Transcript Highlights:

• determination.
• binding determination.
• And how do you determine significant?
• And so as you notice, that is taken out, and how do you determine significant?
• I mean, how do you determine that?

Bills: HB2041, HB2144, HB2239, HB2321, HB2371, HB2594, HB2661, HB2662, HB2793, HB2968, HB2995

Keywords: child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, child support, preborn children, retroactive support, medical expenses, child welfare, child care, grant program, low-income, early learning, infrastructure, economic growth, security freeze, credit reporting, dependent children, parental notification

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2793, which would let cities and towns expedite annexations when 100% of the property owners request it, waive the 30-day waiting period and public hearing in those cases, and allow electronic newspaper notice and a single on-site posting for small single-parcel annexations. Buckeye testified in support, saying the bill would streamline uncontested annexations and reduce delay and cost, while a Tucson-area senator raised concerns that faster annexation can limit public awareness and input. The bill passed 4-3 for a due pass recommendation. HB 2041, which would prohibit a parent, guardian, or custodian from being treated as abusing or neglecting a child solely because poverty prevents them from providing supervision, clothing, food, shelter, or medical care, drew strong support from child welfare and anti-poverty advocates. Opponents argued the bill still leaves room for investigations based on poverty and should more fully remove poverty from the neglect definition. The committee also heard HB 2239, creating a child care grant program and infrastructure fund at DES; witnesses from northern Arizona and child care providers described shortages, workforce challenges, and the need for facilities and support. An amendment adding tax-credit language and opening eligibility to entities seeking to open child care facilities was adopted, and the amended bill passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee then approved HB 2321, requiring DCS to place a credit freeze on a child’s credit report when the child enters care, by a 7-0 vote. HB 2371, allowing consenting divorcing parties without minor children to use AI-assisted arbitration and adding a separate amendment on therapeutic interventions in parenting cases, prompted questions about whether AI arbitration is currently used and whether the amendment was germane; it passed 4-3. HB 2594, concerning the Address Confidentiality Program in family court and making attempts to obtain protected address information a felony, passed unanimously after testimony from a survivor and advocates. HB 2661, which requires DCS to inform parents under investigation that they may delegate temporary guardianship and seek court relief, passed 4-3 after amendment removed attestation and documentation requirements. Finally, HB 2995, a major domestic-violence custody bill, was heard with extensive testimony from survivors, attorneys, and legal aid advocates. The bill removes the “significant” domestic violence threshold, adds coercive control to the analysis, requires domestic violence to be treated as contrary to the child’s best interests, and mandates detailed court findings; supporters said it addresses cases where abuse was minimized in custody decisions, while members raised concerns about evidentiary standards, implementation, and the risk of false allegations. The committee adopted a 13-page amendment and then gave the amended bill a due pass recommendation by a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem arises when the child is determined by CPS to be in a safe environment and does not have
• Well, yes, the situation is many times, if that is a frivolous accusation and the child is determined
• to be in a safe environment, determined nothing has happened.
• Whether or not an investigation moves forward past a determination, I guess.
• So the fiscal note on the committee substitute will not be able to be determined.

Bills: HB 741, HB 1199, HB 2070, HB 2402, HB 2542, HB 2665, HB 2789, HB 3096, HB 3396, HB 3595, HB 3747, HB 4116, HB 4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• So the benefit for Sussex County is I actually get an additional judicial resource to assign in Sussex
• County because you... ...get an additional judicial resource to assign in Sussex County because even
• the second thing is I really do think that this benefits Kent County because it gets an additional judicial
• And I know, I mean, my request over the last ten years for judicial resource has been for Kent County
• And I know, I mean, my request over the last ten years for judicial resource has been for Kent County

Bills: HB372, HB414

Keywords: HB372, Justice of the Peace Court, Delaware courts, Title 10, court administration, judicial staffing, county courts, Kent County, New Castle County, Sussex County, Wilmington, 24-hour hearings, court locations, court hours, magistrate court, access to justice, court consolidation, Delaware General Assembly, destructive weapon, possessing a destructive weapon

