Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Fair Defense Act, there are four primary systems that counties use to provide legal services
• An attorney in Tarrant County was paid for 809 cases, which included 351 adult felony cases. 109 cases
• NCSC and whoever else, whatever county you were in that got it, it's all wiped.
• I'm here representing Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Cruzzo.
• I'm here representing Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Cruzzo.

Bills: HB115

Keywords: public funds, lobbying, political subdivision, government spending, transparency, HB 115, taxpayer-funded lobbying, local government lobbying, county association dues, municipal lobbying, lobbyist registration, Chapter 305, Government Code Section 556.0056, Local Government Code Section 89.002, county government, city government, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, state association of counties, sheriffs association

Summary: The Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence reconvened with a quorum present and announced it would likely not vote that night because of confusion over the bill list; members were told a definitive list would be circulated the next morning and a formal meeting would be scheduled later. The chair then heard a series of bills, generally taking testimony and leaving each pending without action. House Bill 1847 would set maximum caseload standards for private attorneys handling indigent criminal appointments through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission; House Bill 2417 would expand compensation eligibility for some wrongfully imprisoned people; House Bill 2813 would require earlier and more specific victim notice of scheduled court proceedings; and House Bill 2309 would expand state and local authority in certain civil asset forfeiture cases involving human trafficking, health care fraud, and organized crime. Each bill was laid out by its author or a member, with no opposition witnesses registered, and each was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 4733, which would require sealing records for people acquitted of charges when they were not convicted on the related allegation; House Bill 2328, which would modernize expunction service by encouraging electronic notice, setting a standardized fee when electronic service is unavailable, extending clerk retention of expunction orders, and preserving certain mental health commitment orders; and House Bill 115, which would revise Texas’s “junk science” post-conviction writ law by providing counsel, changing the relief standard, requiring written decisions, and easing procedural barriers. Testimony on HB 2328 was mixed: county clerks supported the bill as a cost-saving modernization, while legal advocates warned that permanent retention of expunction orders could undermine true expunction and create privacy risks. HB 115 drew support from innocence and defense organizations, with some concern about a provision affecting subsequent writs. All were left pending after testimony. Later, the committee heard House Bill 2046, which would allow affirmative family-violence findings for any Penal Code offense rather than only Title V offenses; testimony from a Dallas County prosecutor and a committee member emphasized that family violence can involve arson, burglary, fraud, and other non-Title V conduct, and the bill was left pending. House Bill 1765 would tighten restrictions on no-knock warrants by requiring higher-level approval, judicial review, and identifiable officers; members discussed the dangers highlighted by the Harding Street raid and similar incidents, and the bill was also left pending. The meeting ended with the chair noting that some bills had been removed from the agenda at the author’s request and that members should be prepared to finalize the vote list the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, there are 27 counties in Texas that already have no printed newspaper in their county, and that
• Anybody in the world could register to, uh, look for bids in any county or any city in Texas.
• And if there is no newspaper in the county, there is no online presence.
• , uh, with an amazing, uh, Wharton County Junior College with satellite campuses.
• Moreover, due to the penalties and enforcement provisions of HB 18.

Bills: HB 186

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivisions, government expenditure, transparency, local government, political subdivision, county, city, municipality, special district, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying restriction, registered lobbyist, government association, county association dues, Texas Legislature, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in the situation of an elective abortion where the baby starved, and the birth is then due.

Bills: HB229, HB3990, HB5082, HB5510, HB229

Keywords: biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, flags, display, state law, municipalities, government buildings, drug enforcement, local control, home rule, municipal charter, county policy, ordinance preemption, state preemption, attorney general enforcement, civil penalties, mandamus

Transcript Highlights:

• County; Goliad County.
• City hall, let's say, the county commissioners, or the county courthouse.
• Bell County, absolutely.
• Proclamations at the county.
• Since then, the county passed a county use policy stating that only a U.S. flag, a state flag, or a county

Bills: HB229, HB229, HB3990, HB5082, HB5510

Keywords: HB 229, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county dues, county association, state association of counties, lobbying, lobbyist, public funds, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, Government Code Chapter 556, Local Government Code Section 89.002, legislative advocacy, municipal government, county government, city government, special district

Transcript Highlights:

• so harmful for young developing brains that it's actually classified as an abused volatile chemical due
• in federal court if the cause of action relates to the enforcement of a state statute and the county
• This came to Senator Cole, of course, from Burleson County.
• I think also the fact that there's simply no parameters at all relating to county attorneys is a common
• Here, let your, let your county clerk. OK, slide to power off. That works every time. OK.

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB 666, SB 688, SB 707, SB 888

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

Transcript Highlights:

• The way it goes is, in Harris County, it's... ...one of the three counties in the state where we elect
• I'm from Atascosa County.
• Such as Dallas and Bexar counties, procurement processes have faced notable delays due to the difficulty
• HB 3205 enables counties, if they so decide, county clerk filing for real and personal property.
• where the county sees fit.

Bills: HB1597, HB2364, HB2437, HB3205, HB3253, HB3310, HB3648, HB3906, HB4259, HB5645

Keywords: county jailer, jail training, veterans, Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, TCOLE, criminal justice system, county jail, law enforcement training, mental health training, jail standards, correctional officers, veteran services, veteran interaction, occupations code, jailer licensing, parking, county courthouse, infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, there are 27 counties in Texas that already have no printed newspaper in their county.
• Many of you have served on school boards or city councils or county commissioners...
• Anybody in the world could register to who look for bids in any county or any city in Texas.
• If there is no newspaper in the county, there is no online presence.
• Medal of Honor recipient Roy Benavides in Wharton County with an amazing Wharton County Junior College

Bills: HB186, HB517, HB 1093, HB 1268, HB1395, HB186

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, property owners' association, residential watering restrictions, vegetation, fine limitations, drought, technology, innovation, economic development, grants, Texas Economic Development, business funding, HB 1395, private passenger vehicle rental, car rental, vehicle rental

Transcript Highlights:

• So long as it does not collect dues from counties, end quote.
• I've also submitted a dues invoice from 2024 from the Texas Association of Counties.
• And he quit paying the dues, right, to the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas.
• Our dues are too That's based on the population of Pecos County.
• We are very conservative Red County. We do due diligence to the taxpayers.

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888

Keywords: Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• so harmful for young developing brains that it's actually classified as an abused volatile chemical due
• in federal court if the cause of action relates to the enforcement. of a state statute and the county
• This came to Senator Cole, of course, from Burleson County. you know quite a bit of litigation that's
• In addition the current law I'll be silent on the ability of the Attorney General to defend a county
• Here, let your county clerk. I did, okay. Slide. to power it off. That works every time.

Bills: SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB 18, SB 19

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

Transcript Highlights:

• cut the state side within the county. cut the state side within the county.
• County<00:15:08.800> can County can County can That's<00:15:11.120> correct<00:15:11.440
• Louns County provider in those counties.
• We are receiving patients from Kofi County, from Geneva County into Houston County.
• We are receiving patients from Kofi County, from Geneva County into Houston County.

Bills: HB185, HB378, SB28, HB400, SB155, HB312, HB185, HB378, SB28, HB400, SB155, HB312

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, judicial system, funding, state budget, Pickens County, local act, vehicle tag fee, registration fee, issuance fee, motor vehicle registration, license plate, replacement tag, transfer tag, renewal fee, county revenue, earmarked funds, ambulance service, emergency medical services, EMS

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:33.680> that for the penalty in county jail. that for the penalty in county jail. that
• Imprisonment in county that language. Imprisonment in county jail. jail. jail.
• ,<01:11:08.719> it's provide dues go uh dues deduction, it's provide dues go uh dues deduction
• for union dues and political funds. for union dues and political funds.
• >> All those in favor signify by saying I. or dues. So, I would say it does fit or dues.

Bills: HB0083, HB0102, HB0178

Keywords: subpoena, legislative authority, penalty, compliance, law enforcement, artificial intelligence, synthetic sexual material, child protection, self-harm, criminal liability, public employment, labor organization, dues withdrawal, collective bargaining, public funding, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Uh, as defined in this bill, that would be Tuscaloosa County, Jefferson County, Walker and Faget County
• ,<00:34:31.679> Jefferson<00:34:32.159> County, uh Tuscaloosa County, Jefferson County
• 00:34:33.359> County.
• Walker and Faget County. Walker and Faget County.
• In Montgomery County uh Taga. from? In Montgomery County uh Taga.

Bills: SB57, SB155, HB39, HB77, HB104, SB57, SB155, HB39, HB77, HB104

Keywords: property, acknowledgment, conveyance, business entities, limited liability companies, state employees, payroll deduction, salary deduction, comptroller, membership association, membership dues, voluntary contributions, insurance premiums, financial instruments, deferred compensation, state payroll, employee benefits, association dues, withholding, Alabama Code 36-1-4.3

Transcript Highlights:

• She has numerous times when she was a minor gotten pregnant due to her brothers assaulting her.
• jurisdiction of the county court at law.
• , who is the current county clerk, who ran against Kirk Watson in 2022.
• I feel that each polling location I've worked, whether it's been in Travis County, Harris County, or
• I feel that each polling location I've worked, whether it's been in Travis County, Harris County, or

Bills: SB6, SB7, SB8, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB17

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, delta-8, delta-9, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, edibles, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, retailer registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, minor access

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 8, the Texas Women's Privacy Act, and heard extensive public testimony both for and against the measure. Supporters, including representatives of Texas Values and Texas Values Action, argued the bill was needed to protect women’s privacy and safety in restrooms, locker rooms, showers, prisons, domestic violence shelters, and other government-controlled spaces, and said it would provide clear, sex-based rules. Opponents, including many transgender Texans, civil rights advocates, clergy, business and public safety voices, and others, argued the bill would invite harassment, gender policing, lawsuits, and invasive inspections, while harming trans, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people as well as cisgender women who do not fit stereotypes. Several witnesses said the bill would conflict with federal law or prison standards, worsen safety in shelters and prisons, and hurt Texas’s reputation and economy. The chair repeatedly noted the compressed special-session schedule and said flood relief remained the session’s top priority. Public testimony on SB 8 was eventually closed, and the bill was left pending. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 6, dealing with consumable hemp product restrictions. Testimony on SB 6 focused on whether the bill went too far in restricting hemp-derived THC products. Opponents argued hemp and THC have medical and economic value, that the bill would criminalize conduct and burden courts, and that regulation—not prohibition—was the better approach. Some witnesses supported tighter rules such as testing, child-resistant packaging, and limits on marketing to children, but still opposed the bill’s broad THC ban, higher fees, and age restrictions. Several speakers emphasized benefits for veterans, chronic pain patients, and small businesses, and warned that prohibition would push consumers toward the illicit market. The committee heard the testimony and then continued with additional witnesses, with no final vote or disposition reported in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2003 with House Bill 4, it did not include licensed freestanding emergency medical care facilities due
• to add Fayette County to the list.
• Harris County has protective orders, Tarrant County has theirs, and there’s no equivalent across jurisdictions
• It happened in Harris County, and one of my good friends was Anthony's mom's lawyer.
• She had a protective order in Harris County, and they had a custody battle.

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:

• And especially when you look at DAs from Dallas County, Fort Bend County, this is a bipartisan bill.
• From Como County, who spoke eloquently about a horrible situation that had happened in her. counties
• that it bled over into Bexar and Travis County.
• These overflow to other counties. I think among.
• Montgomery County, they testified about 20% of their inmates in jail have residents in Harris County.

Bills: SJR 5, SJR 36, SJR 5, SJR 5, SR 105, SR 121, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, school safety, mental health, emergency response, education policy, law enforcement, SR 121, Senate Resolution 121, Pete Alfaro, Pedro Cuellar Alfaro, Pedro Alfaro, Baytown, Texas Senate tribute, in memory, memorial resolution, condolence resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there some counties or cities that might not be up to the current code? No, sir.
• However, the question probably lends itself to this: there are not all counties that have a building.
• In whatever county picks one of those 10, anytime they want to build a school, it's got to be one of
• Hello, I'm Giana Mims, a 47-year-old resident of Chilton County.
• I am a resident of Chilton County and a constituent of Ivan Smith's District.

