Video & Transcript Research : 'Texas Occupations Code'

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TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Under the government code, which creates a portal...
  • Under current law, the Texas Health and Safety Code defines an abuse unit for penalty of Group 1-DHA
  • The chair calls up Brady Mills, Texas DPS. Mr.
  • Members, The theft of copper is on the rise across Texas.
  • Every major Texas metroplex, including Dallas, ...
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Justice (Part II) Apr 8th, 2025

Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • Under current law, the Texas Health and Safety Code defines an abuse unit for Penalty Group 1 substances
  • Association and the Texas Immigration Law Council.
  • The chair calls up Brady Mills, Texas DPS.
  • Members, copper theft is on the rise across Texas.
  • Ron Joy with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice heard testimony on several bills dealing with criminal discovery, crime lab access, controlled substances, community supervision, interference with officers, oilfield theft, and copper theft. On SB 1124, witnesses split over whether the bill clarified discovery law after the Heath decision or rolled back the Michael Morton Act; opponents argued it narrowed disclosure and shifted responsibility away from prosecutors, while supporters said it restored balance, limited harsh sanctions, and preserved exculpatory-disclosure duties. The committee later voted 4-0 to report SB 1124 favorably and place it on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard and later reported favorably SB 1372, which resolves a statutory conflict over access to the DPS crime lab portal, and SB 1936, which changes how LSD “abuse units” are defined for testing and charging purposes; both were sent to the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1937, which would require a subject-matter expert from the testing lab to participate in pretrial meetings in capital cases involving biological evidence, was also reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 552, which would make people defined in the bill as “illegal aliens” ineligible for judge-ordered or jury-recommended community supervision, including deferred adjudication. Supporters said the bill would prevent state-funded early release of people who entered or remained in the country unlawfully, while county officials and immigration advocates warned it would be overbroad, difficult to administer, and costly to local jails and taxpayers. Despite those concerns, the committee voted to report SB 552 favorably, and Senator Huffman requested it be taken to the floor. On SB 1208, which increases interference with a peace officer or public official from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony, law enforcement witnesses said repeat “auditors” and similar actors were creating dangerous confrontations and needed stronger deterrence; opponents argued the bill would chill protected filming and protest activity. The committee voted to report SB 1208 favorably and place it on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also took testimony on SB 1806, a committee substitute addressing oilfield theft and related crimes. Supporters from law enforcement and the oil and gas industry said organized theft of crude, equipment, and related materials is a growing problem and that the bill would strengthen penalties, allow seizure and sale of stolen product, and improve inspection and forensic tools. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with placement on the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 1646, which targets copper theft and fiber vandalism by increasing penalties, requiring reporting and recordkeeping for certain purchases, and adding training and enforcement tools. Telecommunications, law enforcement, and emergency-network witnesses supported the bill as necessary to protect 9-1-1 and critical infrastructure, while metal recyclers warned the bill could overregulate legitimate businesses and sweep too broadly. The committee later voted to report the committee substitute for SB 1646 favorably as well.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Justice (Part I) Apr 8th, 2025

Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • Government Code.
  • Penal Code Section 38.14.
  • A person or a stun gun is defined by the Texas Penal Code Section 38.14.
  • Penal Code Section 38.14. a person or a stun gun is defied by the Texas Penal Code Section 38.14.
  • for Safety and Justice, Texas Appleseed, and the Texas Public Policy Foundation on this bill.
Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills, beginning with SB 1870 and SB 1727, both of which were adopted as committee substitutes and reported favorably to the full Senate. SB 1870 would bar local governments from adopting policies that decriminalize controlled substances or direct officials not to enforce state drug laws, with civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General for violations. SB 1727 was described as a technical change to make the draft a formal Legislative Council version of a TDCJ-related assault bill; both bills were also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up SB 2405, the major Sunset bill for TDCJ, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Windham School District, and the Correctional Managed Health Care Committee. Senator Parker explained that the bill continues and modernizes those agencies, requires a 10-year facilities and staffing plan, expands rehabilitation and reentry programming, improves parole-board consistency and training, and codifies various cleanup and inspector general recommendations. Sunset staff and agency witnesses discussed the bill’s data-sharing, program coordination, and projected savings from reducing delays in parole-voted programming; public witnesses generally supported the post-secondary education and reentry provisions, while some urged stronger statutory direction for Windham and more reform to medically recommended intensive supervision. The bill was left pending. SB 1804, SB 1099, SB 2569, and SB 2570 were also heard. SB 1804 would allow restitution for tattoo removal for human trafficking survivors and remove the age restriction so adult survivors can qualify; it was reported favorably and sent to the local calendar. SB 1099 would increase penalties for certain felony offenses when committed by a person determined to be unlawfully present in the country; immigration and civil rights witnesses opposed it as overbroad and difficult to administer, but it was reported favorably. SB 2569 would modernize unmanned aircraft reporting by requiring law enforcement agencies to post reports on public websites; it passed unanimously and was sent to the local calendar. SB 2570 would create a defense to prosecution for peace officers and correctional guards using less-lethal force weapons within the scope of their training; law enforcement witnesses supported it, civil rights and prosecutor witnesses raised concerns that it was too broad and could weaken existing use-of-force standards, and the bill was left pending for further work.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Apr 23rd, 2025 at 10:04 am

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Under Texas Transportation Code 601, the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, drivers are required
  • Now, the next, this is Texas Election Code and the Honorable Representative Moody. This is for you.
  • Texas Election Code Section 253...
  • You summarized what's going on with the statute in Section 162 of the Texas Occupations Code and the
  • Let me just... ...Section 162 of the Texas Occupations Code and the proposed amendment.
Summary: The committee heard House Bill 4961, which would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision. The author said the bill is intended to create incentives to maintain insurance and to address what he described as an unfair system for insured drivers. Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texas Eagle Forum testified in support, while the Texas Trial Lawyers Association opposed it, warning the bill could also affect pedestrians, passengers, children, and others who did not choose whether a vehicle was insured. The bill author clarified that passengers would be included in the bill’s coverage. No vote was taken and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5570 would extend a legislative attorney CLE exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate to boards or commissions. The author said the measure is meant to ease time burdens and encourage service, and a witness supported it as a modest incentive for public service. A committee member noted a discrepancy in the number of affected attorneys, and the author agreed to verify the correct figure. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 2969, which would restrict the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech based on sincerely held beliefs. The author and several witnesses from Texas Values, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Cecilia Wood argued the bill protects lawyers of faith from an ABA model rule they described as a speech code. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 4260, which would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction, drew opposition from the County Judges and Commissioners Association, which argued existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would burden rural officials. The author said the bill was prompted by concerns about judges using their office to pressure others. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5134 would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect actual damages and would allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill is aimed at preventing harassment and fishing expeditions, especially in family-law disputes. Questions focused on how the standard would work and how it differs from current law; the author said the main change is fee-shifting and a clearer legislative directive. The bill was left pending. House Bill 3095, a committee substitute version of a similar uninsured-motorist bill, would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages and limit economic recovery, with several exceptions. Trial lawyers argued it was unconstitutional because it capped economic damages and could unfairly affect innocent drivers, pedestrians, and older people who no longer drive. The author acknowledged constitutional concerns and said the bill would need further work; the committee withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending. Finally, House Bill 4388 would require all judges, including county judges who perform administrative duties, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct. Supporters said some elected judges avoid accountability by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents argued the bill is too rigid and unnecessary because existing remedies already exist. House Bill 3964 would limit public nuisance claims to their historical role and bar such claims against lawful conduct, conduct already covered by other remedies, and products. The author and supporters said the bill is meant to prevent courts from using public nuisance to make policy, while opponents argued it would eliminate useful remedies and could affect local actions against environmental or product-related harms. The author said the bill would not affect statutory nuisance claims, private nuisance claims, or other causes of action, and would be amended to clarify some provisions. The bill was left pending.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Apr 23rd, 2025 at 10:04 am

