Video & Transcript Research : 'Middleton'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Hancock, Hinojosa of Nueces, Hinojosa of Hidalgo, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menendez, Middleton
- “Senator Middleton, you’re recognized on third reading and final passage of Senate Bill 406, suspend
- Senator Middleton: Thank you, Mr. President.
- Senate Bill 2531 by Middleton, relating to occupational licensing reciprocity agreements, to Business
- Senate Bill 2711 by Middleton, relating to the Public Information Act, to Business and Commerce.
Bills:
SJR12, SCR39, SB27, SB29, SB241, SB406, SB414, SB464, SB568, SB578, SB609, SB660, SB689, SB693, SB785, SB857, SB879, SB921, SB922, SB955, SB985, SB993, SB996, SB1008, SB1035, SB1036, SB1059, SB1098, SB1120, SB1122, SB1147, SB1188, SB1197, SB1209, SB1227, SB1245, SB1267, SB1307, SB1321, SB1332, SB1386, SB1396, SB1453, SB1484, SB1494, SB1536, SB1537, SB1596, SB1610, SB1664, SB1741, SB1814, SB1822, SB1841, SB1948, SB2065, SB2155, SB2188, SB2230, SB2406, SB2407
Keywords:
parental rights, education, constitutional amendment, school choice, child education, border security, southern border, federal immigration policy, illegal immigration, cartels, transnational cartels, fentanyl, drug trafficking, human trafficking, Operation Lone Star, Texas border, National Guard, state guard, border wall, border barriers
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with senators highlighting the university’s growth, medical school, research expansion, and role in serving South Texas. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 368 honoring outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, with numerous senators praising his long public career, leadership in higher education, and statewide impact. Senate Resolution 361 recognizing Texas HBCU Day and Senate Resolution 362 recognizing Denton County Days at the Capitol were also adopted, along with other routine recognitions and gubernatorial appointments being read into the record.
The Senate then took up several bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to shorten vacancy posting requirements, allow bilingual certification candidates to retake only failed test sections, give teachers more flexibility with paid leave, clarify classroom removal procedures, and ensure parents are informed of appeal rights. The bill passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment to establish a parent’s right to direct a child’s education, was also brought up and passed to engrossment after a contested suspension vote.
The Senate next passed Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, which would require reporting of foreign funding at public universities, bar gifts from adversarial governments, and require training and reporting systems to prevent foreign influence and intellectual property theft in higher education. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the so-called “Dexit” bill, was debated at length for its corporate governance changes, including codifying the business judgment rule and altering internal corporate litigation and records rules; it passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and it was finally passed by a 30-1 vote. Senate Bill 857, allowing law enforcement discretion to tow vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed after discussion of towing abuses during flooding and disaster conditions. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536, requiring dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, passed with broad support, and Senate Bill 922, addressing delayed electronic disclosure of sensitive medical test results so physicians can discuss them first, was taken up and passed to engrossment as the chamber continued through its calendar.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Middleton, aye. Cook, aye. Gutierrez, aye. Nichols, aye. Paxson, aye. West.
- Middleton? Aye. Cook? Aye. Gutierrez? Aye. Nichols? Aye. Paxson? Aye. West? Aye.
- Middleton, aye. Cook, aye. Gutierrez, aye.
- Middleton, aye. Cook, aye. Gutierrez, aye. Nichols, aye. Paxson, aye. West, aye.
- Middleton, aye. Cook, aye. Gutierrez, aye. Nichols, aye. Paxson, aye. West, aye.
Bills:
HB103
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Middleton.
- Senator Middleton?
- Senator Middleton.
- Senator Middleton.
- Senator Middleton?
Bills:
HCR75, HCR93, SB644, SCR2, SCR17, HB2703, HCR92, HCR7, HCR126, HB1615, HB1610, HB1620, HCR86, HCR7
Keywords:
Hemphill, bass fishing, tourism, state recognition, conservation, recreational activities, Nacogdoches, Garden Capital, public gardens, sustainability, horticultural heritage, hospice, palliative care, awareness day, healthcare, patient care, state regulation, taxation, education, local authority
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) May 1st, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Middleton? Senator Nichols? Senator Zaffirini? Senator King? Aye.
- Senator Middleton? Senator Nichols? Aye. Senator Zaffirini? Aye. Senator King? Aye.
- Senator Middleton sends up a committee substitute for Senate Bill 383, and Senator Middleton, you're
- Members, questions of Senator Middleton on the committee substitute?
- Senator Middleton? Aye. Senator Nichols? Senator Zaffirini? Aye. Senator King? Aye.
