Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee of Criminal Justice has come to order. The clerk will please call the roll.
• multiple state and federal criminal laws.
• This bill would add criminal negligence to the animal cruelty statute.
• to courts but lacks any specific timeline requirements for conducting those pre-trial hearings.
• As explained in the layout, this bill simply adds images to the existing criminal statute, which criminalizes

Bills: HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305, HB449, HB908, HB1024, HB1306, HB1443, HB1445, HB1741, HB1866, HB1902, HB2001, HB2282, HB2355, HB2492, HB2637, HB2697, HB3464, HB4263, HB4996, HB5667, HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305

Keywords: sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, pretrial hearings

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, as one of the other senators mentioned earlier, we have a lot of criminals trying to come in

Bills: HB4125, HB2951, HB3082, HB4142, HB4106, HB1752, HB3268

Keywords: firearm rights restoration, nonviolent felons, Oklahoma firearm laws, gun ownership, pardon, expungement, public safety, transportation of inmates, Department of Corrections, correctional facilities, sentencing, health records, firefighters, sex offenders, employment restrictions, Oklahoma laws, bomb, explosive device, incendiary device, simulated bomb

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, as one of the other senators mentioned earlier, we have a lot of criminals that are trying to

Bills: HB4125, HB2951, HB3082, HB4142, HB4106, HB1752, HB3268

Keywords: firearm rights restoration, nonviolent felons, Oklahoma firearm laws, gun ownership, pardon, expungement, public safety, transportation of inmates, Department of Corrections, correctional facilities, sentencing, health records, firefighters, sex offenders, employment restrictions, Oklahoma laws, bomb, explosive device, incendiary device, simulated bomb

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met to consider several executive nominations and a series of bills. The committee advanced Joel Franks to the Polygraph Examiner Board, Julie Pittman to a full term on the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Commission, and Justin Ferris to serve as Director of Corrections. Each nominee was introduced by a sponsoring senator, gave brief remarks, and was advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls. On legislation, the committee passed House Bill 4125, which would restore certain rights to nonviolent felons after completion of sentence and includes an expungement component; members focused heavily on whether the language could unintentionally allow firearm possession by people still on probation or deferred sentences, and the author said he would work with staff on clarifying language. House Bill 2951, as amended, renamed a correctional facility after Chief James Smith; House Bill 3082 barred sex offenders from serving as firefighters; and House Bill 4142 expanded the crime involving unlawful use of bombs or explosives to include conspiracy. All three advanced with little opposition. The committee also passed House Bill 4106, which lowers the grand larceny threshold by $100 and adds an escalator for repeated thefts, though the author struck the title to continue working with the Attorney General’s office on retail theft issues. Members debated whether the change conflicted with the voter-approved theft threshold and whether it would meaningfully deter crime. House Bill 1752 exempted the Attorney General’s Office and the District Attorneys Council from the OMES vehicle requisition process and passed unanimously. House Bill 3268 made knowingly displaying a false or fictitious license plate a felony; members questioned its scope, including whether it could affect temporary tags or other situations, and it passed on a 5-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• some criminal things go through there.
• This is a CBD-CBG tincture, but SB5 would criminalize it.
• For us to be looked at as criminals, it's not okay.
• So SB 5 doesn't regulate; it criminalizes.
• It actually just criminalizes the entire industry.

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Title 13A is the criminal law code, which is where most of the criminal acts are.
• The inability to confirm identity allows criminals to slip through the cracks.
• Criminals to slip through the cracks.
• penalty. threat of arrest and criminal penalty.
• Do they have a criminal history of doing these actions?

Bills: HB105, HB296, HB15, HB264, HB34, HB304, HB146, HB26, HB15, HB34, HB26

Keywords: law enforcement, retirement benefits, Alabama Peace Officers, agency-issued badge, agency-issued pistol, resisting arrest, custody, public safety, Alabama law, traffic infractions, traffic ticket, disposition, criminal contempt, vessel registration, boating fees, state funds, regulatory changes, water safety, compliance, false information

Bills: SB1287

Keywords: abstraction, licensing, Oklahoma Abstractors Board, criminal background, good moral character

Summary: The State Powers Committee met with a quorum and heard Senate Bill 1287, presented by Representative Crosswhite Hader. The bill was described as closing a loophole in the Abstractors Board’s authority so it can deny a license to someone who is not legally authorized to work in the United States. Representative Gann asked how the measure would affect a foreign company organized in another state that buys land in Oklahoma, and the author responded that the bill applies to individual license holders and would require them to prove they are legally eligible to be licensed. After questions, the committee moved to a due pass recommendation. There was no further discussion, and the bill was reported out of committee by a 4-0 vote. The chair thanked members and the author, noted it was likely the last meeting of the session, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They would remain with the same... ...enforcing criminal law.
• law, state and federal criminal law, including immigration-related criminal offenses.
• of the criminal legal system.
• immigration orders, or are there some criminal... criminal...
• Civil criminal immigration orders, or are there some criminal immigration orders, Madam Chair?

