Transcript Highlights:

• It outlines the salary structure for various law enforcement positions, including DPS, Texas Rangers,
• Security guard companies are regulated by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
• They are therefore considered employees under the Texas DPS rules, Texas Workforce Commission rules,
• If the DPS auditor determines that they may be... misclassifying these employees as contract labor, DPS
• And it is, the DPS is going to conduct audits on the security companies.

Bills: SB 36, HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax, employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense

Transcript Highlights:

• DPS is responsible for executing an MOU with each agency that enforces CMV regulation.
• In my particular circumstance, we have one of the weigh stations that DPS put in.
• Around the state, local governments are working alongside Texot and DPS to reduce deaths.
• Actually, we have one resource witness from DPS. Does anybody need to speak to? DPS? OK. No.
• So at least let DPS decide or put them some through some kind of testing.

Bills: HB 341, HB 469, HB 971, HB 1624, HB 2721, HB 2959, HB 3365, HB 3731, HB 3793, HB 3861, HB 3946, HB 3966, HB 4348, HB 4401, HB 4402, HB 4924, HB 4966, HB 5563

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Provides that your bill will allow Brazoria County Sheriff's Office to apply for certification with DPS
• In my particular circumstance, we have one of the way stations that the DPS put in; they don't have the
• Around the state, local governments are working alongside TxDOT and DPS to reduce this.
• Actually, we have one resource witness from DPS. Does anybody... Need to speak to DPS? OK, no.
• We do that for 16 year olds here in the state of Texas, so at least let DPS decide or put them through

Bills: HB341, HB469, HB971, HB1624, HB2721, HB2959, HB3365, HB3731, HB3793, HB3861, HB3946, HB3966, HB4348, HB4401, HB4402, HB4924, HB4966, HB5563

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, commercial vehicle, safety standards, enforcement, Texas counties, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• contact information from legislators, and this language will ensure that DPS has the data to provide
• provide the kinds of notification DPS provide the kinds of notification DPS needs,<00:04:10.240>
• coordinator at DPS. coordinator at DPS.
• Uh, that's requested by DPS. section 8. section 8.
• Uh, that's requested<00:37:48.760> by<00:37:48.880> DPS. So, Madam Chair, Mhm.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we're the DP with a group of experts in this tag.
• see it, the hotline that's being created by this bill and or we can to be appropriating additional DP
• How would the DP Go about investigating a condensation cloud that is cited for a particular community
• on the feedback, then we would ask EMS to step in to mitigate if necessary. >> We really expect the DP
• How how will DP handle the volume?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this going to be on the DPS? Okay.
• DPS would be the best, not people that contain the knowledge to set these types of rules.
• Senator Block, I think what the law contemplates is the assessment by the professionals at DPS and in
• I'm wondering how DPS is going to differentiate between willful compliance and willful compliance and
• And so is DPS ready to implement this? And how much is that going to cost DPS?

Bills: SB4, SB7, SB9, SB17

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, medical education, salaries, graduate education, clinician pay, health sciences, education funding, faculty salary, University of New Mexico, healthcare funding, general fund, state budget, New Mexico legislation, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, 996

Transcript Highlights:

• Grant fund Investments by allowing DPS Grant fund Investments by allowing DPS to<00:02:52.280>
• They are contracted through DPS.
• They are contracted through DPS.
• They are contracted through DPS.
• They are contracted through DPS.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The stepdad, the alleged offender, refuses to interview with law enforcement but talks to... ...the DPS
• If I understand correctly, they have to go through DPS to get the warrant.
• It can be local law enforcement as well, but typically they would go through DPS.
• And your affirmation shows you're Brady Mills on behalf of Texas DPS Crime Laboratory.
• So in my dealings with DPS, I have a client who's charged with a crime.

Bills: SB456, SB826, SB872, SB957, SB993, SB1660, SB2017, SB2611, SB2785, SB2794, SB442

Keywords: human organs, criminal penalties, physician license, medical ethics, illegal trade, SB 826, Texas, DWI, driving while intoxicated, intoxicated driving, school crossing zone, school zone, reduced speed limit, traffic safety, child safety, pedestrian safety, felony DWI, state jail felony, Penal Code Section 49.04, Transportation Code Section 541.302

Transcript Highlights:

• Also ensures transparency through required notification to DPS when subpoenas are issued.
• I don't know how many troopers DPS has right now, but I know it's a lot more than that.
• So not everybody in DPS, the local trooper may not necessarily have the skills or the knowledge to do
• DPS probably?
• And he would have tried to use DPS or OIG if they were available.

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• Brady Mills from the DPS Crime Lab is here as a resource witness, Mr. Chairman.
• I also want to thank Chambers County District Attorney Cheryl Leak and Ashley Spence from DPS and the
• This does not take the place of the DPS lab as far as our courts are concerned.
• But I’m hoping in that, first of all, this is for a pilot program, and DPS will pick the two counties
• When we get to DPS, I'll ask them about who's doing this now.

Bills: SB614, SB872, SB1199, SB1212, SB1278, SB1573, SB1588, SB1602, SB1660, SB1704, SB1723, SB1833, SB1858, SB1946, SB2009, SB2146, SB2177, SB2373, SB2460, SB2785

Keywords: forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• And so in talking to DPS, two things are important to note.
• And also, if you talk to DPS, almost all of the dollars is ...used for drug interdiction.
• Do you know if this money was requested by DPS or from the sheriffs? Mr.
• I don't know that DPS made that request through the governor's office in their budget.
• I know that all of the counties and DPS have reported that almost all of it is used for drug interdiction

Bills: HB2416, HB2663, HB2759, HB2806

Keywords: border security, drug trafficking, human smuggling, law enforcement funding, Arizona, public safety, immigration, military leave, national guard, employment rights, paid leave, disaster response, veterans services, education programs, funding, appropriation, Yavapai county, lawful presence, public programs, verification

Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee approved the February 16, 2026 minutes and then heard several bills. HB 2416 would appropriate $20 million for DPS border support, including equipment, officer positions, and grants to local governments for border-related prosecutions and detention costs. Supporters, including the Arizona Sheriffs Association, said the funds are fully used each year and are largely spent on drug interdiction; opponents argued the bill’s immigration-related language could expand enforcement and that the money should instead go to health care, education, food assistance, or prevention programs. After debate, the committee passed HB 2416 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2806, which would require county recorders, ADOT, and AHCCCS to use the federal SAVE system and report citizenship-verification results to JLBC and the Auditor General. The sponsor was absent, and an ACLU representative testified in opposition, arguing SAVE is not appropriate for voter eligibility checks, could disenfranchise eligible citizens, and would likely cause litigation and administrative confusion. Members raised concerns about necessity, due process, and whether the state already verifies citizenship adequately, but the bill still received a do-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. HB 2663, a technical cleanup bill updating military leave language for state and local employees who are National Guard or Reserve members, drew no opposition and passed unanimously. HB 2759 would appropriate $500,000 to the Department of Veterans Services for grants tied to veterans programs at Yavapai County institutions; testimony described it as helping veterans with housing gaps, emergencies, and professional development while they wait for GI Bill payments. Several members questioned why it was limited to Yavapai County and whether private institutions should be included, with some viewing it as a pilot program and others wanting statewide expansion. It passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think DPS is down 300 officers. Phoenix is down 1,000 officers. So it depends agency by agency.
• The vendor that he was talking about is a DPS vendor, and that went out for a bid, and DPS selected them
• As a department, DPS vendor, and that went out for a bid, and DPS selected them.
• How much does DPS pay them? How much does DPS pay them? Representative Farnsworth?
• The original bill, which I was not involved in a couple years ago, allocated $2 million to DPS.

Bills: SB1041, SB1050, SB1131, SB1138, SB1249, SB1267, SB1272, SB1317, SB1461, SB1488, SB1504, SB1517, SB1523, SB1580, SB1582, SB1584, SB1585, SB1602, SB1630, SB1654, SB1672, SB1673, SB1718, SB1761, SB1819, SB1826, SB1827

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, veterans, lifetime pass, state parks, Arizona, access, disabled veterans, cardiac arrest, defibrillators, school safety, emergency response, CPR training, Arizona education funding, automated license plate readers

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 1630, which would direct AHCCCS to seek federal approval for a home- and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with quarterly implementation updates, stakeholder input, and a cap on enrollment. The sponsor and advocates from Arizona Mad Moms argued the bill would create an assisted-living-style Medicaid option for the most disabled SMI individuals, improve continuity of care, and reduce state general fund costs by shifting some expenses to federal Medicaid funding. Access testified neutral, estimating a total fiscal impact of $27.7 million, including $5.83 million general fund, and explained the need for CMS approval. The committee adopted an amendment reducing the initial cap to 250 members, changing reporting frequency, and adjusting eligibility and expansion conditions, then passed SB 1630 as amended on a 10-0 vote. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1131, which originally required school districts and charter schools to adopt cardiac emergency response plans and appropriated $1 million for implementation. An amendment replaced the mandate with a reporting requirement on AED counts, CPR/AED-trained staff, and whether schools have a plan, while keeping a grant component for AEDs and prioritizing rural schools. The American Heart Association supported the amended approach as a way to gather baseline data and target resources, and members discussed AED training, school preparedness, and whether the funding should favor rural or high-population schools. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1131 as amended on a 9-1 vote, with Senator Kuby voting no and several members explaining concerns about funding and priorities. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1582, which concerned the school safety interoperability fund. An amendment shifted the appropriation from the Department of Education to the Department of Administration and allocated funds to specific county sheriff offices for continuing operation and maintenance of existing interoperability systems, while narrowing the program to public safety agencies and school districts and requiring twice-yearly testing. Sheriffs, a county school superintendent, and the Arizona Sheriffs Association described the systems as useful for drills and real emergencies, improving communication between schools and first responders; one speaker noted the program had been used in drills and at least one live deployment. Some members questioned the audit findings, the focus on rural counties, and whether the program was a good use of funds, while supporters emphasized its value for school safety. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1582 as amended on a 6-4 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 1504, which would change retirement rules for Tier 2 and Tier 3 public safety personnel by allowing earlier normal retirement and shortening the COLA waiting period, with an amendment exempting the changes from the statutory pre-funding requirement. Supporters from firefighter and police groups said the bill would improve recruitment and retention and let employees receive earned benefits sooner, while city, county, and taxpayer representatives warned it would add substantial unfunded liabilities and undermine the 2016 pension reforms. Actuarial testimony estimated significant costs, including tens of millions in annual or upfront impacts depending on how the change is funded, and members debated whether the amendment would shift costs onto future taxpayers or simply spread them over time. The transcript ends during continued testimony and discussion on SB 1504, before a final vote is reached.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be the Department of Corrections, for example, or DPS.
• Are you open to kind of changing this up and not just leaving it to DPS?
• Because we're kind of leaving it... ...just leave it to DPS, and because we're kind of leaving an open
• Chair, Representative, would you be able to open that up to other departments, not just DPS?
• In other words, the DPS and corrections, those were the main issues.