Bills:
HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696, HB12, HB149
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Middleton, you are recognized on Senate Bill 1069. Thank you.
- Quick question for Senator Middleton.
- Senate Bill 1241 by Senator Middleton is as pending business.
- Middleton. King, Aye. Paxton, Aye.
- Senate Bill 1972 by Senator Middleton is pending business.
Bills:
SB2972, SB1909, SB2815, SB735, SB2233, SB800, SB1069, SB2683, SB2986, SB2058, SB2310, SB2055, SB1032
Keywords:
expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- A quick question for Senator Middleton.
- Middleton. King. Aye. Paxton. Menendez. Nay. Hinojosa. Aye. Hagan Boo?
- Middleton. Aye. Haxon. Menendez. Aye. Hinojosa. Aye. Hagenbu. Aye.
- Members, are there any questions for Senator Middleton? Yes, Madam Chair.
- Middleton, King, Paxon, Menendez, aye. Hinojosa. Higambu. Aye.
Summary:
The Senate Education Committee K-16 resumed public testimony on Senate Bill 735, a Holocaust education bill. Alice Min spoke in support, saying learning about difficult parts of history is important for understanding American history and the experiences of minority communities. Sheila Hemphill also supported the bill but urged broader language to include multiple genocides and more instructional material. After a brief exchange, public testimony on SB 735 closed and the bill was left pending.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 800, which would strengthen higher-education orientation materials on sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking policies, and Senate Bill 2310, which would require public institutions to post clearer online degree and transfer requirements. Both bills were explained by their authors, committee substitutes were adopted, no public testimony was offered, and each bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2055, a cleanup bill for the Texas Leadership Scholars Program, was also heard and left pending after no testimony.
A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 1069, which would require investigations and mandatory termination for faculty found to have discriminated against students based on religion, with a department placed under conservatorship after a termination. The author said the bill was meant to address religious discrimination and protect students; several witnesses, including Muslim and Jewish law students and other advocates, argued it was too vague, lacked a definition of religious discrimination, threatened academic freedom, and could chill speech. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2972, which would set new limits on expressive activity on public university campuses, including restrictions on encampments, masks, sound amplification, and protests during finals; opponents said it would restrict free speech and protest rights, while the bill was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. Senate Bill 2815, allowing students to choose the diploma name after a university merger or renaming, was briefly heard and left pending.
Later, the committee took up pending business and voted out several bills. SB 2920, SB 2398, SB 2927, SB 2929, SB 1241, SB 1395, SB 401, SB 1972, and SB 2540 were reported favorably, with some committee substitutes adopted and several placed on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1241’s substitute would have the Higher Education Coordinating Board study standardized test equivalency scores for admissions. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Middleton: Present. Senator Cook: Present. Senator Gutierrez: Present.
- Senator Middleton: Present. Senator Cook: Present. Senator Gutierrez: Present.
- Senator Middleton: Senator Cook: Aye. Senator Gutierrez: No.
- Senator Middleton: Senator Cook: Senator Gutierrez: Senator- Senator Nichols: Aye.
- Senator Middleton, okay, without objection, we would accept. Senator... Senator...
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, family leave
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Middleton. Here. Parker. Aye. Paxton. West, a quorum is present. Okay, members. We have a quorum.
- Middleton. Aye. King. Aye. Paxton. Aye. West. Aye. Menéndez. Aye. Parker. Aye. Hinojosa. Aye.
- Middleton. Aye. King. Aye. Paxton. Aye. West. Aye. Menéndez. Aye. Parker. Aye. Hinojosa. Aye.
- Middleton. Aye. King. Aye. Paxton. Aye. West. Menéndez. This is a jury game.
- Middleton. Aye. King. Aye. Paxton. Aye. West? No. Menéndez? No. Parker? Aye. Hinojosa? Aye.
Keywords:
educator misconduct, reporting requirements, local law enforcement, public and private schools, penalties for non-compliance, expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, telework, public education, employee rights, emergency provisions, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, antisemitism, genocide education, public schools
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Middleton? Parker?
- Middleton? Parker? Perry? Huff? Huff? Berdwell? Hall? Hinojosa? Middleton? Parker? Perry?
- Court, Burdwell, Hall, Hinojosa, Middleton.
- Middleton? Parker?
- Middleton this week.
Keywords:
biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission
TX
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I thank you, Senator Middleton, and thank you.
- Middleton? Parker?
- Court, Burdwell, Hall, Hinojosa, Middleton.
