Texas House of Representatives improves online video resource

posted on 3.31.2014

The Texas House of Representatives has significantly upgraded its online broadcasts of legislative activities.

Under the improvements, an unlimited number of viewers will be able to see a higher-quality video feed of House and Senate floor activity, committee meetings and other happenings at the Texas Capitol.

In previous legislative sessions, software limitations allowed only 2,500 viewers at a time.

The new video service puts no such limits on viewership.

In addition, videos will be encoded in H.264 format, allowing the public to access feeds from mobile devices.

Files will also be transmitted and saved in larger formats, improving video archives.

“These new tools will significantly expand public access to the Texas Legislature,” said House Administration Committee Chairman Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth.

“Now, many more Texans will have the opportunity to directly view their elected representatives at work. This is an important step toward greater transparency in state government.”

The improvements will also increase the number legislative meetings that can be broadcast at one time. The new service launched with a House Human Services Committee meeting last week and continues with other committee meetings conducting interim charge work.

“These upgrades will make legislators more accessible to the people they represent,” said House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.

TAB has learned that similar improvements to online broadcasts of Texas Senate proceedings will be unveiled soon.

Legislative video broadcasts are available at www.capitol.state.tx.us.

Questions?  Contact TAB's Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.

---