Video & Transcript Research : 'Sergeant Mark Butler'
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NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 10th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Do we have our Sergeant-at-Arms in the chamber at this point?
- Thank you to our Sergeant-at-Arms. His secretary has not heard from him.
- Thank you to our Sergeant-at-Arms. Senator Sheriff, for what purpose do you rise? So, Mr.
- Seeing no objection, I will instruct Sergeant-at-Arms, you can open the door. Senator Worth.
- Sergeant-at-Arms, you can please escort our expert witness into the chamber.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Peter Leishman, Janet Lucas, John MacDonald, Mark Malloy, Tim Mannion, Michael McFarlin, Linda McGrath
- Chair recognizes the Sergeant at Arms.
- <00:16:46.399>
at counsel chair recognizes the Sergeant at counsel chair recognizes the Sergeant - Speaker, the Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court, the Honorable Mark E. Howard.
- [Applause] Court The Honorable Mark E Court The Honorable Mark E [Applause] Mr.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Apr 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- As you came into the hearing room today, the sergeants directed your attention to the rules for public
- The sergeants directed your attention to the rules for public attendance and participation, which were
- Mark Gonzalez? Mark Gonzalez present. Krell? Muratsuchi? Pacheco? Pellerin? Solache? Ta? Ta?
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 15, 2026, for a regular order hearing on 38 bills. The chair announced that AB 2457 was pulled to a later hearing, reviewed public testimony rules, established a quorum, and approved the consent calendar in two motions. Bills on the consent calendar were moved either to the Assembly floor consent calendar or to the floor non-consent calendar, and the suspense calendar was deemed approved as read.
The committee then heard AB 1917 by Assemblymember Schultz, which would require prosecutors to file an 871.5 motion to reinstate felony charges dismissed at a preliminary hearing for lack of probable cause, rather than simply adding the charges back. The author and supporters, including the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, Californians for Safety and Justice, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, and several advocacy groups, argued the bill would improve due process, transparency, and court efficiency by reducing unnecessary litigation and costs. No opposition testimony was presented.
After questions and a motion, the committee took a roll call vote on AB 1917. Members voting were recorded as aye, and the bill passed out of committee. The hearing then concluded and the committee adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-01-13 (9:30AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- OUR WORLD MARKED BY UNCERTAINTY, DIVISION, AND UNREST WE PAUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU REMAIN CONSTANT
- LEGISLATIVE AND COMMITTEE STAFF, SERGEANT AT ARMS, SECRETARY'S OFFICE, FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE TEAMS
- NOT SENATOR, NOT REPRESENTATIVE, NOT GOVERNOR, NOT COMMISSIONER, NOT SERGEANT, NOT FAMILY MEMBER, NOT
- WHERE THE SERGEANT IS AND WE WILL PROCEED TOGETHER TO THE HOUSE CHAMBER FOR JOINT SESSION.
- SERGEANT, PLEASE SECURE THE CHAMBERS.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Butler. Representative Chassion. Present. Representative Cruz.
Bills:
SB237
Keywords:
child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality
Summary:
The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 20 and took up Senate Bill 237 by Senator Barrow, a child welfare measure addressing the duties of the state child ombudsman, DCFS, public reporting, confidentiality, critical incident reviews, multidisciplinary investigative teams, forensic interviews, mandatory reporter training, and related child abuse and neglect procedures. Before discussion, the committee reconsidered and withdrew a previously adopted amendment set, then heard the bill re-read and reviewed a new amendment package developed through meetings among Senator Barrow, Representatives Spell and Berault, DCFS, and the ombudsman’s office.
Members described the revised bill as narrowing and clarifying several provisions: reducing the number of law enforcement liaisons, limiting death/near-fatality notifications to legislative leadership and committee chairs with later notice to affected district members if substantiated, adjusting medical review language, and adding quality-improvement and training components. Other changes included keeping school-related reports routed to law enforcement, changing some mandatory language to discretionary language for certain child-on-child sexual abuse situations, aligning multidisciplinary team procedures with existing interagency protocols, and making technical revisions to reduce burden and likely lower the fiscal note. The committee also adopted a separate amendment to include recreation language for the Department of Children and Family Services.
