Transcript Highlights:

• An administrative... ...law judge and ALJ from SOAH presides over these hearings and upon the hearing's
• If an ALJ, an Administrative Law Judge, allows a discovery request that goes beyond the scope of the
• If an ALJ overrules objections to such discovery and allows discovery into irrelevant topics, that is

Bills: SB2082, SB2203, SB2351, SB2550, SCR48

Keywords: concrete crushing, hospital proximity, environmental regulation, public health, zoning laws, SB 2203, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, contested case, administrative law judge, ALJ, discovery, scope of discovery, certification, administrative procedure, permit dispute, agency rules, Government Code

Bills: HCR141, SB438, SB1495, SB1964, HB 1225

Keywords: HCR 141, House Concurrent Resolution, NASA, Houston, Space City, Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, Apollo 11, moon landing, aerospace, commercial space, space exploration, Texas Space Commission, space policy, federal resolution, memorial resolution, Congress, Washington D.C., headquarters relocation, space industry

Transcript Highlights:

• The director then appoints the administrative law judges, or ALJs.
• Judge Schwartz: To our ALJs, I believe, since the outset of the APA.
• Do certain ALJs oversee and modify the work product of other ALJs? We talk...
• Do you, and then an ALJ also made a comment on that.
• Do you, and then ALJ also made a comment on that.

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee heard a presentation from Representative Esposito on a proposal to strengthen oversight of agency rulemaking under Chapter 120. The bill would require cost-benefit analysis at the front end and after implementation, create an eight-year sunset and review process for rules, and require express legislative authority for agency rulemaking. Members questioned the lack of concrete examples of burdensome rules, the effect on already slow rulemaking, the choice of an eight-year sunset, and the bill’s origin; Esposito said she was working with stakeholders and cited her chamber-of-commerce background and research with the Cicero Institute. No vote was taken on the bill itself. Staff then reported on legislatively mandated rulemaking from 2023 and 2024, noting that most required rules had been adopted, proposed, noticed, or scheduled, with a few agencies still outstanding. The Department of Financial Services explained a delayed notice of rule development for the MySafe Florida Home condominium pilot program as an oversight that has since been corrected, and the Department of Education said it did not proceed with rulemaking for the Fostering Prosperity grants because the program received no funding in the 2025 budget. The Department of Health described delayed rulemaking for the sickle cell disease and trait registry, saying the registry and opt-out forms were being implemented and that notices of rule development had now been filed. Members pressed the department on why rules took so long and discussed the need for statutory deadlines. The Department of Children and Families reported on two 2023 human-trafficking-related rules: signage requirements for residential treatment facilities and children’s safe homes, and a new certification process for adult safe homes. DCF said the signage rule is now moving forward and the adult safe home certification rule has been submitted for final review after workshops and stakeholder feedback. Senators questioned the lengthy timeline and the lack of oversight during the interim, while the chair emphasized the need for time-certain deadlines in legislation and for JAPAC oversight hearings. The committee also considered staff-proposed amendments to Chapter 120 addressing emergency rules pending legislative ratification and the process for initiating ratification, including a one-year limit and notice to JAPAC. After discussion, the committee voted to forward the proposed amendments to the Senate President and House Speaker. Finally, members discussed a proposed amendment to the administrative law judge appointment and retention process under Section 120.65. DOAH’s interim director opposed the change, saying ALJs and workers’ compensation judges have different functions and warning against shifting appointment power to cabinet officers whose agencies appear before DOAH. Members raised concerns about timeliness, consistency, and accountability in DOAH decisions. The committee voted to forward this proposal as well, with Senator Smith voting no on that motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The ALJ will be looking at it. So, I think I support the amendment.
• <00:23:31.840> is ALJ is ALJ is trying<00:23:33.200> to<00:23:33.320> find.
• full administrative scheme an ALJ full administrative scheme an ALJ review<00:47:50.920> a
• The only purpose of going to the ALJ The only purpose of going to the ALJ is<00:51:32.960> to
• going<00:51:45.840> to >> The ALJ is then going to >> The ALJ is then going

