Transcript Highlights:

• We are considering thousands of pieces of legislation this session, members.
• If history We are considering thousands of pieces of legislation this session, members.
• and in prior sessions in support of the judiciary of Texas.
• session.
• session.

Bills: HB40

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriffs, constables, contracts, county authority

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence met to hear House Bill 1761, a broad judicial package focused on increasing judicial compensation and adding accountability and efficiency measures. The chair explained that HB 1707 and HB 2100 were withdrawn from the agenda, and that HB 1761 would be taken up first because many judges and stakeholders were present. The committee substitute for HB 1761 proposed a 30% increase in base judicial pay to $182,000, changes to judicial retirement linkage, stronger judicial conduct provisions, and efficiency measures such as targeted reporting for judges not meeting benchmarks, appellate in-person meeting encouragement, and time limits on certain motions. The chair and several supporters said judicial pay had reached “emergency status,” citing Texas’s low national ranking and difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified judges. Witnesses in support included presiding and district judges, the State Bar’s judicial section, business and trial lawyer groups, and prosecutors. They emphasized that many judges work long hours off the bench, handle warrants at night and on weekends, manage heavy dockets, and face recruitment problems in both urban and rural counties. Supporters also said higher pay would help attract experienced lawyers, retain judges, and improve court efficiency. Several witnesses and members discussed judicial accountability, including public reporting of court performance and the role of the Texas Supreme Court and presiding judges in setting benchmarks. Some members raised concerns that raw statistics can be misleading because judges also do substantial off-the-bench work and often help cover other courts’ dockets. There was also testimony and discussion about the bill’s conduct and discipline provisions. A representative of the Texas Civil Rights Project opposed parts of the bill that would tie pay raises to changes affecting judicial independence, warning about subjective bail-related discipline standards and possible chilling effects. The executive director of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct cautioned against civil penalties for complainants, saying it could discourage good-faith complaints and create litigation risks. Other witnesses supported accountability reforms but urged caution about unintended consequences, especially for family and emergency cases and for judges handling warrants and other time-sensitive matters. After testimony, the committee withdrew the committee substitute and left HB 1761 pending, then recessed the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your investment with the judiciary last session, I think, has helped us.
• This body has taken great steps over the last few sessions.
• Session.
• If I'm—I know the statute changes are recent, in a sense, last session.
• The statutes of the changes are recent, in a sense, last session.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:47:42.200> basis quality of the lake on a regular basis quality of the lake on a regular
• you and with that the executive session you and with that the executive session on<04:24:07.680>
• And that will go on the regular calendar, and with that the chair will close the executive session on
• That will go on the regular calendar.
• amendment that will go on the regular amendment that will go on the regular calendar<04:52:09.718

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that they always have some vocabulary lessons in every exact session.
• If there is, it is definitely going to be on the regular calendar, right?
• Okay, so this will go on the regular calendar and no minority report. it's on the regular calendar if
• this will go on the regular this will go on the regular calendar<01:14:32.480> and<01:14:
• If we don't plan to argue it, we can leave it on the regular calendar.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1/CAC 1, which concerned gubernatorial succession and incapacity. Members supporting an ITL motion said the bill was not workable as written and that New Hampshire already has a constitutional structure that has functioned for more than 200 years. Others noted the state’s two-year gubernatorial term and said the existing protections were sufficient. The committee voted 16-0 to inexpedient to legislate, and the item was placed on consent. The committee then considered House Bill 96, the energy code bill. Supporters argued that updating the code would reduce long-term energy costs, improve climate resilience, help the construction industry, and keep New Hampshire eligible for federal funding. Opponents of ITL said the bill was premature because the 2024 energy code was already under review, housing costs were a major concern, and the testimony on costs was conflicting and not well supported. The committee voted 12-4 for ITL, and a minority report was requested. House Bill 161, dealing with the Native American Affairs Commission, was also sent to ITL by a 16-0 vote and placed on consent. Members cited serious concerns about vacancies, expired terms, missing annual reports, and whether the commission was functioning effectively. Several members said the committee lacked the expertise to resolve the underlying cultural and intergovernmental disputes and that the issues were beyond the committee’s scope. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 428 and adopted Amendment 0328 by a 16-0 vote. The amendment would preserve municipalities’ ability to make administrative building-code amendments, such as permit, inspection, occupancy, and fee procedures, while still barring local governments from setting higher construction standards than the state code. Testimony emphasized that the amendment was meant to clean up and consolidate related language and make the bill administratively workable. After the amendment passed, members discussed the bill in amended form, with supporters and opponents focusing on housing costs, local control, flood protection, and the risk of inconsistent local codes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Floor session is now convening. The House will come to order.
• We met on a regular basis for breakfast.
• House Bill 4138, signed an open session.
• House Bill 4141, sign an open session.
• House Bill 4153 is signed in open session.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . session. session.
• Um, and again, you and the regular.
• many of you do see the regular many of you do see the regular departmentwide<01:00:42.160> transfers
• So we could, if necessary, have our exec session May 4th, but April 27th might be better.
• Um, but there's no House session until the 23rd, so we won't get any bills until then.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:32:18.320> Bill last legislative session, House Bill last legislative session, House Bill
• and they just come and do regular and they just come and do regular monitoring<00:33:38.159>
• And so this lapses at the end of this legislative session and House Bill 2.
• <00:39:04.880> and the end of this legislative session and the end of this legislative session
• <01:31:54.800> state state this our state our regular state state this our state our regular

