Transcript Highlights:

• Exemplary damages are dealt with in Chapter 41 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, and I will warn
• You'll find similar citations to the Penal Code in Chapter 41 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code
• Those damages under Chapter 41 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code are capped at two times your actual
• Announced in Civil Practice and Remedies Code 72.054F. I didn't misspeak, right? You're right.
• In 72.054 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, when you go to subsection C... which begins to enumerate

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence will come to order. We'll call the roll. Leach?
• The people that are finding themselves in their courtrooms on either side, in criminal and civil matters
• I grew up in a small town and I practice in.
• What is going on both in civil and criminal matters, and we saw that firsthand probably more so than
• From a civil background, I had a largely civil docket in Collin County, and what I would say is that

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• And quite frankly take over and do the do the work and responsibility of the federal government that
• But I really wanted to have a hearing and a Frank discussion, and my fear is, is that And as expansive
• it's almost as if we're trying to take the penal code and attach terrorism to every, So, when I lay
• Uh, it does need more honing and, and, uh, and Uh, a, a deeper, a deeper dive into what that means for
• government, and then there's the impact to the public, and are they in fear of these things and there's

Bills: HB 214

Keywords: Texas Women's Privacy Act, HB 214, sex-segregated facilities, bathroom bill, restroom access, locker room, changing room, shower room, single-sex spaces, gender identity, transgender, biological sex, women's privacy, public facilities, state agency, political subdivision, correctional facility, prison housing, jail housing, family violence shelter

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, the uninsured party Who want to testify, the Chair calls Lee Parsley and Charlie Ginn.
• We have several bills left and over 100 witnesses left to testify.
• It's somebody else's fault, but because you were a pedestrian and you didn't own a car, and you don't
• We are against the bill, but we do appreciate, and I'll finish with this. I mean, I don't know.

Bills: HB 2242, HB 2446, HB 2799, HB 4502, HB 2920, HB 2790, HB 5620, HB 5060, HB 5076, HB 5080, HB 5081, HB 5128, HB 5130, HB 3847, HB 5116, HB 2969, HB 4546, HB 4202, HB 5624, HB 3964, HB 4803, HB 872, HB 4775, HB 4777, HB 4961, HB 5570, HB 2988, HB 4260, HB 1375, HB 5009, HB 5411, HB 5134, HB 4388, HB 3095, HB 1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee members, House Bill 3095 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code by adding Subchapter C
• the Civil Practice and Remedies Code by adding Subchapter C to 72, which stops uninsured motorists from
• It's a separate doctrine, and that is in Chapter 125 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
• HB 1375 creates a new chapter in the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, allowing individuals who are harmed
• HB. 1375 creates a new chapter in the civil practice and remedies code, allowing individuals who are

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 4961, which would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision. The author said the bill is intended to create incentives to maintain insurance and to address what he described as an unfair system for insured drivers. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texas Eagle Forum testified in support, while the Texas Trial Lawyers Association opposed it, warning the bill could also affect pedestrians, passengers, children, and others who did not choose whether a vehicle was insured. The bill author clarified that passengers would be included in the bill’s coverage. No vote was taken and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5570 would extend a legislative attorney CLE exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate to boards or commissions. The author said the measure is meant to ease time burdens and encourage service, and a witness supported it as a modest incentive for public service. A committee member noted a discrepancy in the number of affected attorneys, and the author agreed to verify the correct figure. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 2969, which would restrict the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech based on sincerely held beliefs. The author and several witnesses from Texas Values, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Cecilia Wood argued the bill protects lawyers of faith from an ABA model rule they described as a speech code. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 4260, which would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction, drew opposition from the County Judges and Commissioners Association, which argued existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would burden rural officials. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about judges using their office to pressure others. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5134 would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect actual damages and would allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill is aimed at preventing harassment and fishing expeditions, especially in family-law disputes. Questions focused on how the standard would work and how it differs from current law; the author said the main change is fee-shifting and a clearer legislative directive. The bill was left pending. House Bill 3095, a committee substitute version of a similar uninsured-motorist bill, would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages and limit economic recovery, with several exceptions. Trial lawyers argued it was unconstitutional because it capped economic damages and could unfairly affect innocent drivers, pedestrians, and older people who no longer drive. The author acknowledged constitutional concerns and said the bill would need further work; the committee withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending. Finally, House Bill 4388 would require all judges, including county judges who perform administrative duties, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Supporters said some elected judges avoid accountability by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents argued the bill is too rigid and unnecessary because existing remedies already exist. House Bill 3964 would limit public nuisance claims to their historical role and bar such claims against lawful conduct, conduct already covered by other remedies, and products. The author and supporters said the bill is meant to prevent courts from using public nuisance to make policy, while opponents argued it would eliminate useful remedies and could affect local actions against environmental or product-related harms. The author said the bill would not affect statutory nuisance claims, private nuisance claims, or other causes of action, and would be amended to clarify some provisions. The bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee members, House Bill 3095 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code by adding Subchapter C
• ... ...amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code by adding Subchapter C to 72, which stops uninsured
• It's a separate doctrine, and that is in Chapter 125 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
• HB 1375 creates a new chapter in the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, allowing individuals who are harmed
• HB. 1375 creates a new chapter in the civil practice and remedies code, allowing individuals who are

