Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, the Texas Armed Services Scholar Jim program was created in 2009, the vision of making Texas
• academy programs to encourage the brightest students in our state to join the armed services with a
• I'm the president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, where the Texas State Chamber, and I'm
• I'm the president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business where the Texas State Chamber.
• and American community: armed service members.

Bills: HB102, HB300, SB2255

Keywords: military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, scholarship, military, Texas Armed Services, military spouses, occupational licensing, state agency, license requirements, reciprocity, training and education

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard three measures focused on military-connected students, service members, veterans, and their families. House Bill 102 would give eligible students in military-related university programs early registration privileges, similar to existing accommodations for expectant mothers and student athletes. House Bill 300 would modernize the Texas Armed Services Scholar program by increasing scholarship funding, clarifying the student employment agreement, and creating a scholarship coordinator at THECB to help students and families navigate the program. Senate Bill 2255 drew the most discussion and testimony. The bill would streamline occupational licensing for military members, spouses, and veterans by allowing Texas licensure based on an out-of-state license in good standing with a similar scope of practice, removing the Texas residency requirement, and shortening agency processing time from 30 days to 10 days in the committee substitute. Supporters from the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations, the Texas Association of Business, the Institute for Justice, TDLR, and the VFW said the bill would reduce bureaucratic delays, improve employment opportunities, and help military families maintain income during relocations. TDLR also described current licensing confusion between state and federal rules and said the bill would improve alignment and data collection. No witnesses testified against any of the bills. After public testimony closed on each measure, HB 102, HB 300, and SB 2255 were left pending in committee. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: HB 102, HB 126, HB 271, HB 290, HB 300, HB 538, HB 718, HB 1022, HB 1330, HB 2110, HJR 5

Keywords: military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, tuition assistance, military, Texas State Guard, education, mandatory fees, scholarship, Texas Armed Services, student access, academic records

Bills: HB 102, HB 126, HB 271, HB 290, HB 300, HB 538, HB 718, HB 1022, HB 1330, HB 2110, HJR 5

Keywords: military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, tuition assistance, military, Texas State Guard, education, mandatory fees, scholarship, Texas Armed Services, student access, academic records

Bills: HB 101, HB1819, HB1875, HB1965, HB2193, HB2914, HB3248, HB3354, HB3531, HB101

Keywords: Texas State Guard, task force, professionalization, state missions, critical infrastructure, veterans, veterans' affairs, mental health, community mental health, behavioral health, grant program, matching grant, non-state match, community services, family support, county population, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC, public safety, homeland security

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 39 directs the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to do more.
• Department of State Health Services to submit aggregate data of deceased veterans to the Texas Veterans
• That also includes information as to whether the decedent was ever in the armed services.
• Texas service members are begging you to do this. so that we can do these wars the correct way.
• do in the service to the state of Texas.

Bills: HB39, HB227, HB930, HB 1078, HB39, HB227

Keywords: highway designation, veteran recognition, commemorative, transportation, Brazoria County, Texas National Guard, combat duty, military activation, state requirements, emergency response, active combat duty, military service, Congressional action, Governor responsibilities, Congressional declaration, state law, conflict, armed forces, congressional approval, war declaration

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program.
• to provide students in our state the opportunity to join the armed services with a full scholarship and
• I'm the director for the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations.
• I'm the President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business.
• I believe this is for a very deserving part of the Texas and American community, which is armed service

Bills: HB102, HB300, SB2255, HB102, HB300

Keywords: military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, scholarship, military, Texas Armed Services, military spouses, occupational licensing, state agency, license requirements, reciprocity, training and education, debt obligation, voter information, ballot, elections, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• A veteran that enters the service in Texas and serves at least 180 days in active duty and had armed.
• Employment services.
• In Texas, we have it at the Texas Veterans Commission.
• Health and Human Services.
• MetroCare, in operation since 1967, is the largest provider of mental health services in North Texas.

Bills: SB651, SB897, SB1814, SB1818

Keywords: SB 651, Texas Government Code, Section 434.032, veterans county service office, county veterans services, commissioners court, county executive official, county administration, local government, veterans affairs, veterans benefits, county oversight, reporting structure, public administration, large counties, population 200,000 or more, mental health, veterans, community support, grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• of Texas.
• In Texas, but for veterans and service members, getting them licensed faster, working sooner, and thereby
• Roanoke, Texas. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas.
• in the country, with 28,000 service members remaining in or moving to Texas each year upon transitioning
• more information on services available to veterans in Texas.

Bills: HCR46, HB1389, HB3359, HB5629

Keywords: commemoration, military, navy seal, honor, January 12, Nathan Gage Ingram, military funeral honors, JROTC, veterans, training, grant program, military honors, community engagement, funeral services, education grants, community service, HB 3359, veteran status, Texas Veterans Commission, veterans services

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Texas flag.
• armed services scholarship program jerry has mister wilson explain the bill Thank you, Mr.
• House Bill 300 updates and streamlines. the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program for which every
• Texas it'd be Texas A&M. The University of Texas? Texas A&M University.
• The University of Texas at A&M. Well, first off, at Texas A&M University... At Texas.

