The chairs of the House County Affairs Committee and the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on the policies they'll push to ensure equal treatment for people of color, increase transparency and accountability and keep law enforcement and the public safer.
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This session is presented by the Hobby School of Public Affairs and supported by Lyft and Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute - The Hackett Center.
Coleman, D-Houston, has represented House District 147 since 1993. He serves as chair of the House County Affairs Committee and sits on the Public Health Committee. In the 85th Legislative Session, Coleman authored the House version of the Sandra Bland Act, which mandates county jails to divert people with mental health and substance abuse issues toward treatment. He is also a past chair and current member of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus.
Whitmire, D-Houston, has represented Senate District 15 since 1983. He serves as chair of the Senate Criminal Justice committee and is a member of the Administration, Business and Commerce, and Finance committees. Previously, he served as a member of the Texas House from 1973 to 1982.