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to create regulatory consistency for entities engaged
• However, the Civil Practices and Remedies Code creates an inconsistency with this statute, only allowing
• House Bill 4202 corrects this inconsistency by changing the Civil Practices and Remedies Code to allow
• This will ensure that the Civil Practices and Remedies Code mirrors the Texas Administrative Code, reducing
• The underlying statute, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section... 1.02 was enacted in 1979.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4922 would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to include freestanding emergency department
• Um, just a moment ago, House Bill 4922 would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to include freestanding
• Specifically, House Bill 4922 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to include freestanding emergency
• And if you don't, we now have some civil remedies that we can go... ...after.
• House Bill 4713 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to clarify that a claim subject to arbitration

Bills: HB4922, HB4713, HB4256, HB872, HB1571, HB4266, HB4559, SB251, SB441, SB1719

Keywords: healthcare liability, emergency medical care, standard of proof, negligence, legal reforms, Texas General Arbitration Act, arbitration, binding arbitration, statute of limitations, limitations period, tolling, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 16.073, alternative dispute resolution, ADR, civil procedure, lawsuit filing, court jurisdiction, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, procedural law

Transcript Highlights:

• There being 11 ayes and no nays, Senate Bill 2403 is reported favorably to the full Senate, and that
• There being 11 ayes and no nays, the bill 1888 will be reported favorably.
• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted and is now before us.
• There being 10 ayes and no nays in one nay, 10 ayes and one nay.
• Eleven ayes and one nay. And so House Bill 1393 will be recommended favorably to the full Senate.

Bills: SB82, SB1807, SB2254, HB119, HB130, HB581, HJR98, SB1988

Keywords: business liability, concealed carry, handgun policy, premises liability, criminal acts, civil liability, business premises, concealed handgun, property liability, property rights, gun regulations, criminal liability, protective order, confidentiality, personal information, court records, victim protection, charitable raffle, nonprofit, wildlife conservation

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs met to consider several pending measures and adopted committee substitutes on multiple bills before voting them out. Senate Bill 2403, Senate Bill 1888 (jury wheel procedures in certain counties), Senate Bill 2417 (Attorney General actions under the Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act), Senate Bill 2459 (personal identifying information for judiciary employees), and Senate Bill 2943 (discrimination involving occupational licenses) were each reported favorably to the full Senate, with most passing unanimously and SB 2943 passing on a 10-1 vote. The committee also certified SB 1888, SB 2417, and SB 2459 for the local and uncontested calendars, and later did the same for SB 2943. The committee then considered House Joint Resolution 98, the Convention of States resolution, which was reported favorably to the full Senate on an 8-3 vote. House Bill 1393, dealing with daylight saving time and keeping the state on daylight saving time year-round, was also reported favorably, with the committee noting it heard the House bill rather than a Senate companion. House Bill 2884, concerning financial relationship disclosures for defense contractors, was likewise reported favorably, with the final tally announced as 11 ayes and 1 nay. No testimony was taken in the excerpt, and no substantive debate was recorded beyond brief clarifications about the bills and their companions. After completing the votes and calendar motions, the committee recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's almost as if we're trying to take the penal code and attach terrorism to every aspect.
• It does need more honing and. ...and a deeper dive into what it is, enforcement and trying to enforce
• and part suicide by...
• code for organized criminal activity and enhancements for organized criminal activity.
• And hopefully I can do it quickly enough, but I want to approach this with caution and thought and not

Bills: HCR40, HB214, HB214

Keywords: HCR 40, House Concurrent Resolution, Operation Lone Star, border security, southern border, Texas border, reimbursement, federal reimbursement, Congress, immigration, migrant crossings, illegal immigration, Texas National Guard, Department of Public Safety, DPS, human smuggling, cartel, fentanyl, border enforcement, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And, and so you both are here.
• And if there's $100 in the account and you spend $30 on law enforcement, and someone gives you $30 more
• Chairman, and the chairman of local government knows me, knows me very well, and knows I come, and I'm
• And you might have been there. And basically... And it might have, you might have been there.
• The first bill we heard this morning on the civil liability and the tort reform, we're going to leave

