer, but the simple logger is bringing a bill dealing with spaceships
• The answer is pretty simple.
• We're not here to worry about filing fees.
• or we might be talking 1,500 filing fees a year.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be setting its fees be setting its fees and<02:12:46.639> it<02:12:46.800> end<02:
• There is a set license fee.
• the process of updating that fee the process of updating that fee schedule<02:39:38.359> it
• fees and gaining<03:06:09.439> fees<03:06:09.760> from<03:06:10.000> those<03:06
• /c> High higher than needed licensing fees High higher than needed licensing fees have<03:15:20.880><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 702, which would change how extra or special duty pay for retired police officers is treated for retirement and work-limit purposes. Supporters argued the bill would let retirees work more special-duty hours, helping municipalities fill traffic-detail and similar assignments without added state cost, and said it would not prohibit retirees from working but would simply stop those hours from counting toward the return-to-work threshold. Opponents argued the change would be inconsistent with the retirement system’s 2011 reforms, could increase pension liabilities, and would treat the same compensation differently for active employees and retirees. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect current and future retirees, the role of municipalities, and whether the policy amounted to “policing for profit.” The subcommittee ultimately voted 3-2 to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL) on HB 702, sending it to the full committee with that recommendation. The committee then discussed House Bill 581, which would create a Group Three retirement plan for new state employees hired after the bill’s effective date. The chair outlined a housekeeping amendment to delay implementation, moving the effective date to January 1, 2026, and noted a sponsor amendment addressing health insurance group inclusion and medical and surgical benefits so those benefits would not be put at risk for the new group. Testimony and discussion focused on the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, with supporters citing Michigan examples and arguing the bill would help recruit and retain employees while giving them more flexibility. Opponents said the change could weaken retirement security and increase unfunded liability, though supporters responded that the bill still requires employer contributions toward accrued liability and is intended to keep the state on track to pay off its unfunded liability by 2039. The transcript ends with continued discussion of the bill and no final vote shown on HB 581.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you give me a was the fee amount.
• license fee license fee for<01:52:17.600> that<01:52:18.440> um<01:52:18.800> would
• be required to pay that additional fee be required to pay that additional fee uh<01:52:58.080>
• Uh the only So, it's pretty simple.
• And that's simple cleanup.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fees.
• He paid a flat fee.
• fees for a frivolous motion.
• fees for a frivolous motion.
• Pretty simple, as Ms.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• that<00:38:42.960> are increased numerous fees that are increased numerous fees that are
• agreement where a you pay a certain fee agreement where a you pay a certain fee to<01:27:13.920>
• maybe it's just a title issue with um<02:14:58.719> the<02:14:58.960> title<02:14:59.199
• title under statute. title under statute.
• This is a very simple bill.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our bill is simple.
• which is particularly lucrative because it allows the primary ticketer to double dip by collecting fees
• Title IX and California state law prohibit local education agencies from gender-based discrimination
• On Friday, the DOE announced the formation of the Title IX Special Investigations Team, dedicated to
• Institutions that are fraudulently accepting federal dollars while violating Title IX.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Resort fees, amenities fees, facilities fees, to name just a few.
• Resort fees, amenities fees, facilities fees, to name just a few.
• Resort fees, amenities fees, facilities fees, to name just a few.
• Resort fees, amenities fees, facilities fees, to name just a few.
• Resort fees, these types of fees.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 28, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Is there a title for the form? >> A title? Yeah. >> The form? >> Oh, the quote that I gave you?
• >> Is there a title for the form? >> Is there a title for the form?
• >> A<00:35:20.560> title?<00:35:21.119> Yeah. >> A title? Yeah.
• Simple.<00:40:21.359> Senator<00:40:21.760> Long. Simple. Senator Long. Simple.
• fees to the prevailing party. fees to the prevailing party.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to require a title search.
• the buyer is going to require a title the buyer is going to require a title search<00:24:50.399>
• proceed this was found on the title proceed this was found on the title examination<00:29:13.640
• that requires quiet title is like this that requires quiet title is takes<00:29:25.559> much<
• been the clear um title the title issues been the clear um title the title issues been remedied<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 437, which would change New Hampshire law on undischarged mortgages by creating a shorter period after which certain old mortgages would be treated as unenforceable. Prime sponsor Representative Bill Boyd said the bill was developed with input from bankers, lawyers, realtors, the Attorney General’s office, and the Banking Department, and he noted a drafting correction needed on line 18. He explained that the proposal would replace current law with a new framework modeled partly on Massachusetts, including a five-year expiration after a stated maturity date and a 35-year period for mortgages without an expiration date. Supporters said the bill would help clear obsolete title defects, reduce costly quiet-title litigation, and make real estate transactions easier for consumers, attorneys, and conveyancers. Representative Mary Hakken-Phillips, Susan Cole of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, and Michelle Coffin all testified in support, describing the bill as a consumer protection measure. They said undischarged or improperly discharged mortgages often surface during title searches, causing delays, legal expenses, and failed or delayed closings. Coffin and Hakken-Phillips emphasized that many of these cases involve old, effectively obsolete mortgages and that the current process often requires expensive court action even when no one contests the title. Cole described a recent transaction in which a title defect caused a buyer to walk away and later restart the financing process, creating costs for both buyer and seller. A committee member asked about notice to mortgage holders; the response was that the lender bears responsibility for recording and extending the mortgage, and that due process rights would remain if a lender later contested the discharge. Ryan Hill of the New Hampshire Bankers Association said the banking industry had reviewed the bill and was generally comfortable with it, while requesting a delayed effective date so members would have time to adjust their recording practices. He said the bill’s January 1, 2028 effective date reflected that request. After closing the hearing on HB 437, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 721, the Gold and Silver Legal Tender Act. Representative Juliet Harvey-Bolia introduced it as a bipartisan economic justice bill intended to recognize gold and silver as legal tender, protect against inflation, and address concerns about trust, taxes, and government taking. She argued that gold is a stable store of value and discussed tax treatment in neighboring states, federal history, and digital gold platforms. The hearing on HB 721 was still in progress when the transcript ended, with the chair limiting questions because of time.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that that title really drives home exactly why we're here.
• We're also here to enforce the Title VIII rules and regulations.
• Is that in— so that you're telling me that's all in Title VIII?
• So where do the workers fall in Title VIII?
• It's not outlined in Title 8. So where is it?