Bills: SB100

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we started to see arrests start to climb. you know, same thing with helping out criminal, criminal
• criminal activity?
• Accountability is more likely a technical violation than new criminal conduct.
• How do we not criminalize addiction, but provide the mechanism to help people, ...criminalize addiction
• justice data; providing data analysis as requested by criminal justice agencies and criminal justice

Bills: SB100

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is we're going to hear from Anne Teigen, who is the Associate Director of the Criminal and
• But preventing young kids ages 8 to 10 from facing criminal charges was a big part of that legislation
• But preventing young kids ages 8 to 10 from facing criminal charges was a big part of that legislation
• and then preventing Facing criminal charges was a big part of that legislation.
• Counties deliver criminal justice services of all kinds, including youth criminal justice services.

Bills: SB6062

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions, 904, all

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met on January 26 for a work session on juvenile rehabilitation and a public hearing on Senate Bill 6062. The work session featured national and state perspectives on juvenile justice trends, including testimony from NCSL on nationwide reforms such as limits on juvenile life without parole, expanded diversion, due process protections, reduced fines and fees, record clearing, and changes to juvenile court jurisdiction. Committee members asked about whether juvenile crime has risen since 2020 and how other states are handling overcrowding and age-of-jurisdiction issues. DCYF Juvenile Rehabilitation Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redmond and Green Hill Superintendent Harold Wright described DCYF’s behavior management system, Harbor Heights, Green Hill population pressures, community transition services, staffing changes, and an ombuds process. They said Harbor Heights has eased overcrowding somewhat, Green Hill’s population has stabilized but remains high, and the new behavior management system is intended to improve safety, consistency, and restorative accountability. Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello then described long-running juvenile justice reforms in Pierce County, including reduced detention use, lower racial disparities, expanded community-based programming, and plans for a new juvenile justice center because the current facility is outdated. Northwest Credible Messengers also presented on healing-centered engagement, behavioral health, reentry support, and community-based violence intervention, emphasizing culturally responsive services and peer mentorship. The committee then took up Senate Bill 6062, which would expand and modify juvenile sentencing alternatives, require courts to grant suspended disposition alternatives in eligible cases unless specific findings are made, expand appeal rights and midpoint review procedures, and create rules for managing JR facility capacity, including transfer authority when facilities exceed 105% of rated bed capacity. The committee adopted a motion to waive the five-day notice rule for Senate Bills 6319 and 5979 for a later hearing. During public testimony on SB 6062, Green Hill youth testified in support of rehabilitation-focused sentencing but urged clearer standards and cautioned against DOC transfers before age 25. DCYF supported reducing JR population but said the bill needs stronger emergency transfer language to address overcrowding. Green Hill Superintendent Wright said the bill would help create needed breathing room and better programming, while the sponsor said the bill modernizes the system, addresses overcrowding, and balances accountability with rehabilitation.

Bills: SB874, SB2098, SB2110, SB2126, SB2154, SB2160, HB818, SB2047, SB2116, SB2246, SB2250, SB2334, SB2505, SB2520, SB2561, SB2721, SB2820, SB2971, SB3019

Keywords: veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, Hawaii agriculture, plant propagation, conservation, soil health, climate change, food security, small farmers, technical assistance, Hawaii, grant program, small farms, midsize farms

Transcript Highlights:

• A criminal offense.
• The bill also makes clear that it is not intended to criminalize children playing with drones.
• They started prosecuting homeschool families, and there were criminal prosecutions.
• to the notification of parents and students enrolled in public school regarding certain alleged criminal
• We deserve to know if a dangerous individual who is facing criminal charges is employed at our children's

Bills: HB178, HB178, HB1551, HB1939, HB2040, HB2354, HB2674, HB3029, HB3460, HB3631, HB3662, HB5201, HB5381

Keywords: efficiency audit, political subdivision, tax rate, fiscal management, government accountability, Texas education, public schools, curriculum, social studies, high school graduation requirements, State Board of Education, Education Code, ethnic studies, world history, world geography, U.S. history, government, economics, personal financial literacy, free enterprise

Transcript Highlights:

• The task force conducted its work and had unanimous findings.
• As bullying, anti-Semitic conduct must: 1. Physically harm a student or damage property. 2.
• defines bullying as exploiting an imbalance of power through written or verbal expression or physical conduct
• involves engaging in written or verbal expression through language. electronic means or physical conduct
• And it says that anti-Semitism means conduct described by paragraph 1a in the current bullying statute

