Transcript Highlights:

• How do you work together?
• A lot of work is actually being done on that project.
• We have our own IT employees that are doing parts of this work.
• So I'm showing 123 and 124 as the Health Care Authority.
• It'll say a bunch of different stuff, obviously a lot of work to work through with our executive colleagues

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Sulphur River Basin Authority, the state-appointed river authority, had to issue an emergency resolution
• That's how it works.
• Senate Bill 2448 supports this kind of work.
• These are communities we work with every single day.
• These are communities we work with every single day.

Bills: SB913, SB1086, SB1087, SB1143, SB1534, SB1553, SB1718, SB1754, SB2004, SB2322, SB2448

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met to hear a series of bills and informational primers, with several resource witnesses from the Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The chair opened by noting the death of Senator King’s son and asking members to keep the family in their prayers. Most bills were laid out and left pending subject to the call of the chair after brief author presentations and public testimony. The committee heard several local hotel occupancy tax bills: SB 1553 for Kerr County, SB 1086 for Childress County, SB 1087 for Mason County, and SB 913 for Alpine. Supporters, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and local officials, said the measures would allow counties or the city to use hotel tax revenue for tourism-related projects and local development. The committee also heard SB 1534, which would direct a study on health physics education and workforce needs in Texas; resource witnesses from TWC and THECB testified on the bill. All of these measures were left pending. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 1754, which would prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power at wholesale, with an exception for certain battery storage tied to dispatchable generation. The bill drew strong support from witnesses who argued counties should not subsidize wind and solar projects that can harm neighboring landowners and that renewables already receive substantial federal support. Opponents from the solar and storage industry argued the bill would remove a voluntary local economic development tool, raise power prices, and discourage investment. Senators also debated landowner impacts, grid reliability, and whether the bill was the right policy tool; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2322, a committee substitute related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which would exempt electric generation facilities from the program’s compelling-factor test so they can qualify for school tax limitation agreements. Supporters said the change would correct an unintended barrier for dispatchable generation, while Senator Johnson argued it would weaken the program’s purpose by subsidizing projects that would locate in Texas anyway. SB 1718 would add the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program; the NRA supported it, while gun violence prevention advocates opposed using state incentives for the organization. SB 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events program, and SB 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard SB 1143, a substitute bill aimed at improving transparency and coordination in programs serving opportunity youth ages 14 to 24, with witnesses supporting better reporting and workforce alignment. At the end of the meeting, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brill, thank you for your work.
• Brill, thank you for your work. work. work. uh<00:03:09.920> we<00:03:10.159> move<00:03
• <00:24:43.600> some uh some transfer uh authority some uh some transfer uh authority some
• being added to the department's work being added to the department's work plan<00:30:57.200>
• So the trade association is given authority to authorize or issue the plates.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we'll just wait for authors to arrive. Thank you.
• SB 1408 would authorize the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, or CCTA, to place a countywide sales
• We have two authors now. Thank you. We’re going to go by file order.
• The author is committed to working with us, and we're grateful, like I said, to her for that.
• Senator, thank you for working with opposition.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of local government, housing, transportation, and public safety bills. Early items included SB 762, which would give certain local governments a voter-approved path to seek additional local sales tax authority to address fiscal pressures; SB 1400, which would modernize Alameda Health System governance and give Alameda County more flexibility and oversight; and SB 1408, which would authorize Contra Costa County to place a renewal of its transportation sales tax on the ballot. Supporters for those bills included local officials, county representatives, labor groups, fire and police organizations, and transit advocates, while no organized opposition was presented on those measures in committee. The committee also heard SB 1272, which would give homeowners more time to correct certain inherited code violations and allow an affidavit process for buyers who did not know about the violation at purchase. The bill drew support from the California Apartment Association and opposition from code enforcement and county groups, who argued it would reduce local enforcement discretion and create health and safety risks. After questions about disclosure and enforcement, the committee approved SB 1272 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations. SB 1055, dealing with procurement flexibility for Pajaro flood control and levee repairs, also passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. Later, the committee approved SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and create an independent medical examiner system. The author and supporters argued the change was needed for transparency and independence in in-custody death investigations, while opponents raised labor, cost, and governance concerns; some opposition was softened after the author agreed to employee-protection amendments. The committee also passed SB 1172, limiting consultant compensation and adding transparency rules for local tax-sharing agreements, and several housing bills from Senator Grayson: SB 1003 on pro-housing infrastructure financing districts, SB 1014 on early disclosure of infrastructure requirements for housing projects, and SB 1169 on extending tentative vesting map validity. The committee took votes on consent items and later add-ons, with most measures passing on bipartisan or unanimous votes and several being re-referred to Appropriations or Housing and Community Development as appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that how that works?
• Is that how that works?
• I work remodeling houses, and I have children who work in the oil industry.
• seem to work previously.
• It is very hard work.