Summary: The hearing focused on a state audit of Cal/OSHA titled “The Division of Occupational Safety and Health: Process Deficiencies and Staffing Shortages Limit Its Ability to Protect Workers.” Committee leaders and the audit team described serious workplace tragedies, argued that California’s worker protections are not being adequately enforced, and said the audit was prompted by concerns that Cal/OSHA was too often relying on letters instead of inspections, delaying investigations, and closing cases without enough documentation. Members repeatedly emphasized that the issue was not just staffing, but also outdated policies, weak oversight, and inconsistent enforcement. State Auditor Grant Parks said the audit found a 32% vacancy rate in 2023-24, heavy reliance on hard-copy files, outdated or unclear policies, and inconsistent decision-making in complaints, accidents, citations, and fine reductions. He said Cal/OSHA conducted on-site inspections in only about 20% of complaints, used letter investigations more than 80% of the time, often lacked evidence that hazards were corrected, and sometimes failed to inspect serious injury cases on time. The audit also found weak documentation for fine calculations and settlement reductions, with some penalties reduced substantially without clear explanations. Parks said the agency had accepted the findings and would provide progress updates later in the year. Committee members pressed the auditor on vacancy rates, the use of letter investigations, the low rate of criminal referrals, and whether fines were being reduced too often. Cal/OSHA and DIR officials responded that the vacancy rate had fallen to 12% partly because 66 vacant positions were eliminated in a statewide budget reduction and partly because of hiring; they said 126 people had been hired in the first half of the year. They also said they had hired a policy writer, were updating several policies, were planning periodic internal audits, and were developing a new data management system expected to go live in late 2026 or early 2027. On fines, officials said Title 8 sets base penalties and allows adjustments based on factors like employer size, history, and good faith, with appeals and informal conferences also affecting final amounts. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a tax; it's a fee. Yeah. The fee is a tax; the tax is a fee, but you have to pay it.
• It's very simple.
• Never, ever, because one is lease fee and one is fee simple. They ask for financing documents. Why?
• In the earlier theme, taxes are fees, and fees are taxes, and some taxes are user fees. and in water
• In simple terms, I'm the numbers guy.

Bills: SB467, SB325, SB867, SB994, SB1052, SB1237, SB1449, SB1531, SB2063, SB2172, SB2173, SB2520, SB2529, SB2538, SB2541, SJR46, SJR84

Keywords: SB 467, Texas property tax, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, fire damage, house fire, destroyed home, temporary tax relief, appraisal district, chief appraiser, local taxing unit, tax rollback, tax refund, Tax Code Chapter 11, prorated exemption, homestead improvement, disaster relief, property tax exemption, residential property

Transcript Highlights:

• In the officers' competition, the Poe High Steppers earned the national champion title in the military
• I'll quote, 'The fee shall be 10% of monthly adjusted transaction total from sports betting.'
• Amendment 1: I move to amend House Bill 1047 by restoring the title and enacting clause.
• Restore title with permission of the chairman and committee. Questions on the amendment?
• House Bill 3996 has a simple amendment on page 2.