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• BUT THE ALJ MAINTAINS THE INDEPENDENT THINKING TO MAKE THE DECISION. >> Rep.
• BUT WE ARE INDEPENDENT INDIVIDUAL ALJS.
• Weinberger: DOES THE PROCESS FOR ALJS REQUIRE UPDATING? >> Rep.
• AND THEN ALJ MADE A COMMENT.
• I WAS IN ALJ 10 YEARS BEFORE BECOMING INTERIM DIRECTOR.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you eliminate the career service status of ALJs and go to an appointment process similar to the ALJs
• go into a system of appointments and reappointments may impact our ability to attract good quality ALJs
• Our ability to attract good quality ALJs, we've had a similar, we've had that problem on the JCC side
• there's a lot to think about and balance and determining how to increase the accountability of our ALJs
• But at DOA, ALJs are the gatekeeper and the fact finders, so those concerns are not arguably present

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee reviewed several agency rules and objections under Chapter 120. First, the committee revisited prior objections to Agency for Health Care Administration rules containing sunset provisions. AHCA’s general counsel said the agency amended 26 of the objected rules but declined to amend five others, arguing sunset provisions are lawful, are not themselves rules, and were consistent with a 2019 gubernatorial directive. Committee members questioned that position, especially for licensing and certificate-of-need rules, and urged the agency to consider legislative changes; no formal action was taken on that item during the discussion. The committee then considered an objection to Department of Management Services Rule 60G-1.001 defining the Governor’s Mansion grounds. Committee staff argued the rule is vague and improperly refers to future land acquisitions without updating the rule since 1998. DMS defended the rule as a general definition tied to publicly recorded property and a master lease, but said it would not object if the Legislature chose to codify the definition in statute. After discussion, the committee voted to file the objection. Members also received informational updates from the Department of Environmental Protection on the Solaris state lands inventory system, and from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on its response to the Tampa Bay Downs unadopted-rule litigation, in which the commission said it has stopped relying on the prior tax interpretation and will not promulgate a rule on that issue. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation said it would remove an unsupported cigar wholesale dealer permit reference, repeal an obsolete excise-tax deduction rule, and amend penalty guidelines and an affirmation in its alcohol, beverage, and tobacco rules. Finally, the Division of Administrative Hearings’ interim director discussed case-processing times, possible changes to ALJ status, and whether the Florida Rules of Evidence should apply in administrative proceedings, emphasizing the need to weigh costs, independence, and impacts on pro se litigants. The chair noted this was likely the committee’s final meeting of the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• ON THE QUESTION REGARDING THE INCREASED ACCOUNTABILITY OF ALJ OPEN MINDED TO CONTINUING THAT DISCUSSION
• IF YOU ELIMINATE THE CAREER SERVICE STATUS OF ALJ AND GO TO AN APPOINTMENT PROCESS SIMILAR TO THE ALJ
• THE MEETING SPACE AND THE MATERIALS AND TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL THE COMMISSION MEMBERS AND THE ALJ
• GOING TO A SYSTEM OF APPOINTMENTS AND REAPPOINTMENTS MAY IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT GOOD QUALITY ALJ
• IS A LOT TO THINK ABOUT AND BALANCE IN DETERMINING HOW TO INCREASE THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF OUR ALJ, AND