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with approval of partial minutes, with members noting that DHS/HHS material was not yet included and that the minutes would be finalized later. The committee then heard from the General Court about several dedicated funds. Testimony explained the Joint Legislative Historical Fund, which receives a $25,000 annual general fund appropriation and transfers from visitor center sales above a $50,000 threshold, and is used for portrait maintenance, chamber work, Hall of Flags upkeep, and other historical preservation needs. Members also discussed the preservation of the Civil War flags in the Hall of Flags, with the General Court stating the flags are monitored through annual high-definition photos and that no immediate stabilization project is planned. A question about Union cemeteries was raised but the witness said he had no knowledge of federal funding for them. The committee also reviewed the visitor center revolving fund and noted that the accounting presentation is confusing because transfers are netted out so the fund ends each year at $50,000. Members suggested the narrative should clearly identify the transfer amounts and actual revenue, and staff agreed to note that in future reporting. The General Court then described its special legislative account as a stability reserve for capital and emergency needs, citing past uses such as the plaza ADA renovation, the legislative parking garage, and moving operations to One Granite Place. Members asked about interest earnings and were told the account is held in the treasury and any interest goes to the general fund unless statute directs otherwise; no additional funding was recommended at this time. The Department of Administrative Services then presented the law enforcement memorial fund, explaining it is a long-standing leftover construction fund with a small balance that has not been needed because the New Hampshire Law Enforcement Memorial Officers Association privately funds memorial upkeep and plaques. Members discussed whether the state should transfer the remaining money to the nonprofit, but no decision was made; the department said it would research whether such a transfer is legally possible. The department also reviewed the former land conservation endowment fund, now moving to Fish and Game under House Bill 2, and explained that it primarily covers administrative costs, management fees, and investment losses for a long-term conservation program. Members asked about the fund’s large balance and the increase in expenses, and were told the fund is intended to last indefinitely and that future reporting will shift to Fish and Game.

Transcript Highlights:

• I miss a lot of your faces since I was on Energy last session, but not this one, so thanks for having
• was on miss a lot of your faces since I was on energy<00:01:47.159> last<00:01:47.360> session
• <01:17:34.239> expense so in order to pay a regular expense so in order to pay a regular expense
• Just a quick question. early on in session as we learn about early on in session as we learn about some
• <01:28:24.119> I little bit a of an atypical session I little bit a of an atypical session

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to call the executive session of the House Judiciary Committee to order, and would you first
• Unfortunately, we did that executive session when we had already placed a notice in the calendar saying
• This will have to go on the regular calendar because it's going to Finance.
• Regular calendar. Who's writing the regular calendar? I'm afraid I'm writing the report.
• We'll go on the regular calendar. C, yes, regular calendar. All right, hang on one second.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met in executive session and first corrected a procedural issue by revoting on House Bills 98 and 164, which had previously been reported out unanimously before the notice had been placed on the calendar. HB 98, concerning professional limited liability company assistant managers, was again voted ought to pass by roll call 16-0 and was placed on the consent calendar. HB 164, dealing with local records, was amended with a fiscal note update from the Secretary of State’s office and then voted ought to pass as amended 17-0; because it was going to Finance, it was not eligible for consent. The committee also set aside HB 111 briefly while the amendment language was corrected. The committee then took up HR 6, a resolution condemning the judicial doctrine of disparate impact. The sponsor argued the resolution was intended to criticize the doctrine, but several members said it was too broad, legally problematic, and in need of more work, including a drafting error in the addressee. The committee voted ITL on HR 6 by 15-2, and with no objection it was placed on the consent calendar. The final major item was HB 111 FN, which would extend the right-to-know ombudsman position for two years. Representative Kuttab offered an amendment to limit remote records requests to people with a New Hampshire connection, citing testimony about out-of-state requests and the burden on municipalities. Members discussed the broader policy of the bill, with supporters saying the ombudsman has reduced court filings and saves time and money, while opponents said the office needs restructuring or more resources and that they were not ready to extend it without changes. The amendment was adopted 16-1, and the committee then voted ought to pass as amended 15-2, sending the bill to Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:28.920> Medicaid it's around 50% for the regular Medicaid it's around 50% for the regular
• It's something that we will need to work together to monitor and evaluate as the session evolves.
• Thank you again, and I hope that as we go forward that we can continue to have regular updates about
• Thank you again, and I hope that as we go forward that we can continue to have regular updates about
• Thank you again, and I hope that as we go forward that we can continue to have regular updates about

