Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'county judge'

Page 21 of 51
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) Apr 3rd, 2025

Senate State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • acceptable practice to be tolerated by we, the people, to not hold them accountable, even retired judgesjudges
  • visiting judge roster, that a regional presiding administrative judge may ask to be a visiting judge
  • ...judge, and that judge assigns a visiting judge to come
  • has on that judge, but you're correct.
  • I'm Larissa Ramirez out of Galveston County.
Summary: The committee meeting featured significant discussions regarding various bills, particularly focusing on Senate Bill 240, which aims to address safety and privacy concerns for women and children in public restrooms. Numerous testimonies were heard both in support of and against the bill, highlighting the emotional and polarized nature of the discussions. Proponents argued for its necessity in safeguarding women's rights, while opponents raised concerns about the potential harms and discrimination it may perpetuate against transgender individuals. The atmosphere was tense but respectful, evidence of the deeply personal stakes involved in such legislation.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • the county judge, right?
  • I do believe, and the other thing is, in the very rural counties where the county judge can't afford,
  • Were you yourself able to reach or any of your subordinates reach the county judge in Kerr County on
  • In this case, the president of the United States is the county judge of Kerr County.
  • Now, I don't know; I assume it is the county judge. I believe it's...
Summary: In this meeting of the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Relief and Flooding, the focus was on the recent severe flooding that caused significant casualties and property damage across Texas. The committee heard invited testimony from various state agencies and river authorities regarding their responses to the flooding emergency. It was noted that over 135 Texans lost their lives during this disaster, and numerous families were displaced, prompting a united effort from emergency responders and volunteers across the country to assist those affected. The committee emphasized the importance of constructive policy solutions rather than assigning blame, aiming to enhance future flood response and mitigation strategies. Key discussions revolved around flood risk management, with presentations on the newly established processes following the passage of several bills related to flood infrastructure and planning. The committee emphasized a bottom-up approach to regional flood planning involving local community input, and they highlighted the need for additional resources to improve emergency response capabilities. Public testimony reinforced the necessity of developing improved communication systems and flood warning mechanisms to mitigate the risk of future flooding incidents.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's whoever the county judge or whoever the mayor appoints.
  • And the other thing is, in the very rural counties where the county judge can't afford, through their
  • judge, or the emergency coordinator in Kerr County or the counties that were affected.
  • Were you, yourself, or any of your subordinates able to reach the county judge in Kerr County on your
  • How do you tell the sheriff and the county, the county judge and the mayor of Kerrville?
Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Natural Resources Apr 16th, 2025 at 08:04 am

House Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • County.
  • My name is Keith Lutz, and I am the county judge from Medina County.
  • as Bexar County and the city of San Antonio's population is now rapidly expanding into our county.
  • Our county, as well as our county water purveyors and city water purveyors, are doing our part to plan
  • Medina County is going to be impacted.
Summary: The meeting of the committee involved extensive discussions on multiple bills related to water management and resources in Texas, particularly emphasizing the importance of legislative measures to enhance the conservation and management of groundwater resources. Representative Romero laid out HB4530, which aims to expand the Texas Water Trust to include groundwater rights, enabling voluntary dedication for conservation and addressing the regulatory gaps that currently exist. The bill received support as it seeks to clarify the processes for groundwater donations, thus promoting effective water management strategies across the state.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Jul 23rd, 2025 at 09:07 am

House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's whoever the county judge or the mayor appoints.
  • The other thing is, in the very rural counties where the county judge can't afford, through their budget
  • judge, or the emergency coordinator in Kerr County or the counties that were affected.
  • Were you yourself able to reach or any of your subordinates reach the county judge in Kerr County?
  • county judge would have wanted you all to do that function.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on flood management and response strategies following the recent devastating floods in Texas. Notably, discussions centered around the creation of a flood infrastructure fund and Senate Bill 8, which aims to improve regional flood planning processes. Several experts provided insights into the challenges faced during the floods, including communication barriers, emergency response efforts, and the need for better coordination among local and state agencies. Public sentiments were shared regarding the necessity for improved flood prevention measures, conservation plans, and the expansion of existing infrastructure to cope with future climatic challenges.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 28th, 2025 at 11:04 am

House State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also serve as the Republican County Chairman for Henderson County, Texas.
  • I pay property taxes in Randall County and Travis County.
  • In fact, in Harris County in 2020, the Harris County Commissioners Court voted to take two million...
  • But to your point, in Harris County and in other counties, they can't take money away from taxes to go
  • I'm assuming Harris County, Bexar County, Travis County, Dallas County.
Summary: The meeting of the committee involved extensive discussions surrounding several bills focused on immigration, border security, and campaign finance reform. Notably, House Bill 1554 was presented to address the use of public funds for legal services for individuals unlawfully present in the U.S., sparking significant opposition from several witnesses who voiced concerns about racial discrimination and the implications for immigrant communities. Other key bills discussed included House Bill 4823, the Campaign Finance Transparency Act, which aims to enhance reporting processes for political contributions, and House Bill 3676, related to energy policy. The committee heard from various stakeholders, both in support of and against the proposed legislation, reflecting a diverse range of opinions on these critical issues.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • a new county court of law from Maverick County.
  • the court's judge serves on the juvenile board with appropriate oversight and fair compensation.
  • the same county.
  • Does that give the option to the city or the county?
  • Rural counties.
Bills: SB2, SB3, SB10, SB16, SB5, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB19, SB54, HB23, HB17, HB16
Summary: The committee meeting led by Senator Perry addressed various legislative measures including discussions around House Bill 23, which clarifies tax exemption for charitable organizations serving agricultural youth in populous counties. The bill was successfully passed with unanimous support after being brought up for expedited consideration. Notably, the discussion around Senate Bill 10 became contentious as Senator Bettencourt moved to not concur with House amendments citing potential tax increases, initiating a discussion about the implications and future direction of the bill. Furthermore, the importance of tax rate transparency was highlighted in the presentation of House Bill 17, aimed at improving communication regarding property tax rates to taxpayers, ensuring broader public engagement in tax matters and hearings as feedback and participation in the past had been low.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence Mar 25th, 2025 at 02:03 pm

House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm here representing Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Cruz.
  • But at any rate, if Dallas County is for it, then I'm for it.
  • Yeah, so, oh, I'm sorry, Judge.
  • So it's typically done by most of our criminal district judges in Tarrant County between the voir dire
  • My name is Amy Derrick, and I'm here representing the Dallas County.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on a range of bills addressing important topics such as artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation laws. Notably, House Bill 235, which aims to add civil and criminal liability for the use of AI-generated deepfake materials, garnered discussion from multiple members and witnesses, including Adrian Shelley from Public Citizen who expressed support for the bill. Concerns about ensuring the legislation's clarity and enforcement were raised. Additionally, House Bill 207 was presented, which seeks to expand definitions within sexual offense laws to include representations involving anatomically correct dolls, eliciting varied perspectives from representatives during the debate.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Environmental Regulation May 8th, 2025 at 10:05 am

House Environmental Regulation Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I went to my commissioners, to the county judge, and to
  • So it's really an honor to get to come back and serve my hometown as county judge.
  • I'll show you registered to testify as Larry Woolley on behalf of Johnson County, the County Judges and
  • We've worked closely with our commissioners court and our county judge in establishing guidelines.
  • , the Johnson County judge.
Summary: The committee meeting primarily focused on the discussion of various environmental legislative bills, notably HB1341, which sets maximum allowable ground level concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, and HB1674 regarding PFAS regulations in biosolids. Representative Reynolds presented HB1341, emphasizing the health risks associated with hydrogen sulfide and the need for clear regulatory standards to protect communities near industrial operations. This received support from health advocates and oversight bodies, highlighting the urgent need for regulations to safeguard public health. Meanwhile, HB1674 faced significant opposition, particularly from environmental organizations which argued that the bill's provisions could disrupt biosolid disposal processes and increase costs significantly. Many testimony segments reflected concerns regarding the adequacy of scientific understanding related to PFAS and its implications for agricultural safety and water quality.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence Apr 29th, 2025 at 10:04 am

House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Systems that counties use to provide legal services to indigent
  • An attorney in Tarrant County was paid for 809 cases, which included 351 misdemeanors.
  • I will tell you the way that we get involved in those cases is either when a judge orders us pro tem
  • I'm here representing Dallas County District Attorney John Cruse.
  • Lindy Brooks registered on behalf of the Kaufman County District Attorney's Office for the...
Summary: The committee meeting featured comprehensive discussions surrounding several significant bills aimed at reforming laws related to criminal justice and individual rights. Notable among the bills was HB2309, which intends to update the civil asset forfeiture laws in Texas, empowering the Attorney General's office to pursue forfeiture in serious cases like human trafficking and organized crime. Representative Villalba presented this bill, emphasizing the need for state-level resources to address broader criminal enterprises effectively. The bill's testimony included insights from witnesses associated with the Texas Attorney General's office who affirmed the necessity for such changes to enhance law enforcement's capabilities across jurisdictions.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part I) Apr 3rd, 2025

