Transcript Highlights:

• A criminal offense.
• The bill allows for a judge to dismiss charges after a warning, which is a Class C misdemeanor offense
• when they become aware that an employee of the district or school has been charged with certain offenses
• These offenses include any that require registration. as a sex offender, assaultive offenses, as outlined
• aware of the charge. charter school becomes aware that the employee has been charged with these offenses

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

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:

• Drug offenses, of these offenses, major offenses, this one is, as you say, really the one that's much
• Drug offenses.
• sex offenses.
• Moving to violent crime, you'll see that I've now added, for certain offenses in bold, murder, aggravated
• This goes down for other violent offenses, and property crimes often have the lowest rate, often well

Summary: The House Committee on Community Safety held a December 4, 2025 work session focused first on crime trends and then on policing effectiveness. Adam Gelb of the Council on Criminal Justice reviewed long-term national data showing major declines in reported crime and victimization since the early 1990s, a pandemic-era spike in homicide and some violent crime, and a recent drop back toward pre-pandemic levels. He also highlighted a sharp decline in juvenile arrests and incarceration, a substantial reduction in racial disparities in imprisonment, and noted that much of the disparity reduction appears tied to changes in arrest patterns. James McMahon of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs then presented Washington’s 2024 crime report, saying total crime fell 8.4% from 2023, with decreases in violent crime, property crime, murders, robberies, aggravated assaults, hate crimes, and vehicle theft, while crimes against society rose. He emphasized that domestic violence makes up about half of crimes against persons, that Washington remains above its 2019 levels in several categories, and that underreporting affects the data. Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments Justice Center added that Washington remains one of the states still above 2019 violent-crime levels, with homicide and juvenile victimization especially concerning, and noted wide variation in juvenile arrests and violent-crime trends across cities and counties. Jeff Asher of the Real Time Crime Index said his near-real-time data through September 2025 suggests continued national and Washington declines in murder, violent crime, and property crime, with Washington’s murder trend likely continuing downward into 2025. The second half of the work session shifted to policing methods and clearance rates. Richard Hahn of the Niskanen Center argued that disorder and neighborhood conditions affect public safety perceptions, that environmental design and street lighting can reduce crime, and that police agencies need better deployment, investigative capacity, and clearance rates, especially amid staffing shortages. Mark Kropanski of Arnold Ventures summarized research finding that police staffing matters, hotspots and problem-oriented policing reduce crime, and better investigations increase deterrence and trust; he stressed that homicide clearance rates remain only around 60% in Washington and that property-crime clearance is much lower. Marshall Clement returned to focus on Washington’s solve rates, saying only 44% of violent crimes reported to police are solved, with 62% of homicides, 51% of aggravated assaults, 25% of rapes, and 31% of robberies cleared in 2024, and that large numbers of serious crimes remain unsolved over a three-year period. He urged state leaders to set goals, improve data collection, strengthen investigative resources, and support victims and witnesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the session was informational and included extensive member questions about juvenile crime, domestic violence, underreporting, detective staffing, and how to improve clearance rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are incredibly violent offenses.
• And what would be the effect if we were to label, for example, all the 3G offenses, so violent offenses
• for a violent offense.
• for a violent offense.
• And I committed another violent offense.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It asks judges to take a look to see whether it's a violent offense.
• But at the same time, we think there's not a sufficient emphasis on violent offenses and keeping violent
• What makes this provision different is that if it's a violent or dangerous offense, a motion doesn't
• The prosecutors should be able to make violent offenses clear that that's what's happened.
• But the judge could also presume, based on the fact that it's a violent or dangerous offense, that the

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• felony or any type of trafficking narcotics offense.
• It was somebody who did a violent felony.
• So if the offense with the gun after you're already a felon is violent, then even if your first offense
• So we have the nonviolent, not violent, and then we're looking at somebody that is a violent, reoffending
• offenses, have access to victim compensation.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While there's a lot of attention on young people committing more violent behavior, such as gun offenses
• But talking about those violent offenses, that's what's gotten a big visibility here in our state, in
• There was a short blip in the last two years of data that we had of an increase in violent offenses.
• The violent offenses were way down, and then you saw that uptick in 2022.
• But some of the early 2024-2025 data generally is showing violent offenses starting to go back down.

