Video & Transcript Research : 'legislator security'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development May 21st, 2025

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • a vital economic and strategic asset, providing key trade routes, energy resources, and national security
  • This piece of legislation passed the Senate unanimously with bipartisan support.
  • Every one of our counties is impacted. ...it or can be impacted by this piece of legislation.
  • This can also happen to legislators, and that is real serious.
  • Free speech, and you will beckon all other states in the United States to follow this legislation.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Natural Resources May 7th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Representative Kirwin, I just want to say thank you for bringing this legislation.
  • Remember, the intention, members, the intention of this legislation is to make sure that an appropriate
  • When I read the Legislative Budget Board’s fiscal note for the PUC, they estimated about a $1.2 million
  • Ensuring the security of the IT infrastructure of our state's water systems is critical to ensuring their
  • In the Senate, their committee on water, during their legislative interim report, a recommendation was
Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses. The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending. Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce Apr 24th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • employee cap from 100 to 250 and extends the timeline for small businesses to update their cyber. security
  • We believe there may be a way to accomplish this at the dealer. without legislation and the agency is
  • We are appreciative of Senator Hall filing this legislation and and we thank you, Chairman Schwartner
  • on legislative draft.
  • What are the due process securities and place for the bill?
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 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 23rd, 2025

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The language in this bill is also very similar to previous legislation that has been approved here for
  • Additionally, this legislation allows the fund to adopt an actuarially determined employer contribution
  • We respectfully ask for your support in passing this legislation.
  • But again, we don't take positions for or against legislation.
  • I represent the legislative committee of the Texas Cemetery and Crematory Association.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 23rd, 2025

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Today, we had a lot of legislation on the floor of the House.
  • The impact of inflation challenges their ability to maintain a secure retirement.
  • It was primarily being underfunded because of the lack of legislative support.
  • Importantly, this legislation aligns with ERS.
  • for those securities.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education Apr 15th, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Department of Homeland Security, and other public and private agencies. private partners.
  • We corrected two words that were a drafting error in the. introduced legislation. Dr.
  • Our focus areas where we want to really grow into is national and regional security.
  • Just, I know so much of this is high-level security and confidentiality.
  • This legislative update will empower... empower us to build upon our existing legislation authorities
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • It also changes the date by which the workgroup will submit its legislative report.
  • The date the workgroup is required to submit its legislative report changes from September 1, 2026, to
  • I also chaired the TMA Council on Legislation.
  • Could you please state who you're with, your name, and how you secure our seniors' safety?
  • I would be honored to continue to work towards this important legislation. Questions?
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • our 3,700 members across the state, I want to thank Senator Schwertner for filing this important legislation
  • conducted by the University of Texas found that 95%, so 95% of 500 residents said that they felt safe and secure
  • Legislative Council is doing a really good job, but they have a lot going on, so late substitutes and
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Health and Human Services (Part II) Apr 9th, 2025

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • our 3700 members across the state, I want to thank Senator Schwertner for filing this important legislation
  • conducted by the University of Texas found that 95%, so 95% of 500 residents said that they felt safe and secure
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Health and Human Services (Part I) Apr 9th, 2025

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also chair the TMA Council on Legislation.
  • Myself and Secure Our Senior Safety. Thank you so much. Members, any questions?
  • I'm an interventional radiologist in San Antonio, chair of the TMA's Council on Legislation.
  • And would be honored to continue to work towards this important legislation. Thank you.
  • This can affect their application for Social Security or other federal services.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with several members initially absent, then later established a quorum. The committee heard multiple bills, with most testimony focusing on access to care, insurance practices, senior safety, and health care worker protections. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes, and public testimony was limited to two minutes per witness. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with no final votes taken in the portion provided. Senate Bill 2069 would create a work group to study the feasibility of a statewide acute psychiatric bed registry; the substitute shifts appointment authority to the Health and Human Services Commissioner and extends reporting and sunset dates. Senate Bill 463 would expand workplace violence protections to additional hospice, home and community support, intermediate care, and state-supported living center settings. Senate Bill 1283 would require background checks and transparency measures for senior retirement communities after testimony about the Dallas-area serial killings of elderly residents. Senate Bill 1784 would require 60 days’ written notice before medical debt is sent to collections. Senate Bill 527 would require medical insurance coverage for general anesthesia for medically necessary pediatric dental procedures for children under 13 with qualifying conditions; pediatric dentists testified that denials delay needed care. A major portion of the meeting centered on prior authorization. Senate Bill 1380 would eliminate prior authorization for a broad list of services, including emergency, primary, mental health, substance use, chemotherapy, preventive, pediatric hospice, and certain chronic-condition care. Physicians and hospice advocates supported the bill, describing delays, administrative burden, and patient harm, while health plans opposed blanket exemptions and argued prior authorization helps prevent unnecessary care and control costs. Relatedly, Senate Bill 547 would require insurers to report gold-card prior authorization exemptions to TDI and create a centralized database and annual report; TMA supported better tracking, while health plans warned of duplicative reporting and administrative cost. Senate Bill 407 would require health care facilities to honor conscience- and religion-based vaccine exemptions for employees, with testimony from a physician and vaccine-choice advocate supporting the bill. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1383, which would regulate senior living referral agencies, allow more flexible compensation structures, and add disclosure and consumer protections; an out-of-state referral company and A Place for Mom supported it. Senate Bill 1511 would allow freestanding emergency centers to provide outpatient services in addition to emergency care, with consumer protections such as estimates, limits on facility fees, and restrictions on balance billing. The chair repeatedly announced that bills were being left pending after testimony, and no final committee action or recorded votes were taken in the transcript provided.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Finance Apr 2nd, 2025

