Transcript Highlights:

• The first one, SB301 by Hobie, is related to electronic filing of business property taxes allowed by

Bills: SB301, SB329

Keywords: Lee County, Alabama, business personal property tax, business property tax, personal property tax return, electronic filing, e-filing, tax administration, revenue commissioner, county tax, business tax return, tax preparer, third-party preparer, property tax returns, online tax filing, local legislation, land redemption, taxation, administrative fee, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the difference between the committee and the bill as filed is that it would include justices
• Thank you, Dean, for filing this bill; this is an excellent bill and it makes a difference. across the
• Thank you, Dean, and Senator Zaffirini for filing this important bill.
• Madam Chair, when we first filed our guardianship bill, which you co-authored, Senator Schwertner did
• Allowing our industry to file at the lower rate would level an uneven playing field and free up much-needed

Bills: SB1211, SB1574, SB2774, SB2873, SB2900, HJR4

Keywords: hydraulic fracturing, sales tax exemption, oil and gas, environmental impact, water reuse, justice, judicial council, centers of excellence, court operations, recognition program, franchise tax, retail trade, tax classification, business regulation, economic impact, SB 2873, Texas Tax Code, electronic filing, e-filing, tax reports

Transcript Highlights:

• In these days of e-filing, are you literally making hard copies or can you send an electronic file?
• No, we can't send an electronic file, but we do send an electronic file.
• However, it still takes time to put it together and get it all uploaded into e-filing.
• Everything is not automatically in e-filing; it's on our case management systems.
• And some counties have all their filings into one file, and some are broken out by lead documents, so

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:

• If you file a secured lien, my understanding is when child support is owed and probate, you file a claim

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

Bills: SB746, SB1404, SB1536, SB1559, SB1838

Keywords: guardianship, guardian ad litem, incapacitated person, proposed ward, ward, probate, Estates Code, Texas probate, elder abuse, adult protective services, capacity restoration, guardian removal, annual account, annual report, estate guardian, person guardian, civil immunity, court-appointed representative, judiciary, civil jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• J I E L E O J Low. J Lo. Yeah. We have registered on behalf of the bill, is that correct?
• The key provisions are mandatory electronic filing.
• Anybody who has to file a report.
• And so they would still technically file with the filing authority that they're supposed to be filing
• Of, uh, foreign filing entities and filing entities under the Texas Business Organizations code.

Bills: HB 256, HB 1308, HB 1554, HB 1743, HB 2308, HB 2351, HB 2858, HB 3676, HB 3784, HB 4312, HB 4552, HB 4823, HB 4852, HB 5007, HB 5010, HB 5520, HB 5524, HCR 19

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• It should read that the ICA terminated 599 primary cases while 503 new cases were filed in fiscal year
• Trial court clerks request extensions of time to file records on appeal.
• Trial court clerks request extensions of time to file records on appeal.
• So, this is basically a filing. So, this is basically a housekeeping<00:46:42.240> measure.
• So there, this requires that certain forms be filed electronically. I see.

Bills: SB2444, SB2446, SB2450, SB2453, SB2461, SB2457, SB2462, SB2313, SB2528, SB2532, SB2571, SB2678, SB2529

Keywords: real property, exemption, attachment, execution, consumer protection, financial security, inflation adjustment, head of family, senior citizens, Intermediate Court of Appeals, judges, Hawaii judiciary, court membership, legal system, presidential preference primary, elections, political parties, Hawaii voting, 2028 election, voting

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Did the tomatoes I grow in my backyard at H-E-B?
• J-I-E-L-U-O, J-L-O. J-L-O? Yeah.
• Mandatory electronic filing is required.
• And so, they would still technically file with the... ...authority that they're supposed to be filing
• reports that have been filed.

Bills: HB256, HCR19, HB256, HB1308, HB1554, HB1743, HB2308, HB2351, HB2858, HB3676, HB3784, HB4312, HB4552, HB4823, HB4852, HB5007, HB5010, HB5520, HB5524, HCR19

Keywords: severe weather, adaptation plan, vulnerability assessment, environmental protection, state agencies, federal agents, transparency, law enforcement, identification, public trust, immigration enforcement, HCR 19, Texas concurrent resolution, federal immigration enforcement, masked agents, facial coverings, visible identification, uniforms, badges, name tags

Transcript Highlights:

• It also examined 60 non-notified, non-declared transactions down from 84 in. 2022 requesting filings
• I don't know if our filings would be kind of proportional to what... happening at the national level
• We require all of federal paperwork and we use E-Verify.
• In my experience, E-Verify does have some problems and there's no affirmative defense.
• And uses E-Verify, but then it comes back that the person that's working for you is illegal.

Bills: HB256, HB1308, HB1554, HB1743, HB2308, HB2351, HB2858, HB3676, HB3784, HB4312, HB4552, HB4823, HB4852, HB5007, HB5010, HB5520, HB5524, HCR19, HB256, HCR19

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• The three methods provided by the Senate are credit card, debit card, and e-check.
• And we'll do this by requiring taxpayers to pay $10,000 or more during the preceding fiscal year to file
• beginning of the session, we heard testimony from the comptroller about how some people are still filing

Bills: SB1277, SB1531, SB2452, SB2520, SB2521, SB2529, SB2538, SB2539, SB2541, SB2873

Keywords: municipal sales tax, street maintenance, local option tax, Tax Code Chapter 327, sales and use tax, street repair, sidewalk maintenance, water infrastructure, wastewater system, stormwater system, local election, ballot language, reauthorization, municipal finance, infrastructure funding, Texas municipalities, street and sidewalk tax, special district tax, public works, property tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Rules on local rules were changed, and instead of filing for permission, it's now a file and use, to
• So the file version of the bill did a couple of things.
• The bill as filed. Out was something I call a shell bill.
• There are 18 cases that have been filed in the business court.
• Filings were ahead of comparable states.

Bills: SB1538, SB2883, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3376

Keywords: digital court reporting, court reporting, court reporter, electronic recording, audio recording, video recording, transcription, verbatim record, judicial administration, Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial System, courts, depositions, grand jury, referee, court commissioner, court technology, courtroom technology, access to justice, accuracy

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair hereby appoints the following legislators to escort the Honorable Mark E.
• that many of our court hearings can now be viewed online, and with the implementation of electronic filing
• with the implementation<00:44:58.440> of<00:44:58.599> electronic<00:44:59.119> filing
• <00:44:59.520> for implementation of electronic filing for implementation of electronic filing
• [Applause] [Unintelligible: "e e"]

Keywords: State of the Judiciary Address by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, E-Verify.
• I'll start with requiring E-Verify. ...And I'll start with requiring E-Verify for all employers.
• I filed an identical bill, House Bill 3210, in the Texas House.
• Seven bills have been filed in the Texas House to address that, including my bill, House Bill 1324.
• They have been filed to end the... ...practice of granting in-state tuition for illegal aliens.

Keywords: immigration, children's rights, E-Verify, social transitioning, election integrity, Texas GOP, legislative session, urgent legislation

Summary: The committee meeting was characterized by fervent discussions surrounding critical legislation, particularly regarding immigration, children's rights, and election integrity. Key bills such as HB2258, aiming to ban social transitioning for children, and E-Verify legislation were highlighted as urgent priorities. Several representatives expressed frustration over stalled bills and emphasized the necessity of decisive action to fulfill their commitments made during their campaigns. The urgency was marked by the approaching deadline for bill passage, with only days remaining in the legislative session. Members urged House leadership to prioritize these bills, warning that failure to act would undermine public trust in their capacity to fulfill the Republicans' campaign promises.

Transcript Highlights:

• the specific purpose of that fund is data sharing with different agencies, providing equipment for e-filing
• Well, and yes, are these funds the money that is held in these funds actually collected from, like, filing
• it's up to each individual court to oversee what they do with their money. >> Collected from, like, filing

Bills: SB182, SB251, SB252, HB74, HB159, HB292, SB182, SB251, SB252, HB74, HB159, HB292

Keywords: psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabis, beverage prohibition, criminal penalties, youth access, Jefferson County, pistol permit, gun permit, concealed carry, firearm permit, sheriff fee, permit fee, weapons license, gun licensing, school security, Jefferson County Sheriff's Fund, retirement system, Gardendale, Birmingham legislative office, local bill

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 2543 is placed on the general register.
• Senator Driscoll and members, House File 2566, the Minnesota Business Filing Fraud Prevention Act, is
• that I believe it was filed wrongfully.
• We would also mark the filing as fraudulent or unauthorized in the business filings database, and we
• You know, you need to make this filing and pay us a fee to make the filing for you.

Bills: HF2543, HF2566, HF2627

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• bill which is house file bill which is house file 2566<00:05:07.600> and<00:05:07.960>
• We would also mark the filing as fraudulent or unauthorized in the business filings database and redact
• and pay us a fee to make the filing and pay us a fee to make the filing<00:10:06.600> for<00:
• file file 2627<00:17:43.559> oh<00:17:43.720> he<00:17:43.880> is<00:17:44.039>
• chaos we urge you to oppose house file chaos we urge you to oppose house file 2627<00:29:16.240>

Bills: HF2543, HF2566, HF2627

Keywords: garnishment, wage garnishment, earnings levy, bank levy, execution, judgment debtor, judgment creditor, exemption notice, exempt property, bank account freeze, financial institution levy, employer disclosure, garnishee, writ of execution, debt collection, consumer debt, collections, bankruptcy exemptions, public benefits, means-tested benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, clarity to candidate filings of statements of economic interest.
• specific deadlines on when they're filed.
• So once you go to your political party and file...
• I think even with a municipal election, you have to file a statement.
• That's when you have to file a report to do your FCPA.

Bills: HB250

Keywords: HB250, Alabama Ethics Commission, statement of economic interests, financial disclosure, candidate ethics, campaign finance, candidate filing deadline, qualifying papers, declaration of candidacy, independent candidate, ballot access, election law, ethics reform, public officials, public employees, asset disclosure, income disclosure, real estate holdings, indebtedness disclosure, late filing penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Their finances together, to being able to market their business, to get on e-commerce, et cetera.

Bills: HB2754

Keywords: Arizona Commerce Authority, business development, economic growth, small business support, job creation, Board of Directors, e-verify, grant administration, 1182, all

Summary: The Committee on International Trade heard a presentation from Monica Villalobos, President and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, who shared trade and economic data on Hispanic businesses and consumers in Arizona and nationally. She emphasized that Hispanics are a major economic driver, that small and medium-sized businesses are central to trade, and that tariffs and border disruptions can disproportionately hurt smaller exporters and importers. She also described the Chamber’s district-level trade profiles and an upcoming business engagement tour to Mexico City aimed at matching Arizona and Mexican small businesses. Members asked about major Mexico trade products, transportation equipment, and what the state could do to support small businesses; Villalobos said access to capital and technical assistance are the biggest needs, especially as some federal support has been cut. The committee then took up HB 2754, which would expand the Arizona Commerce Authority board to include the chairs of the Senate Finance Committee and House International Trade Committee, shift oversight of trade offices to legislative appropriation, require annual reporting on trade office activities to JLBC, and remove the sunset date for the Arizona Competes program. The sponsor argued the bill would restore legislative oversight and give lawmakers a stronger role in trade office decisions and the Competes Fund. Members generally supported the bill’s oversight goals, though some raised concerns about the board changes and indicated they might seek amendments later. The committee voted 5-0 with two present and three absent to give HB 2754 a do pass recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is now law that allows an inheritor or someone acting on their behalf to file a late application
• You will file an evidence request. file an evidence request pursuant to the law, and either they won't
• You are listed as Julia Cole, school board trustee for H-E-B-I-S-D, and you are for the bill.
• For H-E-B-I-S-D, this loss could be as high as $15 million in revenues in one... ...single year.
• We thank you again for filing this bill, and with that, I'll answer any questions you may have.

Bills: HB329, HB361, HB546, HB1547, HB1745, HB2786, HB3235, HB3370, HB3575, HJR83

Keywords: appraisal, property value, residential real estate, tax code, appraisal review board, property owners, property tax, homeowners, property owner rights, property appraisal, taxation, Texas Tax Code, real estate, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, market value, condemnation, tax appraisal, open-space land, land use

Bills: SB 324, SB 1978, SB 2139, SB 2401, SB 2587, SB 2610, SB 2858, SB 3016

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, state contracts, immigration, labor compliance, Sunset Review, government accountability, Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Ethics Commission, government agencies, regulatory review