Senator Barrow and several representatives emphasized that the goal was to improve child protection and review processes while making the bill workable for DCFS and other agencies. They noted the importance of outside review, ombudsman access to records, and using review findings to drive implementation changes. After no objections, the committee adopted the amendment sets and reported Senate Bill 237 favorably with amendments. The meeting then adjourned.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Mar 17th, 2026
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Representative Butler. Here. >> Representative Lawrence. >> Representative Moore.
Keywords:
HB586, Cullman, Cullman County, City of Cullman, annexation, municipal boundaries, corporate limits, local legislation, boundary adjustment, city limits, municipal expansion, zoning, municipal services, property tax, land use, metes and bounds, Alabama Highway 157, Judge of Probate, SSUT, simplified sellers use tax
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The chair may ask the sergeant-at-arms to assist in preserving order and decorum.
- And every battle left a mark on those across the aisle.
- The Chair calls Heather Davis, Garza Barone, Mark Lee Dixon, and Jana Pinson.
- The record shows Mark Lee Dixon.
- Mark Lee Dixon, completely in favor of HB 7.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 20th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the entourage to the floor.
- Sergeant at arms, please escort the entourage to the floor.
- With the permission of the chair, I'd like to ask Sergeant Wheland to say a few words.
- Sergeant, you are recognized to use the floor leader's mic. Thank you, Senator.
- Sergeant at arms, Please escort the entourage onto the floor.
Bills:
HB1675, HB3242, HB1739, HB3320, HB3047, HB4434, HJR1089, HB4432, HB3718, HB3705, SR43, HB1933, HB4248, SB1847, SB1778, HJR1086, HB3001, HB3002, HB3003, HB3004, HB3005, HB3007, HB3008, HB1590, HB1242, HB3818, HB4305, HB1979, HB1225, HB3931, HB4454, HB3849, HB1746, HB3720, HB4275, HB4300, HB3586, HB2268, HB3755, HB4117, HB4294, HB3650, HB4298, HB3270, HB3145, HB3056
Keywords:
emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- representative sergeant representative sergeant yes<00:23:30.000>
151 <00:23:31.000>and - Representative Sergeant, thank you, Mr.
- Thank you both for your presentation. speakers Sergeant thank you Mr chair um speakers Sergeant thank
- Ryan Yes representative Sergeant Ryan Yes representative Sergeant yes<06:04:12.080>
and <06 - Representative Sergeant: Yes.
Summary:
The committee took up several bills in executive session, beginning with HB 568 on subdivision regulations concerning water supply. Representative Donnelly moved ITL, arguing the bill would create costly studies, that towns already have jurisdiction over needed studies, and that the issue was not widespread. The committee voted ITL 9-7. HB 582, dealing with safety requirements for personal watercraft, was also moved ITL on the grounds that existing law already covers the issue and the bill was unnecessary after recent action on personal flotation devices. Representative Derby opposed the ITL, saying the bill was a common-sense safety measure and would restore a misdemeanor penalty, but the committee voted ITL 9-7.
The committee then retained HB 595, relative to coastal resilience zones, after members said the bill was important but needed more work and time because of its complexity. Members noted it should be revisited later, and the motion to retain passed 16-0. HB 607, funding the Hampton Beach Area Commission and making appropriations, received an ought-to-pass recommendation 15-1, with support from members who described Hampton Beach as an important economic driver and one dissenting member saying the state should not bear the full cost. The committee also adopted Amendment 2025-3 on HB 624, establishing a local river management advisory committee grant program, by a 16-0 vote; the amendment shifted funding decisions to the Department of Environmental Services based on demonstrated need and a first-come, first-served process. The bill as amended then received an ought-to-pass recommendation 16-0 and was placed on consent.
