Video & Transcript Research : 'Texas Rising Star Program'
Page 45 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The travel industry is an economic driver for the Texas economy.
- in western Texas.
- Uh, the Texas Attorney General, uh, is responsible for enforcing the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust
- This bill simply ensures that Texas that Texas adhere adheres to our founding principles of religious
- Um, so there are many license types and programs regulated by Texas, uh, state agencies, and we have
Keywords:
grand jury, jury qualifications, jury wheel, small counties, Texas legislation, age verification, obscene devices, online sales, juvenile protection, penalties, antitrust, attorney general, Texas Free Enterprise, business regulations, legal confidentiality, personal identifying information, data brokers, judicial safety, civil rights, data privacy
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill addresses concerns with the Texas Alcohol Awareness Program.
- from the These programs were unique because they were the only online alcohol awareness programs that
- . the TDLR program.
- The state-approved alcohol awareness program and our program were all under TDLR's regulation, from when
- Shame on Texas for doing this.
Keywords:
juvenile justice, correctional facilities, reform, rehabilitation, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, alcohol awareness, court-ordered programs, substance misuse education, deferred disposition, youth, parole reform, inmates under 18, mental health, educational achievement, reintegration, foster youth, behavior intervention, community services, diversion policies, HB 5653
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This committee substitute was requested by the Texas Real Estate and Probate Institute, and that's all
- This committee substitute was requested by the Texas Real Estate and Probate Institute, and that's all
- I'm an estate planning and probate attorney here in Austin, and I'm here on behalf of the Texas Real
- It keeps costs down, makes sure that Texas disputes are handled by Texas courts, and should encourage
- Texas disputes are handled by Texas courts, which should encourage economic growth and more projects
Keywords:
probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, real property, deed fraud, title fraud
Summary:
The committee heard several probate, family law, judicial, property, and contract-related bills. Senate Bill 1335, relating to decedents’ estates, would remove outdated references to a clerk’s certificate, allow courts to remove personal representatives on their own motion with notice by qualified delivery method, and add independent administrators to provisions that referenced only independent executors; an estate-planning attorney testified in support, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1760, concerning guardianship transfer fees and procedures, was described as setting a $45 filing fee for transferred guardianship cases and clarifying completion and dismissal procedures; it received no testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 2127 would shorten the eligibility period for retired judges to serve as visiting judges from eight years to six, restrict practice in their assigned region for two years, and require conflict-related certification; it also was left pending without testimony. Senate Bill 302 would shift the cost of a traveling probate judge to the requesting estate or parties rather than the county; one witness registered in favor, no one testified, and the bill was left pending.
The committee then considered a committee substitute for Senate Bill 252, which would clarify the parental presumption in conservatorship cases, require non-parents seeking relief against a parent to file an affidavit showing significant impairment to the child if relief is denied, require courts to state specific findings when overcoming the presumption, confirm the clear-and-convincing standard, and clarify that agreed prior orders do not defeat the presumption. The substitute was explained as consensus language from a work group, public testimony was reopened, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1734, on deed fraud, would create a streamlined ex parte process for property owners to have fraudulent deeds declared void, modeled on the fraudulent lien statute; county clerk and title association representatives testified that it would provide a low-cost self-help remedy for a growing problem, and the bill was left pending subject to the chair. Senate Bill 1975 would prevent Texas contractors from being forced to litigate disputes in foreign jurisdictions and require disputes to be handled in the county where the project is located; it was presented as a repeat of a previously vetoed bill and was left pending.
Finally, the committee took up a substitute for Senate Bill 1940, concerning transfer-on-death style beneficiary designations for manufactured homes. The substitute would allow one or more beneficiaries instead of only one, transfer the interest to surviving designated beneficiaries who survive by 120 hours, extend the application period for transfer to 365 days, void the designation if not timely filed, and require mailing by certified or registered mail with return receipt requested. The substitute was adopted without objection. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- The first bill for our consideration is Senate File 14, literacy position for K through 3 reading program
- It appropriates $240,000 from the public school foundation program account to the Department of Education
- 00.879>
to <00:01:01.199>the <00:01:01.520>deployment <00:01:01.920>of program - account to the deployment of program account to the deployment of educ<00:01:02.559>
uh <00:01 - However, you all as part of the program.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 12th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The state of Texas has long held that certain entities.
- So, Texas Rural Water Association, we have met with staff.
- these habitats in South Texas.
- Even HEB has sponsored the Pollinators for Texas project.
- The Texas Wildlife Association does a lot of this.
Keywords:
outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Areas in Texas.