Transcript Highlights:

• or nonviolent offenses the way we have tried to do in the past.
• that it that we should consider offense that it that we should consider uh<00:12:57.760> jail
• <00:14:22.160> or who are with the less offensive or who are with the less offensive or nonviolent
• <00:14:23.440> offenses<00:14:24.079> the<00:14:24.320> way<00:14:24.399> we<
• /c><00:14:24.720> have nonviolent offenses the way we have nonviolent offenses the way we have

Bills: SB24, SB83, SB142, SB140, SB94, SB24, SB83, SB142, SB140, SB94, HB132, HB37, HB51, HB105, HB54, HB7, HB158, HB188, HB189, HB111, HB13, HB192, HB149

Keywords: body-worn camera, public records, law enforcement transparency, recording disclosure, civil rights, adult-size changing table, changing station, accessible restroom, public bathroom, public building, public entity, ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, accessibility, restroom renovation, new construction, grant program, state grant, local government facilities, historic property

Transcript Highlights:

• I just realized that it doesn't say violent offenses on top. And so that handout that...
• I just realized that it doesn't say violent offenses on top.
• So when you ask about violent offenses and the DOCR, this is the whole list.
• do 85%, except they had a definition of violent crime that included many offenses for which violent
• had a definition of violent crime that included many offenses for which violent offenders are not required

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for a deceased member, then approved the April minutes and heard a presentation from HHS on the Diversion Task Force and related youth services grants. Chelsea Florey described the $750,000 one-time appropriation from HB 1012, the five awarded grants, and how programs in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot are using the funds for youth diversion, including school-based groups, physical activity, and services for problematic sexual behavior. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, family engagement, service silos, and whether diversion eligibility rules are too rigid; Florey said the task force is focused on better coordination, broader education about available services, and possible changes to diversion criteria, with the Children’s Cabinet likely to drive broader recommendations. The committee then received a North Dakota Lottery biennium report from Director Thomas Lawler, who reviewed the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, player programs, and revenue distribution. He reported about $67 million in ticket sales for the 2023-2025 biennium, about $16.2 million transferred overall, including roughly $13.6 million to the general fund, plus transfers to drug task force and compulsive gambling funds. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether it is set by statute. Next, the Department of Corrections presented on criminal justice data sharing and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that jails, courts, DOCR, HHS, and other entities use separate systems with limited interoperability, making real-time communication largely manual. He outlined possible hub or point-to-point IT solutions, but noted cost, vendor, identifier, and data-definition challenges. Robin Schmolenberger followed with an update on a Medicaid data exchange project between DOCR and HHS to suspend and reactivate inmate Medicaid coverage automatically and improve care coordination, with full bi-directional exchange expected in fall 2026. The committee also heard from county representatives on 24-7 sobriety program fees and an AG opinion allowing local sheriffs to use cheaper testing options when courts waive fees. Finally, the North Dakota Racing Commission reviewed a troubling audit. Bruce Johnson acknowledged serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, missing grant documentation, a reversed decision on breeders fund eligibility, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has begun corrective actions, including monthly tracking of the promotion fund cap, stricter grant documentation, written procurement procedures, and clearer eligibility rules in condition books. Members pressed him on how the overspending occurred, whether the commission board would impose consequences, and whether statutory clarification is needed on the promotion fund limit and related spending rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just realized that it doesn't say violent offenses on top. And so that handout that...
• I just realized that it doesn't say violent offenses on top.
• So what you see there, so you'll see from murder to child neglect is within violent offenses.
• So when you ask about violent offenses and the DOCR, this is the whole list.
• they had a definition of violent crime that included many offenses for which violent offenders are not