Bills: HB178, HB1551, HB1939, HB2040, HB2354, HB2674, HB3029, HB3460, HB3631, HB3662, HB5201, HB5381, HB178

Keywords: Texas education, public schools, curriculum, social studies, high school graduation requirements, State Board of Education, Education Code, ethnic studies, world history, world geography, U.S. history, government, economics, personal financial literacy, free enterprise, religious literature, Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament, New Testament, ninth grade

Transcript Highlights:

• child has been a victim of sexual abuse, they should notify law enforcement immediately before conducting

Bills: SB137, SB504, SB1213, SB1216, SB1221, SB1224, SB1232, SB1238, SB1255, SB1256, SB1258, SB1264, SB1266, SB1325, SB1441, SB1448, SB1450, SB1460, SB1496, SB1543, SB1589, SB1597, SB1621, SB1655, SB1679, SB1687, SB1716, SB1730, SB1733, SB1769, SB1921, SB1932, SB1936, SB1980, SB2011, SB2030, SB2084, SB2112, SB2170, SB2182

Keywords: electronic monitoring, Department of Corrections, criminal justice, rehabilitation, public safety, SB504, marriage, child marriage, minor marriage, age of consent, minimum marriage age, underage marriage, teen marriage, parental consent, judicial approval, marriage license, Oklahoma Title 43, family law, juvenile justice, Department of Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• child has been a victim of sexual abuse, that they should notify law enforcement immediately before conducting

Bills: SB137, SB504, SB1213, SB1216, SB1221, SB1224, SB1232, SB1238, SB1255, SB1256, SB1258, SB1264, SB1266, SB1325, SB1441, SB1448, SB1450, SB1460, SB1496, SB1543, SB1589, SB1597, SB1621, SB1655, SB1679, SB1687, SB1716, SB1730, SB1733, SB1769, SB1921, SB1932, SB1936, SB1980, SB2011, SB2030, SB2084, SB2112, SB2170, SB2182

Keywords: electronic monitoring, Department of Corrections, criminal justice, rehabilitation, public safety, SB504, marriage, child marriage, minor marriage, age of consent, minimum marriage age, underage marriage, teen marriage, parental consent, judicial approval, marriage license, Oklahoma Title 43, family law, juvenile justice, Department of Human Services

Summary: The committee heard a long series of Senate bills covering criminal justice, public safety, family law, and administrative changes. Measures discussed included penalties for impersonating a notary or law enforcement officer, consolidating DUI charges, allowing motor carriers to represent themselves at Corporation Commission hearings, drone trespass penalties over critical infrastructure, expanding protections for contract employees under assault and battery laws, copper theft felony penalties, raising the marriage age to 18 with no exceptions, expanding the definition of great bodily injury for domestic abuse cases, post-adoption contact for services, driver’s license and testing changes, expungement system automation delays, consumer protection clarifications, gambling penalty updates, OSBI authority and fee changes, gift card protections, medical parole eligibility decisions, firearm transport on boats, caps on wrongful termination settlements at public institutions, GPS monitoring for certain domestic violence defendants, mandatory school reporting of inappropriate employee contact with students, expedited driver’s license delivery and tracking numbers, DOC credit modifications, drug court discretion, repeat peeping Tom and clandestine recording penalties, open pasture signage requirements, supervised visitation after DHS findings of sexual abuse, and victim notification by email from the Pardon and Parole Board. Most bills were presented by members as request or cleanup measures, with brief explanations and limited debate. Several bills drew questions about implementation, due process, costs, and scope, especially the domestic violence GPS monitoring bill and the DOC credit bill. The committee also discussed a bill to lower the age for marriage, which was reported out 10-1, and a domestic violence-related GPS tracking bill that passed 12-0 after questions about monitoring and payment. Another domestic violence bill expanding great bodily injury definitions passed 12-0, and a bill requiring supervised visitation after a DHS sexual abuse finding passed 13-0. Nearly all measures were reported out with unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including multiple 11-0, 12-0, 13-0, and 14-0 recommendations. A few bills had split votes, including the marriage-age bill at 10-1, the gambling penalty bill at 12-1, the OSBI record-check fee bill at 13-0, and the wrongful termination cap bill at 8-5. Several bills were laid over for a later meeting, and the committee adjourned after announcing it would continue work on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• word in criminal appeals; that's still the province of the Court of Criminal Appeals.
• law, criminal procedure, rights in a criminal context, would questions like that ever be before the
• However, when the Court of Criminal Appeals, in deciding a criminal appeal, has to interpret a constitutional
• But what you still have is the Court of Criminal Appeals, the experts in criminal law within the Texas
• over all criminal cases.