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met and heard three bills. HB 372 would reorganize Justice of the Peace Court resources by shifting the number of judges and court locations among counties, consolidating overnight operations into a single 24-hour court in Kent County, and adjusting staffing to address workload and efficiency concerns. Chief Judge Alan Davis said the change responds to increased civil filings, automated enforcement, and staffing shortages, and that a Sussex County pilot closing a 24-hour facility had worked without major issues. Some members raised concerns about impacts on Sussex and Kent County, bail processing, and local response times, while public comment included one supporter. The committee voted to release HB 372. The committee then considered SB 324, which amends Delaware’s permit-to-purchase law to allow constable agencies, including those serving institutions like Delaware Tech, to purchase handguns for newly hired constables without duplicative background checks. Sponsor Representative Cook said the bill aligns constable procurement with existing law-enforcement exemptions while preserving gun-safety requirements. Public testimony included support from Delaware Tech and comments urging broader fixes to the permit-to-purchase law, including exemptions for retired officers with federal 218 credentials and clarification on firearms returned from manufacturers, gunsmiths, or police departments. The committee voted to release SB 324. Finally, the committee heard HB 414, which clarifies that the Superior Court’s exclusive jurisdiction over certain destructive-weapon offenses applies only to adults, while juvenile cases would still begin in Family Court. Sponsor Representative Romer said the bill preserves the Family Court’s role in handling youth cases and allows referral to Superior Court when appropriate. The Department of Justice said it still believes Superior Court is the proper venue for these serious charges, while the Office of Defense Services supported keeping youth cases in Family Court first, arguing that rehabilitation and juvenile-specific dispositions are more appropriate. After public comment, the committee voted to release HB 414, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't block a law enforcement officer who has a judicial order.
• It simply gives schools the option to participate if they determine it is appropriate for their community
• And at its core, Senate Bill 314 ensures judicial clarity and fairness for everyone involved in the criminal
• We believe that the process has yielded a framework that will be more durable under judicial review,

Bills: HB372, HB414

Keywords: HB372, Justice of the Peace Court, Delaware courts, Title 10, court administration, judicial staffing, county courts, Kent County, New Castle County, Sussex County, Wilmington, 24-hour hearings, court locations, court hours, magistrate court, access to justice, court consolidation, Delaware General Assembly, destructive weapon, possessing a destructive weapon

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public safety, courts, and family law. House Bill 141, with House Amendment 1, would require the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to create a firearm responsibilities notice for firearm purchasers through licensed dealers, covering Delaware gun laws, safe storage, lost/stolen reporting, straw purchases, suicide prevention, and other safety responsibilities. Testimony from the NRA, Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association, Moms Demand Action, the Coalition for Safer Delaware, and Delaware State Police was uniformly supportive, emphasizing education, standardized dealer practices, and potential evidence for straw-purchase prosecutions. No committee questions were raised, and the bill was moved forward after public comment. House Bill 326 would create a new offense for theft by impersonating a family member, aimed at scams involving spoofed calls, texts, or online messages that pressure victims to send money. The sponsor described the bill as a response to increasingly sophisticated fraud enabled by artificial intelligence, and noted that a House amendment removed an original mandatory minimum jail term, leaving sentencing to the courts. No public testimony was offered on the bill. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150 would prohibit civil arrests inside courthouses and certain Department of Labor proceedings, with the sponsor arguing that such arrests deter people from coming to court or seeking protection; the bill would allow criminal arrests and civil arrests only with advance written notice. No testimony was taken on that measure. Senate Bill 284, the First State Emergency Responders Act, would create a narrowly tailored offense for intentionally approaching within 25 feet of first responders at emergency scenes after crossing a barrier or ignoring warnings, if done to interfere, threaten, or harass. Supporters, including police, fire service, and sportsmen’s groups, said it would protect responders and preserve emergency operations, while the Office of Defense Services opposed it on First Amendment and overbreadth grounds, arguing existing laws already cover much of the conduct. Senate Bill 304 would amend Delaware’s safe school zone law to allow private schools to use trained, vetted sentries or similar security arrangements; supporters said it would give smaller private schools an affordable safety option, while the sponsor said the bill needed more work and should not move forward yet. The committee also heard Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 314, which would clarify how courts handle evidence that a sexual assault complainant previously made a false allegation; DOJ and ODS said the substitute reflects a consensus approach, and YWCA Delaware supported it as a survivor-protective reform. Finally, Senate Bill 343 would expand methods for serving child support respondents in Family Court by authorizing service through certified mail and carriers such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx, addressing cases where people avoid in-person service using doorbell cameras and other technology. The Division of Child Support Services supported the bill as a practical update that would improve timeliness while preserving proof-of-delivery safeguards. At the end of the meeting, a motion was made and seconded, and the chair adjourned the session.

Bills: SB 251, SB 608, SB 487, SB 535, SB 761, SB 955, SB 957, SB 958, SB 988, SB 990, SB 1019, SB 1021, SB 1120

Keywords: criminal law, magistrates, Bell County, judicial authority, legal framework, evidence collection, sexual assault kits, reporting, law enforcement, transparency, confidentiality, victim protection, stalking, indecent assault, invasive visual recording, criminal justice, privacy rights, sexual assault, victim rights, plea bargain

Bills: HB341, HB469, HB971, HB1624, HB2721, HB2959, HB3365, HB3731, HB3793, HB3861, HB3946, HB3966, HB4348, HB4401, HB4402, HB4924, HB4966, HB5563

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, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Bills: HB1, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB383, HB983, HB1126, HCR3