Later, the committee retained HB 629, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams, after members said the dams need attention but the bill required more work because suggested amendments had just been received. That motion passed 16-0. HB 644, concerning drones in state parks, was ITL’d because the Department of Parks and Recreation is already working through rulemaking on UAS use in remote areas, and the committee voted 16-0 for ITL. HB 657, the short notice booking act access for New Hampshire residents to state parks, was also ITL’d at the request of the prime sponsor, passing 16-0. The committee then adjourned and announced a later hearing on HB 663, which would allow the Division of Historical Resources to use a portion of Moose plate funds for administering its grant program; testimony from the sponsor and the division supported the bill as clarifying existing authority, and no final vote on HB 663 was included in the transcript excerpt.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 9 February, 2026; 2:00 PM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Blackmon, Senator Blackwell, Senator Blount, Senator Boyd, Senator Brumfield, Senator Bryan, Senator Butler
- Senator Butler, for what purpose?
- >> Barnett, Barry, Blackman, Blackwell, Blunt, >> Boyd, Brumfield, Bryan, Butler, Carter, Chassaniol
- Barnett, Blackman, Blunt, Brumfield, Bryan, Butler, DuPree, Blunt, Brumfield, Bryan, Butler, DuPree,
- Blunt, Bramfield, Brian, Butler, Dupri, Blunt, Bramfield, Brian, Butler, Dupri, Frasier,<01:54:10.560
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Dr. Pearl Huggin, and approved dispensing with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests were introduced, including Dr. Huggin’s family, the doctor of the day, first-year medical students from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and representatives from Mississippi hospitals and law enforcement. The chamber then moved to the calendar and took up multiple bills.
Senate Bill 2911, concerning alternative return-to-work provisions for state retirees, was explained as shortening the required separation period from 90 days to 30 days and allowing retirees to return in certain positions at up to 80% of the salary for the job they are performing, with the employer paying both sides of retirement contributions. Supporters said it would help fill vacancies in education, public safety, corrections, and local government and could save money compared with contract labor; questions focused on work expectations, insurance, and how the bill would apply to teachers, bus drivers, and other retirees. The committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed on the afternoon roll call.
Senate Bill 2272, which would exempt certain agriculture and forestry items from the 1.5% sales tax, was explained as reducing the tax to 0% for qualifying commercial farmers and loggers and expanding covered items to include equipment and fencing supplies. A question clarified that the exemption applies to commercial operations, not individuals raising animals for personal use. The bill passed on the afternoon roll call. Senate Bill 2909, which lowers the years needed for unreduced retirement under tier five from 35 to 30, was also taken up; after adoption of the committee substitute, the bill was laid on the table subject to call of the chair because of a pending amendment. The Senate also tabled a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2588 (the Shield Act codification) and heard Senate Bill 2260, which creates a government efficiency task force to study ways to streamline agency licensing and service delivery; that bill was explained as a preliminary study commission intended to recommend consolidation and a more one-stop approach to state services.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Butler, Mr. Carley, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Chesteen, Miss Coleman, Miss Coleman-Madison, Mr.
- Butler, Mr. Carley, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Chestine, Miss Coleman, Miss Coleman-Madison, Mr.
- Butler, Mr. Carley, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Chain, Miss Coleman, Miss Coleman Madison, Mr.
- Butler, Mr. Carley, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Chain, Miss Coleman, Miss Coleman Madison, Mr.
- Butler, >> Mr. Butler, >> Mr.<02:13:15.280>
Carley, >> Mr.
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the previous day’s journal, and allow introduction of bills and committee reports throughout the day. The Senate also received several House messages referring bills to committee, including local constitutional amendments for Limestone, Blount, and Mobile counties, a human cloning bill, a Fair Campaign Practices Act bill, a public education bill, a court fees bill, and a physician assistance bill.
Committee reports were then taken up. The Finance and Taxation General Fund, Confirmations, State Governmental Affairs, County and Municipal Government, Education Policy, Banking and Insurance, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Transportation and Energy, and Local Legislation committees all reported a number of bills favorably, many with amendments or substitutes. Several measures were advanced to the calendar for the next legislative day, and the Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Eileen Meyer and Tiffany Martin to the Alabama Board of Midwifery, Jennifer Ag, Jerry Gross, and Edgar Hower II to the University of West Alabama Board of Trustees, Patricia Sims, Tony Cochran, and Sandy Stimson to the Alabama State Port Authority Board of Directors.
