Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'legislative transparency'

Page 51 of 57
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Mar 17th, 2025 at 10:00 am

House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • During the 87th legislative session, we passed House Bill

  • This legislation addresses financial data and the monetization

  • While we're also in a legislative session, it's so crucial for everyone at this time.
  • In the 86th legislative session, we created section 32.315
Summary: The meeting of the Committee on Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services convened to discuss various bills aimed at enhancing financial governance and protections in Texas. Notably, Representative Perez laid out House Bill 201, which proposes expanding the scope of the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to combat organized financial crimes, such as motor fuel theft. This bill garnered significant support from witnesses, including Captain Jeff Headley from the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, who highlighted the urgent need for legislative measures to address increasing thefts that impact both consumers and state revenue. Subsequently, testimony from several members elucidated the impact of these crimes, emphasizing their detrimental effects on Texas' economic stability. The committee members expressed their interest in the advancements in tackling such issues through the proposed legislation.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education Mar 27th, 2025 at 08:00 am

House S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • The work of Senate Bill 15 from the 87th Legislative

  • This legislative session is over in June, and as parents, children, and staff...
  • conception that when students are expelled from schools, they are, to quote the words of another legislator
  • SB 15 was temporary legislation that expired but was allowed
  • private schools at all and would be completely separate from any other particular school or potential legislation
Bills: HB117, HB2196, HB2689, HCR64
Summary: The committee meeting focused on the discussion of several educational bills, notably HB2196, which aims to create a comprehensive framework for virtual and hybrid learning in Texas public schools. Chairman Bell and other committee members emphasized the significance of this bill, stating that it aligns with bipartisan recommendations for enhancing access to education. Testimonies from educators and parents were heard, echoing admiration for the potential of virtual learning to provide flexibility to students, especially those with specific educational needs. There were also concerns voiced regarding provisions within the bill that could affect traditional educational frameworks, sparking vigorous discussions among committee members.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Apr 30th, 2025 at 08:04 am

House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • You're the one bringing the legislation.
  • over in the Senate, and it's a bill that he and I have talked about over the years that a lot of legislators
  • marker="637" data-time="3816">I'm glad y'all had the opportunity to help pass some earth-shaking legislation
  • We will do a formal meeting tomorrow to vote on pending legislation.
  • During the 88th legislative session, House Bill 1255, by Representative Smith, was passed into law offering
Summary: The committee meeting convened to discuss several significant bills focusing on criminal justice and consumer protection. One of the highlights was Senate Bill 251, which aims to establish criminal law magistrates in Bell County to expedite proceedings for individuals in county jail. The bill received supportive commentary emphasizing its potential to ensure timely hearings and legal counsel, reflecting a commitment to swift justice. Additionally, House Bill 4713 was introduced, which aims to clarify the statute of limitations regarding arbitration proceedings, helping align the treatment of claims filed in court and in arbitration. This was discussed in light of ambiguous current practices that can impact fair resolution for claimants seeking timely justice. Public witnesses participated in evaluating both bills, although specifics on public testimony were limited as these bills were generally supported by members of the committee.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on International Relations Mar 24th, 2025 at 10:03 am

House S/C on International Relations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Mexico border region, with inconsistent definitions creating confusion for agency stakeholders, legislators
  • , and legislative council drafters.
  • As an Israeli-American, I want to thank the legislators and our Governor, Abbott.
Bills: HB1240, HB1353, HCR76, HCR90
Summary: The Subcommittee on Internet convened addressing significant legislative matters, including House Bill 1240, which aims to update definitions surrounding the Texas-Mexico border region to promote consistency across various state statutes. Chairman Guillen led the discussion, highlighting the importance of providing clarity for stakeholders involved in policy and implementation. Additionally, House Concurrent Resolution 90 was discussed, advocating for the establishment of a Texas Economic Trade Office in Israel. Several witnesses testified, emphasizing the benefits this office would offer in terms of economic partnerships and innovation transfer, particularly in technology sectors such as cybersecurity and medical technology. The meeting was characterized by active participation, and the members acknowledged the importance of reinforcing Texas's role on the global stage.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 19th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • the 87th legislative session.
  • What I'm not sure about is whether we can legislate

