Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Chapter 32 of the Election Code provides for the ...judge and alternate presiding judge for
• alternate judge may appoint clerks.
• You have to write the judge a letter, and you have to send the judge two names of clerks to vote.
• The signature on the dotted line is the presiding judge, not the alternate judge. ...that only signs
• We don't want different teams that align with the judge or the alternate judge, because that would just

Bills: HB3097, HB3691, SB108, SB827, SB1541, SB1862, SB2166, SB2216

Keywords: Texas elections, Election Code, uniform election date, November election, local elections, political subdivisions, general election date, election administration, municipal utility district, county elections, local government, ballot scheduling, candidate filing, voter turnout, election calendar, HB 3097, early voting, electronic application, mail-in ballot, voting accessibility

Transcript Highlights:

• that choose not to use DCM, uh, there is questions about whether the state can be involved or the local
• c><00:21:22.240><c> involved</c><00:21:22.559><c> or</c><00:21:22.720><c> the</c><00:21:22.960><c> local
• </c> state can be involved or the local state can be involved or the local governments.<00:21:23.919>
• :28.559><c> a</c><00:21:28.880><c> 2004</c> ...there's a 2004 Attorney General's opinion that says local
• So if SB 88 says that the state doesn't do it, and the Attorney General's opinion says the locals don't

Bills: SB88, SB337

Keywords: expungement, criminal records, courts, victim rights, rehabilitation, Alabama law, SB337, Montgomery County, probate judge, judge of probate, county officer compensation, salary increase, circuit judge parity, local legislation, county commission, general fund, public official pay, judicial compensation, Montgomery County Legislation, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• There's an administrative process involving the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
• The vet court was going to move local, and the chief probably don't want it to go to local.
• I mean. an election judge since 24.
• We've worked over the last few years with panel of different judges, local judges and justices to write
• retired judges who are eligible to use the expedited process. available to all other Texas judges.

Bills: SB 28, SB 687, SJR 34, SCR 9, SB 523, SB 62, SB 847, SB 706, SB 869, SB 890, SB 992

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Bills: SB337, HB520, HB75, SB337, HB520, HB75

Keywords: SB337, Montgomery County, probate judge, judge of probate, county officer compensation, salary increase, circuit judge parity, local legislation, county commission, general fund, public official pay, judicial compensation, Montgomery County Legislation, discrimination, immunization, facial coverings, healthcare rights, religious convictions, civil rights, Attorney General

Bills: SB216, SB229, SB216, SB229

Keywords: retired law enforcement, retirement benefits, employment, firemedics, salary cap, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, school board policy, church-state separation, parochial education, Bible class, faith-based instruction, student release, attendance credit, State Board of Education, local school board, parental consent

Bills: HB 2242, HB 2446, HB 2799, HB 4502, HB 2920, HB 2790, HB 5620, HB 5060, HB 5076, HB 5080, HB 5081, HB 5128, HB 5130, HB 3847, HB 5116, HB 2969, HB 4546, HB 4202, HB 5624, HB 3964, HB 4803, HB 872, HB 4775, HB 4777, HB 4961, HB 5570, HB 2988, HB 4260, HB 1375, HB 5009, HB 5411, HB 5134, HB 4388, HB 3095, HB 1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is relating to court administration, including the term of a local administrative judge, court
• the minimum term of a local administrative district judge to two years, provides a process for when
• a majority of the district judges are unable to select a local administrative district judge requiring
• a majority of the district judges are unable to select a local administrative district judge requiring
• regional presiding judges and increases the supplement that our local administrative district judges

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 4961, which would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision. The author said the bill is intended to create incentives to maintain insurance and to address what he described as an unfair system for insured drivers. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texas Eagle Forum testified in support, while the Texas Trial Lawyers Association opposed it, warning the bill could also affect pedestrians, passengers, children, and others who did not choose whether a vehicle was insured. The bill author clarified that passengers would be included in the bill’s coverage. No vote was taken and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5570 would extend a legislative attorney CLE exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate to boards or commissions. The author said the measure is meant to ease time burdens and encourage service, and a witness supported it as a modest incentive for public service. A committee member noted a discrepancy in the number of affected attorneys, and the author agreed to verify the correct figure. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 2969, which would restrict the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech based on sincerely held beliefs. The author and several witnesses from Texas Values, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Cecilia Wood argued the bill protects lawyers of faith from an ABA model rule they described as a speech code. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 4260, which would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction, drew opposition from the County Judges and Commissioners Association, which argued existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would burden rural officials. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about judges using their office to pressure others. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5134 would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect actual damages and would allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill is aimed at preventing harassment and fishing expeditions, especially in family-law disputes. Questions focused on how the standard would work and how it differs from current law; the author said the main change is fee-shifting and a clearer legislative directive. The bill was left pending. House Bill 3095, a committee substitute version of a similar uninsured-motorist bill, would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages and limit economic recovery, with several exceptions. Trial lawyers argued it was unconstitutional because it capped economic damages and could unfairly affect innocent drivers, pedestrians, and older people who no longer drive. The author acknowledged constitutional concerns and said the bill would need further work; the committee withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending. Finally, House Bill 4388 would require all judges, including county judges who perform administrative duties, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Supporters said some elected judges avoid accountability by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents argued the bill is too rigid and unnecessary because existing remedies already exist. House Bill 3964 would limit public nuisance claims to their historical role and bar such claims against lawful conduct, conduct already covered by other remedies, and products. The author and supporters said the bill is meant to prevent courts from using public nuisance to make policy, while opponents argued it would eliminate useful remedies and could affect local actions against environmental or product-related harms. The author said the bill would not affect statutory nuisance claims, private nuisance claims, or other causes of action, and would be amended to clarify some provisions. The bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is relating to court administration, including the term of a local administrative judge, court
• a majority of the district judges are unable to select a local administrative district judge, requiring
• administrative judges.
• a majority of the district judges are unable to select a local administrative district judge, requiring
• for regional presiding judges and increases the supplement that our local administrative district judges

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Transcript Highlights:

• JPs are used in visiting judges that are also candidates against sitting judges.
• This is just... ...It's a good bill to reduce the administrative burden on the county judge.
• In speaking with our local...
• We've talked a lot in this committee about paying judges more, compensating judges more.
• Appreciate it, Judge.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> driven by local government requirements. driven by local government requirements.
• Um it's not the local language.
• I mean, the way that this says election judges, not election judge, right?
• I mean, the way that this says election judges, not election judge, right?
• </c> election judges as possible. election judges as possible.

Bills: HF2614, HF3587, HF3589, HF3588

Keywords: homeowners associations, local government, building permits, housing policy, residential development, voter access, polling place, elections, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We think that hurts local jobs.
• The Dollywood Foundation covers overhead and administrative expenses, but local affiliates are responsible
• The Dollywood Foundation covers overhead and administrative expenses, but local affiliates are responsible
• Skagit County has four Superior Court judges, and Yakima County has eight judges.
• They currently have eight judges and 2.5 court commissioners. We're asking for a ninth judge.

Bills: SB6256, SB6275, SB5868, SB5954

Keywords: tax exemptions, affordable housing, nonprofit, unoccupied property, housing policy, community reinvestment, economic development, local investment, financial assistance, SB 5868, superior court, judge, judgeship, judicial vacancy, court administration, Skagit County, Yakima County, RCW 2.08.061, Washington courts, county judges

Summary: The committee held public hearings on a series of housing, social services, education, labor, court, and veterans-related bills. Early testimony focused on Substitute Senate Bill 5884, which would expand a sales and use tax deferral for redevelopment of vacant or underused land into affordable housing and allow cities to set lower affordability thresholds in designated areas. Supporters from Spokane, Kent, and housing developers said the bill would help projects pencil and increase workforce housing, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed language they said could encourage project labor agreements and disadvantage small contractors. No action was taken beyond closing the hearing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6256, which would extend a property tax exemption for low-income nonprofit housing to include portions of projects used for certain community-serving purposes during construction and extend the pre-occupancy period from two to three years. Testifiers from housing nonprofits and local governments said the change would help mixed-use affordable housing projects that include child care, behavioral health, and other services. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6027, which would broaden allowable uses of local affordable housing sales tax revenue, allow pooled bond financing, extend a REET exemption timeline, redefine emergency housing, and expand uses of the Affordable Housing for All account; counties, King County, housing advocates, and Snohomish County supported the flexibility, with Snohomish County asking for rental assistance to be added. Additional hearings covered Substitute Senate Bill 6018, which would modernize the Housing Finance Commission’s authority and allow more direct lending and financing flexibility; Substitute Senate Bill 6028, which would create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income affordable homeownership projects; and Senate Bill 6275, which would make the community reinvestment program permanent and require periodic plan updates, reporting, and evaluation. Testimony on SB 6275 emphasized racial equity, accountability, workforce development, small business support, and legal services for immigrants. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5961 on moving the Imagination Library program to OSPI, Substitute Senate Bill 5969 on aligning IEP transition plans with high school and beyond plans, Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 on setting paid family and medical leave rates by actuarial report, Senate Bill 5868 to add superior court judges in Skagit and Yakima counties, Substitute Senate Bill 5827 to allow pre-discharge certification for veteran civil service preference, and Senate Bill 5954 on veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with some opposition to PFML from the Washington Policy Center and questions about court funding and PFML rate-setting. The hearing concluded without recorded votes or final committee action on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill protects the personal information of administrative law judges to help keep these judges safe
• The State Office of Administrative Hearings is tasked with overseeing these judges and ensuring their
• Criminal conduct by state licensees can pose threats to administrative law judges due to the severity
• Administrative law judges have been targeted by individuals they have ruled against and are often subjected
• The bill amends the federal government code to include both current and former administrative law judges

Bills: HCR141, SB438, SB1495, SB1964, HB 1225

Keywords: HCR 141, House Concurrent Resolution, NASA, Houston, Space City, Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, Apollo 11, moon landing, aerospace, commercial space, space exploration, Texas Space Commission, space policy, federal resolution, memorial resolution, Congress, Washington D.C., headquarters relocation, space industry

Transcript Highlights:

• I, I believe in local control over local issues, and traffic safety in town is a pretty local issue to
• Cutting off this funding would not punish local governments.
• And this is at the local level.
• It seems almost like a local, this is what the relief that they're your local elected officials are asking
• the option to choose whether or not to display the designation state judge or US judge on their license

Bills: HB 341, HB 469, HB 971, HB 1624, HB 2721, HB 2959, HB 3365, HB 3731, HB 3793, HB 3861, HB 3946, HB 3966, HB 4348, HB 4401, HB 4402, HB 4924, HB 4966, HB 5563

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Each county superior court has a presiding judge; there's no central administrative oversight, and budgets
• Each county superior court has a presiding judge; there's no central administrative oversight, and budgets
• Judges Association...
• You go to your local dry cleaner.
• Also, I would request that with the $530,000 local government note, $140,000 Attorney General’s and Administrative

Bills: HB2543

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• local ordinances.
• And of course local governments can establish their own local ordinances. Okay.
• I mean, you have to pay an administrator for their hours.
• Like it was said, in the petition, it lists the heirs that the administrator knows about, or the administrator
• Now, yes, the administrator is obligated to search for all of the heirs.

Bills: HB2543

Keywords: county clerk, fees, local government, administrative costs, revenue generation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I support this—I believe in local control over local issues, and traffic safety in town is a pretty local
• Cutting off this funding would not punish local governments.
• And this is at the local level; it seems almost like a local.
• Your local elected officials are asking for. Yes. And it just, I mean, it's...
• the designation "State Judge" or "U.S.

Bills: HB341, HB469, HB971, HB1624, HB2721, HB2959, HB3365, HB3731, HB3793, HB3861, HB3946, HB3966, HB4348, HB4401, HB4402, HB4924, HB4966, HB5563

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I see that you've found the three-judge panel.
• I think two hours for judges is important, because we had judges that wanted to be here today.
• But they can't because they're judging.
• administration of justice.
• retired judges come in.

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• admin judge.
• because he files judicial conduct complaints motions to recuse tried to recuse the judge of the administrative
• Tries to file a new litigation and doesn't get the approval from the local admin judge It wouldn't They
• They can't sue you because they can't file a lawsuit. administrative judges who may allow you to file
• And so you can never find an abuse of discretion if the local. administrative judge does not allow you

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• An administrative... ...law judge and ALJ from SOAH presides over these hearings and upon the hearing's
• If an administrative law judge permits a discovery request that goes beyond matters relevant to the case
• However, in cases where an administrative law judge refuses to certify a question, regardless of its
• If an ALJ, an Administrative Law Judge, allows a discovery request that goes beyond the scope of the
• I'm the Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge with the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Bills: SB2082, SB2203, SB2351, SB2550, SCR48

Keywords: concrete crushing, hospital proximity, environmental regulation, public health, zoning laws, SB 2203, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, contested case, administrative law judge, ALJ, discovery, scope of discovery, certification, administrative procedure, permit dispute, agency rules, Government Code