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 1377 has an opportunity to be monumental legislation for EMS in the state of Texas.
  • This has been two years of hard work to come up with this legislation, working with our locals.
  • This legislation will greatly help our Texans and our rural communities.
  • The TAA is looking forward to work with the legislators and help advance Senate Bill 1377.
  • However, the legislature would still need to approve the funding through each legislative cycle.
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several bills focused on tax administration, transportation, emergency services, historic preservation, forensic training, pension funding, and the state’s rainy day fund. Senate Bill 1337, by Senator Creighton, would require the comptroller to assess penalty and interest only on the net tax due and allow sales and use tax overpayments to offset underpayments more automatically; it was left pending while the author, comptroller staff, and a private witness continued working on the language and fiscal note. Senate Bill 1371, by Senator Hinojosa, would address Corpus Christi transit authority operations, including emergency refueling coordination, fare-setting procedures, and board term limits; it received supportive testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 1377, by Senator Perry, would create a grant program for rural counties to buy ambulances, with a committee substitute expanding eligible uses in some cases to equipment and setting a sunset date; numerous EMS officials, county representatives, and association witnesses testified in support, emphasizing rising ambulance costs, staffing shortages, and the need for rural emergency coverage, and the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Bill 868, by Senator Sparks, would direct at least 10% of volunteer fire department assistance funding to high wildfire-risk areas; Texas A&M Forest Service explained the map and methodology, and the committee substitute was adopted. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1426, which would place the First Capitol State Historic Site in West Columbia under Texas Historical Commission stewardship, and Senate Bill 1620, which would create a Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program through the Office of Court Administration to address forensic scientist shortages; both had no opposition in testimony and their committee substitutes were adopted. Senate Bill 2065 would change the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System funding structure to require an actuarially determined state contribution and address the system’s unfunded liability over 30 years; Pasadena fire department representatives testified that the pension is an important volunteer retention tool, and the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Joint Resolution 4 would raise the Economic Stabilization Fund cap from 10% to 15% of biennial revenue deposits, with a committee substitute correcting the effective date to September 1, 2027; the committee discussed the fund’s current balance and purpose before adopting the substitute. After quorum was established, the committee voted out the measures. Senate Bill 1868, Senate Bill 1371, Senate Bill 264, Senate Joint Resolution 4, Senate Bill 1426, Senate Bill 1620, and Senate Bill 2065 were all reported favorably to the full Senate, with some bills also certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee substitute for Senate Bill 868 was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as well. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education Apr 1st, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • State University Polytechnic College under its existing legislative authority.
  • This is at least our legislation when we talk about what the definition is on page two.
  • Do you know if the campus... ...police or campus security found members on the IDs?
  • So we think a legislative fix would be to amend the law.
  • This would go a long way in helping us secure our border and prosecute border crimes.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education Apr 1st, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • To ensure that we have the necessary data to make an informed policy decision for next legislative session
  • At some point in the line, we hope we can continue to build on this legislation and make the entire state
  • I worked as a legislative staffer for Dr.
  • version I know, opens up the opportunity for any agency to be recognized by the board and risks the security
  • Your input will be carefully considered as we deliberate. on the proposed legislation.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health Mar 31st, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • The committee substitute is a Legislative Council draft.
  • The committee substitute is a Legislative Council draft.
  • And that's why it's really important to me that, as legislators, we understand.
  • We have the potential for monumental legislation with this bill.
  • It wasn't an end-all, be-all, and this legislation won't be for us either.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 26th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • These vehicles can help secure the border and secure our schools.
  • But I'd be happy to visit and see how we can make this piece of legislation...
  • on the AI legislation.
  • Your IT security. You also have information about the basic benefits.
  • Legislative session asking for procurement through legislation and riders, um, you know, throwing out
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • And I believe the legislation may have been put forward a few years ago by one of my good friends, a