The Senate then adopted a special order calendar under Senate Resolution 34, setting the order of business for the 10th legislative day. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 161, the App Store Accountability Act, which was described as a child-protection measure requiring parental permission, age verification by app stores, accurate app age ratings, and limits on minors entering contracts through app downloads. Senators speaking in support said the bill was needed to protect children from harmful online content and preserve parental control, and they discussed an amendment clarifying the meaning of “act” and preserving compliance with other state age-verification laws. The debate was ongoing in the portion provided, and no final vote on HB 161 appears in this excerpt.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, Albright, Baker, Barnes, Bedsole, Blackshear, Bolton, Boyd, Bracy, Binyard, Brown, Butler, KS
- , Bolton, Boyd, Bracy,<00:07:49.680>
Binyard, <00:07:50.400>Brown, <00:07:51.039>Butler - ,<00:07:51.759>
KS, Bracy, Binyard, Brown, Butler, KS, Bracy, Binyard, Brown, Butler, KS, - On page 44 of the calendar, House Bill 330 by Representative Butler relating to Etowah County.
- number 330 by Representative Butler number 330 by Representative Butler relating<00:21:44.240>
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 28th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Sergeant at Arms, please escort the entourage onto the floor.
- Albert High School girls' swim swim team captured its fourth state championship in program history, marking
- Sergeant at Arms, please escort the entourage onto the floor. Senator Stanley, thank you, Mr.
- And whereas this victory marks the program's first state championship in 26 years.
- Sergeant at Arms, please escort the entourage onto the floor. Senator Stanley, thank you, Mr.
Bills:
HB2894, HB3418, HB3415, HB3413, HB3414, HB3416, HB3417, HB3419, HB3420, HB1739, HB1752, HB1979, HB2941, HB2992, HB3075, HB3086, HB3177, HB3269, HB3278, HB3279, HB3497, HB3644, HB4432, HB3720, HB3849, HB3882, HB3919, HB3941, HB4118, HB4141, HB4268, HB4342, HB4428, HB4429, HB4434
Keywords:
HB2894, Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act, rural jobs, rural investment, tax credit, capital investment tax credit, state tax credits, economic development, rural fund, rural investor, qualified investment, eligible business, Department of Commerce, rural business, investment certification, tax liability, credit cap, workforce development, small business finance, rural development
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Color sergeant, please retire the colors. Sergeant, please retire the colors. Thank you.
- My hometown of Wachula sits about dead center of the basin and is marked on the coin with an orange.
- Sergeant Kelly will provide to make their way over to the East Gallery in the House.
- Sergeant Kelly will provide an escort. Please gather at the front doors of the Senate chamber.
- The sergeant, please secure the chamber.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, presentation of the colors, and the national anthem. The chamber welcomed cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, former Senate presidents and colleagues, and other guests. Senators also observed moments of silence honoring former Senator Geraldine Thompson and former Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, and the Senate dedicated its 2024-2026 handbook to Thompson in recognition of her work in education and civics.
The main action of the day was adoption of SCR 1294, which authorized the House and Senate to meet in joint session in the House chamber at 11 a.m. that day to receive a message from Governor Ron DeSantis. The resolution was adopted without objection, rules were waived, and it was immediately certified to the House. The Secretary was also directed to notify the House and Governor that the Senate was convened and ready to proceed with the 2025 regular session.
In a lengthy opening-day address, the President outlined the session’s priorities, emphasizing rural Florida, citrus and agriculture, government efficiency, IT and cybersecurity reform, administrative rule review, affordability, insurance and property tax relief, autism services, veterans’ support, mental health and child welfare legislation, Everglades restoration, public school administrative efficiency, and food insecurity. No substantive debate or roll-call votes were taken beyond the unanimous adoption of the concurrent resolution. The Senate then adjourned until March 12, 2025, or upon the call of the President.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Contract Review Legislative Oversight Committee Mar 6th, 2025
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session (Part 1 of September 12, 2025 Legislative day)
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Therefore, the Sergeant at Arms will prepare the chamber and bring in the absent members.
- File item number 16 is AB 770 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez.
- Members, this is AB 770 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez. Members, this is a 54-vote bill.