Bills: SB39, SB2129, SB2141, SB2246, SB2323, SB2439, SB2722

Keywords: commercial motor vehicle, truck liability, motor carrier, trucking, civil liability, respondeat superior, negligent entrustment, negligent maintenance, negligent loading, negligent repair, bifurcated trial, exemplary damages, punitive damages, personal injury, collision, employer liability, vicarious liability, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Texas tort reform, commercial truck accident

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee reconvened on SB 2722, as substituted by Senator Bettencourt, which would redirect a portion of Harris County Toll Road Authority surplus revenues to the City of Houston and impose audit and tax-rate penalty provisions. Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz and Fire Chief Thomas Munoz testified in support, arguing that Houston bears a large share of toll-road public safety burdens, citing thousands of police and fire responses on toll-road property and the need for compensation for emergency services. Bill King, testifying neutrally, said the toll authority generates large excess revenues and urged stronger oversight and clearer controls on how the money is spent. Opponents, including Harris County officials, business and neighborhood representatives, and toll-road critics, argued the bill would divert transportation dollars, create a precedent for taking toll revenues for general municipal use, and could worsen project delivery and incentives; several also questioned the accuracy and interpretation of the revenue figures and the lack of comparable audit requirements for the city. The committee took extensive testimony but left SB 2722 pending without a vote. The committee then heard SB 2129, which would increase fines for motorists who disregard railroad crossing gates or flaggers, and SB 2323, which would redact railroad crew members’ personal information from public accident reports. Both bills were presented as safety measures, with railroad labor testimony in support, and both were left pending after brief public testimony. The committee also heard SB 2141, a Zaffirini bill concerning specialty license plates for judges, with the substitute aimed at reducing security risks by changing how judges are identified on plates; it too was left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2439, another Zaffirini bill, described as a TDLR cleanup measure related to ATV and off-highway vehicle safety certification. The bill would abolish the current training and certification program, which supporters said was burdensome and underused given the small number of approved instructors statewide. With no significant opposition on the record, the committee closed testimony and left SB 2439 pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• that I practiced criminal court and criminal court.
• it's going to give them comfort that coming and serving on a jury and performing their civil duty. is
• to protect yourself. your property and yourself and your granted civil immunity.
• Practices and Remedies Code, you know, if you use force or deadly force. and your conduct is justified
• The issues are real and eviction. and civil judgments are important to litigants, and we just want everyone

Bills: HB170, HB865, HB748, HJR112, HB 1110, HB1495, HB786, HB 1130, HB170

Keywords: civil liability, self-defense, force, deadly force, legal immunity, attorney's fees, criminal justice, firearms, liability, veterans, gun ownership, immunity, firearm hold agreement, sexual abuse, nondisclosure, confidentiality, public policy, Trey's Law, parental rights, child upbringing

Transcript Highlights:

• 2 3 Thank you. the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence will come to order.
• Most federal district courts are people that were in civil practice or criminal practice, and yet somehow
• others, and I am here in support of HB 865, which as you heard, clarifies current code to ensure that
• clauses as part of a civil suit. settlement agreement with victims of sexual abuse, and as a result,
• It explicitly prohibits these type of agreements and civil settlement agreements, rendering them void

Bills: HB170, HB865, HB748, HJR112, HB 1110, HB1495, HB786, HB 1130, HB170

Keywords: civil liability, self-defense, force, deadly force, legal immunity, attorney's fees, criminal justice, firearms, liability, veterans, gun ownership, immunity, firearm hold agreement, sexual abuse, nondisclosure, confidentiality, public policy, Trey's Law, parental rights, child upbringing

Transcript Highlights:

• And these are really important practical implications that have to be worked through.
• I uphold professional conduct and practice.
• This also has to do with 10-5 and the Code of Ethics.
• I love practicing real estate and I love ministry.
• I love practicing real estate and I love ministry.

Bills: SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB 1130

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• get to pick and choose that code like... ...someone doesn't get to pick and choose which laws they're
• And if the code of ethics that you have has an ethical process, And if the code of ethics that you have
• might reach out and say, you know, we've got this code or we've got this or we've got that.
• 43.25 does, and in this way is even more stringent than the codes which are trying to prevent sexual
• I'd like to raise a practical point. Children and libraries often browse freely.

