Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and our other legislators can come to the next meeting, they can introduce themselves as well, but
• So, we'll have essentially the same procedures, actually, exactly the same procedures as we had last
• So, for the many members of the public who are watching, take a look at our procedures.
• For those who are watching, take a look at our procedures. They're on the Senate Rules web page.
• But take a look at those procedures; they might change throughout the session.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was going to be $1,500 for a procedure. She was then billed $70,000 for that same procedure.
• They just can't afford to have the procedure, right?
• So with that, I was also asked to address legislation that passed in the last session, the 89th legislative
• But by legislative action, we can break these things up.
• It was a negotiation after the procedure. Right.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is vital for our legislators to create authentic pathways of decriminalizing poverty for families,
• Each of you as legislators has the power to ensure that DCS remains focused on protecting children in
• The fund consists of legislative appropriations, grants, gifts, contributions, and devices.
• Representative Justin Olson from Legislative District 10, for the record.
• It prevents procedural technicalities from silencing safety concerns. Even case law, Hays v.

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:

• So I've got some questions over procedure.
• Has this been reported to the Legislative Council? I haven't seen this.
• Wesson's procedure.
• Marty Garrity with the Bureau of Legislative Research. Thank you, Senator.
• We need to fix that during the next legislative session.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, Lord, I seek your blessing on these legislators themselves.
• Section 3, voting procedures, voting machine.
• Section 4 of voting procedures roll call vote.
• Today is a historical day as we begin the eighty-ninth legislative session.
• The eighty-eighth legislative session taught us that when we stand together, we can win.

Transcript Highlights:

• To legislate striking this legislation would be detrimental to the integrity of our campaign processes
• um looking at the proposed legislation um looking at the proposed legislation it<00:45:14.800>
• This was the election procedure manual in 1989; this is the election procedure manual today.
• I say we're citizen legislators. I'm not a politician; I'm a citizen legislator.
• I say we're citizen legislate I say we're citizen legislate legislators<04:29:41.760> I'm