Bills: HB2086, HB2248, HB2688

Keywords: vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, government regulation, vacant positions, state budget, government efficiency, employment, full-time equivalent positions, 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard three bills, all on medical freedom or government staffing. HB 2248 would prohibit governmental entities, businesses, schools, and ticket issuers from denying employment, entry, services, or participation based on whether a person has received or used a medical intervention. Supporters framed it as protecting bodily autonomy and parental rights; opponents, including physicians, child care and public health advocates, warned it was drafted too broadly and could undermine vaccine-related protections, school and daycare illness policies, and hospital safety. After debate, the bill received a do pass recommendation on a 3-2 vote. HB 2086 would bar government entities and businesses from requiring vaccination or masks/face coverings, with stated exceptions for long-standing workplace safety and infection control measures, and it would apply to certain government-owned health care facilities. Supporters argued it was needed to prevent coercive mandates and protect individual freedom and business autonomy; opponents said it would interfere with private employers’ ability to protect customers and workers and could conflict with public health practices. The committee approved the bill on a 3-2 do pass vote. HB 2688 would require the Arizona Department of Administration to identify state budget-unit positions vacant for at least 150 days and eliminate those positions each fiscal year, with some exceptions such as corrections and DPS. The sponsor said the bill would reduce waste and prevent vacant positions from functioning as slush funds, while members raised concerns about specialized or hard-to-fill jobs. After brief testimony in support, the committee passed the bill on a 3-2 do pass vote, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• He has offered DPS to fully help us make sure we do what we need to do.
• We will work with DPS to locate.
• I have sent that fundraising letter to DPS and said they should be invited to attend as well.
• can tell you is this: I appreciate the governor offering his full cooperation. and assistance from DPS

Transcript Highlights:

• He has offered DPS to fully help us make sure we need to do what can be done to establish a quorum and
• We will work with DPS to locate members.
• And I've sent that fundraising letter to DPS and said they should be invited to attend as well.
• tell you is this: I appreciate the governor offering his full cooperation and assistance and that of DPS

Summary: The speaker, likely the House Speaker, opened by emphasizing the urgency of the special session after unprecedented flooding in the Hill Country and said legislators have been working on bills for victim funding and flood-related policy changes. He also noted other items on the governor’s call, including eliminating the STAAR test and addressing human trafficking, and stressed that the Constitution requires legislators to appear and do their duty. He praised the members present, said the effort was bipartisan, and criticized absent members who had left the state. He said civil arrest warrants had been signed, that the House would work with DPS to locate absent members, and that the governor had offered DPS support to help establish a quorum. He said he remained hopeful Democrats would return and declined to discuss specific private conversations. The speaker did not take any legislative votes in this exchange, but said the House rules’ automatic penalties would be imposed and that the chamber would continue efforts to restore quorum. He concluded by saying the House would meet again the next day at 1 p.m. to continue business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also allows TDEM and DPS to neutralize drones operating over disaster areas.
• were going to go, and then DPS called me and said, "We're not going to allow you to go."
• You were domiciled inside of DPS. Your department, not you, but that the agency was.
• I will tell you that we currently can actually wall off any community we want with DPS.
• Senator Perry, DPS, you may not have the expertise. The FBI check is... 72 hours.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Parker, we're not adding any new responsibilities to DPS. Exactly right.
• And its responsibilities and functions are DPS... That's exactly right.
• And they're sort of spread out through... the DPS throughout the agency.
• I think much of what we're talking about here, DPS could do on their own.
• DPS is excited about the opportunity. to do this, and they see the opportunities.

Keywords: legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 40, Senate Bill 871, constitutional amendment, emergency powers, governor authority, legislative oversight

Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial pieces of legislation, notably Senate Joint Resolution 40, which proposed a constitutional amendment to clarify the powers of the governor, the legislature, and the Supreme Court during emergencies. Senator Birdwell presented the resolution, emphasizing the need for legislative involvement during prolonged crises. It garnered broad support, passing with 29 votes in favor and only 1 against. Following this, Senate Bill 871, considered the enabling legislation, was also moved for discussion, with the aim of reinforcing the legislature's authority during emergencies while establishing clear guidelines for the governor's powers.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is not what DPS requires.
• of things there, and I would be more than happy to lobby DPS to be able to do that.
• But currently, the CCW permit process is run by DPS...
• The CCW permit process is run by DPS according to state statute, and state statute is pretty broad in
• giving DPS the parameters on what needs to be done.