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 48 local bill in regular crown. On page 48 local bill in regular crown.
• Even this session, we've background. Even this session, we've background.
• So if that through snail mail regular. So if that through snail mail regular.
• of session back to well after we're out of session to see what that dollar amount is.
• veterinary hospital not a regular veterinary hospital not a regular hospital.

Bills: HJR 4, HJR 6, HB 195, HB 13, HB 143, HB 135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Montgomery for this special session. Um, Montgomery for this special session.
• Already, and are facing a budget crunch next regular session.
• next regular session. next regular session.
• Senator<00:48:47.600> Sessions. Senator Sessions. Senator Sessions.
• Senator<00:58:59.080> Sessions. Senator Sessions. Senator Sessions.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These apply to seasonal jobs, and these employees were not eligible for unemployment until the 2023 session
• for<00:10:53.120> the ...part of how we move forward for the rest of this legislative session
• <00:11:39.519> job uh as state senator, I my my regular job uh as state senator, I my my regular
• <00:15:36.480> and<00:15:36.639> begged first three weeks of session and begged first
• three weeks of session and begged us<00:15:37.120> to<00:15:37.399> solve.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We started this session, it's our first bill, with many more to come.
• Senator Creighton, you are recognized for motion to suspend the regular order of business.
• I move to suspend the regular order of business to take up and consider Senate Bill 2.
• Two sessions in a row, an emergency item that we should work with urgently.
• Again, we have plenty of opportunities to oppose other bills throughout this session.