  • legislator from Lindsay.
Summary: The House met in session with a roll call establishing a quorum, followed by prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including the Doctor and Nurse of the Day and youth groups visiting the chamber. Special presentations honored the Oklahoma City Blazers under-10 ice hockey team for winning a Texas state championship and MacArthur High School JROTC cadets for repeated drill team success. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 1055 declaring April 29, 2026, as Oklahoma Agriculture Day, and House Resolution 1056 recognizing Denim Day during Sexual Assault Awareness Month; both were adopted without objection. Members then considered a series of Senate bills. SB 2170 on child custody passed 77-0 and requires supervised visitation when a court finds child abuse or sexual exploitation. SB 1833 codifies a federal waiver barring SNAP purchases of candy and soft drinks and passed 62-17. SB 1198, requiring the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to file releases on county- and municipally-owned properties at the request of local officials, passed 79-0. SB 1730, which requires law enforcement sexual abuse reports to be forwarded to OSBI for investigative use, drew debate over victim protection versus due-process concerns and passed 52-29. The House also passed SB 1379 creating a two-year grant pilot for services to labor and sex trafficking victims, including services regardless of immigration status, and approved the emergency. SB 1645 on Medicaid audit procedures, SB 2155 allowing the Route 66 Commission to use MOUs for administrative oversight, and several sunset-extension bills for boards and commissions also advanced, many with emergency clauses approved. SB 1461 extending the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority passed 67-20, but its emergency failed 55-20. Other measures passed included SB 1344 creating an insulin access and affordability program, SB 1309 increasing Roads Fund debt-service capacity, and multiple board-extension bills for construction, polygraph examiners, engineers and surveyors, and midwifery, most with emergency clauses adopted. The House then moved to announcements and recessed until 1:30 p.m.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • So I hired another legislative assistant, and I'm counting. I think I've had like eight.
  • She loves seeing the legislative process. We know you'll do awesome at OSU, Hoggett twins.
  • Senate Bill 1565 supports the food is medicine legislation passed last session.
  • To ensure that the current grant will not be affected by this legislation.
  • of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House, to allow up to two commission security officers.
Summary: The House convened under quorum call and began with several recognitions and presentations, including visits from Comanche County 4-H, the Muskogee Police Department officers who completed EMT training, the March of Dimes, and Ag Day honorees, including the Ag Hall of Fame recipient Ron Justice. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 1054 designating April 2026 as Library Month, with a special presentation honoring library leaders and advocates for their work on the first Library Day at the Capitol. The House then considered and passed a series of bills, mostly on broad bipartisan votes, covering state symbols, fireworks sales, oil and gas royalty protections, AP exam access, veteran records access for grandchildren, Medicaid support for a food-is-medicine grant, law library representation, controlled substances, public health, state security staffing, financial exploitation protections, credit union modernization, workforce data, staffing contracts, enterprise zone incentives, conveyance/title theft protections, hospice narcotics disposal, duplicate statute cleanup, and memorial highway/bridge designations. One major bill, SB 237 on eliminating the solar and battery storage manufacturing tax exemption, was laid over after discussion and questions about tax policy and local incentives. Several measures drew brief explanation and questions, including SB 2159 on state symbols and wheat, SB 1948 on fireworks sales, HB 1371 on oil and gas royalty payments and bankruptcy protections, SB 1975 on AP testing locations, SB 2026 on access to veterans’ discharge papers, SB 1565 on food-is-medicine Medicaid support, SB 1642 on splitting short opioid prescriptions, and SB 933 creating a right-to-try pathway for individualized treatment. Most of these bills passed with little or no debate, and several emergency clauses also passed by the required two-thirds vote. Not all measures advanced: SB 1771, expanding Workforce Commission data authority, failed on a 27-46 vote, and the House later gave notice of intent to reconsider. SB 1365 was reconsidered and then passed, but its emergency clause failed. The session also featured an extended personal privilege speech by Rep. Scott Fetgatter marking his departure, in which he thanked colleagues and staff and reflected on his tenure and legislative work.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • How much money are we going to put into fighting lawsuits with this legislation?
  • Members, House Bill 3057 designates the legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency as the receiver for
  • As you can see in this piece of legislation, the current has currently no direct funding tied to it,
  • So, at some point, then we should see legislation talking about how the decisions will be made about
  • If you'll refer back to my initial statement on the piece of legislation, this title off piece.