Bills: SB100

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How does that work?
• Every day my team works.
• In 2021, Assembly Bill 320, authored by Mr.
• Really appreciate staff's work and your work, Madam Chair, on amendments with this process and getting
• Really appreciate staff's work and your work, Madam Chair, on amendments with this process and getting

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sure understand the statutory Authority sure understand the statutory Authority for for for when
• They're working with Wood Creek and Kentucky American, uh, and what we're working towards is one of those
• in earthw work for the flash steel work in earthw work for the flash steel work site<00:30:04.720
• <00:30:21.440> this Industrial Development Authority this Industrial Development Authority
• we are working on adjournment yeah where we are working on the<00:40:28.480> next<00:40:28.680

Keywords: 00:13 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:00 Election of Co-Chairs 03:38 Approval of Minutes 04:09 Information Items 05:55 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cab 12:13 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cab 17:48 Ky Infrastructure Authority 28:50 Economic Development - EDF Grants 32:50 Ofc of Financial Mgmt 36:30 SFCC Debt Issues 40:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first reorganized by electing new co-chairs for the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee: Senator Fanny Fromom? as Senate co-chair and Representative McPherson as House co-chair, both by acclamation. The committee then approved the minutes from the prior meeting and received quarterly capital project status reports from the Administrative Office of the Courts, Finance and Administration Cabinet, and postsecondary institutions. Those reports noted University of Kentucky equipment purchases, several school districts planning general obligation and revenue bond issues, a notification of non-approval for PR 3567, and Kentucky Community and Technical College System asset preservation projects. Kevin Cardwell of the Finance and Administration Cabinet reported two action items: a $5,100 federal-funded Transportation Cabinet renovation of the Rowan County east and westbound rest areas, and a $1 million federal fund increase for the Capitol City Airport terminal building project, bringing the total federal support to $10 million and reducing the need for restricted funds. The committee also received a no-action report on a $1,363,000 Kentucky State University exterior repairs project funded through the 2024 asset preservation pool. Both action items were approved unanimously after roll call votes. The committee approved four lease renewals presented by Natalie Bronner for Cabinet for Health and Family Services locations in Bell, Lee, and Clay counties, plus a parking lease for the Department of Corrections in Jefferson County. Members asked about lease pricing and were told renewals must remain at existing terms and conditions. The committee then approved a $57,000 Kentucky WATS emergency grant for Wood Creek Water District to cover part of arrears tied to the City of Livingston; members discussed the city’s audit delinquency, possible regional water/sewer solutions, and concerns about rates and private involvement, but the grant was approved. Finally, the committee approved a $1 million line-item water grant to the City of Williamsburg with no action required, three Economic Development Fund grants for Bell, Franklin, and Shelby counties totaling $8 million in state support for site acquisition and infrastructure work, and five SFCC-supported school debt issues for Elizabethtown Independent, Erlanger Independent, Boyd County, Henderson County, and Union County. The school projects included middle school, high school, and vocational school renovations or new construction, and members requested a breakdown of the space funded by the debt. All action items were approved, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to work with the author on some language.
• Questions for the author on Senate Bill 3013? Very well.
• Senate Bill 2964 by the bill's author, it’s in there.
• Are there any questions for the author on SCR 63?
• Are there any questions for the author on SCR 63?

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• or not work.
• Our members and our organization's been very willing to work with the League of Cities on site authorization
• Our members and our organization's been very willing to work with the League of Cities on site authorization
• And so then in your—thank you—in your work, in your work...
• But it's an issue that county authorities and city authorities certainly should help the court work out