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm looking for your positive consideration on this bill this session. Much appreciated.
• The committee has favorably reported similar bills in three previous sessions, laying the groundwork
• But I just want to implore you how important this is to get this legislation passed this session.
• I hope we get it passed this session with both chambers and signed by the governor into law.
• The bill that I have filed this upcoming session before this committee. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House Committee on Children and Families held a hybrid hearing on a broad set of anti-hunger, family support, and basic-needs bills. Early testimony focused on SNAP and DTA operations: Rep. DeRosa and others urged passage of H. 196/S. 167 to require DTA to identify staffing, technology, funding, and operational needs to improve timeliness and customer service, warning that unanswered calls, delayed recertifications, and federal changes could sharply raise state costs through higher SNAP administrative burdens and payment-error penalties. Speakers from Massachusetts Law Reform Institute and Project Bread said DTA is under-resourced, caseloads have grown, and families are being denied or delayed due to phone and paperwork barriers. Another major SNAP-related bill, H. 254/S. 147, would require the Commonwealth to replace stolen EBT/SNAP benefits; testimony described more than $13 million stolen from about 27,000 households since June 2022 and argued families should not bear losses from organized theft rings. The committee also heard strong support for H. 207/S. 117, which would restore state-funded nutrition assistance for legally present immigrants excluded from federal SNAP under recent federal changes. Advocates from Project Bread, the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, local immigrant services, and public health groups said the federal cuts would leave thousands of residents, including refugees, asylum seekers, trafficking survivors, and children, without food support, and argued Massachusetts has a history of filling this gap. Testimony also supported H. 222/S. 104 to make the Healthy Incentives Program permanent and year-round; supporters said HIP improves nutrition, boosts local farms and regional economies, and had already served more than 212,000 households in FY25. A related child-support bill, H. 201/S. 110, would increase the amount of child support passed through to TAFDC families and expand good-cause exemptions; witnesses said the change would put more money directly in families’ hands, reduce poverty, and better protect survivors of domestic violence and families with complicated co-parenting situations. A large portion of the hearing was devoted to deep-poverty and diaper-related legislation. Supporters of H. 214/S. 118 said cash assistance grants have lost value over time and should be raised annually until they reach half of the federal poverty level; advocates from Children’s HealthWatch, Hopewell, the Lift Our Kids Coalition, and parents described the links between deep poverty, poor child health, family stress, and child welfare involvement. They argued that higher grants would help families meet basic needs, reduce hospitalizations and neglect reports, and provide stability amid federal cuts. Finally, multiple witnesses backed diaper legislation, including H. 220/S. 151 and related bills, to create a diaper benefits pilot and/or diaper allowance commission. Testimony from the National Diaper Bank Network, MassCAP, Children’s HealthWatch, local diaper banks, and parents said diaper need is widespread, affects parental employment and mental health, and can cause health problems for infants; a federally funded pilot in Massachusetts was cited as showing improved employment, financial stability, reduced stress, and fewer diaper rashes. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and asked questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:13.080> that There's many measures this session that There's many measures this session
• <00:59:44.320> DBA why we prefer having just a regular DBA why we prefer having just a regular
• I know that in a previous legislative session, there was a bill.
• <01:32:13.880> I legislative session, there was a bill.
• I legislative session, there was a bill.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, with most measures drawing either support or comments rather than opposition. HB 2395, relating to taking marine deposits for research, education, management, or propagation, received support from the University of Hawaii and DLNR. HB 2585, relating to agricultural tourism, drew broad support for its intent to keep agritourism secondary to farming, but agencies and farm groups raised concerns about enforcement, county authority, and the rebuttable presumption language. Testifiers included OPSD, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, a small farm operator, and others, with some urging clearer definitions, simpler registration, and protections for bona fide farms and hosted farm stays. HB 1728, on rainwater catchment systems, was supported in principle by DLNR, which cited drought conditions and said it deferred to counties and the Department of Health on safety and regulation. HB 1881, which would prohibit passenger ropeways on mountain lands, drew strong support from community testifiers who said it would help prevent development disguised as agritourism and protect forests and country lands. HB 1990, establishing penalties and possible foreclosure for unresolved zoning violations, received comments from the Attorney General recommending removal of AG references and more county-centered enforcement, while the Hawaii Association of Realtors warned the 30-day timeline could create problems for absent or unaware homeowners. The committee also heard HB 1712, which would expand and make permanent certain seats on the State Building Code Council. The Plumbers and Fitters union supported the bill, but BIA Hawaii requested amendments to add “licensed contractor” language, and architects and other professionals opposed the measure, arguing that increasing the council from 12 to 15 voting members would make it less efficient and harder to reach quorum. Finally, HB 2151, relating to hempcrete, was supported by a Kauai workforce development advocate and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, who said hempcrete could support agriculture, manufacturing, and affordable housing while reducing carbon and reliance on imported materials. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been in support of every iteration of this, going back multiple sessions.
• Be taxed at the regular rates. Okay. All right. Thank you. Senator Hinojosa.
• after session.
• The depository was established by the 84th legislative session.
• In almost every instance, regular Joes, regular Texans are left holding something that is worth less

Bills: SB524, SB782, HB42, HB1056, HB2894, HB3033, HB3474, HB3594, HB4738, HB5246, HB42

Keywords: SB 524, Texas franchise tax, veteran-owned business, new veteran-owned business, business tax exemption, filing fee exemption, Tax Code Chapter 171, Business Organizations Code, Comptroller, small business, veterans, entrepreneurship, tax repeal, privilege tax, beginning date, franchise tax exemption, severance tax, oil, gas, restimulation wells

Transcript Highlights:

• And uh so we're in session and ready.
• Uh we exit exec session on 1074. Okay. Uh we exit exec session on 1074.
• consent and it'll be on the regular consent and it'll be on the regular calendar<01:40:35.280>
• Yes. regular fishing. Yes.
• <05:25:57.040> on<05:25:57.280> HB1<05:25:57.920> 1314 session on HB1 1314 session

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . $10 million cut target by reducing unspent appropriations made from the 2023 session as follows: $3
• I'm out of session.
• To do that process immediately at the end of the session last year.
• And be aware as you're coming through to our session tomorrow morning.
• Hussain because every time we have a session... Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:32.599> on<00:06:33.000> pending executive sessions on pending executive sessions
• conference last legislative session conference last legislative session the<00:31:28.960> problem
• <02:34:21.720> at reconvene for executive sessions at reconvene for executive sessions at
• doesn't it have to go on the regular doesn't it have to go on the regular calendar<04:27:23.000>
• note so it will go onto the regular note so it will go onto the regular calendar<05:11:02.040>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.