[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6244285,"mediaKeyId","3230595-d93aeafab5d080e21f0f4f10a80542c2","parentId",3230595,"title","Committee backs correction to construction law after court ruling on venue and choice‑of‑law","audioSeconds",224,"startMs",862000,"endMs",1086000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230595-d93aeafab5d080e21f0f4f10a80542c2&start=862&end=1086","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230595-d93aeafab5d080e21f0f4f10a80542c2/thumbnail_862000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244285/Texas/Committee-backs-correction-to-construction-law-after-court-ruling-on-venue-and-choiceoflaw","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244285-bc33e565807d50c5bf0bdd85393bd999/orig.mp4?Expires=1770400163&Signature=g~4PGsoTcfpZHhVtfNC3SZQnoySey2aYzS5YgO0VhmkknooyQBssfxnaFGemcXx03HhnZyZNEx-zxpKTPhkt4EgquLd7NxMvFYW8S-D93AQLcK1qQc9n0s68vPanIf-nGpora2fX4HyRYKnzRTzIsttZ1Yo5CUDzi-n-jXV7pXZsT5ngfEBD5B0wmC6bR4oL8q-pBfPXdbFlyl9MPwUaxR5~tklsUMC7htPmnFXVA-ViGrkv6Ja~1eRYnygQSMNP-cQZBuoLH5o2dQYXGlCc20SXzV-d8jXnLMDzt-YeDyb203jyWS2ARstRjX1CNQmrrDwaYPu5~BwkimDi~QBX1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Legislature","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","Chairman Hughes told the committee House Bill 2960 would amend the Business and Commerce Code to restore long‑standing protections preventing construction contracts from forcing Texas contractors to litigate disputes in out‑of‑state forums or under foreign law.

Hughes said a 2023 Court of Appeals decision had held such protections could be waived, which “created real problems in the construction industry and placed Texas contractors at a disadvantage in contract negotiations.” The bill would, according to the sponsor, make three principal changes: change the statutory remedy from making such clauses voidable to making them void as against public policy; require disputes arising from construction contracts to be litigated in the Texas county where the construction project is located; and align venue rules with lien‑filing requirements.

Jennifer Fagan, testifying for the Texas Construction Association, said her group represents about “3,000 subcontractors across the state” and supports HB 2960 as a correction of a court misstep. She described a concern that an owner’s out‑of‑state venue clause could be held to waive rights for downstream subcontractors because the prime contract is incorporated into subcontracts.

William (Bill) Irwin, a board‑certified construction lawyer and registered architect, told senators the bill would reduce complexity created by the Court of Appeals decision and would simplify enforcement of lien laws and related procedures.

The committee opened and closed public testimony, heard from the two witnesses above, and left the bill pending for further consideration; no amendments or votes were recorded at the hearing.

The bill’s sponsors framed HB 2960 as restoring decades of Texas law favoring local venue and protecting smaller contractors that lack the resources to litigate in distant jurisdictions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on State Affairs (Part I) May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Chairman Hughes told the committee HB 2960 would amend the Business and Commerce Code to prevent construction contracts from forcing Texas contractors to litigate disputes out of state.","taxTitle","Committee on State Affairs, Senate, Legislative, Texas","taxId",16216,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244275,"Survivors urge Texas to ban NDAs that silence child sexual abuse victims; senators hear personal testimony on 'Trey's Law'",1011,2642000,3653000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230595-d93aeafab5d080e21f0f4f10a80542c2&start=2642&end=3653","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230595-d93aeafab5d080e21f0f4f10a80542c2/thumbnail_2642000.jpg","/articles/6244275/Texas/Survivors-urge-Texas-to-ban-NDAs-that-silence-child-sexual-abuse-victims-senators-hear-personal-testimony-on-Treys-Law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244275-90f44049ac4b6c0d023f878543c69e2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770400163&Signature=LPuyJXXUsfBuiMGaqlPf6h~FpKbrzM5Yvig69vycoRouyYSVe6vllYj~uXViM28H6VxvlGdBR-u5ERWN0esLkbw0sAx4PlrQ0xhwfQO6KQWXmVDGUnFvu~nepndXWBLO9NuTD77nHF3tYcd5FkraNMM~7DbfWl8sGwf1I7HFNh-B8iy509hWrBWiSAh24fIq9C0EOVZqFEM-H2DNINxh~D7HFlco13WsXiSp4Z7o-aUzfx4sjE2Mwc8Tq9d~RtzUhXK3OPTLh6XGa6Q1QifhTrjv-R7llkBEHf3pWpRMuI-~~LqQZydXwxhx9viIjtzyi4kDLybZO4BuGV1~92jUIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Paxton, the bill sponsor, told the Committee on State Affairs that the committee substitute for Senate Bill 835 and the companion House Bill 748 seek to invalidate nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to the extent they force silence by victims in settlement agreements involving child sexual abuse.

Paxton described NDAs used in settlement agreements as a “perverse application” when employed to protect predators and institutions rather than to preserve legitimate business secrets. He said the legislation, known in testimony as Trey's Law, would simplify and clarify what NDA‑based confidentiality provisions are unenforceable while preserving the ability to keep certain settlement terms confidential, such as payment amounts or the victim’s identity if the victim chooses.

Survivors and family members gave extended, emotional testimony. Elizabeth Phillips, who identified herself as the sister of Trey Carlock (for whom the bill is named), said her brother was silenced by a settlement with an NDA and later died by suicide. “NDAs are for trade secrets, not trauma secrets,” Phillips told the committee and urged passage of the House bill as the stronger version.

Other witnesses described being groomed and abused by trusted religious leaders and youth‑serving institutions, including accounts tied to Kanakuk Ministries and allegations that institutional leaders, insurers and lawyers used NDAs to keep abuse out of public view. Witnesses included Cindy Clumashire, who accused a traveling evangelist of abusing her beginning at age 12 and said she refused an NDA from the abuser's attorneys; Joseph (Joe) Alarcon, who said his family refused an NDA and then faced legal pressure from the alleged perpetrator’s organization; Susie Spencer, Joseph Cleveland and others who described decades‑long impacts of abuse and the chilling effect of NDAs on reporting and recovery.

Panelists and senators discussed common themes: survivors said telling the story was central to healing, while sponsors emphasized the public safety angle—silencing victims can conceal patterns that endanger other children. The committee heard from multiple survivors who said institutions used NDAs, insurance‑driven settlement practices and legal threats to suppress disclosure; senators noted that a number of other states have enacted similar limits on NDAs in abuse or sexual‑assault cases.

After hearing nearly two hours of testimony, the committee recessed for the Senate floor session and left the matter pending; several senators thanked witnesses for their courage and urged expedited action to move the House version or a strengthened substitute quickly.

No committee vote was taken at the hearing.","Senator Paxton told the committee the substitute for SB 835 and companion HB 748 aim to invalidate nondisclosure agreements to the extent they force silence by victims in settlement agreements involving child sexual abuse.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244280,"Committee reviews bill to bar state investments in companies tied to China, Russia, Iran and North Korea",1305,1274000,2579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230595-d93aeafab5d080e21f0f4f10a80542c2&start=1274&end=2579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230595-d93aeafab5d080e21f0f4f10a80542c2/thumbnail_1274000.jpg","/articles/6244280/Texas/Committee-reviews-bill-to-bar-state-investments-in-companies-tied-to-China-Russia-Iran-and-North-Korea","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244280-5899f9c7c56d633d3df113b1281884ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770400163&Signature=L4~Tf21bkQgHM~MaykhaOiy8n10RLFRm28NVituODIfX4F22iaCm-wTLutH~FO-s4T7yWRJlkJa8ZFPqaZngxQ1j70KrA0syrarNPf-spzUnYCkb7bIuPPQ5GfKfoA6bkj880x6hfINyUs6w~HAKXDPREjQsSXJUKKI~LUe2bmFRqESIMd0GG6dbudZbz3-9HGwZ38dNOwwldVConf5yqp8bcodsrmK4naYoYHqmgaDH3LY3mvwsKNj~7ItKJc17IKQMAPPeTUgQ-PHYG7TSSUqK2GLahcgJNJhFvPWxzUAxWMyq~OYRIxhKHVV6q7TKHXw1OaY1ooB-2gji7E47Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Hughes explained that House Bill 34 would prohibit state investment entities from investing in companies based in, owned by, or controlled by China, Iran, North Korea or Russia and would allow the governor, in consultation with law‑enforcement and homeland security officials, to designate additional countries of concern.

Hughes said the bill would also prohibit state deposits in banks headquartered in countries of concern and permit state investment entities to delay divestment if immediate action would cause “significant financial harm,” provided that any delay be reported to legislative leadership and the attorney general.

Kelly Curry, who identified herself with State Armour, testified in favor of HB 34 and described national‑level efforts to reduce pension exposure to Chinese equities; Curry said the federal Thrift Savings Plan had moved assets out of China‑and Hong Kong‑based equities in recent years. Michael Lucci, founder of State Armour, discussed fiduciary concerns including opaque corporate structures used by many Chinese‑listed firms and the risk that federal sanctions or blacklisting could wipe out state holdings.

Testimony cited past market shocks as a cautionary example: Hughes told the committee the Texas Permanent School Fund lost $250 million when Russia invaded Ukraine. Witnesses argued HB 34 would protect retirement funds and reduce the risk that state pension assets inadvertently finance activities contrary to U.S. security interests.

Senator Parker pressed witnesses about the scale of state and local exposure to Chinese equities; witnesses gave a range of estimates in testimony, with one witness saying state and local exposure at peak may have been roughly $100–$200 billion and another suggesting a higher end near $300 billion. Witnesses also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest at large asset managers advising public funds.

The committee heard public testimony, closed the record and left the bill pending while staff and the sponsor work on a committee substitute.

No committee vote was taken at the hearing.","Senators heard testimony for House Bill 34 to prohibit state investment entities from investing in companies based in, owned by, or controlled by China, Iran, North Korea or Russia and to give the governor authority to add other countries of concern; witnesses framed the measure as protecting pensions and national security.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6244289,"Senate committee hears opposition from hand‑count counties to bill requiring scannable ballots",0,1407000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230595-d93aeafab5d080e21f0f4f10a80542c2&start=1407&end=1407","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230595-d93aeafab5d080e21f0f4f10a80542c2/thumbnail_1407000.jpg","/articles/6244289/Texas/Senate-committee-hears-opposition-from-handcount-counties-to-bill-requiring-scannable-ballots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244289-c220790bcaeb5a9587b8b0fc9ad947c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770400163&Signature=W764j-qW4DB4dVxtMevhPmUDAgMCJXAcq1tTgAhfseQeX2mSwUCjidLk2hoA4DvZ8HcfDa1GbBAfkgOuoJKgLY34LjedhxiYO0RDbfsZnIHDQctCjLM6Y8BIBcW1abOQjC3b4GEpwd7c0TwxxbO7r002RxTyV5leus3UNpYl1l5gD6rgombBluXNZSK9Nsn08yykbRuRnan9f4Euxu11C890kIfdLdan9G9lLROWVMVo7CVt53rRvhGo3R5~N2BROlTXh75iVX6D3PDgOYTJAQS-tx2c6pOdFsfZbLXbNnrZPC~JLks8rVTluN7jarq5Vf~6MUa4B~sSPdrfAillsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Flores told the Committee on State Affairs that House Bill 3113 would require counties that choose to hand count ballots to use ballots that “are capable of being scanned and tabulated by voting machines using optical scanning technology.”

The measure, Flores said, does not prohibit hand counting or require an audit of hand‑count results but would allow quick, accurate verification of election results.

The bill drew sustained public opposition from hand‑count advocates. Cindy Castilla, testifying for Texas Eagle Forum, said, “we are opposed to this bill.” She and other witnesses said HB 3113 would push counties toward vendor‑formatted ballots and could make hand counts more costly and difficult.

Angela Smith, of the Fredericksburg Tea Party, told the committee she helped run Gillespie County’s 2024 hand count and called it “an absolute success.” She said the bill would force counties that want to hand count to “purchase costly and unnecessary scannable ballots with barcodes” and warned the requirement would “impede our hand count process.”

Jeanette Harmuth, who said she helped organize Gillespie County’s Echo 65 hand‑counting team, told senators the only way to make ballots scannable for optical scanners is special formatting performed by voting system vendors. “We would have to do that. It's expensive,” she said, calling HB 3113 a “vendor bill” that could force small counties to subsidize machine vendors “for services and products they do not need, want or cannot afford.”

Opponents also raised accessibility concerns about machine‑printed ballots. Castilla said she received a machine‑printed ballot in Dallas with names “microscopic” and unreadable even with strong reading glasses.

Supporters and the bill text, as presented by the sponsor, emphasize the bill’s stated goal of increasing voter confidence and giving counties flexibility while enabling quicker verification.

The committee opened public testimony and heard from the three witnesses above; no further witnesses spoke. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending in committee.

What the committee did not do at this hearing was adopt any amendment or take a final vote on HB 3113; the chair left the bill pending while work continues.","Witnesses from Gillespie and other small Texas counties told the Senate Committee on State Affairs they oppose House Bill 3113, saying the mandate that hand‑count counties use ballots scannable by optical scanners would add cost, vendor dependence and could impede locally run hand counts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee backs correction to construction law after court ruling on venue and choice‑of‑law

Survivors urge Texas to ban NDAs that silence child sexual abuse victims; senators hear personal testimony on 'Trey's Law'

Committee reviews bill to bar state investments in companies tied to China, Russia, Iran and North Korea

Senate committee hears opposition from hand‑count counties to bill requiring scannable ballots