The House — Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence — 89th Legislature — May 19, 2026 — 10:00 a.m. — E2.014 — — Pursuant to a — notice posted on May 12, 2026, the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence — met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative — Smithee, at 10:02 a.m. — — The initial quorum — call was answered as follows: Representatives Smithee; Jones, Jolanda; Little; — Louderback; Money; Moody; and Virdell. — — A quorum was — present. — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — The Chair made — opening remarks. — — The committee — heard testimony on the following interim charge: — — Rural Criminal — Justice Workforce Development: Study the feasibility of developing — partnerships with Texas-based law schools to strengthen the pipeline of — criminal prosecutors and defense attorneys serving rural and underserved areas — of the state. Evaluate potential training pathways, clinical opportunities, or — incentive-based partnerships with law schools that could support rural and — underserved communities in maintaining a strong and reliable criminal justice — workforce. — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — (Representative — Bowers now present.) — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — (Representative — Jones, Jolanda in chair.) — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — (Representative — Smithee in chair.) — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — The committee — heard testimony on the following interim charge: — — Fraud and — Financial Exploitation of Elderly and Vulnerable Texans: Examine trends — related to the crimes of fraud, financial exploitation, and abuse targeting — elderly and vulnerable Texans, including crimes involving telecommunications — and emerging technologies. Review the effectiveness of current criminal — statutes, penalties, restitution tools, and coordination among law enforcement — and regulatory agencies. Identify gaps in detection, investigation, — prosecution, and victim recovery, and provide recommendations to strengthen — prevention and accountability. — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — At 2:15 p.m., on — the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned — subject to the call of the chair. — — — — Rep. Smithee, — Chair — — — — Andrea Stingley, — Clerk

The House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence

89th Legislature

May 19, 2026

10:00 a.m.

E2.014

Pursuant to a notice posted on May 12, 2026, the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Smithee, at 10:02 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Smithee; Jones, Jolanda; Little; Louderback; Money; Moody; and Virdell.

A quorum was present.

The Chair made opening remarks.

The committee heard testimony on the following interim charge:

Rural Criminal Justice Workforce Development: Study the feasibility of developing partnerships with Texas-based law schools to strengthen the pipeline of criminal prosecutors and defense attorneys serving rural and underserved areas of the state. Evaluate potential training pathways, clinical opportunities, or incentive-based partnerships with law schools that could support rural and underserved communities in maintaining a strong and reliable criminal justice workforce.

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

(Representative Bowers now present.)

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

(Representative Jones, Jolanda in chair.)

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

(Representative Smithee in chair.)

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

The committee heard testimony on the following interim charge:

Fraud and Financial Exploitation of Elderly and Vulnerable Texans: Examine trends related to the crimes of fraud, financial exploitation, and abuse targeting elderly and vulnerable Texans, including crimes involving telecommunications and emerging technologies. Review the effectiveness of current criminal statutes, penalties, restitution tools, and coordination among law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Identify gaps in detection, investigation, prosecution, and victim recovery, and provide recommendations to strengthen prevention and accountability.

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

At 2:15 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. Smithee, Chair

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Andrea Stingley, Clerk