The House Committee on Mass Violence Prevention & Community Safety, Select

86th Legislature

November 7, 2019

9:00 a.m.

Odessa, Texas (see details below)

Pursuant to a notice posted on October 25, 2019, revised on November 4, 2019, the House Committee on Mass Violence Prevention & Community Safety, Select met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Darby, at 9:04 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Darby; Blanco; Capriglione; Geren; Johnson, Julie; Landgraf; Lang; Morrison; and Price.

A quorum was present.

The committee met at Odessa College, Zant Community Room, Saulsbury Campus Center (Second Floor, Room 222) located at 201 West University Boulevard, Odessa, Texas 79764.

Representative Craddick was also in attendance.

The chair directed that the October 10, 2019 minutes for the House Committee on Mass Violence Prevention & Community Safety, Select be corrected. The corrected minutes were authorized without objection.

The chair made opening remarks.

The chair recognized Representative Landgraf for opening remarks.

The committee heard invited and public testimony from individuals and families directly impacted by the mass violence that occurred in Midland/Odessa on August 31, 2019.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

The committee heard invited testimony on the implementation of Executive Orders issued by Governor Abbott on September 5, 2019.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Nevárez now present.)

The committee heard invited testimony on the following duty:

(2) examine impediments and challenges to the timely reporting of relevant criminal history information and other threat indicators to state and federal databases;

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Nevárez in chair.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Darby in chair.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

The committee heard public testimony on the following duties:

(1) examine options for strengthening enforcement measures for current laws that prevent the transfer of firearms to felons and other persons prohibited by current law from possessing firearms;

(2) examine impediments and challenges to the timely reporting of relevant criminal history information and other threat indicators to state and federal databases;

(3) examine the role of digital media and technology in threat detection, assessment, reporting, and prevention, including the collaboration between digital media and law enforcement;

(4) evaluate the ongoing and long-term workforce needs of the state related to cybersecurity, mental health, law enforcement, and related professionals; and

(5) evaluate current protocols and extreme risk indicators used to identify potential threats and consider options for improving the dissemination of information between federal, state, and local entities and timely and appropriate intervention of mental health professionals.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

At 3:05 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Darby, Chair

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Laramie Stroud, Clerk