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just realized that it doesn't say violent offenses on top. And so that handout that...
• I just realized that it doesn't say violent offenses on top.
• So what you see there, so you'll see from murder to child neglect is within violent offenses.
• So when you ask about violent offenses and the DOCR, this is the whole list.
• a definition of violent crime that included many offenses for which violent offenders are not required

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence honoring a deceased member, then approved the April minutes. The first major presentation was from Chelsea Florey of Child and Family Services on the Diversion Task Force and related grant programs created with one-time funding from HB 1012. She reported that five of six proposals were funded, with youth diversion services operating in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and a Red River Children’s Advocacy Center program focused on problematic sexualized behavior. Members discussed barriers such as staffing shortages, voluntary family engagement, service fatigue, and the need for better coordination, broader outreach, and possible changes to diversion eligibility rules so low-level cases can remain in diversion longer. Several legislators pressed for more practical system changes and clearer service navigation, while Florey said the task force is trying to build a service array or hub and is leaning on the Children’s Cabinet for broader recommendations. The committee then heard from North Dakota Lottery Director Thomas Lawler, who gave an operational overview and biennium report. He described the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, Pick and Click subscriptions, Players Club membership, and revenue distribution. For the 2023-25 biennium, about $67 million in tickets were purchased, with roughly $16.2 million transferred overall, including money for the general fund, drug task force grants, and compulsive gambling prevention and treatment. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether the amount is set by statute. A lengthy presentation followed from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on criminal justice data connectivity and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that North Dakota’s jail, court, HHS, and correctional systems use multiple separate databases that do not communicate in real time, requiring manual cross-checks and staff communication. He said the department is exploring a centralized hub or other integration approach, but noted challenges with identifiers, vendor contracts, confidentiality, and cost. Robin Schmolenberger then updated the committee on a Medicaid data-sharing project with HHS, saying monthly application assistance is now occurring in correctional facilities and that automated bi-directional data exchange is expected in late 2026 to help suspend and reactivate Medicaid coverage and identify former foster care youth. Members also discussed parole, probation, transitional housing, and the need for better real-time notifications and clearer data definitions. The committee also received an update from county representatives on the 24/7 sobriety program, including a recent attorney general opinion that if a court waives 24/7 fees, sheriffs may use the cheaper twice-daily breath test or urine testing instead of SCRAM bracelets or drug patches. Finally, Bruce Johnson of the Racing Commission presented on an audit report, acknowledging serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, grant documentation failures, a breeders fund eligibility reversal, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has already changed its procedures by tracking fund limits monthly, requiring grant applications and itemized reports, enforcing breeders fund rules as written, and routing purchases through procurement with written contracts. The committee asked follow-up questions throughout but took no formal votes on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we'll take up tab 3, CS for SB 760 on violations of pretrial release conditions for violent crimes
• SB 760 is a narrowly crafted bill that creates a new offense for a person who has committed one of the
• listed violent crimes and willfully violates a no-contact order as part of their pretrial release conditions
• Committed one of the listed violent crimes and willfully violates a no-contact order as part of their
• And the new offense is not stacked on the current offense that they're arrested for.

Bills: S0086, S0554, S0760, S0774, S0778, S0844, S1022, S1230, S1246, S1594, S1630

Keywords: unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, nonprofit, corporation, Florida Nonprofit Corporation Act, membership, articles of incorporation, governance, pretrial release, bond conditions, violations of release conditions, violent crimes, victim safety, public safety, warrantless arrest, probable cause, pretrial detention

