Transcript Highlights:

• It is the one on the University of Law School, setting up an immigration law clinic with a staff attorney
• and using law school students.
• So right now that committee is established in law.
• So right now that committee is established in law.
• at $3.5 million of bonuses to local law enforcement.

Bills: SB2004, HB1600

Keywords: ethics commission, immunity, conflict of interest, complaints, public officials, transparency, legislative action, criminal prosecution, complaint resolution, HB 1600, immigration law clinic, University of North Dakota, UND Law, law school clinic, legal aid, immigration attorney, student clinic, pro bono, immigration legal services, caseload limit

Summary: The committee reconvened to continue work on water-related appropriations and related bills, with the chair emphasizing the need to move the water bill to conference committee soon because of differences with the House. Members reviewed project funding levels and carryover balances across several water projects, including NAWS, Southwest, Valley City, Cirrus River flood control, Hart River, Redder water supply, municipal and rural water, general water, and discretionary funding. The discussion focused on reduced revenue forecasts, the use of a $150 million line of credit as a working assumption, and concerns about large carryover amounts and piling up cash. No final changes were made to the water funding numbers, but the chair said the committee would revisit the bill after further cleanup of the draft language. The committee then took up House Bill 1600, which would create an immigration law clinic at the University of North Dakota law school. Members agreed the program should be treated as a one-time pilot rather than ongoing general fund spending, so they adopted an amendment changing the $400,000 appropriation to one-time funding from the strategic investment fund. The amended bill passed unanimously, and Senator Meyer was assigned to carry it. House Bill 1417, dealing with parole and probation-related policy, was also amended. The committee removed Section 8, which eliminated the bill’s appropriations language, based on testimony that the referenced funding was already included elsewhere in the budget. The amended bill then passed unanimously. The committee also discussed possible future amendments to water study language, including earlier reporting deadlines and a proposal to require larger new water project requests to go through the Water Topics Overview Committee before being introduced, but no final action was taken on those concepts. Several other bills, including the AI-related House Bill 1448 and law enforcement bonus bill 1193, were left for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Florida just passed a law along these lines, as did Arkansas and Missouri.
• Currently, 26 states are in the process of passing their own version into law.
• Let Texas not be the last to pass into law such a win-win bill for everyone. Thank you.
• I'm testifying from my law firm, Stone Hilton, in support of the legislation.
• This is authorization by law. Thank you. Thank you very much for being here. Mr. Carter.

Bills: HB42

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• Changes in federal law at the federal level made it easier to qualify.
• has been supportive in terms of understanding our commitment to creating new residences because it's law
• has been supportive in terms of understanding our commitment to creating new residencies because it's law

Bills: HB42, HB125

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement, stormwater management, counties, regulation, environment, water quality

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met to hear several bills and first corrected the minutes from its April 1, 2025 meeting to reflect that a committee substitute for HB 271 had been adopted before the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 3326, which would help Texas higher education employees, especially adjunct faculty, qualify for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness by counting classroom hours toward full-time status, requiring institutions to verify employment within 60 days, and requiring annual notice to eligible employees. No witnesses testified against the bill, and it was left pending. Members then heard HB 2853, authorizing UTEP to phase in a student union fee increase to fund demolition and reconstruction of its aging student union. Representative Perez and UTEP student and university witnesses said the current facility is outdated and insufficient for a campus of more than 25,000 students, while some members raised concerns about the size of the fee increase and its impact on low-income students. UTEP representatives said most students receive aid, the fee would be phased in over time, and the project was student-approved; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4066, a one-line bill to abolish the Texas Research Incentive Program after the state cleared its backlog of matching obligations, with the author saying the program was no longer needed in light of newer research funding approaches. The bill was left pending. The committee spent substantial time on HB 125, which would create the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Supporters, including Tarleton leadership, the founding dean, a rural hospital CEO, and a feasibility consultant, argued the school would address severe rural physician shortages by recruiting Texas and rural students, training them in rural settings, and developing new residency slots rather than competing for existing ones. Members asked about affordability, residency placement, and whether the school would draw students from rural Texas; Tarleton said it would seek to keep tuition and debt low, had already raised private donations, and would request $25 million in state support over the biennium. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 42, which would increase the annual Higher Education Fund appropriation and adjust its allocation methodology. The chair and university witnesses described rising deferred maintenance, inflation, cybersecurity needs, and enrollment growth at HEAF-eligible institutions, with witnesses from Texas Tech, Sam Houston State, and UNT saying the additional funding would help address aging facilities and technology needs. After testimony, the committee left HB 42 pending and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cogs have come to me and asked me to run one for law enforcement now to do the same thing with law
• that would hire one person for each cog to go out and work with to get grants and equipment for rural law
• This bill says rural law enforcement. I looked at the map of these 11.
• If I were the person hired to do that, I would be looking at the rural law enforcement areas in that
• the salary of the Person that is going to be responsible for this is going to go looking for rural law