- producing regions within Texas would support.
- You're letting the people of Texas decide.
- We have a PA program that we created and thank you to the state of Texas, a lot of dollars were put in
- We have a program that we created through Texas Tech that we fund locally.
Keywords:
emergency preparedness, flood-prone communities, Texas Rural Emergency Preparedness Fund, disaster relief, funding, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This will be the most impactful bill we've ever passed in the Texas Senate.
- So we'll call James Pope, Susan Spatero, and Brandi Winch from Texas Realty.
Keywords:
homestead exemption, elderly, disabled, ad valorem taxation, school district funding, Texas constitutional amendment, property tax relief, school district taxes, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, elderly homeowners, senior citizens, disabled homeowners, age 65 or older, school finance, tax exemption increase, local school taxes, property tax exemption, homestead tax relief, voter approval
TX
Bills:
SB 913, SB 1086, SB 1087, SB 1143, SB 1534, SB 1553, SB 1718, SB 1754, SB 2004, SB 2322, SB 2448
Keywords:
hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 2nd, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Keywords:
property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, ad valorem taxes, disabled, elderly, homesteads, tax limitation, diversity, equity, inclusion, LGBTQ, state agencies, prohibition, heat illness prevention, workplace safety, administrative penalties, advisory board
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, Texans are struggling with rising housing costs.
- It's important to protect the rights of Texas property owners in the midst of rising rates.
- I'm from Carrollton, Texas.
- The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service serves every county in Texas with a network of employees across
- As part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M University System, the Institute
Keywords:
HB 148, Texas Education Code, Texas Education Agency, TEA, artificial intelligence, AI, machine learning, automated scoring, constructed response, open-ended answers, student assessments, state testing, standardized tests, public schools, education policy, assessment instruments, school accountability, test scoring, 2026-2027 school year, ad valorem tax
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Director of Government Relations for Texas Values, testifying in favor of Senate Bill 7, the Texas
- And Texas women are safe. I go to the My wife is safe. My mom is safe. And Texas women are safe.
- Central Texas.
- to the SDC in Texas.
- While many Texas cities have adopted these policies, the majority of Texas cities have not.
Keywords:
gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, with the author and committee substitute explaining that the bill would require public facilities to designate multi-use private spaces by biological sex, restrict access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping quarters, shelters, and correctional facilities, and create civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Members asked about how the bill would apply to family violence shelters, children in mixed-family settings, venue layout, and venue for lawsuits; the author said the bill was similar to prior legislation but with stronger penalties and the 15th Court of Appeals as the exclusive intermediate appellate court for challenges, while clarifying that trial venue should generally be local except for state agencies. The committee also heard that the bill would be amended to better address local venue concerns and shelter-related issues.
Invited testimony was largely in support of the bill from witnesses who described personal experiences in women’s sports, prisons, shelters, and public facilities, arguing that single-sex spaces are necessary for privacy and safety. Supporters included parents, former incarcerated women, a Republican county chair, a legal advocate, and a prison educator, who cited incidents involving transgender-identifying individuals in locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and restrooms, and said the bill would restore sex-based boundaries and protect vulnerable women and girls. One witness from Texas Values said the bill was needed despite the recently enacted Women’s Bill of Rights, and another ADF witness said the measure would protect privacy in schools and shelters.
Opponents testified that the bill would harm transgender and intersex Texans, create harassment and “gender policing,” and expose cisgender women and children to invasive enforcement. Several witnesses argued there is no evidence that transgender women pose a restroom safety threat, while others said the bill would worsen mental health, employment, and school conditions for trans people and could conflict with prison standards and federal law. Family violence advocates urged changes to protect shelter operations and clarify that children can stay with parents, while other witnesses said the bill would create barriers for victims seeking help. The hearing featured extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Luis Soberon with Texas 2036.
- I am Nikki Llewellyn with the ACLU of Texas.
- Texas deserves better. We need greater transparency, not less.
- Texas deserves better. We need greater transparency, not less.
- I'm representing the Texas...
Keywords:
gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 14, which would create a confidential department file for law enforcement officers and jailers and limit public access to records involving unsubstantiated misconduct, while preserving access for hiring agencies, TCOLE, and certain criminal justice uses. TCOLE’s Gretchen Grigsby explained the current rollout of law enforcement recordkeeping reforms, including the distinction between the public personnel file and the confidential G-file, and answered questions about when TCOLE would request files during investigations. Senator Perry and other members focused on how the bill would interact with existing personnel-file rules, public transparency, and criminal discovery obligations.