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:27.920> to We found that again no procedures to We found that again no procedures to
• should develop policies and procedures should develop policies and procedures so<00:22:35.440>
• > require<00:23:34.080> to It codified procedures to require to It codified procedures
• objectives and procedures objectives and procedures uh uh uh can<00:34:08.879> say<00:34:
• We're also working on a legislative We're also working on a legislative proposal<00:40:32.560>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the Office of the Auditor’s recent audit of Hawaii’s deposit beverage container program and the Department of Health’s response. State Auditor Les Condo reviewed the program’s structure, noting it was created to increase recycling and reduce litter, but said prior audits have repeatedly found weak internal controls, reliance on self-reported data, and an “honor system” approach. He cited examples of underreporting and overpayment risks, including a Whole Foods settlement and secret-shopper testing at a redemption center where the program reimbursed more than what was actually paid to consumers. Condo said the special fund continues to grow, increasing by more than $12 million between FY24 and FY25, and that the 2024 audit found no meaningful progress in implementing earlier recommendations. He also noted that many prior recommendations were later codified in law, including risk-based audits and internal control requirements, and said the office will audit the program again in about a year. Senator Fevella said the briefing was needed because he has seen little progress over the years and emphasized the program’s goals of reducing litter and promoting recycling. He noted that Hawaii has lost a glass recycler, underscoring broader challenges in the system. Department of Health Deputy Director Kathleen Hoe said the department is committed to addressing longstanding problems and said the director’s office meets with the program twice a month. Program staff outlined steps being taken to respond to the audit, including revising accounting and inspection/enforcement manuals, retaining third-party services, and implementing risk-based audits of distributors and redemption centers. They said internal control process documents from distributors were due June 30, with about 200 received and roughly 100 still outstanding, and that enforcement letters are being sent. The department also described plans for electronic reporting to reduce manual entry and improve accuracy, as well as a broader legislative proposal for a tiered audit system. Under that proposal, larger distributors would remain subject to the current every-other-year audit requirement, middle-tier distributors would be audited every five years, and smaller distributors would be exempt. Officials said the governor had temporarily waived enforcement of the 2025 independent audit requirement because of cost concerns for smaller distributors, while the department reviews submitted audits and considers a longer-term fix. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support this legislation.
• ,<00:32:05.679> but Um, it may not need this legislation, but I don't want to kill this legislation
• :29:30.239> show<01:29:30.400> the legislatively we have to show the legislatively we have
• > issue,<03:18:34.640> which a procedural due process issue, which a procedural due process
• is a procedural due process right now. is a procedural due process right now.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened with a brief update and prayer for Oscar, a person known to members, noting he was making slow but encouraging progress and awaiting transfer to rehab. The hearing then began on House Bill 518, which would require the commissioner of DHS to provide a detailed annual report of DCYF costs. Representative Erica Leyon, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to improve transparency, clarify how DCYF resources and shared services are used, and help future discussions about staffing, funding, and whether DCYF should remain within DHHS or become a separate department. She said the department could likely comply without additional cost and was open to adjusting the reporting date, with the department preferring December 31 instead of September 1. Committee members and the DCYF director, Marie Nunan, discussed whether the bill was duplicative of existing reporting and whether it should also include federal funding mandates. Nunan said DCYF already has many policies and reports, but does not currently produce one consolidated DCYF-specific report in this form; she also said the department believed it had the capacity to file the report and was not taking a position on the bill. Several members questioned whether the measure was necessary, while others supported transparency but suggested the information was already available or could be obtained without legislation. In executive session, the committee voted 15-1 to retain HB 518, meaning it will not advance to the calendar at this time. The committee then opened House Bill 775, sponsored by Representative Jod Nelson, concerning supervised visitation centers. Nelson introduced Dr. Scott Hampton, who testified that supervised visitation is important for child safety, domestic violence prevention, and family preservation. Hampton described the history of visitation centers in New Hampshire, saying funding cuts had reduced the number of centers over time and that prior legislation had failed due to budget reductions. He argued that supervised exchanges can reduce risks such as abuse, abduction, and homicide, and said the service can prevent harm without adding cost by avoiding more serious incidents. The hearing on HB 775 was still underway at the end of the transcript, with no vote or final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and our other legislators can come or next meeting, they can introduce themselves as well, but go
• So, we will have essentially the same procedures, actually, exactly the same procedures as we had last
• So, for the many members of the public who are watching, take a look at our procedures.
• For those who are watching, take a look at our procedures. They're on the Senate Rules web page.
• But take a look at those procedures; they might change throughout the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a legislative request this year to fund more FTEs.
• I think it’s needed legislation.
• Kusuga stated the reason we need this legislation very well.
• So we urge you to support this legislation. Thank you.
• We stand in full support of this legislation.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 3 through 11 provide definitions for this legislation.
• Sections 3 through 11 provide definitions for this legislation.
• So, you know, when we were writing this, legislate...
• Whether or not those faulty procedures would be in place, and they can lift them.
• Thank you, Senator Neal, for this very expensive piece of legislation.

Bills: AB52, AB76, AB163, AB388, AB483

Keywords: health insurance, claims process, insurance regulation, admin penalties, healthcare access, cannabis, cannabis establishment, medical cannabis, adult-use cannabis, advertising regulations, packaging requirements, unlicensed cannabis activities, state prosecution, confidentiality, Cannabis Compliance Board, disciplinary proceedings, mental health, counseling, interstate practice, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• tenure. here as Chancellor, he has worked to prioritize student success, reshaping policies and procedures
• HB 1559 by Hernandez is ruling to prohibiting non-consensual medical procedures and treatments on minors
• relating to the Massage Student Permits referred to the Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures
• and Fiduciary Relationships, H.B. 1672 by Ashby, relating to the application of the Administrative Procedure
• H.J.R. 104 by Berry, proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislator to make a permanent