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The way it works is it extends the terms of the current ALJs through June 1st of next year, the ones
• But for newly appointed ALJs, you will not take office until the Senate confirms you.
• But for newly appointed ALJs, you will not take office until the Senate confirms you.
• But if you are a newly appointed ALJ, then you will go through the Senate process.
• If you are a newly appointed ALJ, then you will go through the Senate process.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:17 SB 129 Discussion 00:46 SB 129 Vote 04:27 SB 178 Discussion 05:48 SB 178 Vote 07:57 SB 151 Discussion 09:01 SB 151 Vote 11:24 SB 201 Discussion 15:17 SB 201 Vote 21:48, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met and first took up SB 129, with a committee substitute adopted before testimony. The bill would allow certain qualified third-party entities in Louisville Metro, including public bodies and long-standing nonprofits, to purchase certificates of delinquency on vacant and abandoned residential properties after 90 days, with the goal of returning blighted property to productive use and back on the tax rolls. Several members supported the measure as a tool for housing and economic development, while Senator Boswell and Chair Willer noted concerns about protecting vulnerable property owners, such as widows, the elderly, and people with disabilities. SB 129 was approved by the committee with favorable expression. The committee then heard SB 178, which updates statutes related to the Education and Labor Cabinet by moving the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Division of Program Policy into statute, renaming Business and Apprenticeship to Industry and Apprenticeship, and making related organizational changes. Testimony from cabinet staff said the changes reflect work already being done and that a floor amendment would be needed for one additional correction. The bill was advanced unanimously with favorable expression. Next, the committee considered SB 151, which would bar state tax dollars from being used to pay persons not legally present in the United States. The sponsor argued the bill was needed to prevent Kentucky funds from going to undocumented workers on state job sites, while Senator Wheeler questioned what the bill would change beyond existing law and how such payments would occur through contracts or appropriations. Senator Yates said he was not opposed to the premise but wanted more time to review the bill’s mechanics, and Senator Thomas voted no for the same reason. Despite those concerns, SB 151 passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard SB 2011, a workers’ compensation bill that would delay newly appointed administrative law judges from taking office until Senate confirmation, extend current ALJ terms through June 1 of next year, and allow retention votes for board members to improve stability and attract more applicants. The sponsor said the bill addresses a loophole that can discourage qualified candidates from applying because they may have to leave private practice before confirmation. After a question about whether the bill would affect salaries, the sponsor explained compensation is set by statute and caseload need is separately reviewed. The bill received favorable expression and the meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the ALJ will issue recommendations to the agency correct.
• The ALJ is an employee that's hired by the chief administrator.
• So the, so you, the, currently they're to go to the ALJ.
• And the ALJ, the chief ALJ, is, by statute, required to protect. and defend the statutory independence
• of those ALJs.

Bills: HB3146, HB3719, HB3895, HB3923, HB4748, HB4751, HB4936, HB4952, HB4990, HB4991, HB5061, HB5196, HB5238, HB5246, HB5487

Keywords: State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative hearings, contested case, contested case hearing, administrative law judge, ALJ, final decision, proposed decision, agency hearing, hearing continuance, rescheduling, Texas administrative law, Government Code Chapter 2001, workers' compensation, Department of Human Resources, Texas Labor Code, Transportation Code, Agriculture Code, Insurance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows a third-party ALJ to wipe out a record of substantiated investigations for misconduct, and
• Teaching positions are also not subject to a binding decision by the ALJ.
• In addition, we believe that SB 1083 would expand potential liability because of the ALJ process that
• Now, what we're seeking to do here is to create an ALJ process that will allow for independent review
• Now, what we're seeking to do here is to create an ALJ process that will allow for independent review

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several bills, beginning with SB 1166 by Senator Arreguín, which would allow AC Transit and its employees to use the Public Employment Relations Board to resolve unfair labor practice charges instead of the courts. The author and union supporters said PERB would provide a faster, fairer, and more specialized process, while no opposition testified. The committee members expressed support, and SB 1166 was approved on a due pass motion and re-referred to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 1024, SB 1207, and SB 1444, which were moved on consent and placed on hold for absent members. Later, SB 1083 by Senator Perez was heard; it would refine last year’s school misconduct database law by adding an administrative law judge review process for classified employees, requiring stronger employer notification and record-sharing procedures, and extending vetting requirements to certain contracted workers. Supporters, including classified employees and labor groups, argued the bill adds due process and fairness while preserving student safety. Opponents, including school administrators, school districts, and liability organizations, argued it could create gaps in misconduct records, increase liability, and weaken protections for students. After discussion, the author said he was continuing to work with opponents on amendments and emphasized the bill’s goal of balancing due process with child safety, referencing his own experience with grooming as a student. SB 1083 was passed on a due pass motion and re-referred to the Committee on Education. The chair then announced that all bills had passed and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The big thing that makes... makes what a SOA ALJ does different from what a constitutional court does
• So there was going to be regular ALJs, senior ALJs, and then two levels of master ALJs.
• folks that have been there for seven years and meet certain other conditions. to be set by the Chief ALJ
• really worked on in the past five years is to make sure we don't just get a document drop where the ALJ
• Waco as places that we could hire more folks that would be able. to do the same work that we have any ALJ

