Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'Senate Committee on Criminal Justice'

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TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on Transportation Funding Apr 28th, 2025 at 10:04 am

House S/C on Transportation Funding

Transcript Highlights:
  • Texas is one of the 10 states that participates in this program in which the state, on behalf of the
  • Texas is one of the 10 states that participates in this program in which the state, on behalf of the
  • Oh, one that has stop-and-go stoplights on it, compared to the... lane that we are traveling, free of
  • Chairman, I just want to make sure you're on the committee

  • I hope that the next one does the same as our current one.
Summary: The meeting focused primarily on discussions surrounding several notable bills, particularly concerning toll roads in Texas. Chairman Metcalf introduced HB5346, which aims to establish clear mandates for the cessation of tolling once a project's financial obligations have been satisfied. This bill sparked considerable debate, with proponents arguing for taxpayer fairness and control, while opponents raised concerns about potential perpetual tolls disguised as public votes every five years. Witnesses voiced strong opinions both for and against the measures, highlighting the ongoing tensions over infrastructure funding and user fees.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Ways & Means Mar 3rd, 2025 at 10:00 am

House Ways & Means Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The House Committee on Ways and Means will now come to order.

  • And I think, you know, many of us on this committee have always appreciated what homestead exemptions
  • Thank you all on the committee for your efforts and consideration.
  • I know I can speak for the entire committee, which is saying something on this.
  • Hearing none, the House Committee on Ways and Means

Bills: HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB22
Summary: The meeting focused on discussions surrounding bills HB9 and HCR1, aimed at providing tax relief and addressing disparities between residential and commercial taxpayers. Members expressed concerns over the rising property taxes and the burden small businesses have faced, particularly due to recent economic conditions. Testimonies from various stakeholders, including representatives from the Texas Oil and Gas Association and the Texas Association of Manufacturers, emphasized the need for equitable tax policies that would benefit all taxpayers. The committee was engaged in vibrant discussions, evaluating the implications and potential benefits of the proposed legislation.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Ways & Means Apr 28th, 2025 at 09:04 am

House Ways & Means Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • form on the registration kiosk in the hallway.
  • One employee just had...
  • I've had one employee in 30 years ever file for a...
  • This is not a one-off mistake or technical error.
  • Chairman, members of the committee.
Summary: The meeting was focused on various legislative discussions, particularly centered around environmental initiatives and tax incentives. Notable discussions occurred regarding HB3746, which aims to grant sales tax exemptions for power generation equipment, a proposal that sparked significant engagement among members. Representative Darby, who championed the bill, emphasized its limited scope and potential benefits to Texas businesses. The session was lively, with members exchanging views on the implications of the bill on the local economy and the environment. Public testimony was invited to weigh in on this matter, further enriching the dialogue.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Public Education Mar 4th, 2025 at 02:30 pm

House Public Education Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on Public Education will come to order.

  • The Committee on Public Education will come to order.
  • committee.
  • I mean, that's part of it, and I would hate to see the investments that this committee will work on and
  • You know, and we need multiple committees working on this.
Bills: HB2
Summary: The meeting focused on House Bill 2, which aims to reform funding for special education in Texas. Various stakeholders, including educators and administrators, testified on the importance of the bill, highlighting current funding gaps and the need for increased resources to adequately support students with disabilities. Testimony revealed that many school districts are experiencing a significant funding shortfall, forcing them to seek additional local funding sources to cover the costs of necessary services. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for a new tiered funding system, which was met with cautious support due to the ambiguities surrounding its implementation.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

S/C on Property Tax Appraisals Apr 3rd, 2025 at 10:30 am

House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've got several committees going on at the same time

  • Chairman, I'm working with the Tax Association of Appraisal District on a committee substitute.
  • The committee substitute is very similar to the one

  • Those things that are combined also go against the hold harmless on Senate Bill 4.
  • That's the one that's before this committee.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on several key bills related to property tax appraisals and education funding. Notable discussions included House Bill 2786, which proposed annual reappraisals to ensure property values reflect current market conditions. Representative Turner highlighted concerns around inconsistent appraisals that could adversely affect funding for local schools, particularly in Tarrant County. The session also saw testimony from representatives and concerned citizens advocating for the bill, emphasizing the importance of fair and accurate appraisals for maintaining educational funding and taxpayer equity. The committee members discussed the overall impact of property tax policies on local districts and pushed for a resolution to this ongoing issue.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 26th, 2025 at 09:02 am

