Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, the Chair calls Veronica Worms with the Texas Civil Rights Project.
• You're representing the Texas Civil Rights Project, and you are here to testify against the bill.
• The chair calls Veronica Warms from the Texas Civil Rights Project. Thank you. Mr.
• Oh, Taylor Trevino with the Texas Civil Liberties Union. Thank you.
• I'm the Voting Rights Senior Advocacy Manager at the Texas Civil Rights Project.

Bills: HB376, HB817, HB 1297, HB1478, HB1661, HB1783

Keywords: HB 817, Texas Election Code, majority vote, majority threshold, ranked-choice voting, preferential voting, instant runoff voting, vote reassignment, ballot ranking, election administration, public office election, Election Code Section 2.0215, runoff elections, plurality vs majority, voting systems, education reform, budget allocation, teacher retention, student performance, accountability measures

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought cannabis policy reform was a moral imperative, that it was a civil liberties issue, a civil
• it was a civil liberties issue a civil it was a civil liberties issue a civil rights<00:13:20.000
• This is a civil action, not a criminal action.
• This is a civil action, not a criminal action.
• <00:55:30.920> law stop um civil law stop um civil law enforcement<00:55:32.760> this

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These heroes have saved lives, they have fought for civil rights, they have offered love, acceptance,
• best we can be, that will encourage compassion, learning, freedom of expression and the promotion of civil
• The American Civil Liberties Union is currently tracking nearly 600 anti-LGBTQ plus bills across the
• It's a moment of solidarity for all of us who believe in human dignity, civil rights, and the power of
• This federal administration is waging a full-scale campaign to roll back decades of civil rights gains

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've committed to the author that if he would commit to making the changes that I've suggested and working
• Is it in here where if in this bill they're liable for civil penalty?
• business with a company here in Oklahoma, as it says on page six, that the company will be liable for a Civil

Bills: HB4193

Keywords: procurement, foreign adversaries, national security, state contracts, compliance, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• should be able to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense, and in closing, sir, this bill expands civil
• /c><00:07:58.599> liberties<00:07:59.080> it<00:07:59.199> allow bill expands civil
• liberties it allow bill expands civil liberties it allow young<00:07:59.840> adults<00:08:00.159
• He said to him it is a matter of equities, and not only can they do a restoration of civil rights, but
• To him, he said, it is a matter of equities, and not only can they do a restoration of civil rights,

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:06 SB 75: 00:01:05 Discussion in Opposition to SB 75: 00:11:00 SCR 89: 00:26:30 HB 38: 00:34:51 HB 201: 00:50:16, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 75, sponsored by Senator Reed, which would lower Kentucky’s concealed carry age from 21 to 18. The bill’s supporters, including Taylor McKe of the NRA, argued that 18- to 20-year-olds are legal adults who should have equal Second Amendment rights, noting they can vote, serve in the military, and otherwise be treated as adults. Supporters also cited court decisions and historical arguments, while opponents, including Kathy Hobart and Chuck Eddie, warned that the bill would increase gun violence and put more guns in the hands of young people without adequate training. Senator Carol said he opposed the bill because the brain is not fully mature until about age 25 and called the measure irresponsible; Senator Denine said he would pass the bill but wanted training requirements added; Senator Thomas also opposed it on public safety grounds; and Senator Wheeler supported it as a parity and self-defense measure for law-abiding young adults. After debate, the committee voted on SB 75 and reported it favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass. The roll call reflected a mix of support and opposition, with several members explaining their votes. Supporters emphasized self-defense, constitutional rights, and consistency with adult responsibilities, while opponents focused on youth violence, public safety, and the lack of a training requirement. The committee then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 89, sponsored by Senator Jimmy Higdon, which would direct the establishment of a Kentucky Restoration of Voting Rights Task Force. Higdon described it as a typical interim work group and said it would include five House and five Senate members. Discussion broadened to expungement and restoration issues, including marijuana-related convictions and other records that members said should be reviewed in light of changing laws. Chair Storm noted he had filed a separate expungement task force resolution and suggested the measures could be coordinated. The resolution was moved, seconded, and the roll was called, with Senator Thomas later explaining support for treating older marijuana convictions more equitably in light of current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• be a civil penalty as HB 324 envisions. be a civil penalty as HB 324 envisions.
• Much like 324 imagine good civil order.
• Senator Waters continued: “...as part of a civil penalty.
• I commit to keep working on it. I hope the rest of the body will do the same.
• I hope the commit to keep working on it.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to civil rights issues.
• It reinforces Texas' commitment to protecting the rights of law-abiding... citizens while ensuring due
• They just changed the method by which they're going to commit suicide.
• There are times when we temporarily take away civil liberties.
• Even the ACLU has stated that people who are not alleged to have committed a violent crime should not