Senate State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • visiting judge roster, a regional presiding administrative judge may ask to be a visiting judge.
  • The 11 regional presiding administrative judges we have, those are the judges that if I have to recuse
  • ...judge, and that judge assigns a visiting judge to come
  • has on that judge, but you're correct.
  • elections following a county election audit.
Summary: The committee meeting primarily focused on Senate Bill 2043, aiming to provide protections for healthcare professionals against retaliation for reporting unethical practices. Chairman Hughes initiated the discussion, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding medical practitioners' rights. Testimonies from various witnesses highlighted real-life implications of the bill, with some expressing personal experiences of facing significant backlash for whistleblowing on unethical practices within healthcare facilities. Supporters of the bill touted it as a crucial step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in the medical field, particularly concerning the treatment of minors in gender transition procedures.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 9th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I'm really excited to have one of my county judges here with me today to testify about the...
  • Rick Thompson, legislative director for the County Judges and Commissioners Association.
  • Thompson, we show you representing the County Judge and Commissioners Association of Texas and testifying
  • judge or both.
  • My dad was a county judge at the time and ended up putting
Summary: The meeting of the Committee covered various bills with a notable focus on HB3426, which aims to modernize how Texans access and present their driver's license by introducing a digital option. Testimonies from proponents highlighted the convenience and necessity of making identification more accessible in a digital age, while security and privacy concerns around the potential for data mishandling were also addressed. Additional discussions included HB3033, which proposes a donation mechanism for non-profits supporting Department of Public Safety employees, reinforcing community support for those in service.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 23rd, 2025 at 08:04 am

House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, I have gotten a letter from one of the cities in our county.
  • our judges.
  • I'm Ben Woodward, and I was a judge for 25 and a half years.
  • I'm a senior judge now. I work as a presiding judge, and I work with a lot of retired judges.
  • We're, like everybody else, competing against big law firms to get judges.
Summary: The meeting was focused on a range of significant legislation including discussions on retirement benefits for public safety officers and specific bills aimed at addressing current challenges in the pension systems. Representative Busey introduced HB2802, aimed at stabilizing the Austin Firefighters Retirement Fund, which received support from various stakeholders including Mayor Kirk Watson, reflecting months of collaborative effort. Testimony emphasized the need for proactive changes to prevent future financial crises in the fund. Additionally, HB4029, proposed by Chairman Guillen, generated appeals from various members about the necessity of addressing retirement needs for peace officers in public schools, linking it directly to their recruitment and retention challenges in the current environment. Issues regarding recruitment and the financial sustainability of the Houston Fire Department were also highlighted with HB2688, enabling timely action on pressing pension reform to retain skilled personnel.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Ways & Means Mar 3rd, 2025 at 10:00 am

House Ways & Means Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • You represent the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas, and yourself and your family.
  • I am the Cass County Judge. We're way up in northeast Texas on the Louisiana-Arkansas border.
  • And you are testifying as the county judge of Cass

  • The number one complaint that I get as a county judge is about our roads.
  • Any questions for Judge Ransom? Judge, I want to thank you for being here.
Bills: HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB22
Summary: The meeting focused on discussions surrounding bills HB9 and HCR1, aimed at providing tax relief and addressing disparities between residential and commercial taxpayers. Members expressed concerns over the rising property taxes and the burden small businesses have faced, particularly due to recent economic conditions. Testimonies from various stakeholders, including representatives from the Texas Oil and Gas Association and the Texas Association of Manufacturers, emphasized the need for equitable tax policies that would benefit all taxpayers. The committee was engaged in vibrant discussions, evaluating the implications and potential benefits of the proposed legislation.
US

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine certain pending nominations. Apr 30th, 2025 at 09:15 am

Senate Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Hundreds of pizzas to the homes of these judges.
  • Threatening a judge is a serious, serious crime.
  • So if a judge...
  • One of the roles of the marshals is also to provide security for judges.
  • If I am confirmed, I pledge to you that we will continue to keep all our judges safe.
Summary: The committee meeting centered on the urgent crisis of fentanyl abuse and the government’s response to the drug trafficking epidemic. Key discussions revolved around the nomination of Terrence Cole as the Administrator of the DEA and Judea Serrata as Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. Cole emphasized his commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis, highlighting the rising number of overdose deaths and the necessity of bipartisan efforts to dismantle drug cartels. Members engaged in dialogue on the effectiveness of various strategies and the importance of education aimed at preventing drug-related deaths among youth. Additionally, the challenges of social media in drug trafficking were highlighted, indicating a need for greater accountability in how platforms handle such issues. Senators voiced concerns about the impact of administration policies on judicial security and the resources available for marshals to perform their critical roles.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • side of the county, is that good public policy?
  • I'm not an attorney, nor a judge. Mr.
  • The judge isn’t going to do that for public health and safety.
  • I disagree with the idea that a judge would not order...
  • If a judge won't order it, how does a utility go and cut people off?
Summary: During this meeting, the committee had a thorough discussion centered around various Senate Bills primarily related to groundwater management and water utility regulations. Notably, Senate Bill 2661, introduced amendments to enhance penalties for over-pumping water, highlighting the growing concern over depleting aquifers and ensuring compliance with existing water use regulations. Multiple senators voiced their opinions regarding the necessity of tougher penalties and the implications for both water users and conservation methods. Public testimony was heard, with some arguing against the proposed penalties, stating they could unfairly burden farmers and landowners.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Justice May 14th, 2025

Senate Criminal Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is just another tool in the toolbox for judges,

  • And Senator Miles, you know, in Harris County, you've

  • Then, the judge shall deny bond. So, there's no question on what the judge's role is in that.
  • This gives some judges, who have expressed a desire to act, the ability to do so.
  • Again, this is, most of our judges are great. This is just some instances where this has happened.
Bills: SB3073, SJR87
Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice convened to discuss important legislative amendments regarding bail reform in Texas. The meeting centered around two key bills: SJR87 and SB3073. SJR87 is a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at imposing stricter bail conditions for repeat violent offenders, requiring judges to deny bail without individual assessments of risk in certain cases. This sparked contentious debate, highlighting the concerns among committee members and public witnesses about potential infringements on due process and judicial discretion. Proponents argued that the amendment would help safeguard the community against repeat offenders by ensuring that those with serious crimes on their record could not be released on bail under questionable circumstances.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, that we have a county judge, we also have a...
  • I'm the Milam County Judge, and I'm for the bill.
  • My name is Keith Schrader, Burleson County Judge.
  • As Judge Whitmire stated, our county is growing.
  • Then, as Judge...
Summary: The meeting of the committee addressed significant issues surrounding groundwater conservation, with a focus on several proposed bills aimed to enhance the management and sustainability of water resources in the region. House Bill 1633 was discussed, which seeks to strengthen criteria used by groundwater conservation districts (GCDs) when permitting, ensuring that they factor in potential impacts on neighboring exempt wells. Positive sentiments were expressed regarding the need for more stringent evaluations of groundwater permits to preserve resources effectively. This bill aims to reinforce accountability among GCDs, emphasizing the criticality of groundwater, especially in rural areas where access is essential for agricultural and domestic use. In addition, House Bill 1689 and Senate Bill 3058 were presented, both aimed at improving how GCDs utilize export fees and manage water conservation measures. Public testimony highlighted the concerns of landowners about excessive pipeline construction fees and a lack of adequate authority to collaborate with counties on water projects. The committee adopted several amendments to these bills to better align the interests of landowners with water conservation goals. The meeting concluded with an acknowledgment of the pressing need to balance development and conservation, signaling a collective intent to move forward with actionable legislation.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Natural Resources Jul 15th, 2025 at 01:07 pm

House Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • And, uh, you're appointed by the county judge?
  • County Judge; Chris Davis.
  • All right, we'll start with Anderson County Judge

  • I'm the County Judge in Anderson County.
  • Real quick, out of all the people y'all represent, this question was asked of the county judges.
Summary: The meeting of the Texas House Natural Resources Committee was focused on issues surrounding groundwater management and recent legislative developments, specifically addressing concerns over high-capacity groundwater wells. Various experts and community members provided testimony emphasizing the need for thoughtful regulation to balance conservation and property rights. The discussions highlighted the necessity for legislative action to strengthen regulations, manage groundwater sustainably, and clarify the criteria for issuing export permits. Notably, the overwhelming participation from local residents showcased the community's commitment to addressing these critical water issues, which will have long-term implications for the region's land and resources. The meeting concluded with calls for further review of groundwater regulations with the intent to come up with effective solutions that prioritize the needs of local communities while ensuring sustainable water practices.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) Apr 14th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • 3044 by Blanco relating to the composition of the board of directors and the powers of the Presidio County
  • Hagen relating to the creation of the Hills of Walnut Creek Municipal Utility District of Parker County
  • Impartiality of the judiciary encourages judges to maintain
  • adjusts the authority of the Commission and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges
  • 990"> It replaces "shall" with "may" to clarify that the Commission retains discretion to suspend a judge
Summary: The meeting was convened to discuss several legislative measures, including important constitutional amendments such as SJR27, which proposes changes to the membership and authority of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The provision aims to enhance public oversight of judicial conduct and eliminate the ability for the commission to issue private sanctions against judges. Following extensive debate, the amendment proposed by Senator Huffman to increase public membership was adopted, leading to the eventual passage of the resolution with a vote count of 27 to 4. Members expressed support for greater transparency within the judicial system.

Research Filters

States
Terms / Sessions
Date Range
Chamber Records
Meetings / Events / Calendars