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows a third-party ALJ to wipe out a record of substantiated investigations for misconduct, and
• Teaching positions are also not subject to a binding decision by the ALJ.
• In addition, we believe that SB 1083 would expand potential liability because of the ALJ process that
• Because of the ALJ process that is instituted in SB 1083, we believe that any subsequent employer would
• Now, what we're seeking to do here is to create an ALJ process that will allow for independent review

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• first sunset in 1999, they sat in this four-step promotion grid, so there was going to be regular ALJs
• , senior ALJs, and then two levels of master ALJs.
• for folks that have been there for 7 years and meet certain other conditions to be set by the Chief ALJ
• So generally speaking, what would be the beginning salary of an ALJ right now we're at 1025.
• Um, Are the ALJs, do they handle like a, a specific subject? Are they cross-trained?

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...the process allowing non-certificated employees to request an ALJ appeal hearing before being
• Educators, teachers, have a binding process with an ALJ. It's an expedited process.
• Educators, teachers, have a binding process with an ALJ. It's an expedited process.
• Originally, this bill, as the sponsor's note said, had an ALJ process built into it, allowing for an
• An ALJ process does not exist for non-certificated staff; it does exist for credentialed teachers.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what you're asking us to approve and the only thing that we are changing is what we're calling the the AlJ
• rr ect we contract with an ALJ with the Ag's office for an ALJ they are not on OMA's staff Senator Jett
• I have been reminded of several times Of how the hearing examiners or ALJs are hired within some agencies

Bills: SJR50, SJR51, SJR52, SJR53, SJR54, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1094, HJR1095, SJR49

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Transcript Highlights:

• An ALJ is a neutral decision maker who doesn't work for either side. Currently, OA.
• The current ALJ system provides fair hearings where both sides can present their evidence.
• During my time at the authority, I saw firsthand how independent ALJ oversight created meaningful checks
• There is concern about switching from a hearing examiner to an ALJ.
• It would drop a lot of the need for ALJs. Just something to consider.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And on average, do you know how long is that time frame once it goes to an ALJ?
• I do know that I have personally been involved with cases that lasted years prior to going to an ALJ.
• I asked the previous witness real quick if you knew on the ALJ situation. I think you indicated...
• I asked the previous witness real quick if you knew on the ALJ situation.
• ...through, I presume everybody's entitled to an ALJ hearing, correct? Yeah.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Bills: HB1240, HB2768, HB2788, HB3146, HB4850, HB5032, HCR90

Keywords: border region, infrastructure, economic development, government operations, education, HB 2768, Texas information technology apprenticeship, state IT credential, information resources workforce, junior college, technical institute, apprenticeship program, workforce development, state agency hiring, job classification, career ladder, bachelor's degree substitution, associate degree, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, state auditor classification officer

Bills: HB1240, HB2768, HB2788, HB3146, HB4850, HB5032, HCR90

Keywords: border region, infrastructure, economic development, government operations, education, HB 2768, Texas information technology apprenticeship, state IT credential, information resources workforce, junior college, technical institute, apprenticeship program, workforce development, state agency hiring, job classification, career ladder, bachelor's degree substitution, associate degree, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, state auditor classification officer