Summary: The Fiscal Policy Committee met and first reported favorably SB 774, which extends enhanced workers’ compensation benefits to 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators for mental or nervous injuries, after adopting a late-filed amendment declaring an important state interest. The committee also heard supportive testimony from a Palm Beach County dispatcher. SB 770, which updates the definition of forensic clients so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism can be housed with other Chapter 916 residents in secure forensic settings, was reported favorably as well. Members then approved CS/SB 86, which declares unauthorized operation of a commercial vehicle by an unauthorized alien an imminent safety hazard and imposes driver, carrier, and enforcement consequences, despite questions about vehicle impoundment and cargo handling and one appearance in opposition. SB 1594, which protects veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster youth from being used as reimbursement and instead sets them aside for education and transition services, was reported favorably after supportive testimony. The committee also approved CS/SB 760, creating a new offense for willful violations of no-contact pretrial release conditions in certain violent crime cases, though the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about expanded warrantless arrest authority in one section. The committee next reported favorably CS/SB 554, a complete rewrite of Chapter 617 governing nonprofit corporations, after a technical delete-all amendment. It also approved CS/SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care for certain health care professionals; the bill drew extensive supportive testimony from advocates and patients describing pain management gaps and health disparities. SB 1022, expanding Florida Children’s Initiatives by adding programs in Bay County and Broward County, and CS/SB 1246, broadening the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund to include health science workforce programs and related uses, were both reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1230, which restricts the use, sale, and distribution of aqueous film-forming foam containing intentionally added PFAS and requires inventory and disposal reporting, after adopting amendments that removed airports from one provision. It also approved CS/CS/SB 128, directing DEP to erect markers for the Andrew Red Harris Spoil Island water body designation. Several senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for people that don't understand, determinates are usually more serious offenses, more violent offenses
• And then we wonder, hey, why are these violent kids really violent?
• a list of offenses that essentially mirror many of the determinate sentence offenses.
• as violent offenses.
• Beasley who they didn't need to have a bigger boot on them for non-violent offenses that were really

Transcript Highlights:

• More serious offenses, more violent offenses, murders, ag robs.
• offenses.
• When I got him and he committed that offense, we did put him in detention. He was violent.
• I mean, one of the things that, you know, coming in there for nonviolent offenses becoming violent in
• Beasley who they didn't need to have a bigger boot on them for non-violent offenses that were really

Bills: HB31, HB3360

Keywords: juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, delinquency, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would require an illegal alien who is charged with a violent offense to be detained pending
• Um, violent offense.
• harmed a citizen in this violent harmed a citizen in this violent offense.<00:46:31.599> And<
• addresses the most violent of offenses. addresses the most violent of offenses.
• the definition of what is a violent the definition of what is a violent offense,<00:49:20.079>

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a felony offense to carry in that location.
• This blanket prohibition affects individuals convicted of non-violent offenses. such as certain drug
• However, we know that the bill does strike some non-violent crimes.
• And we are concerned with the violent ones.
• I appreciate the various offenses that have been listed here today.

Bills: HB259, HB 1128, HB1337, HB1506, HB1794, HB2215, HB2470, HB2771, HB2882, HB2993, HB3053, HB3428, HB3669, HB3789, HB3924, HB4201, HB4675, HB259

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical expenses, access to care, affordability, legislation, firearms, penal code, regulation, short-barrel firearms, ammunition, gun control, public safety, Texas law, short-barrel, law enforcement, election judges, concealed handgun, polling places

Transcript Highlights:

• And there is no history of violent behavior. How do we handle it?
• You're being expelled to JJEP for a violent offense.
• I think it’s violent.
• Offenses are what we focus on, and we can look to that code and make sure that it's violent offenses.
• But, I mean, the thing is, they were that violent that we needed that.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this senator's bill we have is, uh, parole obviously are governed by violent, nonviolent crimes,
• Um, this senator's bill we have is, uh, parole obviously are governed by violent, nonviolent crimes,
• Um, this senator's bill we have is, uh, parole obviously are governed by violent, nonviolent crimes,
• Um, this senator's bill we have is, uh, parole obviously are governed by violent, nonviolent crimes,
• Um, this senator's bill we have is, uh, parole obviously are governed by violent, nonviolent crimes,