- Middleton? Parker? Baird? Shortener? Saffirini? Paxton?
- Thank you, Senator Middleton, for filing this bill.
Keywords:
biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce Mar 25th, 2025 at 08:00 am
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Middleton voted aye. Senator King voted yes, and Senator Schwertner voted aye.
- Senator Middleton voted aye. Senator King voted yes, and Senator Schwertner voted aye.
- Senator Middleton sent up the committee substitute for Senate Bill 1008, and Senator Middleton was recognized
- Senator Middleton sends up the committee substitute for sent Bill 1008.
- Senator Middleton. Senator Middleton. Senator Nichols. Aye. Senator Zaffirini. Senator King. Aye.
Bills:
SB483, SB522, SB783, SB1239, SB1254, SB1255, SB1259, SB1341, SB1664, SB1762, SB1856, SB1877, SB1977
Keywords:
utility, proprietary information, customer data, data protection, electric service, customer information, emergency communication, electric utility, privacy, certification, public accountants, interstate licensing, accounting, regulatory amendment, energy efficiency, construction regulations, building codes, Texas, sustainability, cost-effectiveness
Summary:
The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and first took up pending business, voting out several bills. Senate Bills 1697, 1569, 1202 as substituted, 1029, 1364, 1185, 924, 1008 as substituted, 264, 1376, and 1358 as substituted were reported favorably, with some sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a substitute for SB 1202 and later corrected votes on several measures. SB 924 and SB 1376 drew some opposition, while the rest of the pending bills were reported without dissent or with limited nays.
The committee then heard testimony on SB 1856, which would create an annual capacity-cost recovery rider for Entergy Texas customers in the MISO region. The author and Entergy argued the bill would better match rates to actual capacity costs and improve transparency, while the Texas Association of Manufacturers and the Public Utility Commission raised concerns about the short 10-day review period, rider proliferation, and the preference for full rate cases over piecemeal adjustments. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard and left pending SB 522 on CPA reciprocity, SB 1664 requiring TDUs to provide clearer, standalone rate-change disclosures, SB 1877 expanding OPUC’s access to market data, SB 1254 and SB 1255 as TDLR cleanup bills on professional employer organizations and mold assessors, SB 1341 updating manufactured housing rules, SB 1239 on sovereign debt and Texas governing law, and SB 1259 streamlining the surveyor-in-training licensing process.
Additional bills discussed included SB 1977, which would cap recoverable legal expenses in electric, water, and sewer rate cases; OPUC and some consumer advocates supported the idea as a way to reduce ratepayer costs, while utility representatives warned it could discourage participation and increase rate shock. The committee also heard SB 1762 clarifying that geothermal energy conservation wells are not battery resources, and SB 783 allowing SECO to proceed with future energy-code rulemaking for state-funded buildings. Both drew supportive testimony from industry and environmental groups. All remaining bills heard during the meeting were left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman Bettencourt, Senator Middleton, Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez, Senator Nichols, Senator Paxton
- Any questions for Senator Middleton on Senator Campbell's bill?
- Chairman Bettencourt, Senator Middleton, Senator Cook.
- Senator Middleton, aye.
- Chairman Bettencourt, Senator Middleton, aye.
Summary:
The Senate Local Government Committee met with a quorum and considered several bills and resolutions, beginning with Senate Bill 393. The bill would restrict political subdivisions from issuing debt for personal property whose useful life ends before the debt matures, and the committee substitute broadened the restriction to include certificates of obligation and anticipation notes as well as general obligation bonds. Members asked about how the weighted-average maturity calculation works, but no detailed explanation was provided. The committee adopted the substitute and left SB 393 pending without a final vote.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 464, a youth vaping measure by Senator Campbell. The committee substitute defined vaping apparatus, added a Class A misdemeanor, increased the school buffer from 300 feet to 1,000 feet, preserved limited local authority over tobacco-related retail regulation, and removed a 50% threshold. The substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably; it was also placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also took up SJR 81, which would create a general-law exception for up to $25,000 of tangible personal property held for production of income, and after no public testimony it was reported favorably.
Members next considered SB 32, a tax relief measure. The committee substitute reduced the franchise credit amount from $700 million to $500 million, paired with the recently passed $200 million from the related resolution to keep the total at $700 million over the biennium. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also reported out SB 996, SB 1163, SB 1173, SB 1277, SB 1453, and SB 2016, with most passing on 5-0 votes; SB 1453 passed 4-1 and SB 2016 passed 4-1. SB 1163 was reported to the full Senate but not placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee ended the meeting by leaving SB 393 pending and then adjourning/recessing subject to the chair's call.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Sunset Advisory Commission Jan 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Middleton? Here. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Quorum is established.