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also wanted to see if I could add myself as a co-author.
• Well, thank you so much to the members for joining on as co-authors and a joint author.
• Well, thank you so much, and the members for joining on as co-authors and a joint author.
• But our work is not finished.
• But our work is not finished.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on alcohol licensing, nonprofit funding, tribal grants, public transparency, and tobacco policy. AB 342 (Haney) would allow local governments to create hospitality zones with extended last-call hours on certain days; supporters argued it would boost tourism, nightlife, and major-event readiness, while opponents warned of alcohol-related harms and public safety risks. AB 684 (Patel) would subject the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools to open-meeting requirements, with supporters saying admissions-related changes should be more transparent and allow schools time to adjust. AB 1008 (Addis) would authorize up to 10 new on-sale general licenses in San Luis Obispo County to meet tourism demand, and AB 1039 (Hart) would require state agencies to offer advance payments on new nonprofit grants and contracts, which supporters said would help cash-strapped nonprofits deliver services. AB 221 (Ramos) would revise the Tribal Nation Grant Fund to provide more predictable annual distributions to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, and it drew broad support from tribal representatives and others. AB 795 (Jeff Gonzalez) would create a California commission for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, with supporters describing it as a privately funded, nonpartisan planning body. AB 828/AB 28 (Mark Gonzalez, as referenced in the transcript) would expand neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses in Los Angeles County to reduce costs and support restaurant recovery, and AB 1246 (Hoover) would increase craft distillers’ direct sales limits and address barrel-storage rules; both were supported as small-business measures. AB 1428 (Ta) would require reporting of all surplus and underutilized state land, and AB 957 (Ortega) would prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies, with strong public health support. Several bills were voted out on motions to Appropriations, some with amendments, while others were held or left on call until quorum was established; the committee also adopted a consent calendar and left rolls open for absent members on multiple measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, we'll just wait for authors to arrive. Thank you.
• SB 1408 would authorize the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, or CCTA, to place a countywide sales
• We have two authors now. Thank you. We're going to go by file order.
• The author is committed to working with us, and we're grateful to her for that.
• Senator, thank you for working with opposition.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We authorized this sale in 2023. We authorized this sale in 2023.
• Our<01:05:38.240> work<01:05:38.760> in Our work in Our work in Our<01:05:39.760> work
• Subsection C, authorized use. Subsection C, authorized use.
• of this work. of this work.
• Worked together.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The author of the bill, excuse me, Mr. The author of the bill, excuse me, Mr.
• back and forth on who's authoring it. back and forth on who's authoring it.
• years ago, we're going to work on that. years ago, we're going to work on that.
• committee had to work. committee had to work.
• product of a lot of hours of good work. product of a lot of hours of good work.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But they're working, yeah, with those flood districts, with those counties, with those river authorities
• We've got a program that's working. We've got a planning process that's working.
• authorities, just at the scale of work it would take to do that, and the degree to which we're not resourced
• We are working through the San Antonio Water System, SAWS, and the HAMB Water Authority as well.
• So as long as who has the authority and the process is clear, the data center industry can work within

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to thank the author for working with the committee on the bill language to clarify a voter's
• I still think we need further refinement on the and encourage the author to continue to work with the
• I want to thank the author for this bill for working with our committee staff on amendments to ensure
• So I know the author well enough to know that she's working hard on this and look forward to seeing this
• So I would be so honored if you would add me as a co-author of this bill and I look forward to working

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is how it works.
• has the authority to do that.
• be more than tollway authorities.
• So RMAs are not tolling authorities, correct?
• They are regional mobility authorities that have the authority to provide for all the needs of our regions

Transcript Highlights:

• Whatever, however, is the best to make it work correctly.
• We want to work with them as well.
• We want to work with them as well.
• It expands FDOT's authority regarding research facilities and contracting authority to conduct research
• So it is possible that it could be worked out.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met with a quorum and first took up SB 1362 on advanced air mobility. Senator Harrell described the bill as creating a framework for vertiports and eVTOL operations, including DOT oversight, vertiport licensing, preemption of local design and operational regulation, and limited liability protections. An amendment was adopted that removed the bill’s sales tax exemptions and narrowed the sovereign immunity language so it would apply only to vertiports co-located at airports, aligning the bill more closely with the House companion. Supporters from eVTOL companies praised Florida’s leadership and the regulatory clarity, while the Florida Justice Association urged caution about extending immunity to unproven entities. The committee then reported the bill favorably. The committee next considered SB 260 on storage and cleanup of electric vehicles after crashes. An amendment narrowed the bill to EVs with visible battery or battery-compartment damage or saltwater submersion, clarified that the fee applies to storage rather than towing, and tied the proposal to existing fire marshal rules requiring damaged EVs to be stored away from structures. Insurance and rental-car industry representatives supported the narrowed approach but asked for more data reporting, clearer limits on cleanup language, and safeguards against overcharging or cost shifting. The bill was debated as a response to the space and safety burdens placed on tow operators, and it was reported favorably after amendment. The committee also approved SB 1352, which creates a secure online portal for license plate seizure/confiscation processing, allows disabled veterans to retain their DV plate alphanumeric designation, authorizes immediate issuance of DV plates by tax collectors, bans license plate covers/overlays that obscure plates, and routes online driver license/ID renewals to the customer’s county tax collector with service fees remitted accordingly. SB 1370 was reported favorably as well; it closes a loophole so drivers who never had a license can still be treated similarly to suspended-license offenders for habitual traffic offender purposes after repeated offenses. Finally, the committee considered SB 1220, FDOT’s transportation package, which included updates to trail prioritization, SunTrail materials and sponsorships, seaport and airport resilience planning, drone delivery and personnel delivery device provisions, LiDAR coordination, turnpike toll programming changes, and felony penalties for damaging autonomous vehicles. An amendment removed some provisions, including digital driver license authorization and the rapid rail transit compact, and added advanced air mobility corridor language and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel revenue impacts; after support from several stakeholders, the committee reported the bill favorably and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute gives the Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM the authority to authorize the
• or joint authors, but not enough work was done or completed by the committee in the, uh.
• Uh, I mean, uh, working with my peers in other states, uh, we are, you know, working collaboratively
• We must work to reduce these tragic incidents by protecting construction workers who diligently work
• For example, if there's one in a work zone, it's not safe to work there.

Bills: HB 341, HB 791, HB 1564, HB 1695, HB 1722, HB 1729, HB 1772, HB 2003, HB 2954, HB 2989, HB 3084, HB 3134, HB 3135, HB 3309, HB 3611, HB 3679, HB 3727, HB 3832

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates

Transcript Highlights:

• We're working on here at Commerce, we're working on a guidebook.
• How does this program work in conjunction with housing authorities? What is that relationship?
• We can work in conjunction with housing authorities.
• So the value of Working-class people to live in Spokane and work.
• And I talked to the Spokane Housing Authority because I was like, “Hey, is this work that you’re interested

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:

• We'll have to see how that works out.
• We'll have to see how that works out.
• Our housing system works best when it's balanced and we all work together.
• We should put restrictions on the authority of volunteers, and I think there's a lot of work to be done
• I want to thank you for this work and holding this work session.

Summary: The committee held a work session in Mill Creek focused first on the eviction process. Judge Michael Scott of King County Superior Court described historic highs in unlawful detainer filings across Washington, especially in urban counties, and said King County has reduced its backlog and average time to resolution to about 60 days by adding two dedicated eviction judges and using more judges when needed. He also described how King County and other counties are implementing the right to counsel for indigent tenants, and noted that additional housing commissioners may help. Office of Civil Legal Aid representatives Philippe Knapp and Jane Paxe said the statewide appointed counsel program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, referred clients to social services, and helped many remain housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without representation. A landlord-side panel argued that eviction timelines remain too long and fragmented, creating unpaid rent, safety issues, and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants; they urged more uniform procedures, streamlined rental assistance, and procedural changes to reduce refiling and delays. The second work session addressed theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff reviewed existing criminal and regulatory laws covering malicious mischief, theft, scrap metal businesses, and metal property deception. Comcast, Mason Public Utility District, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft of aerial cable and copper has become a crisis affecting power, internet, 911 service, schools, hospitals, and line-worker safety. Utility representatives described outages, hazards, and rising costs, and asked for stronger audits of scrapyards, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, and tighter rules on payment and identification. Recyclers said they oppose the thefts and already operate under heavy regulation, but acknowledged enforcement gaps and the need for better coordination; committee members discussed possible bill concepts and asked for written recommendations. The final work session covered standards for law enforcement personnel. Criminal Justice Training Commission Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained current certification and decertification rules, including background checks, training requirements, mandatory and discretionary grounds for decertification, and the hearing process. They said elected sheriffs are not currently required to undergo the same pre-election background check as other applicants, though they can still be decertified if already certified, and they reported a backlog of more than 1,000 cases with about 70 to 80 new cases coming in each month. Retired Judge Ann Levinson then outlined ways the legislature could strengthen and align standards for chiefs, sheriffs, and marshals, including requiring certification within a set time, setting a minimum age, requiring recent state background checks, and making loss of certification a vacancy in office. Committee members asked questions about accountability for elected sheriffs, background-check administration, and decertification outcomes.