- There's a sergeant on this floor today who serves us all the time.
- There's a sergeant on this floor today who serves us all the time, who's talking to the chief.
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine procedural motions. Members then moved through a long agenda of Senate and Assembly bills, including several concurrence votes on budget trailer bills and policy measures. Early actions included defeating a motion to send AB 1207 to the inactive file, then passing SB 855 on armory property transfers, SB 57 on data centers and ratepayer impacts, and SB 614 on carbon capture pipeline transport, with SB 614 transmitted immediately to the Senate. The house also approved AB 144 and AB 149, the health and resources budget trailer bills, and later took up a large concurrence file with many mostly bipartisan measures.
Among the major policy items, the Assembly concurred in AB 7 on consideration of descendants of enslaved people in higher education admissions, AB 1400 on community college nursing/bachelor’s degree pilots, AB 56 on social media warning labels for children, AB 253 on housing plan-check timelines, AB 265 on disaster recovery support for small businesses, AB 301 on housing reconstruction timelines after fires, AB 325 on antitrust and pricing algorithms, AB 478 on emergency planning for pets, AB 670 on renter stability, AB 841 on the State Fire Marshal, AB 979 on AI cybersecurity, AB 1007 on faster housing permitting, AB 1032 on mental health care for wildfire victims, AB 1181 on firefighter cancer protections, and AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals. Several bills drew brief opposition or questions, including AB 149, where Assembly Member Dixon criticized omnibus budget drafting and fee increases, and AB 1264, where members discussed agriculture concerns and school nutrition. Most measures passed with strong margins, many unanimously.
Later in the day, the Assembly also considered a separate set of Senate bills, including SB 760 on behest reporting for charitable appeals, SB 271 on student parents’ access to child care and financial aid services, SB 613 on methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, SB 744 on postsecondary accreditation, SB 461 on a facility transfer for police services in Imperial, SB 487 on compensation for injured firefighters and peace officers, SB 635 on street vendor protections, SB 641 on licensing relief after disasters, SB 720 on red-light camera programs, SB 763 on Cartwright Act penalties, and SB 274 on limits for automated license plate reader data retention. SB 274 drew the most extended debate, with supporters emphasizing privacy, civil liberties, and misuse of data, and opponents arguing the bill would hamper law enforcement and crime-solving tools. The transcript ends during that debate, with no final vote shown for SB 274 in the excerpt provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Farewells - 05/18/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Sergeants,<00:53:44.600>
state <00:53:44.840>troopers, Sergeants, state troopers, Sergeants - they'd have sergeant of arms remove<02:28:03.280>
me. - And then I'm a special thank you to the sergeants.
- And then I'm a special thank you to the sergeants.
- I thought, you know, at 10-year mark, I thought, you know, at 10-year mark, I<03:25:44.360>
was
Summary:
The meeting was a Senate retirement recognition session held after adjournment sine die, with the presiding officer relaxing decorum so members could speak, applaud, and interact more freely. The chair explained the order of speakers and noted that retiring members would be recognized from their desks, with a plaque presented by Senate leaders and photos taken afterward. The session was framed as a celebration of service for retiring senators and a tribute to staff, families, and colleagues.
Senator Mann spoke first, thanking constituents, family, staff, colleagues, and advocates, and highlighting policy accomplishments such as banning non-compete clauses, wage transparency, breast cancer screening coverage, protections for students, expanded health coverage, pharmacy benefit manager reforms, physician workforce changes, the medication repository program, and paid leave. She also used her remarks to criticize racism, sexism, and broader threats to women’s and people of color’s freedoms, urging civic engagement and warning against erosion of democracy. Senator Tou Xiong followed with a personal farewell centered on his mother’s refugee experience, his family’s sacrifices, and gratitude to mentors and colleagues; he emphasized the value of public service, bipartisan cooperation, and the idea that Minnesota should be a model for the country.