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative day be dispensed with. legislative day be dispensed with.
• um um procedure um um procedure uh<01:49:38.719> in<01:49:38.960> this<01:49:39.280
• Well, entire procedure at that level.
• This would put it back into that type procedure.
• If so, will you give me the legislation?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First on the agenda would be the Office of Legislative Auditor, and anyone testifying for the auditor
• Judy Randall, Legislative Auditor.
• First, we recommended the office establish a grants monitoring policy and procedure.
• First, we recommended the office establish a grants monitoring policy and procedure.
• First, we recommended the office establish a grants monitoring policy and procedure.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the chair of the Legislative Action Committee for CAI.
• I am the chair of the Legislative Action Committee for CAI.
• There is a procedure for doing that, but that's already available.
• It was developed by a joint executive legislative task force.
• It assesses whether its enactment is consistent with legislative policies.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 30, 2025, and heard testimony on several condominium-related bills, beginning with HB 70. HB 70 would require a budget summary disclosure for condominiums. Supporters, including Community Associations Institute, a real estate broker, and several condominium owners, said the bill would improve consumer protection by giving owners and buyers a clearer, more understandable snapshot of an association’s financial health and reserve compliance. One supporter noted the bill should help reduce confusion caused by lengthy reserve studies and emphasized the importance of accurate disclosure. A testifier also urged the committee to hear other condominium bills quickly, including measures related to an ombudsman, managing agents, parliamentarians, and attorney’s fees. The committee then heard HB 106, which would change the process for condominium fines and disputes. Phil Nery of CAI and other supporters said the bill would strengthen due process by requiring clearer notice, allowing an internal board appeal, and then permitting small claims court review without attorney’s fees unless the fine is upheld. They argued this would prevent fines from escalating into costly legal disputes and provide a more linear, fair process. Some supporters suggested amendments, including clarifying that the statute controls over association documents and refining refund language. During questioning, members raised concerns about small claims limits and whether associations would be represented by volunteers or attorneys. One testifier initially in support later said he would not support the bill as written after hearing HPD’s concerns. HB 224, relating to property rights, drew opposition from the Department of the Attorney General and the Honolulu Police Department. Both agencies said the bill would improperly push law enforcement into a quasi-judicial role and could short-circuit existing due process procedures for occupants of residences. A realtor who had initially been listed in support changed his position after hearing the opposition testimony. The committee also heard emotional testimony from a resident describing a long-running squatter and utility theft problem at a neighboring property, which he said took years of court action and police involvement to resolve. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I support this legislation. Thank you. Thank you for being here. It's a long way to travel.
• I've been helping pass legislation up here at the Capitol for 15, 16 years.
• I've been helping pass legislation up here at the Capitol for 15, 16 years.
• I've been helping pass legislation up here at the Capitol for 15, 16 years. helping pass legislation
• So there is enough legislation, laws on the books right now, to prosecute these people.

