Transcript Highlights:

• And thereby worsening the financial challenges faced by custodial families awaiting support.
• I'm also the president of the Texas Association of Family Defense Attorneys.
• We also have attorneys appointed under Chapter 264 of the Family Code. ...which are in court-ordered
• Yes, these are cases that have dramatic impacts for families.
• The lawyer that was chosen by the family would then accept the same rate.

Bills: SB629, SB1015, SB2501, SB2933

Keywords: child support, interest accrual, family law, delinquency, financial judgment, statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• sponsored by Vice Chair Senator Johnson, about the recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family
• sponsored by Vice Chair Senator Johnson, About the recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Summary: The committee considered several House bills dealing with family law and civil procedure. House Bill 1916, concerning a court’s jurisdiction in suits to divide property not divided on dissolution of marriage, was reported favorably on a 4-0 vote and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 1973, addressing proof of the identity of a child’s parents in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, was also adopted with a committee substitute, reported favorably 4-0, and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 2524, on recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family law proceedings, and House Bill 2530, on special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship, each received favorable 4-0 votes and were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 3180, which was reported favorably 4-0 and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The most detailed discussion centered on House Bill 40, relating to updates to business courts. Senator Hughes explained a committee amendment that made conforming changes requested by the Finance Committee and removed language creating two new judgeships, replacing it with a different judge allocation. The amendment was adopted, the amended committee substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably on a 4-0 vote and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. At the end of the meeting, members briefly clarified procedural details about the House Bill 40 amendment and then closed out the agenda. The committee also noted a correction to an earlier reference to Bartleby the Scrivener, and the Chair recessed the Committee on Jurisprudence subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not a family law attorney.
• Code.
• “House Bill 2524 simply renders the language regarding attorney's fees in the Family Code consistent.
• Code.
• Code 261.001.

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Summary: The committee heard several House bills, most of them relating to family law and court procedure, and left each bill pending after testimony. House Bill 1916 would clarify that the court that issued a final divorce decree retains exclusive jurisdiction over later actions involving undivided property. House Bill 1973 would require a certified birth certificate, if reasonably available, to be filed with a SAPCR petition or allow alternative proof of parentage while keeping the information confidential. House Bill 2530 would add qualifications and procedural safeguards for appointing amicus attorneys in SAPCR cases, including notice and hearing requirements, minimum qualifications, conflict rules, and limits on what amicus attorneys may do. House Bill 2524 would make Family Code references to attorney’s fees consistent by using “reasonable and necessary” language. House Bill 3180 would correct a scrivener’s error in the civil discovery rules by changing “settlement” to “statement.” The committee also heard House Bill 4213, which would change the interest rate on overdue child support from the current 6 percent simple interest to a fixed 5 percent and require the Attorney General to report on the impact of the change. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued lower interest could improve collections and help low-income obligors catch up, citing research and the size of child-support arrearages; opponents said lowering the rate would reduce incentives to pay and harm custodial parents and children. The Attorney General’s office raised implementation concerns about a House version that would have created a variable rate, while the committee substitute was described as restoring a simple fixed rate. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also discussed House Bill 40, updating business court provisions and supplemental jurisdiction; House Bill 3421, streamlining probate procedures for original wills and copies; and House Bill 417, clarifying venue for lawsuits involving private transfer fees on real property. Each drew limited testimony and was left pending. Finally, House Bill 3783 drew extensive testimony on court-ordered counseling and reunification therapy in family cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would protect children and abuse victims from coercive, unregulated reunification practices, while opponents argued it was too broad, could interfere with legitimate therapy and judicial discretion, and might affect military families and other high-conflict cases. The committee heard testimony from judges, therapists, parents, survivors, and advocates, but took no final action and left the bill pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• sponsored by Vice Chair Senator Johnson, about the recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family

Bills: HB40, HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriffs, constables, contracts, county authority, business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process

Transcript Highlights:

• code.
• Renders the language regarding attorney's fees in the family code consistent.
• code, 153.010, is the section that authorizes a court to order any type of family counseling.
• Code.
• Code 261.001.

