Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'defense counsel'

Page 29 of 39
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Justice May 13th, 2025

Senate Criminal Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • being a prosecutor and having worked with the Attorney General's Office for many years, and on the defense
  • As defense attorneys doing work in this area, I mean, because it's actually, at some point, it's kind
Summary: During the meeting, multiple bills were reviewed and discussed, with the most prominent being HB33, known as the Uvalde-Strong Act. This bill aims to improve school safety and preparedness in active shooting situations by implementing stringent security measures and training requirements for law enforcement and educational institutions. The bill generated significant discussion about its provisions, the urgency for enhanced safety protocols, and the lessons learned from previous tragedies. HB1261, which allows for dual publication methods for public notices, was also reported favorably without objections, reflecting a growing need to adapt legislative processes to modern communication standards. The meeting concluded with several bills advancing to the full Senate for further consideration.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

Senate Session (Part II) Jul 21st, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • /span>

    Yes, I believe the Attorney General was the lead defense

  • I am generally aware of the defense.
Summary: The meeting focused primarily on the congressional redistricting resolution prompted by the governor's request due to constitutional concerns flagged by the U.S. Department of Justice. Members discussed the procedural steps necessary to establish a special committee on congressional redistricting, emphasizing the need for transparency and public participation. Concerns were raised about the limited number of planned regional hearings and the implications for community input. A strong commitment to include public testimony through both in-person and virtual means was stated, ensuring that Texans can engage with the process regardless of their geographical location. Discussions included the necessity of adopting prior successful procedures similar to those in past sessions, with an acknowledgment of the unique challenges posed by current legal requirements. Members expressed varying viewpoints on balancing the need for thorough public participation while addressing logistical challenges inherent in the redistricting process. Overall, the meeting demonstrated a collaborative atmosphere aimed at crafting a fair and lawful redistricting plan while acknowledging the diverse opinions of constituents throughout Texas.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

Local Government Aug 1st, 2025

Senate Local Government Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • tax rate calculation for special districts, hospitals, jails, prisoner health care, and indigent defense
  • ...into defense and cost of living adjustments, and counties
Bills: SB9
Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met to discuss the implications of Senate Bill 9, which focuses on property tax appraisal reforms. The bill's primary goal is to lower the voter-approved tax rate from 3.5% to 2.5%. During the meeting, various stakeholders provided testimony, highlighting concerns about the potential impact of the cap on local governments, especially in rapidly growing areas. Senators engaged in extensive discussions about the balancing act between tax relief and the need for robust public services, emphasizing the need for local flexibility to meet constituents' needs. The bill faced opposition from local officials who argued that the cap could hinder essential services like police and fire departments, as well as infrastructure maintenance.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • As a former General Counsel of the Department of Transportation
Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened to consider the promotion of Coast Guard Lieutenant Samuel Hafensteiner to Lieutenant Commander and the nomination of Stephen Bradbury as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. The meeting highlighted ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety, especially in light of recent aircraft incidents. Members discussed the critical need for knowledgeable leadership within the Department of Transportation to address these safety challenges effectively. Mr. Bradbury's background as a former General Counsel of the Department was presented as a strong asset for the role he seeks.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part I) Apr 10th, 2025

Senate Education K-16 Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am Noah Jones, testifying on behalf of the Texas Counseling Association in favor of Senate Bill 646
  • They must have a master's degree in counseling to become a certified school counselor.
Summary: During this meeting of the Senate Committee on Education, members engaged in detailed discussions surrounding three bills, mainly focusing on enhancing the accreditation processes for higher educational institutions. Senator Haynes and Senator Middleton contributed significantly by reintroducing SB1322 and SB2355, which aim to tackle the monopolistic nature prevalent in the current accreditation system, particularly concerning the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The senators highlighted the need for a more competitive marketplace that can better serve the interests of students and educational institutions alike, as well as align educational outcomes with workforce demands in Texas.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • We look forward to the work ahead of us and your continued expertise and counsel.
  • ="415" data-time="2484"> We look forward to the work ahead of us and your continued expertise and counsel
Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee focused on several key legislative initiatives, including the implementation of new regulations concerning geothermal injection wells as per SB786, and the jurisdiction over brine mining clarified by SB119 and SB1186. Commissioner Christy spoke about the achievements of the Railroad Commission of Texas in regulatory standards and emphasized the importance of updating environmental practices that safeguard groundwater and surface water while facilitating economic growth. Senators expressed their concerns regarding operational impacts on various sectors, highlighting the need for continued collaboration between agencies to address challenges related to water management and environmental compliance.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Transportation Apr 2nd, 2025

Senate Transportation Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've been working throughout the state of Texas with law enforcement agencies, offices of legal counsel
  • Wolf, and I serve as General Counsel to the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, which consists of
Summary: The committee meeting focused on two primary bills, SB1598 and SB1493. SB1598, introduced by Senator Hagen Booth, addresses the clarity of collision report information access for law enforcement, aiming to enhance the tools available to police agencies across Texas for solving crimes. The meeting featured strong support from police representatives, including Sheriff Brian Hawthorne of Chambers County, who emphasized the significance of the CARFAX program for police in facilitating access to vital vehicle information, free of charge. Public testimony reflected a consensus on the necessity of the bill for improved investigatory processes.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Public Education Apr 29th, 2025 at 08:04 am

House Public Education Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Determined with counsel and with bond surety companies that
  • With counsel, I understand that there's two pathways.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on House Bill 5089, concerning the creation of new school districts through detachment of existing territories. During the discussions, multiple committee members expressed significant concerns about the implications of the bill, emphasizing the need for community involvement and public voting whenever major district changes are proposed. Witnesses from the Keller Independent School District testified against the bill, highlighting the potential for confusion and the erosion of local control if school boards could make such determinations without voter approval. The testimonies painted a picture of a heated community reaction regarding the handling of the detachment process and underscored a general agreement that any significant changes should require a public vote to ensure accountability and transparency.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 12th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Department of Defense to this list of criminal investigators with this limited state law enforcement
  • data-time="6084"> HB 214 builds on that work by refining the statute to include additional target defenses
Summary: The committee convened to discuss several major legislative bills, focusing particularly on enhancing law enforcement's ability to respond to missing children and addressing increasing border security concerns. One significant bill discussed was HB908, which mandates that law enforcement agencies report missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children within a strict time frame. Testimonies primarily supported the urgency and need for swift action regarding missing children, with members underscoring the imperative to streamline procedures to ensure every case is handled urgently. Additionally, discussions on HB674 centered around adjusting the penalty structure for criminal trespass incidents related to avoiding law enforcement checkpoints, seen as a crucial measure to deter illegal crossings and enhance border security.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Finance Feb 7th, 2025

Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • ...and certainly relied on your advice and counsel many times
  • of Texas, NASA, and the Department of Defense.
  • You know it's going to help our work in the Department of Defense and the Texans who are serving in uniform
Bills: SB1
Summary: The meeting of the committee was marked by an in-depth discussion on various funding requests and program expansions across agencies. Notably, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) presented its plans to enhance disaster readiness and response capability, emphasizing an increase in funding to support initiatives under the Keeping Texas Prepared program. The discussion also involved the significance of leveraging federal funds for disaster recovery and the importance of precise tracking of these funds. Key stakeholders, including representatives from various state agencies, were called upon to detail their funding requirements and the anticipated impact of their requests on public safety and community resilience.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 26th, 2025 at 08:00 am

House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:
  • These centers are important to Texas' defense against cyberattacks, and they assist in gathering crime
Summary: The meeting primarily revolved around discussions on higher education funding, workforce development, and new program initiatives addressing critical shortages in Texas. Various university representatives presented requests for funds to support expansion in nursing, engineering, and technical programs aimed at meeting the demands of a changing job market. A strong emphasis was placed on the importance of combatting healthcare and workforce shortages, particularly in nursing and STEM fields, with calls for increased funding for institutional enhancements and support for significant projects like new education centers and degree programs.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Finance Apr 16th, 2025

Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • data-time="90"> Governance regarding judicial reporting, court security, fee collection, indigent defense
Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on several key bills including SB2873, SB2900, HJR4, SB1574, and SB2774. Senator Nichols played a prominent role in discussing and moving multiple bills forward, indicating strong bipartisan support as votes consistently showed 'aye' without any dissent in the committee. Public testimony was received during discussions of these bills, notably around HJR4, which addresses concerns from the financial sector regarding the imposition of new taxes on transactions, and SB2774, which modifies the tax definitions to better include industrial uniform rental businesses. The discussions highlighted the importance of economic implications as well as sector-specific needs and benefits, ensuring various sectors were represented in the discourse. The committee adjourned with all bills reported favorably for further consideration by the full Senate.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs May 5th, 2025 at 12:05 pm

House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The House Permanent Standing Subcommittee on Defense, Veterans

Summary: The meeting focused on the discussion of four key bills related to veteran services, primarily aimed at improving the transition from military to civilian life. Representative Rosita presented HB4458, which proposes the establishment of the Texas Veterans Achieving Self-Respect Reliance pilot program to help veterans navigate challenges post-service, such as employment and housing. The bill was well-discussed, emphasizing the need for proactive support, rather than reactive measures after veterans face difficulties. Public testimonies included support from various organizations advocating for the betterment of veteran services.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

Senate Session Aug 19th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And indigent defense and mental health support are exempt.
Bills: SB10, SB8, SB15, SB12, SB6, SB13, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4
Summary: During this meeting of the committee, significant attention was directed towards several bills, particularly surrounding property tax legislation and its implications for local governments. Senator Bettencourt highlighted the reduction of the voter approval tax rate from 3.5% to 2.5%, emphasizing its potential impact on local budgeting and the necessity for local elections to generate funding for essential services. The committee engaged in a heated debate regarding SB8, which concerns the designation of public facilities based on biological sex. Several members expressed concerns about the bill's implications on civil rights and potential conflicts with federal discrimination laws, leading to a division of opinions among committee members. Ultimately, multiple bills were moved to the floor for final passage, reflecting the urgency to address pressing matters swiftly.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Health and Human ServicesAudio only. May 5th, 2025

Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The filed version adds nutrition counseling and instruction services as a
Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services meeting featured extensive discussions surrounding several bills pertaining to health services and child protection. Notably, House Bill 109, aimed at establishing therapeutic residential treatment placements for children, was presented along with a committee substitute that included a provision for pass-through grants to build mental health facilities. The bill passed unanimously and was recommended for the local and contested calendar without any objections. Furthermore, House Bill 140 saw significant amendments to sharpen its focus on child protective services, receiving unanimous support as well.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 12th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Delivery of Government Efficiency Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • span> is actually spent on services like legal services, legal counsel
  • data-time="12150"> Brandy Myers is here with me, and a little later you'll hear from TDLR's General Counsel
  • Our General Counsel Doug Jennings, who will be up

  • I'm the General Counsel for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
  • , has put together a really great process where our attorney in the Office of General Counsel will reach
Bills: HB10, HB12, HB675
Summary: The meeting featured extensive discussions surrounding the Local Government Purchasing Cooperative, emphasizing approaches to enhance procurement processes for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Representatives from Pearland City Council provided firsthand insights regarding their experiences with cooperative purchasing. Key topics included the complexities of contracts, the challenge of aligning with state procurement laws, and the importance of supporting local vendors through cooperative initiatives. The session also included invited testimony, exploring how the cooperative model influences municipal and educational budgets across Texas.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Insurance Apr 2nd, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Insurance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is John Litzler, and I am the director of public policy and general counsel for the Baptist General
  • How can trans people or any people benefit from mental health counseling?
  • 1891" data-time="11340"> when they're afraid to mention something that may affect whether their counseling
  • At the very heart of mental health counseling is the ability to have a safe space provided for people
Summary: The committee meeting addressed several key bills, with significant discussions surrounding HB778, which focuses on insurance coverage for individuals undergoing gender transition and those wishing to detransition. During the presentations, the bill's author, Chairman Leach, emphasized the importance of ensuring coverage for potential adverse effects from gender transition procedures. However, concerns were raised by various witnesses regarding the potential implications of limiting coverage for transgender care, leading to heated debates and a range of testimonies from both supporters and opponents of the bill. HB2517 and HB2213 also received attention, with discussions centered on insurance premiums and board eligibility for the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, respectively.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Nominations Mar 31st, 2025

Senate Nominations Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • do with better education while they're there, making sure they have access to proper education, counseling
  • , and trauma-informed counseling.
Summary: The meeting of the committee predominantly focused on discussions surrounding juvenile justice reform and nomination confirmations. A notable point of contention was the nomination of Officer Justin Barry to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, which was met with dissent from Senator Eckhardt due to previous allegations of excessive force against protesters. The committee also engaged in discussions about the state of juvenile facilities and the Department of Juvenile Justice's current capacity and staffing, with various members emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. There's a collective effort observed among committee members to adopt new strategies that encompass better training and improvements in facilities to ensure the proper care of youth within the system. Towards the end of the meeting, members reflected on past legislative efforts to increase funding and resources aimed at enhancing the juvenile justice system's effectiveness. The committee adjourned with decisions to continue refining their approaches to juvenile rehabilitation and to reconnect with community stakeholders to improve outcomes. Public contribution to these matters was apparent, highlighting a commitment to collaborate with various entities for better juvenile justice practices in Texas.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Jennifer Klayman, who is the counsel to the Somerville County Hospital District, is here to testify.
  • I'm Jennifer Klayman, Legal Counsel for Somerville County Hospital District.
Summary: The meeting focused on various bills concerning law enforcement and budgetary practices in the state. Discussions highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies, particularly in Harris County, regarding staffing shortages and funding gaps. Representatives presented bills such as HB2413 and HB2014, which aim to address pay parity and improve law enforcement capabilities within the local jurisdiction. Witness testimonies underscored the urgency of ensuring that law enforcement agencies have the necessary resources to meet the demands of their communities, especially in light of rising crime rates and public safety concerns.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Education K-16 (Part I) Apr 15th, 2025

Senate Education K-16 Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • amended bylaws and replaced them with new ones written by the board and the school district's legal counsel
  • The committee substitute simply makes the bill align with counsel draft, and we do have some invited
Summary: The meeting of the committee primarily addressed several significant bills, including SB2398 which aims to ensure that students recovering from concussions receive timely accommodations to support their academic, social, and behavioral needs. Senator Campbell presented the bill, emphasizing its importance in preventing long-term setbacks for affected students. The committee heard from various stakeholders, and testimony reflected strong support for the bill's intent, although concerns were raised regarding implementation.

Research Filters

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