  • We do National Incident Management System training, as outlined by this legislative body, as part of
  • ...for this legislation already exists. Mr.
  • This bill was introduced last legislative session, and it didn't get far enough that time.
Summary: The meeting of the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety involved a range of discussions surrounding significant bills aimed at enhancing public safety measures, particularly in response to issues highlighted by past events. Notable was the discussion on HB33, proposed by Representative McLaughlin, which sought to overhaul school safety and establish a statewide emergency response protocol for active shooter situations. This bill emphasizes the importance of coordinated training among law enforcement and school officials to ensure a swift and effective response in emergencies, aiming to prevent delays seen in past incidents. The discussions also included input from law enforcement officials who acknowledged the necessity of improving communication and coordination between agencies, which was a highlighted failure in previous responses to crises.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Senate Session Mar 6th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • What's your legislative intent, I guess, on the bill? I just wanted to get your perspective on that.
  • similar legislation.
  • and entities wanting alternatives because they worry about inflation, that's where this type of legislation
  • But that's where we are today, creating a piece of legislation that doesn't help any of our constituents
  • Senate Bill 1433 by Betancourt relates to the assertion of legislative
Summary: The meeting focused on several significant bills, including SB703, which addresses the criminal and licensing implications for various massage establishments and was aimed at aligning state laws with federal regulations by closing existing loopholes. Senator Zaffirini played a vital role in facilitating discussions on multiple bills, including SB21, which proposes the establishment of the Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, emphasizing the need for Texas to explore forward-thinking financial strategies amidst federal monetary inflation concerns. Additionally, SB790, aimed at streamlining the resolution process for tenant-landlord disputes regarding water and wastewater billing, was also presented, drawing attention to due process concerns but ultimately supported for its efficiency improvements.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Justice May 22nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • what you've done in the last decade of your life and what you're going to do with this piece of legislation
  • House Bill 1828 would create a legislative leave pool

  • Currently, state troopers are also allowed to pull up to eight hours personally for legislative purposes
  • ...legislative leave pool up to eight hours of compensatory
  • Contributions of time to the legislative leave pool

Summary: The meeting of the committee was marked by extensive discussions on various bills, focusing primarily on enhancing legal measures and protections in criminal cases. Notable among the discussions was HB3073, known as the Summer Willis Act, which aims to provide a clearer statutory definition of consent regarding sexual violence. The bill received overwhelming support as it seeks to close existing gaps in Texas law to better protect survivors. Additionally, HB1871, which increases penalties for attempted capital murder of a peace officer, was presented by Senator Schwartner, emphasizing the need for stronger deterrents against attacks on law enforcement officials. The committee moved several bills to the full Senate with favorable recommendations, showcasing a unified effort towards legislative progress in public safety and survivor protections.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Public Education Mar 11th, 2025 at 02:30 pm

House Public Education Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I'm wondering, one of the things we do as legislators is we mandated compulsory school attendance
  • One of the things that we heard when we considered this legislation in the last session, or one of the
  • So, you know, that would be something that would be an open question here under this legislation.
  • This legislative assistance would allow us to continue to enable teachers and staff to serve a greater
  • The legislation was written a year prior to the storm, and then the waters had not receded when they
Bills: HB3
Summary: The meeting centered around critical discussions regarding HB3, particularly focusing on public school funding and educational mandates. There were passionate exchanges among committee members as they debated the implications of the bill on equity in education and funding transparency. Expert testimonies were heard, including an education policy expert who underscored previous findings that highlighted the potential negative impacts of voucher systems on students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds. The discussion raised vital questions regarding how similar programs in other states had fared, emphasizing lessons learned from their experiences.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 30th, 2025 at 08:04 am

House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So this legislation directs

  • We're in legislative session; is there a need to continue...
  • It requires a whole-of-society approach, one that fully leverages state legislative...
  • And short of this legislative session, that's just not capable of putting up another agency.
  • Can you help me see how this legislation would protect against that?
Summary: The committee meeting convened to discuss various issues pertinent to recent legislative proposals. Notably, several bills were reviewed and debated, with members expressing differing opinions on their implications and potential impact on the community. Discussions ranged from public safety measures to resource allocation, reflecting the committee's broad mandate and the importance of legislative oversight. Engaging testimonies from citizens and stakeholders underscored the significance of the proposed legislation, bringing personal perspectives and expert opinions into the dialogue.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