Bills: HB3834, HB3940, HB4346, HB2947, HB3257, HB3264, HB4326, HB4421, HB3944, HB3979, HB4118, SCR22, SB169, HB1047, HB2123, HB2650, HB3260, HB3403, SR41, HB3649, HB3742, HB3831, HB3996, HB4321, HB4339

Keywords: HB3834, Oklahoma Breakthrough Therapy Act, ibogaine, ibogaine-based therapeutics, ibogaine analogs, clinical trials, FDA approval, breakthrough therapy designation, opioid use disorder, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, mental health, neurological disorders, drug development, public-private partnership, State Department of Health, intellectual property, revolving fund, research funding, medical licensing

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and recognized several guests and groups in the gallery, including the Ponca City High School Poe High Steppers, the Edmond Democratic Women, family members of senators, a Grace Reform Baptist Church co-op group, and Oklahoma 4-H participants. The chamber also honored the Red Oak Lady Eagles state championship basketball team with a citation and remarks celebrating their first school basketball title and strong season. The Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 22, supporting the Lights Out Oklahoma campaign to reduce bird mortality during migration by encouraging reduced exterior lighting in peak migration months. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 41, proclaiming April 22, 2026, as the 27th annual 4-H Day at the Capitol, with testimony from 4-H representatives emphasizing youth leadership, civic engagement, and workforce readiness. Several bills passed, including House Bill 169 (house amendments adopted and the bill passed as an emergency measure), House Bill 2123 on the Arkansas River bridge, House Bill 2650 on summary administration estate thresholds, House Bill 3260 on funeral director continuing education approvals, House Bill 3403 on a DEQ/OSU sewage sludge pilot study, House Bill 3649 on the Mental Health Department real property trust, House Bill 3742 on criminal discovery, House Bill 3831 on a Task Force One revolving fund, House Bill 3996 on indigent defense experts in capital cases, House Bill 4321 on limits on retroactive building rule application, and House Bill 4339 on summary administration notice timing. House Bill 1047, which would have authorized a tribal sports betting framework and related revenue distributions, drew extensive debate over gambling addiction, revenue, tribal compacts, geofencing, and NIL funding, but failed 21-27; Senator Coleman gave notice of intent to reconsider. The Senate then announced an Appropriations Committee meeting and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, gentlemen, patient protections, the title. Mr. Lopez, you want to start?
• We talked about caps on attorney fees.
• That's why you see those fees.
• The licensing fee in whichever states you want to practice in.
• The license fee is $400, plus the $350. So, sorry, that totals $750.

Transcript Highlights:

• costs and attorney fees.
• This bill is simple and common-sense.
• It also has this ridiculous fee-switching provision that allows the plaintiff to collect attorney's fees
• That is not how fee switching works.
• This is not simple; it's not. Not safe.

Bills: HB7, SB 8, HB7, SB 8

Keywords: abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Title, and then we will.
• Our purpose for the commission is laid out in Title 19.
• Registration fees are another. source of our revenue.
• We've not had a fee increase since 2018.
• The board, in the past, has not reduced license renewal fees.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• included in the lease, such as term, fee included in the lease, such as term, fee or<00:37:41.960
• 37:43.360> the<00:37:43.440> state, or fee formula to compensate the state, or fee formula
• <01:16:31.080> checkbox a simple checkbox a simple checkbox uh uh uh to<01:16:33.800> agree
• but<01:52:39.240> critical H385 recognizes a simple but critical H385 recognizes a simple
• This is the Vermont's uh title 9.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We spoke about this a couple weeks ago, and it's a bill that we feel is pretty simple.
• I mean, it's really that simple.
• They're getting a $5 fee.
• and gas proceeds, and pass-through entity withholding tax, and the workers' comp fee.
• Committee, House Bill 309 is pretty simple.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• title title is<00:33:14.497> [snorts]<00:33:14.960> what<00:33:15.279> counts<00
• Taxes in Vermont and all the licensed fees and all of that stuff.
• So, Title 7, favor national brands.
• So, Title 7, Title<01:14:33.679> 7<01:14:34.000> already<01:14:34.320> allows<01
• :14:35.280> uh<01:14:35.520> wine Title 7 already allows uh wine Title 7 already allows

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 5173 by Dean, relating to the annual reports of the adoption of title insurance premium rates, is
• in public schools and the waiver of employment in certain education, examination, and certificate fees
• HB 5173 by Dean, relating to the annual reports of the adoption of title insurance premium rates, is
• HB 5063 by Garcia relates to tuition and fee structures.
• HB5499 by LaHood relates to towing fee studies in the amount of non-consent towing fees in certain political

Keywords: 1184, house, all