Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know how the deed landed in my cousin's father's possession. I have no idea. Okay.
• I did not know that this deed even existed until January of 2025.
• I agree. ...of 2025 and my cousin gave me the deed to the land. Okay.
• For some reason, my uncle had the deed to the land in his possession.
• I have the deed right here. And what county is it located in? Do you know? Crittenden? Okay.

Summary: The committee first reviewed litigation reports from the Department of Labor and Licensing involving wage claims brought under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act. Members questioned the department’s authority, jurisdiction, use of attorney fees and costs, and whether defendants had to be licensed. The department explained it has long enforced wage and overtime laws, that the claims were small-dollar cases handled by investigators and counsel, and that one case had been paid and dismissed while others were unresolved or had service issues. The committee voted to review or batch-file the labor cases after discussion. The University of Arkansas System then reported three pending lawsuits: an age- and race-discrimination claim by a tenured professor that was resolved early; an ADA/FMLA retaliation claim by a former employee that survived in part on a motion to dismiss and was moving into discovery; and a Section 1983 claim against a UAMS sergeant arising from a parking-ticket dispute, with the university explaining that only punitive damages could create personal exposure for the officer. The committee reviewed each report and voted to accept them. The Department of Finance and Administration presented a proposed tax settlement reducing a sales-and-use tax assessment from about $48,000 to $20,000 and waiving interest and penalties, which the committee approved for review. The Claims Commission then presented several claims: an unpaid salary differential for a Department of Health employee, reissued warrants, unpaid DHS bills, and multiple negotiated settlements involving ATRS, UAMS, Arkansas State Police, and ARDOT. Members approved or affirmed most of these items, including a $65,000 settlement in the Tetronics/ATRS matter, a $150,000 medical-negligence settlement, and several vehicle-accident settlements. The most extended debate involved a tax-delinquent property sale claim by Sharon Greer and relatives. The claimant argued they were not properly notified and sought the $4,200 excess from the 2009 sale. Land Commissioner counsel explained the excess had escheated to the county after the statutory claim period expired, while members debated sovereign immunity, standing, heirs, and whether the committee could or should award money anyway. The committee ultimately chose to hold the matter over for further review in a future joint session rather than decide it immediately. The committee also heard appeals from dismissed claims, including a UAMS medical-negligence claim, a land-sale notice claim, a pothole claim against ARDOT, and a judicial-immunity claim against the Court of Appeals; most dismissals were affirmed, and the Simpson matter was held over for additional review after the claimant testified.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 648 protects Texas homeowners from deed theft by providing additional requirements a person
• In order to officially record vital documents related to real property, such as deeds and mortgages.
• In fact, when a fraudulent deed is filed, it can be used. ...exist.
• In fact, when a fraudulent deed is filed, it can be used to sell the property to unknowing buyers or
• Often, the true owners do not discover that a fraudulent deed or lien has been filed until they go to