Culture, Recreation & Tourism Aug 6th, 2025 at 10:08 am

House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, you can craft any rules or legislation.
  • I think if we were to take that stance as an agency, we would need legislative support—statutory support
  • Stevenson, is this what you're referring to when you speak of needing legislation to help cure some of
  • For emergencies like this, the local governments, legislatively
  • I also own a campground and serve as the association's legislative liaison.
Summary: The meeting held by the Cultural, Recreation, and Tourism Committee focused primarily on emergency preparedness and responses to natural disasters, notably in the context of the recent floods that occurred in Texas on July 4th. The committee expressed deep sympathy for the affected communities and acknowledged the impressive efforts of first responders during the calamity. Testimonies were provided by representatives from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Historical Commission, and various youth camps, focusing on the challenges faced during these emergencies and the steps taken to ensure visitor safety and habitat preservation.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services May 5th, 2025 at 08:05 am

House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Specifically, with this language I want to quote from the legislative record that it was important to
  • We are currently working with the Legislative Council to draft substitute language to address the geographic
  • This is the language that the Legislative Council provided to us.
  • I will certainly follow up with the Legislative Council.
Summary: During this committee meeting, several important bills were discussed, including HB5632, HB3900, and SJR57. The committee focused on HB1342, which aims to reorganize the priority structure of private activity bonds for residential rental projects, responding to concerns raised by various stakeholders about the efficiency and accessibility of these bonds in supporting affordable housing. Additionally, HB3002 was presented as a consumer protection bill requiring debt collectors to disclose rights in all written and electronic communications, ensuring average Texans are informed of their rights regarding debt obligations. The meeting concluded with a discussion about upcoming bills and the schedule for the next sessions.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • to add that Florida and Georgia, who also have serious problems with squatters, passed similar legislation
  • As has been noted, several states have passed legislation
  • Note that legislation in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama passed
Summary: The meeting of the Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development featured critical discussions surrounding several proposed bills, including SB1333, HB4876, and HB5567. Notably, the committee focused on issues related to property rights and squatting, with testimony emphasizing the urgent need for legislation to streamline the eviction process for squatters. Several witnesses, including representatives from various organizations, voiced strong support for SB1333, arguing that the current legal remedies are inadequate and contribute to escalating property disputes and community issues. Meanwhile, HB4876 aimed to address housing availability by allowing the use of escrow deposits for construction, which supporters believe will facilitate condominium development and ease the housing crisis in Texas. Finally, the committee adjourned after leaving several bills pending for further discussion, indicating the complexity and importance of these legislative efforts.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Border Security May 22nd, 2025

Senate Border Security Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • After going through this list of what you have here in this particular legislation, I would agree, and
  • That in this piece of legislation.
  • I mean, if you went through here, line by line, I ask myself, which pieces of this legislation or these
Bills: HCR40, HB214
Summary: The committee convened to discuss two significant bills: HCR40, regarding reimbursement for border security costs, and HB214, which addresses the prosecution of firearm and ammunition-related offenses. Senator Flores represented HCR40, urging Congress to reimburse Texas for expenses incurred under Operation Lone Star, citing ongoing issues with illegal crossings and drug trafficking. Though there was a commendable attempt at public testimony, none was received, and the bill was left pending with intentions for further discussions. Much emphasis was placed on the state's security responsibilities and federal inaction that led to a substantial financial burden on Texas taxpayers. In discussing HB214 introduced by Chairman Birdwell, key points included the need for refinement in identifying which offenses classify as terroristic. The members engaged in a comprehensive debate surrounding the expansion of offenses related to firearms smuggling and terrorism. Members expressed concern over including overly broad definitions that could lead to misuse of power and mislabeling of offenses. The committee's focus shifted towards creating a more precise framework that separates economic offenses from true acts of terrorism. The meeting emphasized collaboration and careful consideration in drafting legislation aimed at enhancing public safety without infringing on rights.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • the adjutant general's authority over construction-related procurement, reinforcing the original legislative
  • lot of them will meet at 11:30, so we're going to try to meet at 11 o'clock to vote on pending legislation
Summary: During the meeting of the Veteran Affairs Committee, legislators discussed several significant bills aimed at providing support to the veterans community. House Bill 2193 was introduced by Representative Guillen, focusing on creating a comprehensive study to improve veterans' access to benefits statewide. Senator Eckhardt emphasized the growing population of veterans living far from military bases and the need for a geographically responsive support system to ensure that veterans receive the assistance they deserve. Public testimony was opened, but no witnesses registered to speak, leading the committee to leave the bill pending for further consideration.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on Workforce Apr 8th, 2025 at 08:00 am

