The House — Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs — 89th Legislature — July 30, 2026 — 10:00 a.m. — E2.016 — — Pursuant to a — notice posted on June 29, 2026, the House Committee on Homeland Security, — Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs met in a public hearing and was called to — order by the chair, Representative Hefner, at 10:03 a.m. — — The initial quorum — call was answered as follows: Representatives Hefner; Lopez, Ray; Dorazio; — Hickland; Isaac; Louderback; McLaughlin; and Pierson. — — A quorum was — present. — — — The Chair made — opening remarks. — — The Committee — heard invited testimony on the following interim charge: — — Countering Foreign — Financial Influence and Illicit Networks: Study national — security and public safety risks associated with foreign-controlled or — foreign-influenced financial service entities operating in Texas, including — money transmitters. Evaluate whether existing state oversight mechanisms — sufficiently detect and mitigate risks related to foreign adversaries, — transnational criminal organizations, and illicit financial activity that may — threaten Texas residents or critical financial infrastructure. — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — (Representative — Lopez, Ray in chair.) — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — (Representative — Hefner in chair.) — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — The Committee — heard invited testimony on the following interim charge: — — Foreign Adversary — Influence and Transparency Enforcement: Study foreign adversary and — terrorist-linked influence operations affecting Texas, including political — activity, advocacy, and funding networks directed by foreign governments or — organizations. Examine gaps in federal registration and disclosure requirements — and consider whether Texas should establish state-level requirements to — identify, expose, and deter individuals or organizations operating on behalf of — foreign adversaries or terrorist-linked entities, including registration — mandates, funding restrictions, and enforceable penalties for noncompliance. — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — (Representative — Lopez, Ray in chair.) — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — (Representative — Hefner in chair.) — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — The Committee — heard invited testimony on the following interim charge: — — Protecting Texas — Critical Infrastructure From Foreign Adversaries: Study the risks — posed by remote-access technologies embedded in critical infrastructure that — could enable cyber intrusion, surveillance, or disruption by foreign — adversaries or other malicious actors. Evaluate whether additional safeguards — are needed to strengthen oversight, prevent exploitation, and protect Texas — infrastructure from security threats. Provide recommendations to enhance — accountability and ensure the resilience of critical systems. — — Testimony — taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.) — — At 3:22 p.m., on — the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned — subject to the call of the chair. — — — — Rep. Hefner, Chair — — — — Jose Gonzalez, — Clerk

The House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

89th Legislature

July 30, 2026

10:00 a.m.

E2.016

Pursuant to a notice posted on June 29, 2026, the House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Hefner, at 10:03 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Hefner; Lopez, Ray; Dorazio; Hickland; Isaac; Louderback; McLaughlin; and Pierson.

A quorum was present.

The Chair made opening remarks.

The Committee heard invited testimony on the following interim charge:

Countering Foreign Financial Influence and Illicit Networks: Study national security and public safety risks associated with foreign-controlled or foreign-influenced financial service entities operating in Texas, including money transmitters. Evaluate whether existing state oversight mechanisms sufficiently detect and mitigate risks related to foreign adversaries, transnational criminal organizations, and illicit financial activity that may threaten Texas residents or critical financial infrastructure.

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

(Representative Lopez, Ray in chair.)

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

(Representative Hefner in chair.)

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

The Committee heard invited testimony on the following interim charge:

Foreign Adversary Influence and Transparency Enforcement: Study foreign adversary and terrorist-linked influence operations affecting Texas, including political activity, advocacy, and funding networks directed by foreign governments or organizations. Examine gaps in federal registration and disclosure requirements and consider whether Texas should establish state-level requirements to identify, expose, and deter individuals or organizations operating on behalf of foreign adversaries or terrorist-linked entities, including registration mandates, funding restrictions, and enforceable penalties for noncompliance.

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

(Representative Lopez, Ray in chair.)

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

(Representative Hefner in chair.)

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

The Committee heard invited testimony on the following interim charge:

Protecting Texas Critical Infrastructure From Foreign Adversaries: Study the risks posed by remote-access technologies embedded in critical infrastructure that could enable cyber intrusion, surveillance, or disruption by foreign adversaries or other malicious actors. Evaluate whether additional safeguards are needed to strengthen oversight, prevent exploitation, and protect Texas infrastructure from security threats. Provide recommendations to enhance accountability and ensure the resilience of critical systems.

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

At 3:22 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. Hefner, Chair

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Jose Gonzalez, Clerk