House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's one of 33 now.
  • to the Senate Finance Committee on SB 5 and SJR 3.
  • One is the Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center, one of the best.
  • And just one minute on that.
  • if there's no objection, the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Article 3 stands adjourned
Summary: The meeting focused on various initiatives related to health, education, and technological advancements. Notably, the Fentanyl Detection Initiative was presented, highlighting the urgency as five Texans die daily from fentanyl poisoning. Researchers at UT Dallas are developing portable detectors to accurately quantify fentanyl, facilitating faster medical responses by first responders. Additionally, funding requests for the Center for Advanced Pain Studies, aimed at developing effective pain therapies without addictive opioids, were discussed, which emphasize the need to address the opioid crisis. The conversation also covered funding allocations to support various health-related programs.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • They all remind me that one of the things they want to do is for us to eliminate the STAR test.
  • The governor has put that on the call. That is important, it is popular, and it's something.
  • That is also on the call.

  • There are multiple things the Texas House is working on and should be working on at this time.
  • of the privileges of being a senator is that I get to speak on behalf of the people that...
Summary: The meeting addressed pressing legislative matters including responses to recent unprecedented flooding in the Hill Country. Members discussed important legislation aimed at funding necessary for flood victims and proposed policy changes to mitigate future occurrences. The Chairman emphasized the bipartisan efforts put forth by members present, despite some absenteeism from others who were out of state. Discussions also touched on the governor's initiatives related to eliminating standardized testing and tackling human trafficking, highlighting the diverse agenda of the Texas House in the ongoing special session.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Land & Resource Management Mar 6th, 2025 at 08:03 am

House Land & Resource Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The decisions that we make in this committee will have a lasting impact not just on land use and development
  • One of the things this committee has jurisdiction over

  • It could go on. That's why it can go on and on and on.
  • And again, if it's something that we can work with the committee on, work with stakeholders on, we'd
  • that indeed, there is a housing affordability crisis, so perfect timing to be on this committee.
Summary: The Committee on Land and Resource Management convened to address pressing issues surrounding housing affordability in Texas. Central to the discussions was the testimony of various stakeholders, including housing developers, local officials, and advocates who highlighted an acute shortage of over 300,000 homes due to rapid population growth. The committee explored legislative measures aimed at reducing regulatory burdens that contribute significantly to housing costs, particularly related to the development and construction processes. A theme of collaboration with local governments and state agencies was a pivotal point, emphasizing the need for an organized approach to address housing supply while balancing local infrastructural concerns.
US

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine the nomination of Linda McMahon, of Connecticut, to be Secretary of Education. Feb 13th, 2025 at 09:00 am

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • McMahon, I appreciate you coming before the committee today.
  • grant funding because it is not worth the hoops and red tape the Department of Education has placed on
  • McMahon, for coming before this committee and continuing the discussion on how we can work together to
  • improve student success and get our education system back on track.
  • Abraham Lincoln was in Gettysburg and he looked out on a field where soldiers by the thousands had just
Summary: The committee meeting engaged in discussions focused primarily on educational reform, the influence of federal grants on local education systems, and the growing disparities in wealth and access to quality education. Members expressed concerns about the bureaucracy surrounding federal funding that hampers schools' ability to obtain necessary resources for improvement. Several members highlighted personal anecdotes from constituents, emphasizing the urgent need for reform to help students succeed in both K-12 and higher education environments. The meeting included public testimonies that provided insights into various community perspectives on these pressing issues.
US

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine the nomination of Lori Chavez-DeRemer, of Oregon, to be Secretary of Labor. - Part 2 of 2 Feb 19th, 2025 at 09:00 am

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on Labor has the responsibility to fairly

  • enforce the nation's labor laws, unbiased towards one or the other.
  • With that, I yield to Senator Sanders.

