Witnesses press lawmakers for public drafts, in‑person regional hearings and clarity on subpoenas

Witnesses and senators at the West Texas virtual hearing repeatedly said the redistricting process must be transparent and accessible, and they urged the committee to publish proposed maps before asking for public comment.

Chairman King opened the hearing with detailed instructions for virtual witnesses and said the committee would accept written comments through an online portal. He also told the room that officials had reserved the Betty King room for a formal meeting to address procedural questions and that he had requested a written opinion from legislative counsel on whether the committee may issue subpoenas after regional hearings.

Multiple senators and community leaders pressed for in‑person regional hearings once any proposed map is filed. Senator Blanco said the committee should "hold field hearings, in every district, in the region of Texas from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley…so that state government can meet our constituents where they are," emphasizing broadband gaps and accessibility barriers. Senator Miles and others told the committee that many who attended in‑person house hearings in Houston and other cities were prevented from testifying when panels limited testimony hours, and they urged parity between virtual and in‑person opportunities.

Several witnesses described technical or logistical problems with the virtual process and encouraged the committee to make maps public before soliciting testimony: "Without being able to see a map under consideration, the public can't tell you whether it follows traditional redistricting principles," said Nina Perales. Senators agreed that any map filed with the committee would be released publicly and that public hearings would follow.

Why it matters: Witnesses said meaningful input requires seeing a specific map and understanding its local impact. Accessibility concerns (broadband gaps, elderly residents unfamiliar with web platforms) were cited repeatedly; several witnesses asked the committee to schedule in‑person hearings in communities with limited internet access.

Ending: The committee pledged to make any filed map public and hold subsequent public hearings. The chair also requested a written opinion on subpoena authority; members reserved the Betty King room for a formal meeting to consider procedural motions.