Senator Howe gave a faith-centered retirement speech reflecting on his path from humble beginnings, his family, military and public service, and the importance of humility, justice, mercy, and listening to constituents. Senator Klein looked back on a decade in the chamber, including the pandemic and the George Floyd unrest, and said the Senate’s decorum and relationships endured through difficult times; he cited a bill he helped pass for a child needing a prosthetic blade as an example of the legislature’s best work. Senator Draheim began his remarks by thanking his wife and children and joking about his discomfort with speeches, then described being recruited to run for office despite never seeing himself as a politician.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 44 Morning Session Apr 21st, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- distinguished guests, it is my pleasure to be with you today on behalf of Langston University today marks
- Sergeants announced roll call in The roll call is now in progress.
- Sergeants announced roll call in the halls. Roll call is now in progress.
- Sergeants announced roll call in the halls. Roll call is now in progress. Dobrinsky.
- Sergeants announced roll call in the halls. Roll call is now in progress.
Bills:
HB4028, HB4075, HB4077, HB4074, HB4076, SB1221, SB1921, SB2118, SB1932, SB2134, HCR1025, SB1432, HCR1024, HCR1022, SB1122, HB4029, HB4063, HB4073, HB4078, SB1936, SB44, SB237, SB248, SB1360, SB985, SB1204, SB1239, SB1307, SB2143, SB1428, SB1390, SB1400, SB1405, SB1732, SB1832, SB1859, SB1989, SB2018, SB1427
Keywords:
tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, water resources, appropriations, funding, state treasury, infrastructure projects, emergency act, emergency management, disaster relief, pandemic response, state appropriations, HB4074, Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Health Care Workforce Revolving Fund, health workforce, health care workforce
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on County & Regional Government Apr 21st, 2025
S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- If not, the chair recognizes Representative Mark. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- We show you registered as Devon Bonner, registered as Sergeant.
- The chair calls Mark Herman. Mark, we have you registered as Mark Herman.
- And I spent the last decade as a Sergeant at Harris County Precinct 5.
- The chair calls Mark Herman. Thank you.
Bills:
HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403, HB240
Keywords:
quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on County & Regional Government Apr 21st, 2025 at 01:04 pm
S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a sergeant for the Bertram Police Department.
- We have, you know, sergeants, everything.
- The chair calls Mark Herman.
- Mark, we have you registered as Mark Herman, as Constable, Harris County Constable's Office, Precinct
- The chair calls Mark Herman. Mark Herman.
Bills:
HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403
Keywords:
quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code
Summary:
The subcommittee on county and regional government heard a long agenda of county-related bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097, by Rep. Martinez, would let counties that opt in use an independent hearing examiner instead of a civil service commission for certain deputy sheriff discipline appeals; the bill drew support from CLEET’s Robert Leonard, who said it would be fairer and faster, and it was left pending. HB 4642, by Rep. Gonzalez, would require counties that contract with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas jail-standard protections and oversight; Gonzalez, detainee Jess Hampton, his wife, Texas Jail Project’s Krish Kundu, and TCJS director Brandon Wood all discussed deaths and poor conditions in Louisiana facilities, staffing shortages, and the need for guardrails and data collection. The bill was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 4350, by Rep. Capriglione, allowing peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face targeted threats and should have protections similar to judges; a title industry witness warned about preserving the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687, by Rep. Harless, would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet training and certification standards within set timeframes; Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen supported professionalization, and the bill was left pending. HB 4105 would let very large counties give a local-bid preference for construction and infrastructure contracts, and HB 4205 would require pay parity for similar law enforcement ranks within large counties; both were supported by Harris County officials and constables and left pending.
Later, the committee heard HB 5403, which would repeal a special rule limiting Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs’ control over commissary funds; the author said it would remove an outdated population bracket, and the bill was left pending. HB 4462 would require large counties to allow elected officials named in civil suits to seek outside counsel and have a role in settlement decisions; supporters argued county attorneys and commissioners court can have conflicts of interest, while questions focused on who qualifies and whether the bill could complicate settlements. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 240, by Rep. Swanson, would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively preventing tax action without all commissioners present and defaulting to the no-new-revenue rate if quorum is not met; urban counties opposed it as a potential budget obstruction, while supporters said it protects taxpayers and representation. That bill was also left pending. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 3319, which would create a civil service system for constable department employees in large counties, but the discussion is cut off before testimony or action.