Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'Keeping Texas Prepared'

Page 43 of 59
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 25th, 2025 at 08:04 am

House State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • laid out in our Texas Constitution.
  • and the Texas Trigger Law.
  • pre-born children but to Texas women.
  • , starting with protecting our Texas women.
  • The woman decides to keep it, right, who was raped.
Summary: The meeting of the committee brought forward several bills, including notable discussions on HB5082 and HB5510. During the meeting, concerns regarding local governments' ability to adopt decriminalization policies were addressed, particularly as these have led to legal actions involving the state. Witness testimonies presented both support and opposition to the bills, with strong sentiments expressed on both sides. Representative Leach advocated for stricter regulations on abortion drug trafficking and the need for better protections for women. An emotional debate ensued addressing the implications of these regulations on women's health and rights. Additionally, the committee debated the repercussions of the bills on local governance and public health outcomes.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs May 14th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Texas DPS.
  • as we implement the Texas gang database.
  • Oftentimes, they will call Texas DPS. They'll ask us, hey...
  • DPS also keeps a database. The military does not.
  • Senate Bill 2514 is about protecting Texas from hostile forces.
Summary: The meeting of the committee centered on several critical pieces of legislation concerning public safety and foreign influence. A significant focus was placed on SB659, which addresses the prosecution of smuggling offenses using government resources, with witnesses presenting varying perspectives on the implications of the bill. Supporters highlighted the necessity to combat cartels and foreign terrorist organizations effectively, while opponents raised concerns about potential overreach impacting humanitarian aid efforts. The discussion around SB2201 aimed to enhance law enforcement capabilities by improving intelligence database criteria, which sparked debates on privacy and civil liberties safeguards. Throughout the proceedings, multiple bills were moved favorably for further consideration in the legislature.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Health and Human Services May 13th, 2025

Senate Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, we know Texas first responders are routinely...
  • Texas TEEX.
  • Texas A&M.
  • That was a North Texas case. It was highly...
  • And you know, Texas is the leader in many things.
Summary: The committee meeting centered on several significant bills regarding public health and safety, particularly focusing on healthcare access, transparency, and opioid crisis response. Notably, House Bill 4783 sparked considerable discussion as it aims to enhance the state's approach to prevent opioid overdoses by directing the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to prepare biannual reports on opiate antagonist programs. The testimony from public officials like Dallas City Council's Paula Blackman, who spoke passionately about the ongoing fentanyl epidemic, highlighted the urgent necessity of improved access to life-saving medications. In addition, House Bill 1314 drew attention for addressing hospital pricing transparency, attempting to ease financial burdens on patients by mandating accurate upfront estimates for healthcare costs.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence May 6th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 535 sends a clear message: Texas stands firmly with victims of sexual violence and our laws
  • Place, you've registered here on behalf of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association against the
  • I certainly understand trying to keep out.
  • And there's a way through the rules of evidence as they exist to keep out that kind of evidence anyway
  • at the Texas Council on Family Violence.
Summary: The meeting convened to discuss various bills primarily focused on juvenile justice and legal representation standards. Notable discussions included House Bill 437, which addresses the placement of youth in detention facilities according to regulations, as explained by Representative Cook. House Bill 507, which pertains to legal representation for indigent defendants, also sparked a debate that resulted in tight voting, showcasing the divergent opinions among committee members. Additionally, Senate Bill 40 underwent a reconsideration, reflecting substantial amendments aimed at balancing non-profit and for-profit entity payments related to bail bonds, which highlighted the complexities of legislative amendments and the procedural adherence required to maintain order in discussions.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Business and Commerce Apr 24th, 2025

Senate Business & Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Small dollar credit has not kept pace with the needs of Texans, consumers in Texas.
  • I'm a senior policy analyst at Texas Appleseed, and I am respectfully...
  • My name is Stephanie Mason, and I'm representing AARP Texas and its 2.5 million members.
  • Texas, I think, is about ninth out of 44 states.
  • We just want to help a good business keep doing business. Thank you, sir.
Summary: The meeting of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee was marked by discussions on several significant bills, with a keen emphasis on legislative updates and committee substitutes. Notably, Senator Blanco presented a new committee substitute for SB2610, which modifies the employee cap from 100 to 250 and extends the update timeline for cyber security programs for small businesses. This substitute was adopted unanimously, reflecting a collaborative agreement among the committee members. Additionally, there were discussions surrounding SB1856 as Senator Crayton provided insights into how stakeholder feedback influenced the bill's committee substitute. The committee ultimately voted in favor, pushing it towards the local and contested calendar, indicating the bill's progression through legislative channels.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Land & Resource Management Apr 3rd, 2025 at 08:00 am

House Land & Resource Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I encourage you to support HB 2225 to keep Texas, Texas

  • The Texas Association, the Texas A&M Research Center

  • development in Texas.
  • In Texas, we had Bandera, Bastrop, and Austin.
  • Sorry, I don't want to keep you.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on several pressing bills concerning housing and municipal regulations. Notably, House Bill 2225, presented by Representative Buckley, aimed to improve transparency regarding impact fees, which have been increasingly burdening homebuyers in Texas. The bill proposes that political subdivisions must present land use plans at least 60 days prior to hearings, giving stakeholders ample time to review. The discussion highlighted the significant effects of rising impact fees on housing affordability, with testimonies from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for accountability and clearer processes. The bill stirred a lively debate, with proponents arguing for increased transparency and opponents expressing concerns about the ramifications of the proposed changes on local governance and infrastructure funding. House Bill 2304 was another crucial point of discussion, seeking to streamline the approval process for residential backup power systems. The bill faced support from numerous witnesses, including energy industry representatives, who touted its potential to enhance energy resilience and efficiency. The meeting concluded with a sense of urgency for revisiting these issues in future sessions, as committee members and advocates for both bills anticipated more rigorous discussions ahead in light of the housing market challenges in Texas.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Elections Apr 30th, 2025 at 08:04 am

House Elections Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • But Texas has one of the longest voting periods in the...
  • The law is what we have right now in Texas.
  • Even if we're not having one of those in Texas, it can affect a Texas voter's mail ballot if it happens
  • Veronica Warms on behalf of the Texas Civil Rights Project.
  • Under Texas law, only a probate court sitting...
Summary: The House Committee on Elections convened to deliberate on several legislative measures, focusing significantly on the accessibility and integrity of the voting process. Key discussions included the presentation of HB5430, which addresses the declaration of a candidate’s ineligibility based on their filing status. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill SB901, a companion bill that echoes the intentions of HB5430. Other bills such as HB2253 aimed to introduce flexibility for local governments in case of disaster declarations, allowing them to cancel elections in a specified timeframe, emphasizing the need for local leaders to act decisively during crises. Additionally, Senate Bill SB760 was introduced to protect vulnerable populations, ensuring that legal guardians are notified when mail-in ballots are requested by individuals in long-term care facilities. Testimonies both supported and challenged the measures, revealing deep concerns regarding potential implications of these bills on voter rights, particularly for disabled stakeholders and elderly populations.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on Juvenile Justice Mar 26th, 2025 at 08:00 am

House S/C on Juvenile Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • We advocate for the interests of up to 700,000 homeschool students in Texas.
  • prepare you for that moment.
  • So what I have you registered as is Chief of Police, Texas Chiefs of Police.
  • And has the Texas Police Chiefs Association met with you?
  • Not the entire body of the Texas Police Chiefs.
Summary: Additionally, House Bill 2147 was discussed, which proposes to expand the use of remote proceedings in juvenile justice, streamlining the process and making it more accessible to families. Supporters highlighted that this efficiency is crucial for ensuring that all parties can participate in hearings, especially as many families struggle with transportation. The meeting concluded with several bills remaining pending, showcasing the ongoing deliberation and consideration of how best to address juvenile crime and justice in the community.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, keep that in mind.
  • I'm trying to keep it up here, at a higher level. Basically...
  • Can we keep our questions for the rest here?
  • They go from Deep East Texas all the way to the border of Mexico.
  • To even Saturday night in Leona, Texas when I take my state...
Summary: The meeting focused on several key pieces of legislation, including HB20, which aims to address disaster fraud in Texas by enhancing protections for victims during emergencies. The committee substitute for the bill was adopted without challenge and moved forward for a favorable recommendation. Public testimony was closed with no registered speakers, indicating strong support or little opposition to the measures being discussed. Additionally, the committee addressed HB27, sparking a significant debate about groundwater management and local regulations, reflecting growing concerns about resource allocation in Texas. Members engaged in discussions surrounding the need for scientific studies before imposing moratoriums on water permits, highlighting the complexities of balancing ecological concerns with community needs.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Elections Mar 6th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Elections Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • , the Texas...
  • What we can do to keep Texas election officials ahead of the curve on security, the more secure our elections
  • We have prepared anew...
  • No longer a Texas citizen, not a citizen, but a Texas resident.
  • The more we can do to keep Texas election officials ahead of the curve on security, the more secure our
Summary: The House Committee on Elections convened a session to evaluate recent legislative changes and their implications on the electoral process. A key focus was on enhancing election integrity and procedures, including discussions about Senate Bill 924, which aims to address challenges related to polling locations and worker recruitment in Texas counties. Various members acknowledged the crucial role local election officials play in implementing reforms and managing elections amidst growing scrutiny and challenges such as natural disasters and security threats. The session highlighted the resilience and coordination efforts of election officials across the state.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Texas was Texas when my fifth great-grandfather fought in
  • East Texas County should be in an East Texas district.
  • These are concerns of Central Texas.
  • Texas deserves better.
  • Latinos are now 40% of Texas.
Summary: The meeting of the Senate Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting was convened to discuss the redistricting process in light of ongoing concerns over gerrymandering and the potential impact on fair representation, particularly for communities of color in Texas. Chair Phil King welcomed committee members and emphasized the importance of public participation. Throughout the meeting, numerous witnesses provided testimony, raising urgent issues regarding how proposed changes to congressional districts would affect the political landscape, local representation, and disaster response efforts in the wake of recent events. Many speakers highlighted a sense of urgency, as they felt that the focus on redistricting was a diversion from pressing matters such as disaster recovery and climate response.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Human Services May 20th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Show you, Sarah Crockett with Texas CASA for the bill.
  • I'm the Director of Public Policy for Texas CASA, here in support of Senate Bill 2311.
  • For too many of our kids in Texas, once they come into care, they bounce from placement.
  • Are you willing to keep the child that long? That's my understanding.
  • Can they keep the child safe?
Summary: The meeting of the committee centered around discussions of several key bills, primarily focused on enhancing protective measures and improving the welfare of children under state care. Notably, SB596 was reported favorably for the full House, addressing critical gaps in the reporting of placements of children. Similarly, SB1524 was discussed, presenting a substitute that contained amendments related to confidentiality surrounding firearms in foster homes. The committee also reviewed SB2311, aimed at improving educational planning requirements for residential treatment centers through written agreements with local schools to ensure stable educational environments for children.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Insurance Mar 26th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Insurance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm with Texas Appleseed.
  • sense to keep the arbitration in Texas and ensure that Texas law is applied.
  • I'm a Texas lawyer; obviously, I have nothing against Texas courts or Texas law.
  • We are saying in Texas, the venue should be Texas.
  • Specifically, Texas has...
Summary: The committee meeting revolved around key discussions on several proposed bills, particularly focusing on HB3211, which aims to improve patient access to optometrists. Multiple stakeholders participated, expressing their views and concerns regarding the impact of the bill on vision care networks. The discussions highlighted the need for a clearer application process for optometrists to be included in vision plan networks, reflecting a powerful sentiment from both healthcare professionals and patients about access to care. The meeting also encapsulated varying perspectives on the legal aspects surrounding HB2275, addressing arbitration provisions for surplus policies, illustrating the committee's diligence in scrutinizing regulatory frameworks for consumers.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Business and Commerce (Part I) May 1st, 2025

Senate Business & Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • of the Texas Humane Legislation Network.
  • They will lose all consumer protection provided by Texas law.
  • I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
  • and customers, but also for employees here in Texas.
  • Our average deal in Texas is about...
Summary: In the recent meeting of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, multiple significant bills were discussed, with House Bill 912 and Senate Bill 1003 receiving favorable recommendations for further consideration. Senator Zaffirini played a pivotal role in moving several bills through the committee process, including Senate Bill 748, which also received support with a unanimous vote. Public testimonies were taken for various bills, notably SB 2113, which focuses on improving legislative access to information, fostering a more transparent government. The committee's discussions were marked by an emphasis on good governance and the importance of legislative oversight.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Nominations May 5th, 2025

Senate Nominations Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • McRaven, I'm sorry, McReakin, nominee for the Texas Tech Board of Regents.
  • I'm Chairwoman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
  • What I will say is Texas is somewhat a victim of our own success.
  • Southern University, one of nine HBCUs across the state of Texas.
  • You talked about, you've done some research in preparation for this job at Texas Southern University
Summary: The meeting focused on discussions regarding the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) oversight and regulations concerning Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs). Several members expressed concerns about the rapid growth facilitated by the creation of MUDs, with particular emphasis on the legislative authority over such entities. Senator Birdwell highlighted the importance of legislative control over MUD creation, discussing the second and third-order impacts on local communities and infrastructure. The discussion was characterized by a view that the current approval processes may lack necessary scrutiny, leading to community concerns about environmental impacts and infrastructure strain as new developments arise. Public testimony revealed a sense of urgency among constituents regarding environmental regulations and the role TCEQ plays in managing the challenges of population growth. Members of the committee raised issues around the clarity of TCEQ's powers and responsibilities, advocating for more transparency and proactive community engagement from the agency. As the meeting concluded, the need for improved communication and the importance of ensuring compliance with state law were emphasized, with a promise from TCEQ representatives to address these concerns moving forward.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Local Government Apr 22nd, 2025

Senate Local Government Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • If you wish to give public testimony, please prepare to

  • span> This will be the most impactful bill we've ever passed in the Texas
  • p>So we'll call James Pope, Susan Spatero, and Brandi Winch from Texas
  • Well, wow, this committee keeps passing things that constituents

Bills: SB23, SJR85
Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee focused on significant property tax legislation, predominantly revolving around SB23 and HJR85, both introduced by Senator Bettencourt. These proposals aim to enhance the homestead exemption for senior and disabled taxpayers, raising it from $10,000 to $60,000. Senator Bettencourt expressed enthusiasm about the potential impact of these bills, which he emphasized as the most significant tax relief measure for seniors in Texas in decades. The discussion included estimated savings of $950 per qualifying homeowner, which drew positive remarks from committee members regarding the importance of making property taxes more manageable for vulnerable populations.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Agriculture & Livestock Apr 1st, 2025 at 02:00 pm

House Agriculture & Livestock Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are here today with the cooperation of leadership that helped us prepare this bill because if Texas
  • We can't keep Texas...
  • As being the number two driver in the state of Texas, it is essential that we keep production agriculture
  • In Texas.
  • I live in Ivanhoe, Texas, that's south of Woodville in East Texas.
Summary: The second bill, House Bill 3469, was introduced to address pest control regulations concerning nuisance birds. Representative Campos explained how the bill proposes non-lethal methods to deter these birds, such as the use of laser lights and sounds, which avoids conflict with both state and federal regulations. The committee heard impassioned testimonies from members of the public who shared firsthand experiences regarding the adverse effects of these birds on property and public health. The meeting concluded with both bills being left pending, reflecting a desire for further deliberation among the committee members.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 4th, 2025 at 02:00 pm

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Chabad is active in 43 communities across Texas.
  • Speaker, I'd like to recognize Texas Southern University.
  • My parents attended Texas Southern.
  • Those from Texas Southern would be proud.
  • Henry to Texas.
Summary: The committee meeting predominantly focused on a multitude of bills concerning various legislative amendments. Key discussions included the pros and cons of constitutional amendments, such as one by Schofield proposing year-round daylight savings time, and issues around taxation reforms highlighted by various members. The committee engaged in vibrant discussions, inviting public testimonies from both supporters and opponents of several bills, emphasizing the importance of community input in legislative processes. Notably, there were extensive debates on HB720, which pertains to the Ketamine Treatment Grant Program for veterans and first responders, underscoring the significance of mental health legislation. Members expressed their concerns about implementing the program effectively while ensuring adequate funding and oversight.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Finance Feb 3rd, 2025

Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • That was in Texas. Those were recoveries for Texas taxpayers.
  • That was in Texas; it was recoveries for Texas taxpayers
  • They keep cows from having ticks, they keep fever and brucellosis, so I don't know what that's for.
  • What is the, let me ask, let me go to North Texas, the new North Texas.
  • list, what does Texas have?
Bills: SB1
Summary: The meeting focused on various topics related to child welfare, particularly emphasizing the importance of kinship placements in the foster care system. Senators Alvarado and Hinojosa engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the benefits of kinship care, highlighting better outcomes for children and the financial implications for the state. They emphasized a need for continued investments in kinship care as a strategy to improve child welfare outcomes, encouraging the legislature to consider this approach moving forward. Additionally, the committee reviewed community-based care programs, which aim to keep children in their communities to promote stability and familial connections.

Research Filters

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