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213, HB40

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Transcript Highlights:

• The Family Code, as written, delegates to judges to rule, rebut presumptions.
• It creates chaos in the family system. It creates chaos in the family.
• Code 261.306.
• The consequence is it's still excluded because there's another section under the Family Code?
• Three, it clarifies that existing statutory ... requirements for service outlined in the family code

Bills: HB168, HB 1044, HB1534, HB1914, HB2240, HB2530, HB3284, HB3395, HB3515, HB3783, HB4034, HB4213, HB168

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Family and Fiduciary Relationship will come to order. Clerk, call the roll. Hayes.
• The family being coerced as well. Yeah, okay, all right. I think I got it.
• She was treated cruelly by her spouse and the family she married into.
• Older adults into families where power imbalances, rape, and sexual violence are ignored.
• Because Chapter 31 of the Family Code says that you should have been appointed an ad litem.

Bills: HB168, HB 1044, HB1534, HB1914, HB2240, HB2530, HB3284, HB3395, HB3515, HB3783, HB4034, HB4213, HB168

Keywords: marriage age, minors, family law, void marriage, rights of minors, Texas marriage law, marriage ceremony, authorized officiants, family code, judges, religious leaders, parent-child relationship, Department of Family and Protective Services, legal rights, notice requirements, HB 1914, Texas Family Code, Chapter 156, conservatorship, custody

Transcript Highlights:

• In family law cases, courts frequently order children into services. or interventions related to family
• . promote safety, accountability, and transparency in the family court system by ensuring that families
• They're both amending this Section 153 of the Family Code.
• Code.
• In keeping with this principle, Texas Family Code Chapter 153 requires courts to prioritize the best

Bills: SB387, SB1335, HB1671, SB1760, SB1839, SB1923, HB1928, HB4942, HB5628, HB5642, HB1980

Keywords: judicial bond, guardianship, probate law, county judge, statutory county court, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, retroactive child support, parentage, genetic testing, family code, child's conception, incapacitated persons, court proceedings, guardianship fees, estate management, probate

Transcript Highlights:

• So House Bill 215 adds a section in the part of the Family Code that references the relative and other
• Sorry, Department of Family and Protective Services. OK.
• It's not in the best interest, interest of families.
• Of the government code ensuring clarity and consistency in statute.
• It's kind of been our whole family business.

Bills: HB 26, HB 140, HB 141, HB 142, HB 215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Transcript Highlights:

• The code presently includes three criteria: one, felony offense involving family violence against an
• Section 81.009 of the Texas Family Code states that if you get a protective order while a divorce is
• The rule begins in Section 107.015 of the Family Code and then through references eventually lands you
• The Texas Family Code.
• The Texas Family Code has long had what most of us family law attorneys refer to as a soft cap on the

Bills: HCR10, HB1814, HB2160, HB2353, HB2643, HB2971, HB3282, HB3382, HB3996, HB4507, HB4509, HB4805, HB5551, HB1863, HCR10

Keywords: family abduction, child safety, custodial rights, parental kidnapping, awareness day, marriage license, informal marriage, family code, identity verification, child support, family law, child custody, court interview, parent-child relationship, child welfare, attorney ad litem, compensation, legal representation, government entity, HB 2643

Transcript Highlights:

• involving foster children who've gone missing from their placements, terminating the Department of Family
• There are codes of conduct, there are ethics involved, all those sorts of things. things, and we believe
• The estate code, however, does not require key financial documentation. such as complete bank or investment

Bills: SB66, SB2165, SB2342, SB2878, SB2903

Keywords: disability, supported decision-making, legal assistance, confidentiality, access to justice, autonomy, civil rights, advocacy, Texas Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child welfare, foster care, substitute care, missing child, missing from placement, permanency hearing, parent-child relationship, SAPCR, conservatorship

Transcript Highlights:

• There is another provision relating to billing codes.
• The chair recalls Senate Bill 66 from the subcommittee on family and fiduciary relationships.
• I have you here on behalf of the Family Freedom Project and yourself registered for the bill, is that
• And and I'm the president of the Texas Association of Family Defense Attorneys.
• All right, Senate Bill 2342 amends the estate codes to enhance the guardianship application process,

Bills: SB1960, SB1730, SB766, SB2342, SB2501, SB2903

Keywords: digital rights, replication, Voice likeness, visual likeness, private causes of action, fee structure, online service providers, postmortem rights, self-defense, stand your ground, castle doctrine, use of force, deadly force, civil immunity, civil liability, tort claims, attorney fees, court costs, lost income, Chapter 9 Penal Code

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill makes it clear that the Texas Family Code states that another person or child consenting to
• One of these is Text to Family Code Chapter 32.003.
• This addresses inconsistencies within the Texas Family Code in Title 1, 2, and 5.
• However, I'm not so clear on what expenses are under the Family Code.
• In the Family Code, is it possible to be...?

Bills: HB368, HB3311, HB1734, HB2495, HB2716, HB793, HB3376, HB2524, HB3421, HB3446, HB3181

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here with the Texas Family Law Foundation.
• Code, that would bring in also...
• So some of them are like, you can have, oh, like a family.
• I was board certified in family law in 2001. And I'm here on behalf of the Family Law Foundation.
• I'm not a probate attorney, nor am I a family law attorney.

Bills: HB368, HB3311, HB1734, HB2495, HB2716, HB793, HB3376, HB2524, HB3421, HB3446, HB3181

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2665 amends the Family Code to mandate that DFPS notify the appropriate county or district
• She's the family law expert. She's my first assistant. I don't like family law.
• It's because this is a family law.
• Did you have any concerns for the family, anything we need to be aware of?
• And yet, I would hate to have families that CPS shows up.

Bills: HB 741, HB 1199, HB 2070, HB 2402, HB 2542, HB 2665, HB 2789, HB 3096, HB 3396, HB 3595, HB 3747, HB 4116, HB 4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of the family code, and that had to do with the way parents separate from their children.
• Continuous family violence in the criminal code looks at past events occurring.
• Domestic violence not only violates the family code against threatening someone with imminent bodily
• Now, in 153.004, this is so important because in Title V of the Family Code, we have to look at family
• law and family code stand for.

Bills: HB809, HB 1193, HB1916, HB2558, HB1973, HB2350, HB2399, HB2340, HB 116, HB330, HB2496, HB116

Keywords: digitized signature, waiver of citation, marriage dissolution, electronic notarization, family law, HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this bill adds section 2... 262.117 to the Family Code, which states that DFPS may not remove a
• HB 741 amends the family code to expand support services, which may now include case management services
• By amending the Family Code to remove arbitrary income requirements, extend monetary assistance... ..
• Because of a certain income they may have, but they may be the best family, the more stable family. to
• Give someone outside of the family more than we would give the family to be able to take care of them

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2665 amends Family Code. to mandate that D. F. P. S.
• She's the family law expert. She's my first assistant. I don't like family law, I'll tell you that.
• I came out of a family law practice doing CPS and divorce cases to be Mr.
• Do you have any concerns for the family? Anything we need to be aware of?
• Here's this innocent, really great family, great parents and, like I say, law enforcement.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• And my family has been paying taxes to Keller SD for 40 years, um.
• Without the knowledge or the consent of the families they're supposed to serve.
• We respectfully ask you to amend the Texas Education Code.
• Families have moved across Texas and the globe to have their children educated here.
• We are families, educators, homeowners, and citizens, and we deserve a voice. Thank you.

Bills: HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code

Bills: HB109, HB136, HB 109, HB136, HB694, HB 1201, HB1716, HB2071, HB2216, HB2358, HB2807, HB2886, HCR78

Keywords: taxation, ballot propositions, public funding, voter information, transparency, training, public officials, candidates, requirements, political education, mental health, inpatient psychiatric facility, juvenile treatment, residential treatment facility, emotionally disturbed juveniles, Department of State Health Services, Health and Human Services Commission, state grant, facility construction, facility expansion