Bills: SB438, SB512, SB647, SB648, SB1495, SB2121, SB2145, SB2154, SB2167, SB2184, SB2211, SB2268, SB2349, SB2443, SB2629, SB2702, SB2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first voted out several pending bills. Senate Bill 1612 was reported favorably to the full Senate with objections sent to the local and contested calendar. The committee then adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported Senate Bills 2717, 1468, 1642, and 1789, with 1642 and 1789 sent to the floor. SB 2717 would create the Texas Energy Efficiency Council and add agencies to it; SB 1468 and SB 1642 were discussed as changes affecting utility and insurance-related structures; and SB 1789 would establish pole standards, with the author saying it would clarify PUC authority and create more practical statewide standards. The committee also heard an ERCOT update from Pablo Vegas, who said Texas load growth remains strong but ERCOT is adjusting its large-load forecast downward using historical delays and realization rates for data centers and other large loads. He said the adjusted forecast is still very high, but more realistic for planning, and members discussed reliability, generation timelines, demand response, and the role of Senate Bill 6 in helping model large data centers as flexible load. The committee then took testimony on a series of bills and left most pending after public comment. SB 2629 would allow condominium and property owners associations to hold meetings and vote electronically; testimony supported it as a way to improve access, though some members expressed concern about overuse of virtual meetings. SB 2702 would let nationally certified professionals test backflow prevention assemblies instead of requiring a separate TCEQ license, and was supported as a workforce and public health measure. SB 2167 would let TDLR pause new massage-establishment license applications when an applicant is subject to a human trafficking emergency order or pending SOAH case. SB 2349 would exempt short-term residential leases and certain leasebacks from floodplain disclosure requirements while allowing the notice to be included in the lease packet. SB 2121 would tighten the data broker registry law from the prior session, and SB 2443 would allow TDLR to use electronic delivery for notices and contested-case documents. Additional bills focused on consumer protection, housing, and regulatory administration. SB 2902 would help victims of coerced debt and identity theft stop collection efforts by requiring proof such as a court order or FTC report; advocates said it would protect survivors while still preventing fraud. SB 512 would bar money transmission license holders from fining users for terms-of-service violations in a way that forfeits account funds, and supporters framed it as a protection against private financial penalties. SB 2145 would allow public improvement districts and tax increment finance districts to meet virtually with at least one member physically present, while SB 2268 would give the PUC flexibility to extend Texas Energy Fund loan deadlines in certain cases. SB 1495 would create an advisory board for electric vehicle supply equipment standards, SB 2154 would extend statewide regulation to delivery network companies, SB 2184 would lower the age for pyrotechnic operator and fireworks display licenses from 21 to 18, SB 438 would expand confidentiality protections for SOAH administrative law judges, SB 2211 would treat digital products and desalinated water as industrial products to support combined energy-water projects, and SB 647 would strengthen title-theft protections by improving notice and clerk authority to reject fraudulent filings. Most of these bills were left pending after testimony, and several drew support from industry, consumer, or advocacy witnesses along with some member concerns about electronic meetings, licensing, and data accuracy.

Transcript Highlights:

• of deeds of deeds Association<03:37:25.000> um<03:37:25.479> on<03:37:25.680> behalf
• concerns that the registry of deeds concerns that the registry of deeds Association<03:37:35.680
• AD administered by the registry of deeds AD administered by the registry of deeds offices<03:37:
• <03:38:12.920> offices Hampshire registry of deeds offices Hampshire registry of deeds offices
• landlords within the registry of deeds landlords within the registry of deeds offices<03:38:23.720

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• running on privately owned deed ground. running on privately owned deed ground.
• Benson, thank you. fence out, or does it come to um deed fence out, or does it come to um deed land,<
• or land, non-deed land, trust, or land, non-deed land, trust, or what what what is<01:45:30.159>
• the buffalo that are running on deed the buffalo that are running on deed land<01:46:48.239>
• It is still deed land. trust land. It is still deed land.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, while deed fraud, deed fraud and...
• However, those statutes are not designed to prosecute deed fraud or title theft because of the complex
• The remainder of the bill addresses criminal aspects of deed fraud and title theft.
• criminal case, number five, we make changes to the language surrounding who must be provided copies of deed

Bills: SB15, SB9, SB7, SB1, SB2, SB67, SB15, SB9, SB7

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap

Transcript Highlights:

• register of deeds. register of deeds.
• I've served as the register of deeds for the last 15.
• of the register of deeds association.
• as the Grafton County Register of Deeds as the Grafton County Register of Deeds for<01:31:05.920
• behalf of the register of deeds behalf of the register of deeds association.<01:31:14.159> I<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was from the register of deeds, Kathy Buruby, who testified, ensuring that we strike that.
• If the lien gets recorded by the register of deeds, there could be no limit on the lien, right?
• We just heard there's a concern about the registers of deeds. Thank you for the question.
• <00:41:38.240> Yeah, about the registers of deeds. Yeah, about the registers of deeds.
• And they may have uh the deeds in Maine.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up HB 164, dealing with homeowners and certain service agreements tied to residential real estate. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be framed as prohibiting “service agreements” or more specifically as banning “future right to listing” agreements, and whether the bill should mirror Maine’s newer law. Mike Padmore of AARP New Hampshire presented suggested edits, including clarifying that the agreements are unenforceable, striking a provision at Roman 6C, and adding language making clear that registry of deeds staff are not liable when they record documents they are statutorily required to file. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors said the bill and Maine’s law reach the same result, but he preferred simpler wording and argued the bill should not include a two-year time limit because legitimate listing agreements should not create liens at all. Members and witnesses debated whether the bill should simply make the practice illegal outright, whether the Consumer Protection Act is the right enforcement vehicle, and whether the lien-removal process should be modeled on the recent undischarged mortgage bill. A consumer protection official said the bureau supports the statute and explained that under RSA 358-A, consumers could seek damages and equitable relief to strike a lien, while also noting that the bureau often uses the Consumer Protection Act as an enforcement tool. The committee also discussed narrowing the bill to residential real estate, with the sponsor and witnesses saying the problem has been seen in residential transactions and that commercial property was not the focus. The testimony described the underlying problem as companies, often national rather than New Hampshire-based, using long-term or future listing agreements to impose liens or penalties on homeowners, sometimes in connection with estate transfers or home sales. Witnesses said legitimate real estate listings do not normally place liens on houses, but these arrangements can include hidden or unclear penalties, including a reported 3% charge on home value. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the committee appeared to be working through possible amendments and whether to adopt Maine-style language or a simpler New Hampshire-specific approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• conveyance of the deed restriction thank you<01:37:02.760> thank<01:37:02.920> you<01:
• the measure the deed restriction would be<01:37:35.600> in<01:37:35.840> perpetuity<01
• I think in the time that they've done it, they have secured about 175 homes through deed restrictions
• I think it came out to about a $70,000 or so average per deed restriction.
• have something like a thousand plus deed have something like a thousand plus deed restrictions<01

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• week in which the date falls as National Police Week in honor of those who had thought their courage deeds
• thought their throughout<00:09:46.240> their<00:09:46.399> courage<00:09:46.880> deeds
• <00:09:47.600> have<00:09:47.920> lost throughout their courage deeds have lost throughout
• their courage deeds have lost their<00:09:48.560> lives<00:09:49.120> and<00:09:49.360

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• doesn't say anything about the road, there's an implied easement that arises at the time of the deed
• simply says that you're going the deed simply says that you're going to<00:38:15.720> get<00:
• that the lot at the time of the deed that the lot owner<00:38:27.000> can<00:38:27.200> use
• The farmer drafted his own deeds.
• in the deed and it goes<00:43:56.720> across<00:43:57.080> somebody's<00:43:57.440>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to talk about the Dirty Deeds Project and also to thank our supporters that are here in the
• Question and kind of comment: Could you speak to the work that you've done with the register of deeds
• stuff and any work you've done in looking up and finding out about dirty deeds in your area?
• So the Dirty Deeds Project occurred a couple years ago, and Harbor Light, along with the NAACP, were
• able to find over 400 deeds...