  • I think my position on that has been very, very, very clear.
  • One of those issues is the PRO Act, as has been mentioned.
Summary: The meeting centered around an in-depth discussion of the PRO Act, with representatives expressing passionate opinions both for and against the legislation. Representative Chavez de Rimmer emphasized the importance of worker freedom, arguing that the PRO Act would infringe upon individual rights by coercing unionization. This perspective was strongly received by members from right-to-work states, who articulated their concerns about the potential erosion of workers' choices and protections. Speaker after speaker conveyed conflicting views on labor laws, indicating a deeply polarized environment surrounding labor issues at the moment.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Public Education Mar 6th, 2025 at 08:03 am

House Public Education Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Committee on Public Education will come to order, and the clerk
  • We had a hearing in the Pensions Committee regarding TRS just last week on February 3rd.
  • We will rely on those who are experts in TRS to provide insights on this issue.
  • Thank you for serving on this committee and for hearing

  • have so many kids with special needs that a lot of the salaries go to people who work with those kids one-on-one
Bills: HB2
Summary: The Public Education Committee meeting primarily focused on discussions related to House Bill 2, which addresses public education funding and the need for increased Texas teacher salaries. Testimonies were provided by various educators and stakeholders expressing concerns about the existing funding levels, particularly highlighting the inadequacy of the proposed $220 per student increase, which many believe falls short of what is necessary to meet inflation and the growing costs of education. During the testimony, members emphasized the need for a substantial increase to at least $1,300 per student, citing a critical shortage of certified teachers and the impact this has on student learning outcomes. Witness statements indicated that without a significant funding overhaul, students and teachers would continue to suffer from underfunded programs and resources.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

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

House Public Education Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The House Committee on Public Education will come to order, and the

  • in committee.
  • But the majority of them are on our side, on the west side.
  • Well, would one committee, one community, rather, if it's split up, would one have a higher percentage
  • substitute is posted on the committee website.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on House Bill 5089, concerning the creation of new school districts through detachment of existing territories. During the discussions, multiple committee members expressed significant concerns about the implications of the bill, emphasizing the need for community involvement and public voting whenever major district changes are proposed. Witnesses from the Keller Independent School District testified against the bill, highlighting the potential for confusion and the erosion of local control if school boards could make such determinations without voter approval. The testimonies painted a picture of a heated community reaction regarding the handling of the detachment process and underscored a general agreement that any significant changes should require a public vote to ensure accountability and transparency.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Natural Resources Mar 26th, 2025 at 08:00 am

House Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Chair recognizes Erin Zwiener to close on the committee
  • And so I just want to say thank you to the committee. I've served on this committee.
  • We respectfully urge the committee to consider the unintended consequences of this bill on the long term
  • We put the PUC's number on there, we put OPIC's number on there, we put my office number on there.
  • On the motion for recess, the committee stands in recess
Summary: The recent meeting of the Natural Resources Committee covered significant discussions primarily focused on various water-related bills, notably HB685, HB1918, HB2601, and HB2608. Representative Wally introduced HB1918, which seeks to limit water rate increases for Class A utilities to a maximum of 20% every 36 months. The bill is in response to alarming reports from constituents who experienced drastic increases in their water bills, leading to concerns about financial sustainability for residents on fixed incomes. Supporters emphasized the need for better regulations to protect consumers, while opponents argued that the bill could dissuade necessary investments in utility infrastructure, jeopardizing service quality. Public testimony was a vital component, with various stakeholders expressing both support and opposition to the proposals under discussion.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

FinanceAudio only. May 27th, 2025

Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate committee will come to order.

  • data-time="19">The chair lays out House Bill 1057 by Representative Bojani in the House, sponsored by Senator
  • Senator Hinojosa, you're recognized to explain your legislation
  • Senator Hinojosa moves that House Bill 1057 be reported

  • favorably to the full Senate.
Bills: HB1057
Summary: The committee meeting focused on the discussion of HB1057, which was presented by Senator Adam Hinojosa. The bill aims to enhance the recruitment and compensation of top talent in career and technology education. Specifically, it proposes to increase the recognition of industry experience for educators from two to five years, allowing for a more qualified teaching workforce. This legislation is designed to address teacher shortages and improve educational outcomes for students by bringing in professionals with practical experience starting in the 2025-2026 school year. After a brief discussion, the committee moved to pass the bill unanimously, marking a significant step forward in educational reform within the vocational sector.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Natural Resources Apr 9th, 2025 at 10:30 am

House Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we humbly ask this committee to act favorably on this bill.
  • Wally has a bill, but we're not in that committee or on that bill.
  • Carter's job on this committee, it was 1995 and we were codifying the groundwater
  • come before the Legislature and before that committee, trying to reach consensus on it.
  • Printed and be sent to the committee on calendars.
Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources convened to discuss two key pieces of legislation, HB2867 and HB2876, focusing on late fees associated with water and sewer services in Texas. Representative Gates laid out HB2867, highlighting the financial implications of payment deadlines and fees that disproportionately affect low-income households. He emphasized the need for limits on late payment fees to protect these vulnerable consumers from potentially abusive practices. A committee substitute was proposed to clarify some ambiguous language within the bill, aiming to promote fairness and transparency for customers. This led to a robust discussion among members and stakeholders present at the meeting, including testimony from representatives of municipal utilities who raised concerns about local control over fee structures.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • What failed was the hemp ban, which came out of the Senate.
  • One of my patients, early on in my journey with prescribing medicinal cannabis, had metastatic breast
  • who rely on it will remain in jeopardy.
  • No one should be surprised by that.
  • I mean, come on, you cannot allow what they're selling to go unchecked and unpaid for, and untaxed on
Summary: The meeting centered on the Texas Compassionate Use Program (T-CUP) and recent legislative changes, primarily focusing on HB46, which aims to improve accessibility and regulations within the program for medical cannabis. Senator Roland Gutierrez expressed continued support for the T-CUP, underscoring the importance of ensuring safety for minors and regulating the untested hemp products on the market. He highlighted the need for a more robust framework to mitigate risks posed by synthetic cannabinoids and to protect patients relying on the program, particularly veterans and individuals with chronic illnesses. Discussions revealed a bipartisan commitment to enhancing T-CUP, though challenges persist regarding the oversight of hemp production and sales.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Jan 28th, 2025 at 03:01 pm

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker, I have a messenger from the Senate at the door of the House.
  • Speaker, I'm directed by the Senate to inform the House that the Senate has taken the following action
  • I'm directed by the Senate to inform the House that the Senate
  • Wednesday, January 29, 2025, and ending on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
  • Respectfully, Patsy Spa, Secretary of the Senate.

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 54 (HCR54), which authorizes the legislature to adjourn for an extended period in early 2025. The resolution, sponsored by Zaffirini, was discussed in detail, emphasizing its importance for maintaining legislative efficiency. Members expressed varied perspectives on the resolution, with some advocating for more flexibility in adjournment periods to accommodate pressing legislative matters. Overall, the discussions were marked by collaboration and a shared commitment to advancing legislative goals.
US

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine the President's 2025 trade policy agenda. Apr 8th, 2025 at 09:00 am

Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so this morning, I'd like to focus on one central

  • And so this morning, I'd like to focus on one central

  • And so this morning, I'd like to focus on one central

  • That was put on hold during the Biden years.
  • And so this morning, I'd like to focus on one central

Summary: The meeting focused on various significant topics concerning the recent tariff policies and their wide-ranging implications on the American economy. Members expressed their concerns regarding the negative impact of increased tariffs as proposed by the Trump administration, with specific emphasis on how families might suffer from higher costs and market access issues. The discussion was lively, with members questioning the clarity of the tariff plan and raising concerns about its potential effects on small businesses and American exports.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 28th, 2025 at 09:00 am

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ashby on the floor of the House.
  • Darby on the floor of the House.
  • Money on the floor of the House?
  • Turner on the floor of the House?
  • Darby on the floor of the House?
Summary: The meeting of the legislative committee was marked by extensive discussions on a variety of critical issues including budget allocations, public health policies, and education funding. Members engaged in a robust debate regarding the impacts of proposed tax reforms, with several representatives expressing concerns over the potential effects on lower-income families. Public testimony was a significant feature of the meeting, providing the committee with diverse perspectives from community leaders and experts. The atmosphere was generally collaborative, with a stated intent to refine proposed bills in response to public input.
TX

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

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

House Land & Resource Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I sit on the Citizens Advisory Committee for the ...
  • I actually serve on the advisory committee, and we

  • members on one council.
  • We're looking forward to working with Dean Craddick on a committee substitute for it.
  • The bill will be sent to the committee on local and consent
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.

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