Bills: SB1039, SB1061, SB1068, SB1069, SB1099, SB1127, SB1148, SB1271, SB1426, SB1448

Keywords: attorney discipline, legal costs, reputation damage, state bar, court costs, fentanyl, drug offenses, narcotic drugs, criminal penalties, Arizona Revised Statutes, educational institutions, public order, disruption, concealed weapons, safety regulations, firearms, muffling devices, weapon regulations, Arizona law, public safety

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills dealing with attorney discipline, bar licensure, drug sentencing, campus firearms, suppressors, defamation, emergency-service calls by businesses, mandatory child-abuse reporting, eviction procedure, and protections for utility workers. SB 1039 would allow attorneys who prevail in disciplinary matters to recover lost earnings and seek compensation for reputational harm from the State Bar; SB 1148 would require the Arizona Supreme Court to directly license attorneys rather than delegate that function. Both bills were supported by the sponsor as restoring accountability and limiting delegation, and both received due-pass recommendations despite some opposition votes. Members also heard SB 1061, which lowers the fentanyl trafficking threshold from 200 grams to 9 grams; opponents from the ACLU and defense bar argued the threshold would sweep in personal-use cases and increase incarceration, while supporters said it targets traffickers. The bill was recommended do pass. SB 1068, barring public colleges and universities from prohibiting lawful concealed carry by permit holders, drew strong opposition from gun-safety advocates and campus representatives who cited suicide and campus safety concerns, and support from gun-rights groups who argued campuses are not exempt from constitutional rights; it also received a due-pass recommendation. SB 1069, removing suppressors from Arizona’s prohibited-weapons definition, was opposed by Moms Demand Action and supported by gun-rights advocates as aligning state law with federal law and protecting hearing; it likewise passed out of committee. The committee also advanced SB 1099, which would codify statutory defamation elements and add an internet-related limitation period; the ACLU warned it could chill speech and conflict with evolving First Amendment law, while the sponsor said it would clarify existing case law and address online defamation. SB 1271, prohibiting cities from penalizing businesses for legitimate emergency-service calls, passed unanimously after testimony that some municipalities had discouraged 911 calls for theft and other incidents. HB 1127, requiring mandatory reporters with direct knowledge of child abuse or neglect to report immediately and personally, passed after Phoenix Children’s Hospital and DCS said they supported the intent but wanted implementation language clarified for medical emergencies. SB 1426, changing forcible-detainer procedures by removing the written-demand requirement, passed despite concerns from the multi-housing industry that the current language could disrupt holdover-tenant evictions. Finally, SB 1448, as amended, expanded aggravated-assault protections to utility, telecom, video-service, and related workers; supporters cited threats and assaults against field crews, while opponents argued existing assault laws already cover the conduct and the bill is overly broad. The amendment and the bill as amended were adopted, and the committee gave SB 1448 a due-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House and gallery, please rise for the invocation offered by Ron Joy of DPS. Shall we pray?
• As suggested during the disaster flood hearing, Senate Bill 2 authorizes DPS and TDEM to no...
• Under this bill, it would be TDEM and DPS. So they could indefinitely say, "close". airspace.
• DPS.
• So they can communicate between DPS, Coast Guard, Army, fire, and rescue.

Bills: HB1, HB 2, HB 3, HB 5, HB20, HB 22, HB 1, HB 2, HB 3, HB 5, HB 20, HB 22

Keywords: youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Representative Reeb, the FIRR based on the DPS analysis.
• Analysis, but I haven't actually located it in the DPS analysis yet.
• And if you look at the DPS at the very end, the DPS forensic laboratory suggests the bill add this para
• You know, I mean, that's... that was kind of my... no, I know, on the DPS. Are they analogs?
• And I just... it could cover all that list in DPS.

Bills: HB195, HB279, SB30, HB234, HB292, SB100, SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: medical malpractice, judgments, independent providers, insurance, personal assets, settlements, healthcare, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records