- Senator Middleton: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members.
- Senator Middleton: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members.
- Senator Middleton: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members.
- Senator Middleton? Senator Sparks? Mr. Ellswick? Christie Wood: Nine ayes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Creighton Campbell Betancourt Hagenboo Hinojosa King Menendez Middleton. Parker Paxson.
- Middleton, King Paxton, West Menendez Parker Hinojosa Higginboo Campbell, Creighton.
- Bancourt Middleton King.
- Chair lays out House Bill 3372 sponsored by Senator Middleton. Senator West.
- Senator Middleton Middleton, is that what you're trying to do? Or just stop a while ago.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Middleton, Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez.
- Let's see, Senator Middleton moves to adopt the committee substitute to Senate Bill 467.
- Senator Middleton. Aye. Senator Cook. Aye. Senator Gutierrez. Aye. Senator Nichols. Aye.
- Senator Middleton. Aye.
- Senator Middleton? Aye. Senator... Senator Cook. Senator Gutierrez. Senator Nichols.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman Betancourt, present, Senator Middleton. Senator Cook.
- Chairman Betancourt, I, Senator Middleton, Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez, Senator Nichols.
- Chairman Betancourt, Senator Middleton, Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez, Senator Nichols.
- Chairman Betancourt, Senator Middleton, Senator Cook. Senator Gutierrez.
- Senator Middleton, Senator Cook. Senator Gutierrez. What's this one? No. Senator Nichols.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Hancock, Hinojosa of Nueces, Hinojosa of Hidalgo, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, King, Kolkhorst, Menendez, Middleton
- Senator Middleton, you're recognized on third reading, Senate Bill 406, suspend the regular order of
- Senate Bill 2531 by Middleton, relating to occupational licensing reciprocity agreements, to Business
- Senate Bill 2532 by Middleton, relating to the calculation of the voter approval tax rate for certain
- Senate Bill 2711 by Middleton, relating to the public information law, to Business and Commerce.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day.
The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.
TX
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Are my Parker Middleton... Okay, where is Parker? Staff says they're on the way.
- No other questions for Senator Middleton on House Bill 2715?
- Senator Middleton aye. Senator Cook... ...and be printed. The clerk will call the roll.
- Senator Middleton aye. Senator Cook no. Senator Gutierrez. Senator Nichols. Thank you.
- Senator Middleton: aye. Senator Cook: aye. Senator Gutierrez: aye. Senator Nichols: aye.
Keywords:
HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening, fire protection personnel, local government, political subdivision, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, National Fire Protection Association, NFPA standards, occupational medical examination, public safety, firefighter health, cancer prevention, annual health screening, confidential medical exam, pulmonary function test, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, blood test
Summary:
The Committee on Local Government heard and discussed a series of House bills dealing with municipal structure, tax payment timing, local provider participation funds, firefighter cancer screenings, sunset review of the Trinity River Authority, replacement certificates of occupancy, and open meetings enforcement. HB 303 would remove the 501-resident floor so very small type A and B municipalities can convert to type C cities; HB 2742 would give property owners a later first split-payment deadline when tax bills are mailed after November 30; HB 3305 and HB 3348 were local provider participation fund measures with committee substitutes; HB 198 would require political subdivisions to offer occupational cancer screenings for firefighters; HB 1535 was a sunset bill for the Trinity River Authority; HB 4753 would allow a municipality-issued proof of a certificate of occupancy to substitute for a lost original; and HB 3711 would treat certain Open Meetings Act violations as offenses against public administration and require public explanation when prosecutors decline to act.
Testimony was generally supportive or limited, with several witnesses and senators emphasizing practical fixes, firefighter health and cost savings, local government transparency, and administrative cleanup. For HB 198, firefighter representatives gave emotional testimony about cancer deaths and the value of early screening. On HB 3711, a witness supported the bill but urged stronger enforcement and broader application. Several senators raised policy concerns on HB 2715 about routing removal proceedings through a regional presiding judge rather than the local county, arguing it could politicize the process.
The committee took no public testimony on most bills and repeatedly left them pending subject to call of the chair before later voting them out. HB 21, HB 30, HB 1535, HB 1520, HB 198, HB 303, HB 2742, and HB 4753 were reported to the full Senate, generally by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HB 30 passed on a 5-1 vote, while the other reported bills were approved unanimously or with no recorded opposition. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.