Bills: HJR5, HB39, HB 102, HB 126, HB290, HB300, HB1330, HB2110, HB2143, HCR64, HCR101

Keywords: education funding, Texas State Technical College System, constitutional amendment, capital projects, workforce education, military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, tuition assistance, military, Texas State Guard, education

Transcript Highlights:

• If Texas were to contract for each service this would cost the state and... estimated total of more than
• So, um, they're looking to Texas and I think Texas can lead.
• So, in Texas, the annual spend on health and human services is about $50 billion. dollars as state and
• . services.
• As an in lieu of service under Texas under Medicaid managed care while physicians can screen and count

Bills: HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215, HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas has a robust array of public facing services.
• Since this bill establishes an internal report, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will be
• Currently language Access Service employees are housed in Health and Human Services, System Support Service
• Our duty is to the families and children of Texas who rely on these services and to the taxpayers who
• services.

Bills: HB 2510, HB 3589, HB 4611, HB 4655, HB 4665, HB 4666, HB 4670, HB 4700, HB 4730, HB 4798, HB 4838, HB 5136, HB 5243, HB 5302, HB 5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• . welfare services.
• We have previous calls for service at this location.
• Would that be Health and Human Services? Yes.
• I'm sure there is, but I'm focused on Texas.
• So we're growing and expanding our services.

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas has a robust array of public-facing services. Think about T-DOM.
• Since this bill establishes an internal report, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will be
• Our duty is to the families and children of Texas. who rely on these services, and to the taxpayers who
• We review them at CAC Texas, and then they are reviewed by the Health and Human Services Commission and
• goes to CAC of Texas.

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• of the custody of Texas?
• If Texas were to contract for each service, this would cost the state an estimated total of more than
• So, um, they're looking to Texas, and I think Texas can lead the reform on this.
• the state of Texas.
• So in Texas, the annual spend on Health and Human Services is about $50 billion.

Bills: HB 26, HB 140, HB 141, HB 142, HB 215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2017 Federal Audit Report revealed that Texas schools were improperly... billing for services not
• The audit mandated that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission work to ensure compliance going
• But Texas is doing that.
• Texas.
• As nursing facilities in Texas are subject to a regular inspection by the Health and Human Services Commission

Bills: SB623, SB1266, SB1310, SB1373, SB1580, SB1952, SB2032, SB2269, SB2544, SB2653, SB2796

Keywords: pharmacist, vaccine administration, COVID-19, exclusive authority, healthcare, Medicaid, provider enrollment, credentialing, administrative burden, Texas Health and Human Services, senior retirement communities, emergency response, residential safety, contract provisions, health and safety regulations, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges

Transcript Highlights:

• over child... welfare services.
• One accord partners with local leaders, service providers and families in West Texas to develop develop
• , Texas, and we not only provide fire and EMS. services, but we also manage and house an emergency operations
• He's with the Texas Dermatology Society.
• We appreciate you and your long service to the state of Texas and also to our nation. one of our great

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill promotes child welfare services in rural Texas, ensuring that vulnerable children and families
• , especially mental health services.
• Thank you all for the continued support of emergency medical services. ...in Texas.
• I'm the president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business. We're the Texas State Chamber.
• So I represent Texas Oncology.

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill promotes child welfare services in rural Texas, ensuring the vulnerable children and families
• Especially mental health services.
• As the president-elect of Texas EMS I'm here representing, uh, Texas I'm sorry, President-elect of Texas
• in Texas.
• I'm the president and CEO of the Texas Association of Business. We're the Texas state chamber.

Bills: SB 502, SB 513, SB 622, SB 670, SB 731, SB 732, SB 916, SB 961, SB 1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, thank you, senators and chair, for your service to Texas.
• I'm Linda Litzinger, I'm with Texas Parent to Parent.
• It also provides crisis services and respite.
• I'm here on behalf of the Texas Association of Business.
• With the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

Bills: HB1022, HB2856, HB3114, HJR5, HB6, HB120, HB210, HB1458, HB1188, HB3126

Keywords: HB 1022, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Texas State University System, Education Code, higher education, course levels, upper-level college, lower-division courses, community college-style courses, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Uvalde, Board of Regents, academic programs, university expansion, HB 2856, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, clinical training placements, clinical rotations

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee staff watches, and people in Texas watch. So, your testimony is valuable, okay?
• Texas public schools have been leaving valuable tools on the table.
• Texas must make continued investments in career and technical education.
• Yes, I am Mark Beauchamp, here with the Career and Technical Association of Texas.
• Before joining Texas 2036, I was a high school teacher.

Bills: HB1022, HB2856, HB3114, HJR5, HB6, HB120, HB210, HB1458, HB1188, HB3126

Keywords: HB 1022, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Texas State University System, Education Code, higher education, course levels, upper-level college, lower-division courses, community college-style courses, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Uvalde, Board of Regents, academic programs, university expansion, HB 2856, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, clinical training placements, clinical rotations