Bills: HB2993, HB3850, HB3595, HB3763, HB3760

Keywords: rural law enforcement, grant fund, public safety, financial assistance, coordination districts, grant funding, law enforcement coordinators, municipal assistance, education, inmates, literacy, high school equivalency, Department of Corrections, parole, rehabilitation, law enforcement, mandatory training, mental health, domestic violence, peace officer certification

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you agree that this is cleanup language to help our DMVs along with law enforcement make the event
• The law proposed says if you are out of state, you're just discounted as A person at that prison, so
• I think regardless of whether we change this law or not, you will still be the person who stands up for

Bills: HB2993, HB3850, HB3595, HB3763, HB3760

Keywords: rural law enforcement, grant fund, public safety, financial assistance, coordination districts, grant funding, law enforcement coordinators, municipal assistance, education, inmates, literacy, high school equivalency, Department of Corrections, parole, rehabilitation, law enforcement, mandatory training, mental health, domestic violence, peace officer certification

Bills: SB198, SB179

Keywords: Alabama National Guard, National Guard legal services, legal assistance program, judge advocate, staff judge advocate, paralegal, military justice, military law, legal aid, preventive law, notary, notarial acts, Adjutant General, State Military Department, Office of General Counsel, Army Regulation 27-1, Army Regulation 27-3, Air Force Instruction 51-304, Air National Guard Instruction 51-504, Title 31

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have Ernest Rebello, Deputy Director for DLE, Department of Law Enforcement and Support. >>
• I'm a deputy director with the Department of Law Enforcement.
• I'm a deputy director with the Department of Law Enforcement.
• enforcement leadership service. statewide law enforcement leadership statewide law enforcement leadership
• enforcement operations, and consistent application of the retirement law while preserving integrity

Bills: SB2141, SB2593, SB2824, SB2135, SB2115

Keywords: retirement, law enforcement, pension, public safety, employee contributions, Law Enforcement Standards Board, LESB, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, law enforcement certification, police standards, law enforcement training, officer certification, training and curriculum coordinator, lead investigative agent, administrative manager, administrator, Hawaii HRS 76-16, Hawaii HRS 139-3, personnel exemption

Bills: SB 8, SB 650, SB 667, SB 779, SB 1349, SB 1355, SB 1378, SB 1585, SB 1721, SB 2312

Keywords: immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, public nuisance, civil actions, legal claims, abatement, Texas law, transnational repression, foreign law enforcement, criminal offenses, law enforcement training, first amendment rights, public safety, liquor, distiller, wholesaler

Bills: SF0087, SF0111

Keywords: felony, law enforcement, police officer, criminal penalties, public safety, select committee, gaming, regulation, Wyoming law, community impact, 916, all

Bills: SF0087, SF0111

Keywords: felony, law enforcement, police officer, criminal penalties, public safety, select committee, gaming, regulation, Wyoming law, community impact, 916, all

Bills: HB0076, HB0084

Keywords: annexation, landowner rights, municipal law, city planning, property, local government, elections, falsification, misleading, post-election, audit, state law, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What it does is not change anything about the law. We want change anything about the law.
• The law says it is now left up to the driver to do this, right?
• through this committee already on the House version relating to a criminal enterprise database to assist law
• It is working with the law that we've previously passed for criminal enterprise.
• Then I'll get the substitute and I'll work on the law enforcement side and strengthen it to make sure