Keywords: Corrections - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 11:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2778, which extends by four years the repealer on the authority to collect monthly supervision fees from probation and parole offenders for the Community Service Revolving Fund. Members asked no questions, and the bill was moved and passed by a sufficient motion with no opposition. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2041, which would require the Department of Correction to do pre-screening for dyslexia. Senator Hickman said the bill is intended to identify a condition that is reportedly more prevalent in the prison population and to help reduce recidivism through earlier intervention. Questions focused on cost and implementation; the sponsor said the fiscal impact would be minimal because the department already has the needed IT infrastructure and the screening would be an added step rather than a separate system. The bill was then moved and passed. Next, Senate Bill 2036 was explained as a narrow change from “shall” to “may” in language affecting probation, postrelease supervision, or suspension, giving judges discretion in revocation decisions. Senate Bill 2777, requested by the circuit judges association, would clarify that probation or postrelease supervision may be revoked if a person commits a felony, including in situations where the offense occurs before the prior supervision has commenced. That bill also advanced on a do-pass motion. Senate Bill 2043, dealing with parole eligibility for nonviolent offenses, was described as allowing the parole board to reduce eligibility dates by awarded days and to better assess whether offenders are truly eligible; the committee discussed a committee substitute and a reverse repealer before moving on. Finally, Senate Bill 2037 was taken up and amended to require medical care service providers to submit claims at no more than the Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement rate. The amendment by Senator Kirby was adopted, and the bill then received a do-pass-as-amended motion and passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• But really, what the bill seeks to do is get rid of the violent kids.
• We have violent kids in our classrooms today.
• And so that’s—you’re being— —expelled to JJAEP for a violent offense.
• I think it’s violent offenses is what we focus on, and we can look to that code and make sure that it
• ’s violent offenses.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Summary: The committee heard a series of school safety and discipline bills, beginning with SB 870, which would codify an attorney general opinion allowing local school boards to decide whether school marshals may openly carry, conceal carry, or store a firearm in a secure safe on campus. The bill was laid out with no public testimony and left pending. The chair then moved to a combined discussion of SB 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1924, all focused on school discipline, teacher authority, and student safety. Senators Perry and Creighton described the package as a response to rising classroom disruptions, assaults on teachers, and concerns that districts lack effective tools to maintain order. SB 1871 would expand teacher removal authority, require return-to-class plans before a student removed for certain conduct can return, make some serious offenses mandatory for placement in juvenile justice settings, and provide telehealth mental health services through a consortium. SB 1872 would require expulsion to a JJAEP for assaults on teachers or school volunteers and extend certain expulsion-eligible conduct to off-campus offenses. SB 1873 would restore the prior understanding that in-school suspension is not subject to a three-day limit. SB 1874 would grant teachers immunity from disciplinary action for reporting discipline violations or acting in compliance with Chapter 37. SB 1924 would restore authority for local police and school district police to issue Class C citations for school offenses and require criminal referrals for students posing an imminent threat or assaulting a teacher, with a substitute clarifying referral rules when a citation has already been issued. The committee adopted the substitutes for the bills and moved them forward. Invited witnesses from teacher and administrator groups largely supported the overall goal of stronger discipline and safer classrooms, while asking for refinements. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association testified that teachers need more autonomy to remove disruptive or violent students and that classroom removals should not mean removal from learning. Superintendents from San Angelo, Grandview, and Wiley ISDs supported the bills’ emphasis on safety, expanded ISS flexibility, mandatory placement for serious offenses, and telehealth mental health services, but asked for more local control, flexibility for Districts of Innovation, more than one campus behavior coordinator in large districts, clearer timelines for return-to-class plans, and more precise definitions for disruptive conduct. Several witnesses stressed that teacher retention and student learning are being harmed by current discipline problems, while some members raised concerns about vague standards and the risk of overuse or public humiliation through citations and removals.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm just—yeah, but I'm telling you, if you use the firearm to commit any type of violent offense,
• offense.
• <00:51:51.040> offense.
• offense.
• Well, it says dangerous violent offense.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all