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony on a wide range of bills, with much of the discussion focused on housing stability and maternal mental health. On H. 1924/S. 1171, supporters including Sen. Joan Lovely, Rep. Jim O’Day, physicians, advocates, and people with lived experience urged the committee to create legal protections and treatment pathways for defendants who experienced postpartum psychosis or other perinatal mood disorders within 12 months of giving birth. Testimony emphasized that these conditions are rare but severe, often treatable, and can lead to tragic outcomes if criminalized rather than addressed through screening, expert evaluation, treatment, and, in some cases, resentencing or mitigation. Committee members asked about diagnosis years after the fact and how the Illinois law has worked; witnesses said retrospective diagnosis is possible and that the Illinois model has led to some successful resentencing petitions and broader awareness. Housing-related bills drew substantial testimony. On H. 1983/S. 1071, witnesses described “zombie” subordinate mortgages that were sold years after borrowers believed they had been resolved, then resurfaced with large balances and foreclosure threats. Supporters said the bill would require disclosures and court review to prevent unlawful servicing and foreclosure practices. On H. 1952, advocates from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, tenants, and legal services providers backed a permanent statewide right to counsel in eviction cases, citing data showing strong tenant outcomes and the importance of quality control, multilingual outreach, and full representation. On H. 1895/S. 1184, testimony supported codifying a two-tier summary process in eviction court and prohibiting defaults at the initial case-management stage. On H. 1883, a small property owner supported rent escrow as a way to protect landlords from bad-faith nonpayment while preserving tenant rights. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing discriminatory housing covenants, tenant oversight, and homelessness. On H. 1762/S. 1080, a housing advocate supported removing void restrictive covenants from deeds, describing the Dirty Deeds Project and the lingering harm of racist language in property records. On H. 1814, tenants and advocates described harassment, retaliation, security problems, and lack of accountability in subsidized housing, arguing for an Office of the Tenant Advocate within the Attorney General’s Office. On S. 1120, multiple witnesses supported a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, saying it would affirm the right to rest and seek shelter, reduce criminalization, and extend anti-discrimination protections. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• we do have a letter from DEED we do have a letter from DEED raising<00:14:36.360> concern
• And we even have a letter from DEED stating that they have concerns on this program as well.
• We have a grant-making organization in DEED.
• We have a grant-making organization in DEED.
• We have a grant-making organization in DEED.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He has a unique perspective of looking through some of our partnered groups we work with, like MCV Deed
• so are there Grant programs within Deeds so are there programs<00:14:54.240> that<00:14:54.480
• Cards to Careers began in 2019 with funding provided through DEED.
• Cards to Careers began in 2019 with funding provided through DEED.
• Allocated through the Vocational Rehabilitation area at DEED, Mr.

Bills: HF1439, HF1004, HF498, HF1326

Keywords: HF1439, Minnesota Grocers Association Foundation, Carts to Careers, workforce development fund, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, grocery industry, food industry, food retail, retail workforce, job training, career pathways, scholarships, certifications, workforce pipeline, one-time appropriation, industry training, labor shortage, youth employment, apprenticeship

Transcript Highlights:

• In the bill, uh, we are looking at DEED for that support.
• <01:50:30.480> And<01:50:30.639> I at uh, deed for that support.
• And I at uh, deed for that support.
• Our next listed testifier is Evan Row from DEED. Mr.
• provide more security asurances to deed. provide more security asurances to deed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:05.200> to call center, it's instructing deed to call center, it's instructing deed
• The bill before the body funds DEED. It has policy changes related to DEED.
• has policy changes related to deed. has policy changes related to deed.
• statutory appropriation we expect deed statutory appropriation we expect deed to<00:52:36.559>
• deed today that falls in their purview. deed today that falls in their purview.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and occupations that the Office of Higher Ed and the Office of Employment and Economic Development (DEED
• Higher Ed will determine the top 20 in-demand industries and occupations based on employment data from DEED
• In Winona alone, according to DEED, we have 499 open jobs today.
• I appreciate trusting OHE and DEED to come up with that information.
• But it's going to be an evaluation process that has to happen with OHE and DEED, and that's that three-year

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the bill also includes money for DEED to promote this program to veterans across the country who
• Uh, the bill also includes money for DEED to promote this program to veterans across the country who
• Uh, the bill also includes money for DEED to promote this program to veterans across the country who
• In theory, I mean, the money would be appropriated to DEED.
• In theory, I mean, the money would be appropriated to DEED.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 1792, number five on the calendar for the day, an act relating to contracts for deed, the
• the Minnesota legislature enacted a comprehensive set of changes governing contracts for property deeds
• to address predatory practices by some investors and speculators against deed purchasers.
• It primarily makes several technical corrections, and it adds two additional exempt contracts for deed

Transcript Highlights:

• One area that we're seeing at least some television ads and promotion for, Consumer Benefit, is deed
• complaint yet, these false deeds and false encumbrances on the home.
• complaint yet, these false deeds and false encumbrances on the home.
• complaint yet, these false deeds and false encumbrances on the home.
• They contacted Deed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the deed was given to me by one of my cousins at his father's funeral.
• I don't know how the deed landed in my cousin's father's possession.
• I did not know that this deed even existed until January of 2025.
• For some reason, my uncle had the deed to the land in his possession. Okay.
• For some reason, my uncle had the deed to the land in his possession.

Keywords: 1204, all