Bills: SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646

Keywords: community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense

Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice heard testimony on several bills dealing with criminal discovery, crime lab access, controlled substances, community supervision, interference with officers, oilfield theft, and copper theft. On SB 1124, witnesses split over whether the bill clarified discovery law after the Heath decision or rolled back the Michael Morton Act; opponents argued it narrowed disclosure and shifted responsibility away from prosecutors, while supporters said it restored balance, limited harsh sanctions, and preserved exculpatory-disclosure duties. The committee later voted 4-0 to report SB 1124 favorably and place it on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard and later reported favorably SB 1372, which resolves a statutory conflict over access to the DPS crime lab portal, and SB 1936, which changes how LSD “abuse units” are defined for testing and charging purposes; both were sent to the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1937, which would require a subject-matter expert from the testing lab to participate in pretrial meetings in capital cases involving biological evidence, was also reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 552, which would make people defined in the bill as “illegal aliens” ineligible for judge-ordered or jury-recommended community supervision, including deferred adjudication. Supporters said the bill would prevent state-funded early release of people who entered or remained in the country unlawfully, while county officials and immigration advocates warned it would be overbroad, difficult to administer, and costly to local jails and taxpayers. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to report SB 552 favorably, and Senator Huffman requested it be taken to the floor. On SB 1208, which increases interference with a peace officer or public official from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony, law enforcement witnesses said repeat “auditors” and similar actors were creating dangerous confrontations and needed stronger deterrence; opponents argued the bill would chill protected filming and protest activity. The committee voted to report SB 1208 favorably and place it on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also took testimony on SB 1806, a committee substitute addressing oilfield theft and related crimes. Supporters from law enforcement and the oil and gas industry said organized theft of crude, equipment, and related materials is a growing problem and that the bill would strengthen penalties, allow seizure and sale of stolen product, and improve inspection and forensic tools. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with placement on the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 1646, which targets copper theft and fiber vandalism by increasing penalties, requiring reporting and recordkeeping for certain purchases, and adding training and enforcement tools. Telecommunications, law enforcement, and emergency-network witnesses supported the bill as necessary to protect 9-1-1 and critical infrastructure, while metal recyclers warned the bill could overregulate legitimate businesses and sweep too broadly. The committee later voted to report the committee substitute for SB 1646 favorably as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• With this being said, I pray that while debating legislation, these legislators would not lean to their
• We will listen, legislate, and lead with empathy and resolve.
• administrative procedures to take place.
• administrative procedures to take place.
• I haven't worked with any victims on this legislation who were victimized by what this legislation covers

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including remarks from the new Democratic caucus leader, Senator Berman, who emphasized affordability, education, health care, public safety, and opposition to measures he said would roll back child labor protections, book access, and gun safety laws. The chamber also recognized military leaders from U.S. Army Special Operations Command and an intern from Senator Polsky’s office. No committee reports or executive messages were on the desk at the start. The Senate then took up and passed several bills, often after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. Among the measures approved were the dangerous dogs bill (the Pam Rock Act), local government land regulation, vessel-related voter freedom/boating provisions, blood clot screening and treatment, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, concealed carry licensing for certain officers and service members, timeshare management firms, disability history and awareness instruction, manufacturing and manufacturing fees, public education on background screening requirements, utility service restrictions, educational opportunities for military children, Medicaid oversight, health facilities authorities, and veterans’ nursing home beds. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on human trafficking, waste management, Bright Futures, Medicaid oversight earlier in the day, mammogram coverage, and others. Debate on the disability history bill was especially extensive, with senators discussing the use of the word “disability,” the role of bias, and whether the bill fit with broader DEI-related policy debates. The bill’s sponsor and supporters framed it as a first step toward helping students understand and respect people with disabilities, and the chamber opened co-sponsorship before substituting the House version. Other bills drew focused questions about local government costs, impact fees, staffing burdens, grant criteria for small manufacturers, and the scope of utility preemption. Most measures passed on strong votes, including several unanimous votes, with the concealed carry/firearms bill passing 33-3 and the local government land regulation bill passing 26-8.

Transcript Highlights:

• . legislation. legislation.
• Anytime we're dealing with legislation Anytime we're dealing with legislation and<01:16:34.960><
• , Gofftown went through this procedure, Gofftown went through this procedure, got<01:59:59.440>
• legislative body.
• legislative body.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to add plain-English... ...it a study group with a view to proposing legislation to add plain-English
• Other states on the preservation of error doctrine and procedural default, and will continue to collect
• And ultimately, I think our membership recognizes there might be another body, either legislative or
• We just want to make sure that enough legislators are included in the process so that whatever's put
• We do have, do we have, we did have one legislative referral, right, that we'll have to figure out at

Keywords: Code Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The changes are structural and format-related that the Legislative Counsel deemed necessary and removes
• I'm here today to express strong support for this legislation that would enable Medina County to pursue
• This legislation will allow for an aquifer storage and recovery project that includes an ASR injection
• not rates, but rather conditions of service and some grammatical clarification suggested by the legislative
• That sets forth quantified targets for how they will reduce water pumpage during dry times and procedures

Bills: HB 4530, HB 4931, HB 5559, HB 5560

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection