Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute will also make the bill a Legislative Council draft and require law enforcement
• Instead, a lessee can file the claim, but compensation goes to the landowner.
• The lessee may never see the compensation necessary to fix the damage.
• Instead, a lessee can file the claim, but compensation goes to the landowner.
• The lessee may never see the compensation necessary to fix the damage.

Bills: SB2601

Keywords: landowner compensation, border crime, agriculture damage, law enforcement, crop loss

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum and heard only one bill, Senate Bill 2601 by Senator Blanco, laid out by Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo. The bill was presented as a committee substitute to revise the Landowner’s Compensation Program created last session under SB 1133. The changes would expand eligibility to include land lessees with the landowner’s permission, cover damage to the land itself as well as structures and real property, add continuous smuggling of persons as a qualifying border crime, prohibit insurers from using claims under the program in rate calculations, and require law enforcement to provide requested border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days. Public testimony was unanimously supportive. Charles Maley of the South Texans Property Rights Association said the program has been beneficial and that the bill helps clean up implementation issues, including clarifying compensation for debris and pollutants left on land. Stephen Diebel of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association also supported the bill, saying it would help address fence damage, destroyed infrastructure, and other harms along the border, and that lessees who manage properties day to day should be eligible for direct compensation when they have the landowner’s permission. Members discussed border-related property damage, including vehicles crashing through fences, broken sheds, livestock escaping, and resulting highway hazards. Senator Hinojosa asked about how conflicts between landowners and lessees would be handled, and testimony indicated documentation of lease authority would be required. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the committee substitute without objection and voted to report SB 2601 favorably to the full Senate by a 5-0 vote, recommending it as local and uncontested.

Bills: HB424, SB63, SB269

Keywords: HB424, Montgomery County, sheriff, county sheriff, salary increase, expense allowance, local act, county general fund, retirement contributions, public official compensation, law enforcement pay, elected official salary, Montgomery County legislation, sheriff compensation, term-based salary, immigration, law enforcement, fingerprints, DNA collection, illegal aliens

Transcript Highlights:

• As you may recall, the Landowner's Compensation Program was established by Senate Bill 1133 last session
• As you may recall, the Landowner's Compensation Program was established by Senate Bill 1133 last session
• The committee substitute will also make the bill a legislative council draft and require law enforcement
• Instead, a lessee can file the claim, but compensation goes to the landowner.
• The lessee may never see the compensation necessary to fix the damage.

Bills: SB2601

Keywords: landowner compensation, border crime, agriculture damage, law enforcement, crop loss, 1185, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum and heard one bill, Senate Bill 2601 by Senator Blanco, laid out by Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo. The bill amends the Landowner’s Compensation Program, which was created last session and is administered by the Office of the Attorney General, to expand eligibility to land lessees, cover damage to the land itself as well as structures and real property, add continuous smuggling of persons as a covered border crime, prohibit insurers from using claims under the program in rate calculations, and require law enforcement to provide border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days. The committee substitute also makes the bill a legislative council draft. Public testimony was unanimously supportive. Representatives of the South Texans Property Rights Association and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association said the program has helped landowners but needed cleanup and broader access, especially for lessees who manage property day to day and may otherwise not receive compensation. Testimony also emphasized ongoing problems with fence damage, debris, pollutants, and other border-related property damage. Members asked about implementation, including how conflicts between landowners and lessees would be handled; the response was that documentation of authority and lease responsibilities would be required. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the committee substitute without objection. Senator Hinojosa then moved that SB 2601 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the committee substitute, and the motion passed on a 5-0 vote. The bill was also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar, with no objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next bill on the calendar is HB583, which is related to compensation for the sheriff.

Bills: HB595, HB583

Keywords: boundary alteration, corporate limits, Madison County, City of New Hope, local government, sheriff compensation, salary increase, law enforcement, elected officials, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh that's with law enforcement directly.
• I think that the question is what is the ultimate law enforcement pathway?
• </c> the ultimate uh law enforcement pathway? the ultimate uh law enforcement pathway?
• </c> officer shall promptly report to law officer shall promptly report to law enforcement<00:13:31.839
• </c><01:20:07.600><c> enforcement</c><01:20:08.480><c> and</c> corporation, but law enforcement and corporation

Bills: HF1151, HF1239, HF1240, HF2020, HF2514, HF2515, HF2451

Keywords: Compensation Council, salaries, state officials, judicial compensation, legislative process, public funds, misuse, law enforcement, accountability, state government, legislative auditor, compliance, transparency, retirement benefits, health insurance, dependents, state employees, Medicare, legislative studies, government oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to that, I began my interest in the law enforcement field with the City of Blaine as a reserve
• So, as you may know, law enforcement personnel are unable to strike, so interest arbitration is critical
• I'm a business agent for Teamsters Local 760, which represents approximately 51 different law enforcement
• Prior to working for Teamsters, I had 29 years' experience in law enforcement, including working as a
• dispatcher and as a law enforcement officer.

Bills: HB2107, HB2137, HB2243, HB2264

Keywords: construction safety, hazard notification, worksite regulations, labor safety, state law, law enforcement, correctional officers, interest arbitration, collective bargaining, public safety, workers' compensation, healthcare providers, physical therapy, occupational therapy, employment, unemployment insurance, benefits, layoffs, workforce reduction, 904

Summary: The committee heard four bills. HB 2107 would make permanent and slightly narrow a pilot requirement for the Department of Labor and Industries to notify employers or owners within 10 working days when a hazard is found during an on-site inspection at a building construction site. Construction industry groups and L&I supported the bill and said the pilot had worked well, with L&I reporting it had been able to notify owners in almost 96% of cases. No opposition was raised, and the hearing was closed. HB 2137 would remove the 70,000-population threshold for binding interest arbitration for correctional employees in city and county jails. Teamsters witnesses said the change would give corrections officers in smaller jurisdictions the same bargaining rights as other uniformed personnel and could improve safety, staffing, and wages. The Washington State Association of Counties opposed the bill, saying it would increase bargaining and compensation costs for many counties, and asked for amendments requiring arbitrators to consider county finances and making arbitration decisions nonbinding on county appropriations. The hearing was closed without a vote. HB 2264 would clarify unemployment insurance eligibility for workers who volunteer for an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan, removing a court-created “final action” requirement that has led to benefit denials when workers can rescind their election. Supporters, including unemployment advocates and a worker who lost benefits after accepting a severance program, said the bill would prevent workers from being wrongly treated as having quit. NFIB asked about the effect of severance and retirement on eligibility, and ESD said it would follow up in writing. The hearing was closed. HB 2243 would allow physical therapists and occupational therapists to serve as attending providers in the workers’ compensation system. PT and OT witnesses said this would speed access to care, improve return-to-work outcomes, and reduce costs, while business groups, retailers, food industry representatives, NFIB, and the Washington State Medical Association opposed the bill, arguing that attending providers must be able to make accurate diagnoses, certify time loss, and handle impairment ratings, and warning of possible added costs, litigation, and administrative burdens. L&I said adding PTs and OTs as attending providers would require all providers in those categories to join the medical provider network and could cause some to leave the system; the committee closed the hearing and adjourned without taking action.

Transcript Highlights:

• for administrative support related to motor vehicle enforcement.
• It clarifies that private vendors do not receive police powers or law enforcement authority.
• It would actually allow other law enforcement institutions to also rely on third parties for paperwork
• enforcement to be able to focus on doing their job.
• And it would, in the way it's drafted now, it would allow other law enforcement folks to do that.

Bills: SB348, SB444, SB485

Keywords: motor vehicles, enforcement, administrative support, law enforcement, private service provider, regulatory compliance, expropriation, public purpose, property rights, compensation, city governance, St. George, insurance premium tax, city of St. George, municipal authority, local taxation, East Baton Rouge Parish, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Two, serving the children of Texas through the enforcement of the state's child support laws.
• In the world of law, you're very familiar with this.
• Some of the issues are that they're not getting relayed or reported to law enforcement, or that law enforcement
• So part of our outreach has been informing the law enforcement community, as well as informing our Texans
• Our basis was a state law claim, and...

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, Attorney General, budget recommendations, funding swaps, salary increases, Landowner's Compensation Program, public testimony, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting focused on the budget recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), where key issues included the proposed decrease of $163.9 million for the 2024-25 biennium and various methodology swaps for funding. Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing litigation expenditures and emphasized the need for continued investments in agency staffing to address rising demands within law enforcement. Notably, he requested a 6% salary increase for 2026 and 2027 to retain talented personnel amidst competitive job markets. Public testimony highlighted community awareness challenges regarding the Landowner's Compensation Program, indicating a need for enhanced outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually coming before us because they have to, within the law, they can't just change it.

Bills: HB424, SB286

Keywords: HB424, Montgomery County, sheriff, county sheriff, salary increase, expense allowance, local act, county general fund, retirement contributions, public official compensation, law enforcement pay, elected official salary, Montgomery County legislation, sheriff compensation, term-based salary, retirement system, Montgomery City Council, constitutional amendment, employees, service credit

Transcript Highlights:

• We have effective and efficient laws.
• Currently, we have an emergency compensation provision.
• and where they aren't covered by state or national law.
• He's talking about the law as it stands today, having issues with the law.
• It's actually in law? Viva voce. Okay, very good.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• case law are really a patchwork.
• Is deeply embedded in Texas law.
• I'm board certified in family law from Denton, Texas, and I'm here for the Texas Family Law Foundation
• and hand case law to the judge and say this is what this court, Have to fumble through case law and
• hand case law to the judge and say this is what this court, but it's in the book.

Bills: SB387, SB1650, SB1838, SB1839, SB1923, SB1940, SB2052

Keywords: judicial bond, guardianship, probate law, county judge, statutory county court, attorney general, criminal prosecution, public order, law enforcement, jurisdiction, attorney ad litem, parent-child relationship, compensation, legal representation, government entity, probate, court proceedings, record delivery, wills, legal documentation

Summary: The Senate Committee on Jurisprudence heard several family-law and probate bills. Senate Bill 2052 would codify a rebuttable presumption that a parent acts in the best interest of a child and require clear and convincing evidence to overcome that presumption in disputes involving non-parents; the author and several witnesses supported the bill as a clarification of existing case law, while one witness suggested refining the modification language. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1923, which would allow child support to follow a child placed temporarily with kin or fictive kin under a parental child safety placement or authorization agreement; the bill’s author and a grandparent caregiver testified in support, while one witness suggested the Attorney General could handle the change administratively. That bill was also left pending. Senate Bill 1838 would standardize fee schedules and compensation rules for attorneys ad litem and related court-appointed counsel in DFPS child-protection cases. The author said the bill would clarify unclear current law, and witnesses from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission and family-defense bar supported it, though one asked that expert-witness expenses be expressly included. Senate Bill 387 would raise the bond requirement for county judges handling guardianship proceedings to at least $500,000; the author described it as a refiling of a prior bill that passed unanimously but was vetoed, and a statutory probate judge testified in support. Senate Bill 1839 would require original or paper wills to be delivered to the transferee court when probate proceedings are transferred; the committee substitute broadened the delivery methods, and the district clerk witness supported the change. All three bills were left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 1536, which had previously been voted out with the wrong committee substitute; members reconsidered the vote, adopted the corrected substitute, and then voted 3-0 to report the bill favorably to the full Senate, with local and contested calendar certification. Finally, Senate Bill 1940 would create a transfer-on-death mechanism for manufactured homes classified as personal property, similar to existing tools for real property and vehicles; the author and an estate-planning attorney testified that it would streamline transfers and reduce probate costs. A non-substantive committee substitute was still being prepared, and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes clear that Florida courts may not be asked to enforce foreign or religious laws in a way that
• So what does this bill do beyond just enforcing our current laws?
• laws.
• I mean, how can we interpret a religious law or a law from a foreign country?
• And there are countries where, in Iran, for example, Sharia law is embedded in the Constitution and enforced

Bills: S0002, S0006, S0018, S0026, S0028, S0050, S0178, S0326, S0538, S0786, S1004, S1096, S1178, S1366, S1632, S1634

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, child welfare, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, compensation, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, motorcycle accident, Department of Transportation, legal claim, police negligence, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, veterans