Bills: HB141, HB161, HB231, HB67

Keywords: HB141, Alabama, state employees, salary deductions, payroll deduction, State Comptroller, membership dues, voluntary contributions, insurance premiums, financial instruments, employee associations, state payroll, Code of Alabama 1975, Section 36-1-4.3, public employees, union dues, benefits administration, payroll withholding, financial products, deferred compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• Systems that counties use to provide legal services to indigent criminal defendants.
• system, vendor offices, a contract system, a managed assigned counsel system, but the majority of counties
• An attorney in Tarrant County was paid for 809 cases, which included 351 misdemeanors.
• Across Texas, we have the highest number of cases in your particular county so that you could take a
• I'm here representing Dallas County District Attorney John Cruse.

Bills: HB115, HB 115, HB507, HB1765, HB1847, HB2046, HB2239, HB2328, HB2309, HB2417, HB2728, HB2794, HB3206, HB3566, HB3694, HB3744, HB4254, HB4697, HB4733, HB4915, HB5465, HB2813

Keywords: public funds, lobbying, political subdivision, government spending, transparency, HB 115, taxpayer-funded lobbying, local government lobbying, county association dues, municipal lobbying, lobbyist registration, Chapter 305, Government Code Section 556.0056, Local Government Code Section 89.002, county government, city government, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, state association of counties, sheriffs association

Transcript Highlights:

• County Judge, the District Attorney, the District Clerk, and the County Treasurer.
• My name is Dolores Ortega-Carter and I am the County Treasurer for Travis County.
• The statute requires a county treasurer to sit on the County Bail Bond Board, and as a member of the
• The Travis County Bail Bond Board has fewer license applications than any other of the county boards.
• Particularly in rural counties with limited facilities.

Bills: HB 115, HB507, HB1765, HB1847, HB2046, HB2239, HB2328, HB2309, HB2417, HB2728, HB2794, HB3206, HB3566, HB3694, HB3744, HB4254, HB4697, HB4733, HB4915, HB5465, HB2813, HB115

Keywords: habeas corpus, postconviction, criminal procedure, indigent defense, scientific evidence, legal representation, judicial power, capital felony, criminal law, death penalty, attorney qualification, training standards, law enforcement, no-knock warrant, search warrant, peace officer, attorney workload, criminal justice, caseload limits, fair representation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm in Northwest ISD, Denton County, Texas.
• Denise Bell from Moms for Liberty Harris County spoke at a Houston ISD school board meeting and... in
• depression, but not because they are inherently prone to higher suicide risks, anxiety, or depression due
• Rather, they are placed at higher risk due to lack of support at home, at school, and because of... how

Bills: HB1325, HB1655, HB3312, HB5526, SB13, SB57, SB207, HB441, HB591, HB5019, SB27, SB843, SB 13, SB 27, SB 57

Keywords: student transfer, public servants, education code, peace officer, servicemember, judicial officer, school security, volunteer program, retired law enforcement, veterans, public safety, school safety, criminal background check, school libraries, library advisory councils, parental rights, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, emergency operations plan

Transcript Highlights:

• court oversee the detachment of territory. from a school district that is located within a single county
• As far as Kerrville, we pay about $10,000 a year in membership dues to TASB.
• Whereas TASB is taking in the resources of others, and it's doing so not only through membership dues
• I drove all the way from Collin County, and I've been here since 7. 30 a.m.
• As could a book about a child of a veteran suffering from PTSD due to a swear word on one page.

Bills: SB 13, SB 27, SB 57, HB1325, HB1655, HB3312, HB5526, SB13, SB57, SB207, HB441, HB591, HB5019, SB27, SB843

Keywords: lobbying, public funds, political subdivision, local government, county association, municipal lobbying, registered lobbyist, Texas Legislature, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, government finance, county dues, state association of counties, sheriffs association, law enforcement officers, legislative advocacy, bill tracking, legislative alerts, Government Code Chapter 556