House S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:
  • statute to the International Agency for Research on Cancer is an unconstitutional delegation of legislative
  • And with that, I respectfully urge your support for this important legislation.
  • ...piece of legislation for my constituents back home.
Summary: The meeting of the committee involved critical discussions surrounding several pieces of legislation aimed at supporting first responders, enhancing worker rights, and improving child care access. Notably, House Bill 4144 was presented, which aims to provide supplemental income benefits to firefighters and police officers diagnosed with critical illnesses post-retirement. Testimony from a representative of the Texas State Association of Firefighters emphasized the importance of extending benefits to those affected by job-related diseases, particularly cancers prevalent among firefighters. The bill stirred affirmative discussions, with a consensus on its necessity in providing comprehensive support to first responders.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Veteran Affairs Apr 15th, 2025

Senate Veteran Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is it pretty much just a legislative council draft?
  • It's a legislative council draft; there was nothing substantive that changed in the bill.
  • I'm the legislative director for the Texas.
Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs focused on multiple bills aimed at improving services and protections for veterans in Texas. Discussion centered on Senate Bill 2926, which transfers the administration of veterans' mental health initiatives to the Texas Veterans Commission to enhance efficiency and service delivery. Public testimony was heard both for and against the bill, but ultimately it will be left pending. Other notable discussions included Senate Bill 2938, addressing the mental health challenges faced by justice-impacted veterans, aiming to better connect them with necessary resources. Additionally, Senate Bill 2543 and Senate Bill 2545 aimed to expand veteran cemetery locations and housing assistance for veterans, respectively, highlighting the increasing demand for support services in these areas.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • minor relative to SB 4 and that they are consistent with the goals that I've set forth for this legislation
  • that was not in the original SB 4 configuration, but it still meets the goals that I had for the legislation
  • According to the Texas Legislative Council, as of this moment 38.6...
Summary: The meeting of the special committee on congressional redistricting was convened to discuss and vote on HB4, a key bill aimed at revising congressional district maps in Texas. Chairman King presented the bill, which is a companion to SB4 that had already passed out of the Senate. The discussion focused on minor differences between HB4 and SB4, primarily revolving around the political implications of the proposed changes. Several senators highlighted concerns over the lack of public testimony for the amendments, raising questions about the inclusiveness of the redistricting process. The committee ultimately voted to report HB4 favorably to the Senate, with a narrow vote of 5 to 3. This spirited debate underscored the contentious nature of redistricting and its impact on electoral outcomes.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence Apr 3rd, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • During the 87th legislative session, we passed House Bill 21.
  • During the 87th legislative session, we passed House Bill
  • about this legislation.
  • identify the legislative changes needed to help curb this
  • We need legislation that allows us to charge them

Summary: The meeting focused primarily on the discussion surrounding HB1414, presented by Representative Bowers on behalf of Representative Dr. Alma Allen. The bill aims to eliminate the Class B misdemeanor penalty for driving with a suspended license (DWLI) for those with prior convictions, allowing county courts to dedicate resources to more serious offenses and potentially preventing many Texans from facing excessive debt and jail time. Representatives and witnesses provided insights into the bill's implications for individuals unable to afford civil surcharges that lead to license suspensions, highlighting the financial burdens placed on lower-income families.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • data-time="2592"> The Access to Credit for Our Rural Economy Act, better known as the ACRE Act, is tax legislation
  • Senators Moran, King, Tuberville, Gallego, Marshall, and Kramer for sponsoring this vital piece of legislation
  • I was pleased to work with the Kentucky Farm Bureau on legislation that would offer retiring farmers
  • Can you talk about those unique challenges for beginning farmers and why this legislation will help you
Summary: The meeting of the agricultural committee focused on significant concerns regarding the current state of America's rural economy, highlighting the need for a strong five-year farm bill to address the challenges faced by farmers, particularly young and beginning farmers. Key testimony was given by multiple stakeholders including agricultural leaders and young farmers, emphasizing issues related to crop insurance, access to credit, and the adverse impact of recent USDA funding freezes. Various members discussed the necessity of risk management tools that farmers rely on to secure financing, which is crucial for sustaining agricultural operations and supporting rural communities. The importance of timely legislative action was underscored, as many farmers reported struggles in the current economic climate, raising urgency for reforms within the Farm Bill framework.

Research Filters

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