Bills: SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37

Keywords: voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs met and heard several bills related to legislative process and court jurisdiction. Senate Bill 1386, by Senator Huffman, would change compelled legislative testimony from blanket transactional immunity to testimonial immunity, allowing compelled statements or documents to be used against a witness in criminal prosecution only if not derived from the compelled testimony, while preserving protection against perjury and false statements and retaining the right to counsel. No public witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1470, by Chairman Hughes, which would require DPS to share existing data on cross-state driver’s license cancellations with the Secretary of State for voter-roll maintenance. Hughes said the bill does not create new data collection and is intended to improve list maintenance. A DPS resource witness was present, there was no substantive opposition, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1210, also by Hughes, would address conflicts between the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals on constitutional questions by making the Supreme Court the final arbiter in limited circumstances. Chris Hilton supported the bill, but Allen Place, Jack Rohde, and Philip Furlow opposed it, arguing it was unconstitutional, unnecessary, and could create practical problems in criminal post-conviction litigation. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 311, which would conform the Government Code to the Texas Constitution by clarifying the Supreme Court’s original writ authority against lower courts and officials other than the governor. Justice Evan Young and Chris Hilton supported the bill as a clarification of existing authority, while no one testified against it; the bill was left pending. The committee then recessed to allow the chamber to rearrange for the Senate session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal is to conduct this hearing efficiently while ensuring everyone the opportunity to observe and
• Our goal is to conduct<00:03:02.720><c> this</c><00:03:02.959><c> hearing</c><00:03:03.360><c> efficiently
• </c><00:03:04.400><c> while</c> conduct this hearing efficiently while conduct this hearing efficiently
• court, but were not in the criminal court, but were not civily<00:29:48.720><c> committable.
• justice system who's not in the criminal justice system who's not complying<00:45:32.880><c> with</c

Bills: HF2825

Keywords: expungement, criminal justice, background check, security industry, private detective, 1183, house

Bills: SB13, SB27, SB57

Keywords: official oppression, criminal penalty, law enforcement, Texas Penal Code, public servant

Bills: HB19

Keywords: real property, theft, fraud, criminal offense, elderly, disabled, restitution, recording requirements

Bills: SB57, SB24, SB27

Keywords: official oppression, criminal penalty, law enforcement, Texas Penal Code, public servant

Transcript Highlights:

• And it doesn't follow after criminal gang member. You're taking out criminal gang member.
• But if I do it because the gang's kind of activity and criminal conduct is going into stores and grabbing
• There has to be that nexus between the criminal conduct and the gang organization or activity.
• It's not the criminal enterprise that it used to be.
• criminal justice agency.

Bills: S0050, S0052, S0432, S0436, S0524, S0536, S0590, S0676

Keywords: veterans, treatment court, nonviolent felony, probation, mental health, places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493, Class G license, Class C license, security services

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several criminal justice bills. SB 50 on Veterans Treatment Courts was amended to clarify that entry into the program requires approval of the state attorney and to make the bill prospective only. Supporters, including veterans advocates and crime survivors, argued the bill would expand access to treatment-focused diversion for veterans with nonviolent charges and service-related trauma. The committee adopted both amendments and reported the bill favorably. SB 52, which creates an exemption from security licensing requirements for unpaid armed volunteers providing security at places of worship, also drew support from law enforcement and faith leaders who said it would clarify a legal gray area for churches; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered SB 436 on felony battery and prison release reoffender enhancements. An amendment was adopted to align felony battery involving injury to law enforcement with the bill’s intent to address the disparity between battery on an officer and resisting with violence. Members discussed concerns about mandatory minimums and the scope of the enhancement, including how it might apply in cases involving older prior offenses or mental health crises, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably. SB 676, which creates graduated penalties for adults who involve minors in animal cruelty offenses and increases penalties for related conduct, was supported by animal welfare advocates and reported favorably and unanimously. Later, the committee approved SB 536 on criminal gang members after adopting an amendment clarifying the definition of gang-related conduct and requiring multiple criteria for gang membership. Members raised concerns about social media, neighborhood association, juvenile application, and overbroad labeling, but the sponsor said the bill was aimed at gang-related criminal activity and recruitment, not innocent association. The committee also reported favorably SB 432 on controlled substances, which adds concentrated 7-OH to Schedule I and creates penalties for xylazine products that resemble candy or food and for trafficking in xylazine; SB 524, an FDLE bill updating duties related to medical examiners, training, and complaint service procedures; and SB 590, which tolls the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse offenses until the crime is known to law enforcement. All of these bills were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned after a final vote correction was entered for SB 524.