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Under Texas Transportation Code 601, the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, drivers are required
  • The speaker said the obscenity standard is defined in statute, Section 43.21 of the Texas Penal Code,
  • Now, the next—this is Texas Election Code, and the Honorable Representative Moody, this is for you.
  • Texas Election Code Section 253...
  • You summarized what's going on with the statute in Section 162 of the Texas Occupations Code and the
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Apr 23rd, 2025

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Court of Texas.
  • This will ensure that the Civil Practices and Remedies Code mirrors the Texas Administrative Code, reducing
  • I tell them about the Texas Administrative Code, and they come back and tell me about the Civil Practices
  • The underlying statute, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section... 1.02 was enacted in 1979.
  • Chapter 42 of the Texas Property Code sets out the properties. ...that are exempt or assets that are
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Health and Human Services May 23rd, 2025

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm a general dentist from Katy, Texas, and I'm in support, and the Texas Dental Association is in support
  • Doctor Ho, thank you for coming from Katy, Texas.
  • Thank you for your testimony this morning coming all the way from Lubbock, Texas.
  • I serve as the CEO for the Texas Council.
  • We represent the 39 local mental health and intellectual disability authorities of Texas.
Bills: HB50
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health May 19th, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • Under current law, all Texas licensed dentists may administer.
  • And you are with the Texas Academy of General Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and you are for
  • I'm representing myself, the Texas Academy of General Dentistry, and the Texas Dental Association, which
  • together represent more than 11,000 member dentists in Texas.
  • Academy of General Dentistry and the Texas Dental Association.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health May 19th, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, we're very blessed to have such a school in Texas.
  • of podiatry under the state of Texas.
  • Now that's a program in Texas run by the Medical Board.
  • Notably here in Texas, we saw Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in Lubbock and El Paso targeted by a
  • I serve as the CEO for the Texas Council. We represent the 39 LMHAs across Texas. As you said, Mr.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Apr 3rd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • in Texas.
  • Texas lawmakers are standing with our Texas teachers.
  • Parental rights in education in Texas are currently enumerated across the Education Code quite broadly
  • First, who owns the beaches in Texas? First, who owns the beaches in Texas? Texas.
  • They are living in Texas, spending money in Texas, buying homes in Texas.
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

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations Apr 15th, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, Texas is...
  • in Texas, stay in Texas, and scale in Texas.
  • We all know Texas is big, but in Texas, venture capital is small.
  • Texas. Texas. OK. A prohibition of the...
  • This legislation addresses the challenges many Texas veterans face when attempting to purchase a HUD-code
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Criminal Jurisprudence Mar 25th, 2025

Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Texas should prohibit the possession, sale, and distribution.
  • It's not Susan Johnson or based on Susan Johnson from Cleveland, Texas.
  • Yes, outside of Texas and even outside of the US.
  • So it's from the Texas, it's from the legislative record.
  • I think I don't know if that would work in this part of the code.
Bills: HB207, HB235
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Texas Medical Association and the Texas Pediatric Society.
  • I live in Abilene, Texas.
  • Yeah, I came to Texas when I was seven months pregnant. Why'd you come to Texas?
  • ALF rules and the Texas Administrative Code do not permit a person to be bedfast when they are admitted
  • This was in Texas? Yes. Yes. Yes, ma'am. This was in Texas, and they left.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education Apr 1st, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • The fact of the matter is, in the state of Texas...
  • on our Texas mailing list.
  • Meeks, Executive Director of Texas Health Education Service, University of Texas system, and you're on
  • Again, Laura Kincheloe, Texas.
  • Texas who are in foster care.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education Apr 1st, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • If you look at Texas colleges, and we can get that information from the Texas College Tobacco Policy
  • Database of the 207 colleges in Texas, 22 college campuses in Texas have policies that are smoke-free
  • I'm here representing the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Pediatric Society.
  • The Texas Public Health Coalition, the Texas Pediatric Society, as well as yourself and your family.
  • in Texas education, public education, we're the best in the United States. because Texas always leads