Public testimony was largely opposed. Critics argued the bill was drafted too broadly, could sweep in records beyond misconduct files, and would reduce transparency for the public, journalists, oversight bodies, and families seeking answers in cases such as Uvalde and jail deaths in Tarrant County. Several witnesses said the bill could allow small or single-officer agencies, including elected constables, to shield their own records, and some warned it could chill reporting and oversight. Supporters, including law enforcement representatives, said the bill would protect officers from false or unsubstantiated allegations, align agencies without civil-service protections with those that already have G-files, and preserve confidentiality for records that should not be public. Dallas County prosecutors and Harris County deputies supported the general policy but asked for clarifying amendments, especially to separate language they said could affect the Michael Morton Act and to preserve existing protections through in-camera review or protective orders.
Committee members spent significant time questioning witnesses about how substantiated versus unsubstantiated allegations would be handled, whether body camera footage and case files would remain public, and how the bill would affect discovery in criminal cases. After hearing all registered witnesses, the chair closed public testimony. Senate Bill 14 was left pending, and the committee recessed.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And even when eligible students are aware of the waiver program, Foster youth are not aware of this program
- As we know, the state of Texas has had some very serious challenges with its foster care programs, and
- The program will help 11th- and 12th-grade students complete a certificate program while in high school
- The program will help 11th- and 12th-grade students complete a certificate program while in high school
- , and the P-TECH program.
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending.
Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- test based on Texas TEKS, Texas learning, is very, very, very important.
- and replace it with effectively a Texas test based on Texas Teaks, Texas Learning is very very very
- What we're hearing from Texas classrooms and from Texas teachers.
- The Governor's Office announced this week that Texas... ...to build a more globally competitive Texas
- It's about the future of Texas.
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair.
The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending.
A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- in economic activity within Texas and the loss of over 32,000 jobs.
- That would affect Texas and Arizona, but far more Texas than anywhere else.
- Both Texas U.S. senators, as well as many others in the Texas congressional delegation on both sides
- We're working with several developers from Mexico and Texas.
- Taiwan is not just a global partner; it's a trusted Texas ally.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education Apr 10th, 2025
S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education
Transcript Highlights:
- The effectiveness of these programs is often hindered by inconsistent and outdated reporting mechanisms
- by the Texas Education Agency.
- This program would allow school districts and charter schools to collect, analyze, and report CTE data
- Association of Texas, and you are testifying for the bill. Is that correct? Yes, that is correct.
- So I work for the Texas Education Agency. I haven't been in contact with anyone from TRS. Okay.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Will our members please rise and our guests please rise as you are able for our invocation.
Keywords:
SB1696, Oklahoma Talent Attraction and Relocation Program, Oklahoma Talent Attraction and Relocation Revolving Fund, Department of Commerce, economic development, workforce development, community development, relocation incentives, talent recruitment, in-migration, population growth, household relocation, grant program, revolving fund, local government grants, municipalities, counties, nonprofit organizations, economic incentives, residency
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- bill today that we're going to take a look at is Senate File 14, Literacy Position for K-3 Reading Program
- Program. And I've asked uh members of Program.
- intervention um literacy program. intervention um literacy program.
- We just haven’t, you know, used this and filled the program. And I don’t know, I could be wrong.
- Madam Chairman, for Senate File 14, Literacy Position for K-3 Reading Program, do pass amended.
WY
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Texas State Employees Pay Raise Jan 27th, 2025 at 11:01 am
Transcript Highlights:
- hear from John Gangler, who's a current state employee, and from Joan Barish, who's a retiree with Texas
- Because Texas does not pay us enough to really see a future in Texas. And that's just common sense.
- If the Texas legislature really thinks that the people of Texas deserve a workforce that sees them as
- It's about showing that in Texas we take care of our own.
- It's about retaining the talent and experience that keeps Texas moving forward.
Keywords:
Texas state employees, retirees, compensation, House Bill 343, House Bill 247, Senator Sarah Eckhardt, Representative John Busey, cost of living, workforce, legislative session
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on critical issues facing Texas state employees and retirees, highlighting the need for increased compensation and improved benefits. Senator Sarah Eckhardt and Representative John Busey presented new legislation aimed at addressing these longstanding problems, including proposed House Bills 343 and 247, which seek a $10,000 across-the-board pay increase for state employees. Senator Eckhardt emphasized the growing wage gap between public sector jobs and private sector offerings, which has led to high turnover rates and the loss of institutional knowledge. Public testimonies underscored the urgency of the issue as retirees shared their struggles with stagnant pensions amidst rising living costs.