Bills: SB211, SB241, HB614

Keywords: school safety, local law enforcement, superintendent, complaints, school bus regulations, criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, crime management, Alabama law, DUI, driving under the influence, drunk driving, license suspension, driver's license revocation, ignition interlock, interlock device, breathalyzer, alcohol offense, impaired driving

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:13.680> That<00:15:13.920> law<00:15:14.160> passed<00:15:14.399>
• That law passed in insurance department.
• That law passed in 1997, 1997, 1997, and<00:15:16.959> it<00:15:17.279> seemed<00:15:17.519
• 15:37.199> forcing<00:15:37.600> that<00:15:37.839> particular<00:15:38.160> law
• covered by forcing that particular law covered by forcing that particular law or<00:15:38.560>

Bills: HB415, HB419, SB219, SB170

Keywords: police abuse registry, law enforcement registry, officer assault, assault on police, resisting arrest, battery on law enforcement, law enforcement injury fund, Back the Blue Act, Attorney General, clemency, pardon, commutation, rehabilitation costs, medical costs, public safety, criminal records, background checks, registry removal fee, privacy, due process

Transcript Highlights:

• They have some hard law enforcement. Everybody is getting recognized. Sorry. Sorry.

Bills: SB332, HB362, HB323, SB332, HB362, HB323

Keywords: public works, construction management, project delivery methods, alternative delivery, administrative rules, public advisory council, contracting, bidding procedures, protests, transparency, local government, public meetings, accountability, education, electric utility, transportation, oversize vehicles, transport permits, state highway system, firefighters

Bills: SB8, SB10, SB16, SB8

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display, First Amendment, voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement

Bills: HB13, HB13

Keywords: firearms, assault weapons, minors, prohibition, criminal penalties, HB13, Laken Riley Act, illegal immigration, immigration enforcement, ICE, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Department of Justice, DOJ, immigration detainer, detainer request, I-247, Law Enforcement Support Center, LESC, county jail

Bills: SB282, SB282

Keywords: virtual currency, cryptocurrency, tax exemption, state tax law, digital assets, manufactured homes, certificate of title, Alabama Department of Revenue, law amendment, 1999 models, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative jurisdiction when it comes to matters involving a child who has allegedly violated a federal law
• district in this state has waived exclusive jurisdiction, and... ...and the violation of the federal law
• is also a crime under state law.

Bills: S0502, S1182, S1514

Keywords: military jurisdiction, delinquency, concurrent jurisdiction, federal law, state law, veterans, military spouses, business incentives, tax exemptions, economic development, public records, trade secrets, Space Florida, confidentiality, open meetings

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up two bills. Senator Burgess presented SB 1514, a public records measure tied to Space Florida that exempts Board of Space Florida meetings from public records requirements when trade secrets are discussed. He said the exemption was needed to protect sensitive business information and support Space Florida’s mission. The bill drew no questions or debate, and it was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered CS for SB 502, sponsored by Senator Wright, which would provide concurrent state and federal legislative jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on U.S. military installations in Florida when federal jurisdiction is waived and the conduct is also a state crime. Senator Wright argued the change would allow juveniles to be handled in the state juvenile justice system rather than federal court, which he said is better suited for rehabilitation. The bill also had no questions or debate and was reported favorably by unanimous vote. After the bills, the committee recognized representatives from a Pasco County veterans wellness group and their therapy dog, Grit, for their work with veterans. The committee then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• can cry the sale in the role of the substitute trustee or trustee, and this list gets shared between law
• as to resolve any remaining confusion and ensure uniformity and clarity of the interpretation of the law
• You remember this bill by Representative law relating to participation in re-employment services as a
• External debt issued by foreign nations or sovereign debt is typically governed by New York law.
• Again, in the absence of state law to the contrary, the Delaware thresholds apply.

Bills: HB74, HB175

Keywords: environmental project, public money, political subdivision, greenhouse gas emissions, federal law compliance, renewable energy, water conservation, retroactive child support, child conception, paternity, family law, health care expenses

Bills: HB65, HB67, HB73, HB205, HB225, HB339, HB550

Keywords: sexual harassment, public employees, training requirements, mandatory education, elected officials, public records, personal information, protected individuals, ethics, transparency, public meetings, voting, electronic voting machine, government accountability, term limits, governor, Louisiana constitution, elections, gubernatorial, law enforcement