Keywords: state budget, appropriations, education funding, public health, social services, government operations, state institutions, budget, funding, state general fund, local government, fiscal year, economic development, state treasury, emergency response, education, voting technology, sustainability, revenue sharing, fund distribution

Bills: SB 1888, SB 3003, SB 2417, SB 2459, SB 3055, HB 1393, HB 2884, SB 2943

Keywords: grand jury, jury qualifications, jury wheel, small counties, Texas legislation, age verification, obscene devices, online sales, juvenile protection, penalties, antitrust, attorney general, Texas Free Enterprise, business regulations, legal confidentiality, personal identifying information, data brokers, judicial safety, civil rights, data privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Determines which requires, I'm sorry, the substitute clarifies the reasons for affected persons' determinations
• Commission charged and allowed for a certain charge to be placed on those fees, with the surcharge to be determined

Bills: SB2122, SB2050, HB16

Keywords: oil and gas waste, application fees, permit amendments, environmental regulation, Texas natural resources, battery recycling, battery disposal, consumer batteries, energy storage modules, electrochemical devices, lithium-ion battery, household hazardous waste, solid waste, municipal recycling, waste management, battery stewardship, producer responsibility, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, recycling program

Transcript Highlights:

• we are required to have a hearing outside the presence of the jury in which the judge makes a determination
• Determine that the evidence likely to be admitted at trial will be adequate to support a finding by the
• And I understand you weren't here when that when that happened, but the legislative body of Texas determined
• I mean, based on The judge is able to use his or her discretion to determine whether a true plan or MO
• And I think that that's, that's what, um, this committee should look at when making a determination as

Bills: HB207, HB235

Keywords: HB 207, Texas Government Code, Section 411.201, license to carry, LTC, handgun license, concealed carry, federal judge, immigration judge, immigration court, U.S. immigration court, judicial security, firearm carry permit, Texas handgun license, federal judiciary, HB235, Texas, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, disabled veteran

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you perform any analysis to determine if Latino voters in the new CD...
• I'm familiar with some of the prior case determinations that have been made in previous years.
• I have requested a determination and believe that determination to be correct that this matter...
• In scrubbing this map to determine if it in any way violated the law.
• I'm not qualified to make those determinations.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• To determine if something is a majority minority district or to determine if something is a coalition
• Well, any determinations that they make one way or the other.
• So how did you determine that? Your goal that the map was legal was met.
• How did you determine that the goal of compactness was met?
• ...that to make a Jingles analysis and do other determinations.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• hand of safety upon the people of Texas, our fellow members in the House, the Executive Branch, the Judicial
• And a desire to work hard, they raised the saying: "Work hard, stay determined, play by the rules.
• I mean, the judicial recourse isn't all that great either.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB4, HB1, HB3, HB20, HB22, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB4, SB2, SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• Stewart from Round Rock, 159th Judicial District, Angelina County District Attorney, the Honorable Amy

Bills: SB 10, SB 8, SB 15, SB 12, SB 6, SB 13, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, election laws, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, criminal prosecution, jurisdiction, hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet the parliamentarian for the House has determined that my suggestion...

Bills: HB107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655, HB107

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet the parliamentarian for the House has determined that my suggested language, which clearly would

Bills: HB 107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of health and human services bills and left each one pending after public testimony. HB 4655 would expand financial literacy instruction for youth aging out of foster care to include credit scores, predatory lending, scams, banking, budgeting, and related consumer topics; the sponsor and Buckner International described the need to protect foster youth from financial pitfalls. HB 923 would add three public members and one physician to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel; supporters said it would improve informed consent and patient voice, while a witness raised concerns about a House amendment requiring a physician majority for decisions and senators questioned scope-of-practice limits. HHSC said the panel is an independent body and the bill expressly bars it from changing scope of practice.

Bills: HB1821, HB1822, HB1943, HB3882, HB4263, HB4476, HB4628, HB4631, HB4885, HB4923, HB5461, HB5483, HB5525

Keywords: juvenile records, sealing, privacy, criminal justice, youth rehabilitation, legal procedures, juvenile court, record sealing, nondisclosure, age jurisdiction, criminal justice reform, juvenile board, compensation, Winkler County, juvenile justice, county funding, grants, career education, technical programs, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also eliminates the requirement that the Executive Commissioner sets a determines the financial
• Reason to believe, ruled out, unable to determine. unable to complete, and administrative closure.
• No one should be blacklisted without judicial regard.
• Because we have to be able to determine, is somebody truly a threat?
• child care mall and we have interesting studies indicating that the lifetime amount being determined

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem arises when the child is determined by CPS to be in a safe environment and does not have
• to be in a safe. environment, determined nothing has happened, that information may never reach or may
• So, um, since, I guess, all, like, other people 47 other states have determined, so RxPASS should not
• Determining the cash price of these drugs is effectively impossible. including these zero-cost drugs
• Be able to be determined.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid