Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'Senate Committee on Nominations'

Page 43 of 62
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Finance (Part I) Jan 28th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • **Chair**: Senate committee on finance, please come to order.

  • and Senator Blanco on the issue.
  • So, **Senator Flores**, I look forward to working with you and **Senator Blanco** on this issue.
  • I know **Senator Kolkhorst** has kind of touched on that.
  • We will keep this committee updated on our progress and our improvements in efficiency.
Summary: The meeting of the committee primarily focused on the Office of the Attorney General, where General Ken Paxton and his staff presented budget recommendations, highlighting a proposed decrease of $163.9 million from the 2024-25 biennium budget. Discussions included essential service funding such as the Crime Victims Compensation Program, which is facing challenges due to revenue shortfalls and increased demand. The committee raised concerns regarding the method of finance swaps that impacted the overall budget, leading to a $38 million cut that the Attorney General’s office deemed an error. Representatives from the LBB were also questioned about the implications of these funding changes.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Human Services May 13th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on Human Services will come to order.

  • Yes, yes, and we're on Senate Bill 1589 by Senator Hancock

  • That's the one we're voting on. We'll call the roll.
  • The Chair lays out Senate Bill 1522 by Senator Parker and recognizes.
  • It was Senator Perry's bill; I said Senator Parker, but it's Senator Perry.
Summary: The Committee on Human Services meeting was marked by meaningful discussions on multiple bills affecting the welfare of children and senior citizens in Texas. Notably, SB500 was presented to establish clearer timelines for adoption processes, aiming to decrease the wait times significantly from several months to within a few weeks for critical health and personal history reports. This bill was met with positive feedback from committee members and stakeholders, highlighting the importance of expediting adoption to ensure permanency for children in foster care. Additionally, the committee discussed SB1522, which modernizes regulations for continuing care retirement communities to enhance consumer protections and clarify definitions that have long created confusion in the marketplace. Stakeholders emphasized the need for greater transparency in advertising and regulations, underscoring the bill's potential to better safeguard seniors.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • I want to thank the Chair and Senator King for working together as a team for years on this topic.
  • General, as you know, this committee, on a bipartisan basis, strongly supports SLCCM, a nuclear armed
  • I want to finally add my note of agreement with our fantastic chairwoman, Senator Fischer, on what she
  • the House Armed Services Committee and now again on the Senate Armed Services.
  • And I'd like to follow up on some of Senator Banks's comments about Golden Dome and space-based ...
Summary: The meeting focused on the strategic posture of U.S. military capabilities with an emphasis on deterrence amid growing global threats. General Cotton from STRATCOM and General Whiting from SPACECOM provided insights into the modernization efforts of the nuclear triad. Key discussions involved the importance of maintaining control over specific frequency spectrums critical for military operations and the implications of potential auctioning of these bands. Members expressed concerns regarding the evolving landscape with adversaries like China and Russia, emphasizing that swift action is needed to adapt and preserve U.S. national security. Various proposals and existing programs, including the B-21 bomber and the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile (SLICOM), were debated, alongside the necessity of increasing military investment in hypersonic defense systems.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Licensing & Administrative Procedures May 13th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there objection to the adoption of the committee substitute?
  • The chair lays out Senate Bill 2167 by Senator Zaffirini and
  • Senate Bill 2075.
  • Senate Bill 2167 relates to the licensing of massage therapy.
  • If there are no objections, the committee stands adjourned. Thank you.
Summary: The committee meeting addressed several notable pieces of legislation, focusing particularly on SB650, which requires electronically readable information for verifying purchasers' ages in alcohol sales. The bill was substituted and subsequently reported favorably with unanimous support. Another key piece of legislation was SB1376, aimed at enhancing code enforcement by allowing trainees to operate unsupervised in towns lacking registered officers, crucial for effective zoning and sanitation enforcement. Following discussions, the committee agreed to leave SB1346 related to lottery regulations pending as further considerations were necessary. The meeting concluded with a collective acknowledgment of the importance of these bills in addressing both public safety and regulatory clarity in Texas.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Culture, Recreation & Tourism May 14th, 2025 at 09:05 am

House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chairman, members of the committee.
  • on the premises to hold a hunting license.
  • Sometimes they start on a Thursday and end on Saturday.
  • Senate Bill 2801 is left pending.
  • Be printed and reported to the Committee on Local and Consent
Bills: SB2801, SB2232, SCR18
Summary: The committee meeting primarily focused on reviewing several bills, including SB217, which establishes the historic Friedman Cemetery program, and SB2232, which seeks to designate October 21st as Unplugged Texas Day. The latter bill sparked notable discussions regarding the importance of reducing screen time and encouraging outdoor activities among Texans. Chairperson Metcalfe initiated the agenda, and the public testimony featured passionate arguments for the need for outdoor engagement, emphasizing mental well-being and community bonding. Overall, the bills were met with unanimous support within the committee, advancing toward favorable recommendations for full house votes. Additionally, members voiced concerns about regulations surrounding field trials, as presented in SB2801, which proposes changes to the requirement for hunting licenses during dog field trials. Testimony from various stakeholders showcased a strong desire to facilitate participation in these events while raising awareness of the associated challenges. The meeting concluded with several bills advancing for further considerations, demonstrating a collaborative effort toward legislation that supports both cultural and outdoor initiatives in Texas.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Insurance Apr 30th, 2025 at 08:04 am

House Insurance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Committee on Insurance will come to order.

  • This passed the Senate committee and was placed on the local and uncontested calendar during the last
  • I'm a pathologist; I sit on utilization review committees for hospitals and other things.
  • It looks like the Senate is moving forward on a concept on
  • I mean, I think we all are on this committee, and I think as the tenets that were laid out in this committee
Summary: The meeting of the House Committee on Insurance focused on several significant bills, including HB854, which aims to reform insurance payment structures to improve accessibility for homeowners needing urgent repairs. Representative Garcia-Hernandez strongly advocated for this bill, highlighting the struggles faced by constituents unable to cover upfront repair costs. Additionally, HB4092 was discussed, which seeks to clarify regulations surrounding pre-suit notices in insurance claims, emphasizing the importance of protecting policyholders' rights. The meeting included various testimonies, with both supporters and opponents voicing their concerns about how these bills could impact consumers and the insurance industry.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Aug 22nd, 2025 at 10:08 am

House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senator King accepted an amendment on the Senate floor

  • You'd have a police officer or several police officers on this committee.
  • law enforcement on this committee.
  • I did serve on the committee that helped.
  • What is your perspective, as you were on the committee?
Bills: SB15
Summary: The committee meeting centered around the discussion of SB15, which aims to standardize record-keeping protocols for law enforcement agencies across the state. It received a mixed reception from committee members and witnesses, with significant concern raised regarding its potential to obscure misconduct and limit public transparency. Public testimony included strong dissent from individuals and organizations advocating for greater accountability in policing, who argued that the bill could enable law enforcement agencies to suppress critical information under the guise of confidentiality. Significant dialogue pertained to the implications of the bill in light of recent events that highlighted the need for transparency in police conduct, particularly in controversial cases such as the Uvalde school shooting. Ultimately, the bill was passed out of committee with minimal opposition.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • committees.
  • one identical tie.
  • Thank you, committee. On behalf of the Summer...
  • So this all builds on work that Senator Huffman and I did together in 2021 with the passage of Senate
  • We just ask the committee to please give the Senate

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
Transcript Highlights:
  • I know in the Senate, Senator King, the chairman of your Redistricting Committee, sent a letter...
  • And committee members on this registering committee, my
  • I was elected to our student government and served two years as a senator and one as a committee chair
  • I hope that everyone who sits on this committee, when you...
  • My first point is addressed to the Republicans on this committee.
Summary: The committee meeting primarily focused on public testimonies regarding the revised congressional redistricting plan. Numerous witnesses presented their concerns about how the proposed changes could potentially dilute representation for minority communities. A consistent theme throughout the testimonies was the fear that the redistricting effort was not aimed at serving constituents but rather at securing power for political parties. Several participants expressed a strong opposition to what they perceived as gerrymandering tactics, claiming they would negatively impact African-American and Hispanic communities in Texas. The meeting revealed a clear public sentiment against the redistricting proposals, with nearly all witnesses speaking out against the changes. The Chair noted an overwhelming number of testimonies opposing the redistricting, indicating a strong community response to the proposed changes and their implications on fair representation.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on County & Regional Government May 12th, 2025 at 09:05 am

House S/C on County & Regional Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have one bill on the agenda today, and I want to, before

  • I'm working with Senator Parker on the House version of Senate Bill 13.
  • That's number one.
  • Hearing none, Senate Bill 1370 is left pending.
  • quantity but high on quality.
Bills: SB1370
Summary: The meeting of the House Permanent Standing Subcommittee on County and Regional Government focused primarily on SB1370, a crucial piece of legislation aimed at modernizing the state's death investigation system. Chairman Anchia highlighted the shortcomings of the current system, where only 14 out of 254 counties have established medical examiner offices, leading to an overwhelming burden on existing resources. Testimonies revealed the strain on justices of the peace and existing medical examiners, underscoring a pressing need to expand services to accommodate the growing population across counties. Several members engaged in thoughtful discussions around the bill's potential impact and ways to incentivize the recruitment of qualified forensic pathologists to alleviate the shortage in this critical field. The meeting concluded without further objections, with SB1370 left pending. Chairman Anchia thanked all participants for their contributions and emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges posed by population growth. This meeting provided a platform for local representatives to share their concerns and potential solutions, highlighting the collaborative efforts needed to enhance the medical examiner system throughout the state.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Human Services May 6th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • and other members in the House and Senate have had bills on active efforts, which is similar to what
  • We want to hear from you, but as legislators on this committee
  • to having open dialogue with me and these other members on bills that come before this committee that
  • But we frequently have bills before this committee, and none of you have engaged on any issue.
  • Senate Bill 961 focuses on strengthening the accuracy and integrity of our Medicaid eligibility process
Summary: The meeting highlighted significant discussions surrounding child welfare and community-based care, focusing primarily on SB1398 and HB5396. Notably, representatives expressed concerns about the effectiveness and transparency of the current system, emphasizing the need for stronger documentation and accountability measures in handling cases of children and families. Senator Davis discussed the implications of SB596, which seeks to enhance data collection regarding outcomes of cases handled by the Department of Family and Protective Services, aiming to improve service delivery and outcomes for vulnerable children. Public testimony was heard from various stakeholders, highlighting the need for collaboration and understanding throughout the legislative process, which ultimately aims to better support families and prevent the need for child removal from their homes.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services May 12th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • At this time, the chair lays out Senate Bill 512 by Senator

  • unanimously and passed the Senate.
  • 3.5% is not easy to live on.
  • Not on the ballot.
  • And then on certificates of obligation, is there any limit on the time of those?
Bills: SB512, SB1024
Summary: The meeting focused on the discussion of two significant pieces of legislation: SB512 and SB1024. SB512 aims to protect users of money transmission services by preventing penalties imposed by service providers for violating terms of service. Representative Hayes explained that this bill responds to troubling practices observed among money service businesses. Public testimonies were presented both in support and opposition to the bill, highlighting concerns over First Amendment rights and the implications for consumer protection. The committee ultimately left the bill pending for further consideration. In contrast, SB1024 addresses public finance issues, specifically the misuse of voter-rejected projects through certificates of obligation and tax anticipation notes. Senator Betancourt described instances where municipalities have circumvented voter will by issuing debt for projects previously rejected in elections. The committee heard extensive public testimony critiquing the proposed restrictions in the bill, with arguments centered around the potential unintended consequences for local governments and necessary infrastructure projects. Both bills generated lively discussions among committee members, leading to wider considerations of public finance ethics and the relationship between voters and local governments.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Finance Feb 6th, 2025

Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate Committee on Finance will come to order.

  • Just a quick follow-up on Senator Cole.
  • Of those people who serve on that committee or on

  • I'm here to testify on Senate Bill 1.
  • My name is Grace Atkins, testifying on Senate Bill 1.
Bills: SB1
Summary: The meeting of the committee was primarily focused on budget requests and legislative priorities from various educational institutions. Each institution expressed the need for increased funding to support academic programs, STEM education, and critical health initiatives. For instance, representatives from UT Dallas highlighted the importance of their Fentanyl Protection Initiative and advances in pain therapy, reaffirming their commitment to combat the opioid crisis in Texas. Other notable discussions included the need for updates to campus infrastructure and the request for new programs aimed at enhancing workforce development across various fields, particularly healthcare and technology. Topics such as the restoration of Institutional Enhancement Funds and the increase of appropriations for research initiatives were also extensively discussed. The meeting concluded with a call for collaboration among universities to strengthen Texas's overall higher education landscape.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Insurance Apr 23rd, 2025 at 08:04 am

House Insurance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The House Committee on Insurance will come to order.

  • We're working really closely with Senator Kolkhorst's office over in the Senate on this bill.
  • We have a problem with that, but based on our understanding of all that coming out in the committee substitute
  • When Senate Bill 1264 passed back in the 2019 session, we worked on the law, and the legislature made
  • We have worked on a committee substitute that I'm obviously not laying out for you this morning that
Summary: The House Committee on Insurance meeting covered multiple bills focused on healthcare regulations and patient accessibility. Notably, House Bill 3057 was highlighted in testimony from citizens advocating for expanded access to CAR T-cell therapy, which has shown effectiveness for blood cancers. Testimonies were given by affected individuals, emphasizing the need for local treatment options without the burden of travel to distant medical facilities. Similarly, House Bill 4603 was laid out with the intent to align arbitration options and ensure that consumers receive timely resolutions in disputed medical charges. Overall, the committee demonstrated an active engagement with the public and various stakeholders while navigating key issues affecting health insurance and patient care in Texas.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Aug 22nd, 2025 at 08:08 am

House State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on State Affairs will come to order.

  • We are here registering on Senate Bill 8.
  • On Monday, while talking on this bill, Senator Middleton said Texas must be the safest state in America
  • Thank you for allowing me to address the committee on SB8.
  • You may know we were on the bill on the Senate side

Bills: HB7, SB8
Summary: Simultaneously, SB8 initiated thorough debates over privacy and safety concerns in public restrooms. Supporters argued for the necessity of maintaining biologically separated spaces to protect women and children, while opponents highlighted the discrimination and potential harm caused to transgender individuals. Various stakeholders, including business representatives and community activists, voiced their opposition to SB8, emphasizing its negative implications for Texas's reputation as a welcoming state. The session concluded without any definitive resolutions, with both bills remaining pending for further consideration.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

State Affairs (Part II) Aug 4th, 2025

Senate State Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on State Affairs will come to order.

  • Senators, are there any questions for any of our witnesses on this panel? The lady behind you.
  • Senator Perry, you had your light on.
  • Senators, any questions for any of our witnesses on this panel?
  • staff, and with that, the committee on State Affairs stands in recess up to the call of the chair.
Bills: SB7, SB14
Summary: The meeting centered on a heated discussion regarding SB14, which proposed changes to how police misconduct records are managed and accessed. Numerous witnesses, including representatives from civil rights organizations and concerned citizens, expressed strong opposition to the bill, arguing that it would significantly reduce transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies. Testimonies highlighted historical failures in police accountability and emphasized the importance of public access to misconduct records to restore community trust. The committee received both emotional appeals and expert opinions, painting a vivid picture of the potential negative impacts of the proposed legislation on police-community relations.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Culture, Recreation & Tourism May 1st, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism come to order.

  • at one time.
  • Your colleagues in the Senate Economic Development Committee considering an identical bill, SB 317, passed
  • This year, we will fund two projects, one in Luling and one in Gonzales.
  • I have a follow-up on that.
Summary: The committee meeting extensively discussed SB1350, which aims to establish a commission for the Bicentennial Anniversary of Texas Independence in 2036. Several witnesses, including Lacey Finley and Russell Molina, testified in support of the bill, emphasizing the importance of extensive planning and community engagement for this significant celebration. They argued that the bicentennial should encompass the diverse history and culture of Texas and encouraged the committee to include a non-profit structure to facilitate fund-raising and coordination efforts. Furthermore, HB738 was debated, focusing on the preservation of Rosenwald schools and their potential use as community learning centers, with members advocating for support to maintain this integral part of Texas's educational heritage.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Justice Apr 22nd, 2025

Senate Criminal Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • ="1" data-time="0">Senator King,

    Senator Higginbotham.

  • one or more bills, register in one of the kiosks located behind the committee hearing room.
  • Is there any discussion on adopting the committee substitute for SB1666?
  • Chairman and members, Senate Bill 1666 relates to the payment of restitution by a person released on
  • What's the next one?
Summary: During the meeting, several critical bills were discussed with emphasis on public safety and ethical legislation. Notably, SB456 aimed to increase penalties for illegal organ purchases and trafficking was presented and discussed thoroughly, where members raised concerns about the current low-level misdemeanor classification of such offenses. Public testimony was sought, with support and opposition being voiced, highlighting the bill's relevance in addressing urgent ethical issues surrounding organ trade. Furthermore, SB476 focused on legislative measures that enhance officer safety amid rising incidents of violence against law enforcement in Texas, drawing passionate support from various stakeholders, including local police representatives. These topics underscored a broader commitment to reforming policies for public safety and ethical enforcement in the Lone Star State.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Finance (Part I) Jan 28th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • The **Senate Committee on Finance** please come to order.

  • **Senator West**, do you have questions? Just one question.
  • So, Senator Flores, I look forward to working with you and Senator Blanco on the issue.
  • Senator **West** and I will be tied up doing that on another committee, Senator **Graceman**.
  • And, you know, I want to compliment you, first off, on the success, as **Senator West** did, on the *
Summary: The meeting focused on the budget recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), where key issues included the proposed decrease of $163.9 million for the 2024-25 biennium and various methodology swaps for funding. Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing litigation expenditures and emphasized the need for continued investments in agency staffing to address rising demands within law enforcement. Notably, he requested a 6% salary increase for 2026 and 2027 to retain talented personnel amidst competitive job markets. Public testimony highlighted community awareness challenges regarding the Landowner's Compensation Program, indicating a need for enhanced outreach efforts.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Sep 2nd, 2025 at 12:09 pm

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I move to call up the conference committee report on Senate Bill 10.
  • on Senate Bill 10 and recognizes.
  • that, I move to adopt the conference committee report on SB 10.
  • I wasn't expecting to speak on this, but when I heard my colleague on the Ways and Means Committee...
  • I voted against this one out of committee, FYI.
Bills: HB18, SB54, SB10
Summary: The recent committee meeting addressed several significant bills, primarily focused on electoral processes and legislative conduct. Notably, HB18, which regulates political contributions by legislative members during absences, was passed with a notable vote of 86 ayes to 46 nays. Additionally, Senate Bill 54, centered on election procedures regarding the registration of voters with outdated addresses, also advanced successfully through the committee, although not without discussion regarding its implications. The chair emphasized the importance of these legislative measures and their potential impact on voting rights.

Research Filters

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