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, most of them claims or civil-law measures, and reported each favorably. Among the bills approved were SB 326 on curators of estates, SB 1096 clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, SB 28 and SB 26 on claims against the City of Lakeland and the estate of Mark Legata, SB 6 involving a DCF-related claim for Layla Estrada/Sapphire Williams, SB 786 creating a nonjudicial process for closing trusts, SB 18 and SB 2 on claims involving the estate of McKenzie Navarre and Daniel Mosley, and SB 50 expanding veterans’ courts statewide. The committee also approved SB 538 on extracurricular activities, SB 1004 on pet sales and financing disclosures, and SB 1366, the sovereign immunity bill, which was presented as a starting point for negotiations with the House over higher claims caps and related provisions. Most of these bills were explained by sponsors as clarifying existing law, modernizing procedures, or resolving uncontested claims, and several had support from affected organizations or individuals; some also drew opposition or concerns from speakers, especially on trust notice issues, sovereign immunity, and the scope of the extracurricular and pet-sale bills. Several bills were amended before passage. SB 326 was narrowed by removing a section and changing reporting language for curators. SB 786 received a technical clarification amendment, while SB 18 removed an unneeded Medicaid-related section. SB 50 on veterans’ courts drew broad support from veterans’ groups and criminal-justice organizations. SB 538 on extracurricular activities was amended multiple times to address home education eligibility, activity fees for homeschool participants, technical cross-references, and compensation for extracurricular sponsors. SB 1004 was supported by animal-welfare advocates and consumer-protection interests. SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools was amended to limit the bill to head coaches, require personal funds, and allow similar bylaws by other athletic associations; it passed after discussion of a Miami Northwestern coaching controversy. The committee also took up two major policy bills with substantial testimony and questions. SB 1178 on foreign influence would create a state framework for foreign-agent registration, restrict gifts and contracts tied to foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, limit certain sister-city and university linkage activities, and increase penalties for crimes committed to benefit foreign governments or terrorist groups; supporters framed it as a national-security and transparency measure, while the sponsor withdrew one amendment before passage. SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles generated the most extended questioning, especially about its domestic-terrorism designation process, references to Sharia law, notice and due-process protections, and potential effects on students and speech; supporters argued it targets conduct, not belief, while opponents warned it could chill protected activity and unfairly target Muslim communities. The committee heard many public speakers on both sides, but no floor debate followed before the bill was moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members, Senate Bill 2052 seeks to reinforce a foundational principle of family law. that
• stands, best interest decisions in case law are. really a patchwork.
• And that's consistent with case law.
• Texas Family Law Foundation, and we are neutral on Senate Bill 2052.
• and handle case law to the judge and say this is what this court But it's in the book.

Bills: SB387, SB1650, SB1838, SB1839, SB1923, SB1940, SB2052

Keywords: judicial bond, guardianship, probate law, county judge, statutory county court, attorney general, criminal prosecution, public order, law enforcement, jurisdiction, attorney ad litem, parent-child relationship, compensation, legal representation, government entity, probate, court proceedings, record delivery, wills, legal documentation

Transcript Highlights:

• Takes the earmark away from the jail, but lets them use that money for law enforcement functions.
• Takes the earmark away from the jail, but lets them use that money for law enforcement functions.
• That's where the fairness of the law comes in. Okay. For whatever reason." "Okay.
• </c> the law in some way. the law in some way.
• </c> That's where the fairness of the law That's where the fairness of the law comes<00:30:32.080><c>

Bills: HB91, HB95, HB255, HB318, HB91, HB95, HB255, HB318

Keywords: county housing authority, public housing, housing authority, affordable housing, low-income housing, mixed-use development, community facilities, subsidiary, affiliate, public corporation, municipal tax exemption, deed tax, mortgage tax, probate fee, bond financing, housing project, urban redevelopment, rural housing, public-private partnership, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2023, we estimate that we spent $1.5 million in unemployment compensation. ...in unemployment compensation
• Currently, under our existing law, a person only has to report three times or look for a job. ...report

Bills: HB93, HB160, HB29, HB29, HB93, HB160

Keywords: HB93, Alabama State Port Authority, State Auditor, property inventory, inventory control, audit exemption, state property, personal property inventory, public authority, port authority, Section 36-16-11, Code of Alabama 1975, administrative oversight, state audit, conforming changes, government property, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, AMEA, municipal electric authority, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• So ICE is there to take those folks away who broke the law—federal law, not state law.
• The Attorney General's Office should provide exclusive enforcement for this law.
• The bill does not create conflicts between federal and state law as it pertains to immigration enforcement
• law.
• Because federal law governs I-9 audits and immigration enforcement, this provision may cause uncertainty

Bills: HB2091, HB2105, HB2218, HB2107, HB2137, HB2243, HB2264

Keywords: public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, immigrant worker protections, immigrant rights, worker protections, I-9 audit, Form I-9, employment eligibility verification, workplace raid, federal immigration inspection, employer notice, anti-retaliation, retaliation, Attorney General enforcement, private right of action, labor law, workplace rights

Summary: The committee first took up executive action on several bills, deferring action on HB 2091 and HB 2243 and advancing HB 2264. HB 2264 would allow workers who voluntarily participate in an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan to receive unemployment insurance benefits if their separation results from the plan. Supporters said it would remove confusing language and help laid-off workers access benefits; a member noted similar confusion from past layoffs. The committee voted 9-0 to report HB 2264 out of committee with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard HB 2091, which would extend existing collective bargaining information-sharing requirements to state agencies and certain other public employers covered by the Personnel System Reform Act. The bill would require those employers to provide unions with employee contact and job information, including personal email addresses, so unions can communicate with represented workers. The prime sponsor and union witnesses said the change would close a gap left by prior legislation and improve communication; there was no opposition testimony in the excerpt, and action on the bill was deferred. The bulk of the meeting focused on HB 2218, a workers’ compensation bill that would expand provider choice, require notice to injured workers about their right to choose providers, limit employer steering, allow deviation from treatment guidelines when medically appropriate, speed utilization review, expand continued treatment and reopening options for certain claims, and require written notice and appeal rights when providers are removed from the network. Supporters, including labor, injured-worker advocates, firefighters, and physicians, said the current system delays care and over-relies on rigid guidelines; opponents from business groups and the Department of Labor and Industries warned the bill would weaken evidence-based standards, increase costs, and create vague new penalties. No vote was taken on HB 2218 in the excerpt. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 2105, as proposed substitute, which would require employers to notify workers after an ICE Form I-9 inspection notice, share inspection results, post worker-rights notices, and limit voluntary disclosure of worker records without a subpoena or warrant, with enforcement by the Attorney General and private lawsuits. Supporters framed the bill as a due-process and worker-protection measure for immigrant workers and mixed-status families, while business and county representatives argued the notice and record-sharing requirements, short timelines, and penalties were too burdensome and could conflict with federal enforcement or discourage hiring. No final action on HB 2105 was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the survey data is also used to fairly help set compensation for state law enforcement officers across
• It ensures state law enforcement compensation remains competitive with comparable agencies.
• State law enforcement officers are not average, so I don't believe it's unreasonable to at least compensate
• It ensures state law enforcement compensation remains competitive with comparable agencies.
• among law fair compensation uh among law enforcement<01:35:24.639><c> and</c><01:35:25.280><c> uh</c

Bills: HF3169, HF3749, HF2605, HF3541, HF4102, HF3513, HF268

Keywords: suicide prevention, transportation, mental health, bridge safety, data collection, state law, bridge inspection, active transportation, truck parking, public safety, vehicle registration, fee structure, full-service providers, Capitol security, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, Minnesota State Patrol, State Patrol compensation, trooper salary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:48.480><c> By</c> process if this bill becomes law. By process if this bill becomes law.
• Some Alabama laws ethics protections.
• ,</c><00:42:27.280><c> engineering,</c> economics, law, engineering, economics, law, engineering, agricultural
• That was the existing law in Alabama.
• </c> That was the existing law in Alabama. That was the existing law in Alabama.

Bills: HB403, HB399, HB392

Keywords: criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, data privacy, criminal justice, Lamar County, property auction, county commission, online auction, public notice, HB392, Lauderdale County, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, district attorney, chief assistant district attorney, assistant district attorney, assistant district attorneys, prosecutor, prosecutorial compensation, salary supplement

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, they have the ability to enforce federal law.
• Yes, they have the ability to enforce federal law.
• Yes, they have the ability to enforce federal law.
• ><c> and</c> uh and law enforcement standing by and uh and law enforcement standing by and you<00:33:
• <c> I'm</c><01:08:45.679><c> sure</c> work in law enforcement and and I'm sure work in law enforcement

Bills: HF3477, HF3480, HF3781, HF3357, HF3737, HF3664, HF3621

Keywords: civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, immigration enforcement, economic impact, Operation Metro Surge, study, appropriation, local government, Legislative Commission on Legislative Security, legislator security, elected official security, staff security, statehouse security, capitol security, legislative district safety, political violence prevention, threat assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• What it's actually doing is putting Arizonans and law enforcement at risk and in danger.
• Look, we need to make sure that our law enforcement agents know that they have the resources and the
• When the lives of our law enforcement agents are at risk, they need to know that we have their back.
• This is to enforce Arizona state laws from crimes that are committed.
• My caucus, all caucus on this side of the aisle, has prioritized law enforcement.

Bills: HB2063, HB2271, HB2416, HB2478, HB2593, HB2692, HB2813, HB2992, HB2993, HB4044

Keywords: corrections oversight, appropriation, independent office, public safety, funding, firefighters, insurance rates, workers' compensation, firefighter cancer reimbursement, rate deviations, cost analysis, premiums, border security, drug trafficking, human smuggling, law enforcement funding, Arizona, immigration, education reform, K-12