HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES — NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

COMMITTEE:    Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs 

TIME & DATE:  10:00 AM, Thursday, July 30, 2026 

PLACE:        E2.016 
CHAIR:        Rep. Cole Hefner 

The committee will meet to hear invited testimony only regarding:

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.

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.

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.

Electronic public comment will be available for:

Countering Foreign Financial Influence and Illicit Networks.

Foreign Adversary Influence and Transparency Enforcement.

Protecting Texas Critical Infrastructure From Foreign Adversaries.

Texas residents who wish to electronically submit comments related to

agenda items on this notice without testifying in person can do so until

the hearing is adjourned by visiting:

https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c308

For those persons who will be testifying, information for in-person witness registration, can be found here: https://mytxlegis.capitol.texas.gov/HWRSPublic/About.aspx

A live video broadcast of this hearing will be available here: https://house.texas.gov/video-audio/

Instructions related to public access to the meeting location are available here: https://house.texas.gov/committees/public-access-house-committee-meetings/

NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS

Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, are requested to contact Stacey Nicchio at (512) 463-0850, 72 hours prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.