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met without a quorum, so no votes or formal actions were taken. The chair laid out several bills and resolutions for explanation and public testimony, with each item left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early items included House Bill 1240, a cleanup measure to create a single uniform definition of the Texas-Mexico border region across state law, and House Bill 2768, which would establish an IT apprenticeship credential through junior colleges and technical institutions to help fill state government technology jobs. The committee also heard House Concurrent Resolution 90, which would encourage establishing a Texas trade and investment office in Jerusalem. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided: one witness opposed it on foreign policy and values grounds, while a Texas Association of Business representative strongly supported it, citing Israel’s innovation and trade potential. Another major item was House Bill 4187, a committee substitute for legislation affecting the Texas Historical Commission; the sponsor described changes expanding use of trust fund money for historic sites, allowing more affiliated nonprofits, clarifying retail operations, and creating a framework for training and consistent interpretation at historic sites. A Texas Historical Commission witness explained that the bill would shift responsibility for maintaining many state-owned historical markers and monuments, including markers on private land, to the commission. Additional measures included House Bill 2788, which would shield Texas Workforce Commission fraud-prevention methods from public information requests; House Bill 5032, directing state agencies to plan for public display of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Texas Constitution, and the Victory or Death letter at the Capitol Complex; House Bill 3146, which would eliminate outdated memoranda-of-understanding requirements for certain State Office of Administrative Hearings arrangements; and House Bill 4815, a cleanup bill modernizing economic development statutes, revising the Made in Texas standard to 51% Texas-origin content, repealing the Governor’s Broadband Development Council, and making other conforming changes. The committee ended by recessing, with members indicating they would likely vote on pending business later when a quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• completed after January 1, 2026, delete the process allowing non-certificated employees to request an ALJ
• , The process allowing non-certificated employees to request an ALJ appeal hearing before being listed
• Educators, teachers, have a binding process with an ALJ. It's an expedited process.
• that concern coming from the Los Angeles Unified School District: that additional cost of having the ALJ
• An ALJ process does not exist for non-certificated staff; it does exist for credentialed teachers.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a long slate of education bills, beginning with SB 685 on nonpublic schools for students with disabilities. Senator Cortese and the California Department of Education described the bill as a response to the Ninth Circuit’s Laughman decision, removing the obsolete “non-sectarian” requirement while preserving secular use of public funds, nondiscrimination protections, background checks, credentialing, and incident reporting. There was no opposition, and the bill later passed 7-0 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1181, a pilot grant program for violence prevention, student wellness, and school safety in Central Valley and other schools. Supporters framed it as a prevention measure, while opponents from EFF, ACLU Cal Action, and community advocates warned it could increase law enforcement involvement, surveillance, and use of fusion centers; despite those concerns, it ultimately passed 5-0 to Appropriations. Members then considered SB 1067, which would create a statewide framework for annual K-2 math assessments starting in 2028-29 to identify students needing early intervention. The author and supporters argued California faces a serious math achievement crisis and that early assessment would help close gaps, while CTA and several educators and administrators sought additional clarity and amendments to ensure alignment with existing diagnostic practices and limits on high-stakes use. The bill drew broad support from educators, parents, and advocacy groups and passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1107, a school shade-structure bill, would expand eligible shade projects and allow bundling through design-build to reduce costs; it received support from LAUSD, school boards, and climate-focused groups and passed 7-0. SB 1128, on take-home devices and screen time for kindergarteners, was presented as a modest first step to give families more flexibility and reduce early screen exposure, with support from early childhood advocates and no opposition, and it passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1048, creating a voluntary State Seal of Climate Literacy for students who complete climate coursework and hands-on projects. Supporters, including Ten Strands, students, teachers, and county offices, said it would recognize real-world climate learning and green career readiness; it passed 7-0. SB 1140, sponsored by CFT, would require LEA construction contractors to follow campus security provisions during school projects to reduce unauthorized access; it drew support from labor and gun violence prevention groups and passed 7-0. SB 930, requiring end-to-end encryption for proctoring companies handling K-12 exam data, was presented as a student privacy measure in response to cybersecurity risks and passed 6-0. Finally, SB 1083 was introduced by Senator Perez as a follow-up to last year’s Safe Learning Environments Act, with extensive committee amendments to refine the statewide misconduct data system, disclosure rules, contractor fingerprinting, and access requirements; the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full hearing and vote are shown.