Bills: SB2101, SB2334, SB2633, SB2637, SB2713, SB2781, SB2782, SB3059, HB 1130

Keywords: minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation

Summary: The committee first reopened public testimony on Senate Bill 2713, which concerned protections for freedom of conscience in the context of Realtor association discipline. Texas Realtors representatives testified that their organization is a separate Texas legal entity but affiliated with the National Association of Realtors through a charter and code of ethics. They said Texas Realtors is neutral on SB 2713, that their ethics process is focused on fair housing and equal professional service, and that they have not suspended or terminated anyone in Texas for religious or political speech. Senators pressed them on whether national standards could override Texas law and on examples from other states; the witnesses said state and federal law control and that they would comply with Texas law if the bill passed. Public testimony then closed and SB 2713 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1698 on e-cigarettes. Senator Parker explained a committee substitute that tightened enforcement, required distributor registration, expanded regulation to nicotine from any source, added restrictions on child-appealing packaging, authorized inspections and audits, and set compliance deadlines later in 2025 and 2026. After questions, the substitute was adopted and SB 1698, as substituted, was reported favorably to the full Senate on a 6-0 vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 2487 on crisis and mental health facilities. Senator Parker described a substitute that renamed the program a crisis service model, allowed multiple county facilities, added local siting limits, expanded staffing options, shortened clinical timelines, required discharge referrals, directed law enforcement and EMS to transport people there first, and created local boards and expanded reporting. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-0 vote, also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2819, dealing with political activities of county elections administrators, was then reported favorably on a 6-0 vote and likewise sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2043 was withdrawn. The committee spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2101, which would require municipal public libraries to move sexually explicit materials out of minors’ sections and impose age-verification and review requirements. Supporters argued the bill would protect children from explicit material in public libraries and that libraries should not be left to self-regulate. Opponents, including librarians, parents, authors, and ACLU representatives, argued the definitions were vague, the bill would be costly and burdensome for small libraries, could function as a book ban, and would restrict teens’ access to classics, research materials, and other books. Several witnesses said parents should make those decisions, not the state. The bill’s author said the committee substitute was still being worked on and asked witnesses to review it; public testimony remained open in the portion provided, with no final action on SB 2101 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Practice and Remedies Code.
• And I think a lot of—of course, we're in the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee.
• Criminal code or practicing remedies, but I think we're sort of looking at the same person from two different
• With a health and safety code.
• The bill is on an existing section of Texas law, section 75.0. 06 of the Civil Practice and Remedies

Bills: HB 1239, HB1990, HB1748, HB1749, HB2578, HB2986, HB1970, HB3163, HB2733, HB1922, HB 113, HB 1088, HB1938, HB3004, HB2637, HB2960, HB113

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence will come to a close. Order.
• I've been practicing here. For over 35 years, I do trial and appellate work.
• Thank you, Vice Chair Johnson and members of the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee.
• So I think the government code sort of delineates a lot of these situations and other pieces of the code
• The first one, the building code, I think it was in the health and safety code or somewhere odd.

Bills: HB 1239, HB1990, HB1748, HB1749, HB2578, HB2986, HB1970, HB3163, HB2733, HB1922, HB 113, HB 1088, HB1938, HB3004, HB2637, HB2960, HB113

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, as I read Chapter 33 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, it would require that all evidence
• to the bill and the Organization Code.
• Namely, the Administrative Code Chapter 87, the Government Code Chapter 406, and the Civil Practices
• Chair and the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence.
• The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code protects a citizen's First Amendment rights by providing for

Bills: HB5621, HB4904, HB5067, HB5076, HB5081, HB5354, HB4862, HB3847, HB4088, HB4157, HB2966, HB2287, HB4203, HB4803, HB4737, HB5093, HB783, HB5411, HB4281

Keywords: HB 5621, consumer protection, Deceptive Trade Practices Act, DTPA, Business & Commerce Code, attorney general, consumer protection division, district attorney, county attorney, local prosecutor, civil investigative demand, CID, voluntary compliance, financial institution records, bank records, privacy, protective order, in camera review, trade secrets, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• We play a critical role in promoting and implementing best practices in law enforcement through various
• And we do this through the Best Practices Accreditation Program.
• They ensure that best practice practices are consistently applied across the state, and these topics
• And my final question is about the Best Practices Program that you all have, and we'll 2,000 police departments
• Jennifer Deakins, practicing optometrist. I represent myself and the TOA.

Bills: HB214, HB626, HB647, HB658, HB668, HB674, HB908, HB214

Keywords: firearm acquisition, gun smuggling, criminal offenses, ammunition, terrorism, public safety, Texas criminal procedure, federal law enforcement, state arrest authority, search and seizure, felony offenses, federal air marshal, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Defense police, military police, Homeland Security, Public Safety, veterans affairs, federal officers, joint law enforcement authority