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• even if it's federal rules of civil even if it's federal rules of civil procedure,<00:40:51.720>
• Um and so, get rid of civil cases.
• <01:52:02.200> law civil law civil law that<01:52:04.080> are that are that are recreated
• <01:53:20.600> Procedure, the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, the Wyoming Rules of Civil
• more you bring in the attempt to commit more you bring in the attempt to commit the<02:52:26.560

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How about for 1983 civil rights actions?
• I'm saying we are making a statement that if you commit these crimes...
• I'm sorry, commits a crime. ICE never comes to pick them up.
• The country illegally, regardless of whether they committed a crime or not.
• Rust, Equity Chief Election put in later for the Civil Rights Division.

Bills: SJR36, SR8, SR14, SR15, SR17, HCR54

Keywords: accountants, Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, advocacy, legislation, business issues, memorial, law enforcement, sacrifice, tribute, community support, service, community, Holocaust, remembrance, antisemitism, human rights, education, Holocaust Remembrance Day, memorialization, sexual assault

Transcript Highlights:

• cause of death that then I would<00:14:32.480> seek<00:14:32.720> a<00:14:32.880> civil
• <00:19:30.640> to<00:19:31.280> pres<00:19:31.360> preserve with a commitment
• to pres preserve with a commitment to pres preserve access<00:19:32.480> and<00:19:32.799>
• Senate Judiciary did take a look at a very narrow section regarding civil and administrative immunity
• leader uh in this or die and committed leader uh in this esteemed<00:41:10.720> chamber.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How long are they committing to through the temp, or is it day to day?
• But they are very committed people, and they love young people and want to make a difference.
• Only civil, and most people with disabilities don't have the financial needs in order to take people
• But if it doesn't, the next step is civil.
• But like I said again, after my letter, it has to go to civil or nothing gets done.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have committed a crime, and it should go down as a felony.
• for the abuses that have been committed. for the abuses that have been committed.
• <00:54:07.520> cause uh creates a state level uh civil cause uh creates a state level uh civil
• Google itself, however, has not made such a commitment.
• What is Google planning to commitment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• possession; how he obtained it, I have no idea. on which a claim could be granted under the Rules of Civil
• “Okay, so the state sold the land because of fraud committed by a relative.
• But that's ultimately my question was, the harm was evidently someone committed fraud in your family
• I’m representing the Court of Appeals in the Civil Litigation Division at the AG’s office.
• Simpson’s points of error was that he was not appointed an attorney, but since this was a civil action

Summary: The committee first reviewed several wage-claim and labor-related litigation reports from the Department of Labor and Licensing. Members questioned the department’s authority and jurisdiction, whether it was acting like a court, and why it sought attorney’s fees and costs. Department staff explained that the claims arose under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act and related labor statutes, that the department investigates small wage claims and can file suit when informal resolution fails, and that filing fees are waived by statute though service costs may be incurred. The committee reviewed individual cases, including one where the employer had not proven cash payments, another that had already been paid and dismissed, and a third where service could not yet be completed. The committee then voted to review or batch-file the labor items. The University of Arkansas System then reported on three pending lawsuits under the litigation-notification statute. One case involving a tenured professor alleging age and race discrimination had already been resolved and dismissed after the university re-engaged in discussions about a position. A second case involving a former employee alleging ADA and FMLA retaliation was moving forward after partial dismissal and an answer denying liability. A third case involved a former vendor employee alleging retaliation tied to a parking ticket; members asked about individual-capacity exposure for a university police sergeant, and counsel explained that punitive damages could potentially create personal exposure. The committee reviewed each report. The Department of Finance and Administration presented a proposed tax settlement reducing a sales-and-use tax assessment from about $48,000 to $20,000, with interest and penalties waived, and the committee approved it. The Claims Commission then presented several claims and settlements, including an unpaid salary differential for the Department of Health, reissued warrants, unpaid bills for DHS, and multiple negotiated settlements involving UAMS, Arkansas State Police, and ARDOT; these were generally approved or batched for approval. The most extensive discussion involved a settlement between the Teacher Retirement System and Tetronics International Limited in liquidation, arising from losses tied to the failed Blue Oak project; members questioned the company’s liquidation status, the prior investment loss, and why the matter was settling for $65,000, and the committee ultimately affirmed the settlement. The committee also heard a disputed tax-sale claim involving the Commissioner of State Lands, where a claimant argued that excess proceeds from a 2009 tax sale should have gone to her family rather than escheating to the county. After testimony from the claimant and counsel, members debated sovereign immunity, heirship, and whether the committee could or should award the $4,200 overage. The motion was amended and then replaced with a motion to hold the matter over for further review in a future joint session, which passed. Finally, the committee considered an appeal by Andrew Simpson challenging dismissal of his claim against the Arkansas Court of Appeals; after Simpson and court staff explained the underlying dispute, the committee reviewed the dismissal and the matter was held over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Judge McDonnell brings a strong commitment to the rule of law and a deep dedication to public service
• It also adds a civil penalty of between $25,000 and $250,000 for each violation.
• They elected you to stand up for their civil liberties, for their rights.
• This bill is a wholesale trampling of their civil liberties and their rights.
• His life to the idea: Let's have civil discourse and prove me wrong. With that, I'm an aye.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including several judges shadowing senators, Chief Justice Ann Timmer, mining industry representatives, a doctor of the day, and student and youth visitors. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider a calendar of bills, with several measures receiving committee amendments and do-pass recommendations, including SB 1272 on Douglas port of entry funding, SB 1327 on Arizona Board of Regents restrictions involving foreign countries, SB 1400 on public safety employee information, SB 1519 on off-highway vehicles, SB 1627 on unmanned aircraft, SB 1630 on AHCCCS home- and community-based services and mental illness, HB 1720 on parenting time, SB 1763 on school district finances, SB 1826 on rural wayfinding signs, and SB 1827 on vertiports. Members offered brief explanations on some bills, especially SB 1519 and SB 1720, which addressed off-road vehicle use and equal parenting time standards, respectively. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1272, SB 1327, SB 1400, SB 1519, SB 1627, SB 1630, SB 1720, SB 1763, and SB 1826. SB 1827 failed on third reading by a 15-15 vote. Senators gave explanations on several measures, including concerns about confidentiality in SB 1400, environmental and trail impacts in SB 1519, and the parenting-time standards in SB 1720. SB 1763 passed overwhelmingly, while SB 1630 passed 28-2. The chamber then moved to a second Committee of the Whole for additional bills. In the second COW, SB 1111 on automatic license plate readers drew the most extensive debate. Senator Payne described guardrails such as case-number access, training, and penalties for misuse, while Senator Hoffman offered a sweeping hostile amendment to sharply limit use and impose civil penalties and a private right of action, arguing the bill enabled mass surveillance. The Hoffman amendment failed 13-17, and the Payne-backed amendment was adopted; the bill was then advanced as amended. Senators also considered SB 1214 on stem-cell/regenerative therapy, SB 1683 on foreign land ownership advisory prohibitions, SB 1686 on a memorial at Wesley Bolin Plaza, and SB 1745 on local excise tax rate limits, all of which received do-pass recommendations after amendments where applicable. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, with further floor debate continuing on SB 1111 over privacy, public records access, and surveillance concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• As committed work for the 89th regular legislative session gets underway, we saw fit to invite agencies
• There are... civil remedies, and there are administrative remedies.
• Somebody did not purposefully or knowingly commit any misrepresentation.
• Sources Code, which is the civil statute as well as the criminal analog.
• Our enforcement... actions on the administrative side, and quite frankly, I think, on the civil side

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...stakeholders since last fall, and I remain committed to further refining AB 98.
• Assembly Bill 1079 by Assembly Member Anamarie Farías and act related to civil actions.
• The bill applies now more broadly to civil proceedings.
• One more provision remains, and I've committed to removing that in the Senate.
• I've committed and will continue to be working closely with all stakeholders on this.

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file of bills. Early procedural motions included a failed attempt to suspend the rules for AB 1219, followed by consideration of numerous measures on housing, veterans, education, elections, energy, wildfire prevention, public safety, and consumer affordability. Several bills drew bipartisan support and passed overwhelmingly, including AB 878 on safety accommodations for survivors of violence, AB 948 on school district facility maintenance, AB 81 and AB 88 on veterans’ mental health and student aid, AB 640 on school board fiscal training, AB 660 on housing permit timelines, AB 1048 on workers’ compensation billing disputes, AB 1119 on dual credentialing, AB 1172 on inhalable anti-seizure medication access, AB 1227 on wildfire prevention, AB 1285 and AB 696 on lithium-ion battery safety, AB 1417 on offshore wind transparency, AB 1530 on disaster recovery assistance, and AB 353 on affordable home internet. Some measures drew opposition or more divided votes, including AB 704 on sealing certain misdemeanor records, AB 1249 on early voting access, AB 1280 on thermal energy incentives, AB 1448 on offshore oil protections, AB 380 on price gouging, AB 402 on Cal Grant increases, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification, and AB 1084 on expedited gender-change and name-change court orders. The Assembly also granted reconsideration on AB 435, a child passenger safety bill, and passed it after debate on the five-step safety-seat standard. The floor debate featured recurring themes of affordability, housing, wildfire preparedness, election access, veterans’ services, and public safety. Supporters of the election bill AB 1249 argued it would simply add a Saturday early-voting option in non-VCA counties, while opponents raised concerns about verification and county staffing. AB 30, authorizing E15 gasoline in California, was presented as an urgency measure to lower fuel costs and passed unanimously on the urgency and the bill. AB 1466 on groundwater disputes was also taken up, with the author arguing it would reduce frivolous litigation and better represent all water users; the vote was 42 ayes and 17 noes. After completing the file, the Assembly recessed for lunch, later returned, and continued with additional file items, with many measures passing on strong bipartisan votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an appearance form from Amanda Fraser, representing the Florida Civil Legal Aid Association,
• Senators, I appreciate the opportunity to address you today on behalf of the Florida Civil Legal Aid
• Thank you to Senator Garcia for sponsoring this life-changing bill and for your unwavering commitment
• We have Candice Brower, Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, waiving in support.
• The program provides eligibility for up to 150 participants who have Individuals who have committed a

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To predict future populations, CDCR utilizes historical trend data, including data on court commitments
• sentences, so we don't think it's likely that someone would be able, would have enough time to have committed
• Just economically and you know for all the reasons, but we are committed to continuing to look at this
• We really do our best to go civil service, and the labor contracts are up for renegotiation this year
• If not, are you committed to looking at that?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to reinstating access remain committed to reinstating access for<00:04:08.640> patients.
• <00:38:59.440> All judicial finance and civil law. All judicial finance and civil law.
• committee of judicial finance and civil committee of judicial finance and civil law.<00:39:16.800
• I'm very committed to doing something.
• I am committed to further work on it, to even do some more amendments.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, then heard House File 4048, which would exempt chiropractors from Minnesota’s provider tax if they are no longer eligible to provide chiropractic benefits under Medicaid/MinnesotaCare. Representative Robbins said the bill corrects an unfair situation because chiropractors still pay the tax even though the benefit was eliminated. Testifiers from the Minnesota Chiropractic Association and a longtime chiropractor supported the bill, arguing that most chiropractors are small-business owners and should not pay a tax for services they can no longer provide. Several members said they supported restoring chiropractic coverage instead of changing the tax, and there was discussion about whether the tax applies to all providers and whether it is effectively passed on to patients. The committee adopted a motion to recommend HF 4048 to the Committee on Taxes. The committee then took up House File 3893, as amended, a bill to restrict artificial intelligence from engaging in psychotherapy or counseling with humans. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to prevent AI chatbots from posing as therapists or counseling vulnerable people, citing reports of suicides and other harms linked to chatbot interactions. The A2 amendment was adopted; the author said it reflected stakeholder concerns and added informed-consent language. Testifiers in support, including a psychologist and a suicide-prevention nonprofit leader, urged strong safeguards and said AI should not replace licensed professionals in crisis settings. Other testimony raised concerns about overbreadth and unintended effects. TechNet and a rural mental health provider said the bill should be narrowed so it applies to clinical therapy rather than wellness or educational tools, and should allow supervised AI uses such as transcription and administrative support. Members discussed rural access, existing licensing-board authority, privacy laws, and whether the bill should target AI companies directly rather than licensed clinicians. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HF 3893, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are committed to working at the forefront of research, policy, and education in this field.
• This is the common law tour of negligence and it's codified in the civil code.
• And my commitment to this group is because there are multiple members who brought up the same topic of
• In addition, I am committed to continuing to work with stakeholders and the committee staff.
• You're committing to something at that point.

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills, with most of the discussion focused on AI and social media. AB 1405 would create a state registry for AI auditors and set basic transparency, ethics, and qualification standards for those auditors; supporters said it would build trust and provide a foundation for future AI oversight, while some members questioned whether government should define auditor qualifications instead of industry groups. The bill was moved out on a 5-1 vote to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2, by Assemblymember Lowenthal, would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. Supporters, including a grieving parent and Common Sense Media, argued the bill would create accountability for harmful algorithms and design choices, while opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned it was vague, could chill speech, invite censorship, and raise Section 230 and First Amendment concerns. Committee members debated private right of action versus public enforcement, possible shakedown lawsuits, and whether the bill should be narrowed; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open. AB 410 would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and truthfully if asked, rather than only prohibiting deceptive bots in limited commercial or election contexts. Supporters said the measure would help users, especially youth and vulnerable people, know when they are interacting with AI and reduce deception online; one privacy group withdrew opposition after amendments, and other industry groups said they were no longer opposed or had no formal position. The bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations with the roll left open. The committee also approved AB 1327, which lets consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail and requires phone assistance for cancellations; the Contractor State License Board withdrew opposition after amendments, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open.