Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'local government policies'

Page 38 of 59
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Transportation Apr 2nd, 2025

Senate Transportation Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Agencies prepare collision reports; both local enforcement agencies and TxDOT retain them.
  • A 50 percent local match often comes from airport sponsors, usually a county or city.
  • All they have to do is come up with a 10% local match to qualify for that.
  • Chairman, my name is David Dunmoyer with the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
  • Chairman, it was a local.
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

Education K-16 (Part II) May 15th, 2025

Senate Education K-16 Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • In the interim, we invite you to visit your local public charter schools.
  • My name is Gabe Grantham, and I serve as the public education policy advisor at Texas 2036.
  • Removing local control undermines the ability of parents to advocate locally for what their children
  • I'm the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for the Arc of Texas.
  • I'm the policy manager for Teach Plus Texas.
Bills: HB2
Summary: The meeting focused prominently on the discussions surrounding HB2, which entails significant investments in public education and aims to reform funding mechanisms to better support students and teachers. Multiple stakeholders, including educators and policymakers, conveyed their support while also voicing concerns about the bill's potential shortcomings. Witnesses discussed the urgent need for increased funding for special education and the necessity of expanding pre-K eligibility for students with disabilities. The testimony highlighted the historical context of the funding model and emphasized the importance of creating equitable solutions for all public school districts.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Simply stated, this bill prohibits local government from overlaying any additional regulations on home-based
  • goods to the local cafe that they can't get anywhere else.
  • I have no issues with this; I don’t see it as big government overreach.
  • government.
  • First of all, it removes unnecessary government.
Summary: The meeting of the committee primarily focused on several significant bills aimed at enhancing accountability and transparency within Texas's Medicaid and long-term care systems. Notably, SB457 seeks to ensure that a substantial portion of Medicaid funds is allocated directly to patient care in nursing facilities, addressing concerns about the misuse of taxpayer dollars. Various testimonies were provided from key stakeholders, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by nursing homes and the pressing need for reform. Notably, AARP Texas endorsed SB457, emphasizing the critical need for improvements in care quality, especially in light of staffing shortages and neglect issues prevalent in some facilities.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Health and Human Services (Part II) Mar 26th, 2025

Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Megan Benton, and I'm a Strategic Policy Associate at Texas Values Action.
  • My name is Carrie Judice, and I am the Director of Policy.
  • I'm the VP of Public Policy for the Texas Assisted Living Association.
  • I'm the Vice President of Policy with the Texas Public Policy Foundation testifying in favor of Senate
  • I'm the Director of Public Policy for Texas CASA. We are here.
Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services addressed several significant pieces of legislation focused primarily on health and welfare issues in Texas. One of the central topics was SB1233, which aims to provide perinatal palliative care information to families receiving diagnoses of life-threatening conditions. Testimonies highlighted the importance of immediate access to support resources, as speakers shared personal experiences illustrating the emotional and medical implications of these diagnoses. Additionally, SB1368 was discussed, focusing on emergency preparedness within assisted living and nursing facilities, emphasizing the need for actionable contingency plans to protect vulnerable residents during power outages and emergencies. The committee explored how to ensure compliance with new standards while considering the realities faced by these facilities, especially in determining the appropriate levels of emergency power backup requirements.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

Public Education Aug 21st, 2025 at 08:08 am

House Public Education Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • F system, with funds to support districts that wish to build their own local A through F system.
  • She doesn't feel that when she takes local unit tests.
  • That is not true, not as a function of state policy.
  • Our framework includes metrics that our local families value, such as AP participation.
  • Local leaders know their students and their communities best.
Bills: HB8
Summary: The meeting primarily focused on House Bill 8, which seeks to reform the public school accountability and assessment system in Texas. Key discussions included the repeal of the STAAR test and its replacement with a series of shorter assessments throughout the school year, aimed at reducing the high-stakes nature of a single day test. Educators and advocates provided testimony on the need for assessments that better reflect student progress while ensuring accountability measures are fair and based on diverse community needs. Members raised concerns about the implementation timeline and the necessity of teacher involvement in the development of assessment items to enhance trust in the system. Overall, the atmosphere was collaborative, with many participants eager to improve educational outcomes for Texas students.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Elections Apr 3rd, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Elections Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll start with local government control.

  • Local governments and local elected officials, such as those who...
  • I urge the committee to leave local issues to local officials
  • Why is the government doing this when the government really
  • to be distributing voter registration applications at government agencies and our government offices
Summary: The committee meeting focused on several key legislative bills relating to election integrity and voter registration. Notable discussions were held around HB817, HB1478, and HB1661, which addressed issues such as the termination of majority votes, compliance with voter registration laws, and penalties related to election supplies. Throughout the meeting, various representatives vocalized their opinions, alongside public testimonies that provided diverse perspectives on the bills being considered. The chair led the proceedings efficiently, allowing for a balance of viewpoints while ensuring that legislative business was conducted promptly. Overall, the atmosphere was characterized by active engagement from members of the committee, with many bills being reported favorably to the full House for consideration.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Human Services Apr 8th, 2025 at 08:00 am

House Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Christine Busse, and I serve as the Peer Policy Fellow of NAMI Texas, the state affiliate
  • The second location was a local hotel.
  • This occurred on December 17th, 2021, in a local neighborhood.
  • I ask that the bill be referred to local and consent, and I close.
  • Would this legislature bump local Texas providers lower down the list to get approved?
Summary: The meeting brought forward significant discussions centered on various bills related to child welfare and mental health support, particularly focusing on the well-being of children in the custody of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Notable bills such as HB2789 and HB2809 were thoroughly reviewed, where stakeholders highlighted the critical need for improved data collection on suicide attempts among youth in foster care. The interventions proposed aim to enhance early identification and support for these vulnerable populations. The committee members engaged with professionals and advocates who emphasized the urgency of addressing these mental health challenges.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Licensing & Administrative Procedures Mar 11th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • They work with local police departments, the federal government, and other state agencies.
  • for significant policy decisions.
  • Again, two weeks ago, I issued that policy statement.
  • I think that really speaks to the policy...
  • We did that the day after I issued my policy statement.
Summary: The meeting focused primarily on legislative discussions surrounding House Bills 11 and 3579, with a significant emphasis on regulatory measures concerning lottery ticket couriers and modernization of licensing systems for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Various committee members engaged in lively debates, particularly around the implications of using couriers within the lottery framework, as this raised concerns about regulatory gaps and the need for clearer oversight. Additionally, there was mention of the agency’s efforts to combat human trafficking through updated regulations and enforcement actions, indicating a priority agenda for the session.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Education K-16 May 1st, 2025

Senate Education K-16 Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Some school districts, including AISD, Austin ISD, and Dallas ISD, offer a local Seal of Biliteracy to
  • Universities, including the University of Texas, were involved in this policy and received a carve-out
  • We need to put this language into policy practice so that way we can keep it moving.
  • so that we can let people know how important this policy is.
  • I think government is great.
Summary: The meeting of the Committee on Education K-16 was characterized by a series of discussions on multiple Senate Bills aimed at enhancing educational opportunities across the state. Notably, SB750 was presented by Senator Eckhardt, which seeks to close a loophole that currently excludes standalone EMS employees from receiving tuition exemptions available to firefighters and law enforcement. The testimony from James Monks of the Austin EMS Association highlighted the critical shortage of EMS personnel and the need for incentives to attract workers to this career path. The committee allowed public testimony, which generally supported the bill, leading to positive discussions among members regarding the importance of equal benefits for all first responders. Additionally, SB2430, introduced by Senator Higginbotham, aims to regulate higher education institutions' interactions with foreign adversaries. The bill received support from witnesses such as Michael Lucci, who emphasized the necessity of securing Texas's higher education from potential threats while facilitating collaborations with trusted entities. These discussions emphasized the need for strategies that not only bolster educational funding and accessibility but also protect academic integrity. Overall, the meeting was well-attended, with robust engagement from both committee members and the public.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Between state and local agencies and governments, we can greatly
  • Senate Bill 1948 ensures that local governments cannot impose the costly mandate on farmers and ranchers
  • ...an issue of local decision-making.
  • citizens and local governments to shut down compost facilities to prevent competition.
  • You just have to work with local leadership.
Summary: The meeting was convened to discuss various Senate Bills, focusing on issues pertinent to agriculture, environment, and public health. Notably, Senator Perry spearheaded discussions on SB1247 and SB1948, emphasizing the need for committee substitutes to adapt the bills to recent legislative requirements. SB1948, in particular, was introduced to exempt agricultural structures from certain fire safety regulations, reflecting concerns among agricultural producers regarding compliance costs. Multiple members supported this legislation, highlighting the impact on the agricultural sector's operational viability.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Natural Resources Mar 26th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Additionally, language referencing Chapter 551 of the Government
  • ...of support from the governing boards or councils of the
  • It is an effort by 27 entities—both public entities, private entities, local entities, state entities
  • By uniting local governments, public and private utilities, we reduce duplication of effort and lower
  • My name is Aaliyah Formont with the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on addressing several important water-related bills, including HB391, HB420, and HB2626 among others. Representative Bell presented updates on HB391 related to accountability for rural water districts, achieving a consensus for statewide applicability and allowing for virtual meetings. Multiple testimonies were heard, showcasing both support for and concerns regarding the bills, specifically emphasizing the significance of maintaining water resources and addressing community needs amid Texas's growth. Representative Buckley advocated for HB2626 aimed at establishing the Central Texas Water Alliance to ensure sustainable water management across the region, which involves collaboration among various public, private, and state entities.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Jul 31st, 2025 at 09:07 am

House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • government operations.
  • We're asking that you tie any state assistance, any state dollars, to the requirement that local governments
  • She's local.
  • When disaster strikes, there is often a gap between instances where local government can
  • Our constituents deserve local, state, and federal governments that work together to meet their needs
Summary: This meeting, held in Kerr County, focused on the recent flooding disaster that affected the area. Lieutenant Governor Patrick and Speaker Burroughs spearheaded discussions, emphasizing the need for improved emergency response and flood management. Various testimonies highlighted the community's resilience while revealing critical gaps in communication and the effectiveness of evacuation strategies during the flooding. The commitment from state leaders to address these issues was evident, as they assured the local populace that legislative action would follow to prevent future tragedies. Overall, the meeting served as both a reflection on the recent disaster and a clarion call for enhanced preparedness measures across Texas.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

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

House Higher Education Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • , quasi-government, or terrorist organization.
  • sent to the committee on local and consent calendars.
  • And now I do policy advocacy professionally.
  • I'm a senior policy analyst at Texas Appleseed.
  • have adopted the required policies.
Summary: The meeting primarily focused on various House Bills related to higher education and public safety, with notable discussions surrounding House Bill 1234 concerning credentialing at public institutions. Representative Perez highlighted the importance of this bill in ensuring that institutions encourage the earning of credentials of value. Additionally, the committee reviewed House Bill 1233 and House Bill 1527, both of which received favorable recommendations for passage, showcasing a commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for specific groups, including peace officers. The discussions were lively, with support and challenges presented on various bills, indicating a thorough examination of proposed legislation.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

State Affairs Feb 24th, 2025

Senate State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I changed the policy.
  • And so I ordered that as an initial step with our new policy.
  • So we first had the top-down policy.
  • I'm the VP of Government Affairs at Jackpocket and DraftKings.
  • The vet court was going to move local, and the chief probably don't want it to go to local.
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.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill requires the task force to submit policy and

  • This bill is not about expanding government; it's about

  • Science Park Districts are built on local input and private
  • for the local and uncontested calendar.
  • Be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar.
Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee convened to discuss several proposed bills, primarily focusing on enhancing economic growth, infrastructure, and public safety. Key discussions included HB112, which aims to establish Texas Science Park Districts to foster innovation and secure the state's economic future. Senator Parker presented this bill, emphasizing its potential to support local entrepreneurs and technology leaders while safeguarding Texas jobs. There were no witnesses registered for public testimony for this bill, highlighting the requirement for robust stakeholder engagement moving forward. Additionally, HB3686 was addressed, which involves the recognition of retired peace officers' ranks on their credentials, a measure intended to uphold their dignity and address past oversights in the credentialing process.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development May 7th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Community self-governance.
  • It really depends on the governing documents.

  • This ensures that policy directions are informed.
  • I am the Manager for Public Relations and Government Affairs at Veterans Guardian.
  • ...policy analyst at Texas Appleseed.
Summary: The Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development convened to discuss a range of bills addressing workforce policies, business practices, and data privacy issues. A highlight was the presentation of HB5146, aimed at expanding subsidized childcare eligibility to include parents pursuing non-credit workforce training, which drew significant support from both committee members and witnesses. Additionally, SB2121 was introduced to rectify clerical errors within the data broker law, ensuring better consumer protections around the collection and use of personal data. Various other bills saw quick passages with unanimous support, reflecting broad agreement among members regarding workforce development and operational efficiency.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Appropriations Feb 19th, 2025 at 08:02 am

House Appropriations Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • In most districts, they then set their local property

  • But we also receive IDEA funds from the federal government.
  • So that's a potential policy change that could be made.
  • Discipline policy is governed by Chapter 37 of the Education Code.
  • So a lot of that stuff does, in fact, come down to Local
Summary: The meeting hosted various discussions surrounding legislative measures impacting community resources and public safety. Notable discussions included a focus on environmental initiatives, which spurred passionate debates among committee members regarding the potential economic and ecological impacts. Several members raised concerns about the implementation timeline for new policies, while proponents emphasized the need for swift action to address pressing environmental challenges. Public testimony was also a significant part of the meeting, with citizens voicing their opinions on recent bills.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Insurance Mar 26th, 2025 at 08:00 am

House Insurance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's no good policy reason to enforce anti-rebating laws by lawsuit. This bill moves the life.
  • The federal government and even California far.
  • Clifford Porter, Texas Public Policy Foundation, in support.
  • ...Policy Foundation, representing myself.
  • I'm a local practicing physician with a Direct Primary Care Clinic.
Summary: The meeting of the House Committee on Insurance was a significant gathering that focused on various health-related bills, including HB138, AB388, HB1942, and others. The committee heard testimony from multiple stakeholders, including representatives from the Texas Medical Association, who emphasized the importance of health insurance transparency and compliance. Notably, HB1818 garnered attention as it aims to enhance the oversight of utilization review processes, which has previously faced challenges from both insurers and healthcare providers. The committee also discussed measures to improve the prescribed burning insurance under HB2563, a critical topic due to the increasing risk of wildfires in Texas. Several witnesses provided insights into the urgent need for a robust insurance framework to support prescribed burn managers, highlighting the current limitations and risks posed by the lack of coverage in the market.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

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

House Higher Education Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • , quasi-government, or terrorist organization.
  • and to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
  • Now, I do policy advocacy professionally.
  • I'm a senior policy analyst at Texas Appleseed.
  • have adopted the required policies.
Summary: The committee meeting led by Chair Wilson focused on higher education legislation, notably addressing bills related to tuition fee exemptions, financial assistance for students, and combating fentanyl abuse on campuses. Significant discussions revolved around HB1527, which proposes fee exemptions for peace officers at public institutions, and HB3062, aimed at implementing educational initiatives to raise awareness of fentanyl dangers among students. Several representatives expressed support for these measures, citing the crucial need for educational programs to combat substance abuse and provide equitable access to education.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Finance (Part II) Feb 13th, 2025

Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • There is a fiscal and policy issue about staffing and retention
  • Pages three and four present three fiscal and policy issues.
  • I bring this up as I consider it to be an important issue that government needs to solve in protecting
  • To understand how it happened, it was on a local level.
  • The first fiscal and policy item is the agency's anti-trafficking efforts.
Bills: SB1
Summary: The meeting covered significant budget recommendations for the Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and the Texas Funeral Service Commission, focusing on their proposed changes and the implications of the funding adjustments. Blake Paul from TDLR presented a comprehensive overview including a $23.1 million net decrease in their budget and a significant push for anti-trafficking efforts, which received positive feedback. Additionally, discussions on the whole body donation program highlighted increased funding to facilitate its transition following the recent legislative changes. The committee members engaged actively, debating the sufficiency of the proposed budgets and their impact on ongoing initiatives.

Research Filters

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