Transcript Highlights:

• I from as the bill goes as a process.
• generally in support of the legislation. generally in support of the legislation.
• You'd certainly be available to work on that. the system and uh they're the ones that the system and
• It's been a three-year process. 52. It's been a three-year process.
• to explain the legislative race portion. to explain the legislative race portion.

Bills: SF0102, SF0113

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, hand count audit, ballots, election integrity, transparency, voting system, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not necessarily suggesting that this is unnecessary legislation, but it concerns me sometimes that
• we over-legislate here in Montgomery on things that might be handled outside of legislation.
• that in their purview, allowing them to regulate that and determine what is best for their school systems
• All right, so what will happen is each member of a system that is a certified board member will take
• I appreciate your help and working on things we've been trying to work through the process with this

Bills: SB92, HB9, HB9

Keywords: K-12 education, wireless communication devices, digital safety, social media education, classroom distraction, three-cueing system, reading instruction, structured literacy, scientific strategies, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• infrastructure projects for. ...streets and sidewalks, in addition to water, wastewater, or stormwater systems
• I respectfully urge your support of this legislation. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Mr.
• excessive taxation by installing common sense safeguards around the tax rate setting and bond issuance process

Bills: SB1277, SB1531, SB2452, SB2520, SB2521, SB2529, SB2538, SB2539, SB2541, SB2873

Keywords: municipal sales tax, street maintenance, local option tax, Tax Code Chapter 327, sales and use tax, street repair, sidewalk maintenance, water infrastructure, wastewater system, stormwater system, local election, ballot language, reauthorization, municipal finance, infrastructure funding, Texas municipalities, street and sidewalk tax, special district tax, public works, property tax

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute is the Legislative Council draft.
• Well, it could be any hospital system.
• New Jersey is currently pursuing legislation, Washington State recently passed similar legislation, and
• We are vetted through similar processes.
• You all healthcare systems, some healthcare center systems pay for...

Bills: HB35, HB4490, HB4454, HB2188, HB3078, HB4743, HB2556, HB46, HB5342, HB4783, HB3785, HB5278, HB1639, HB2581, HB4224, HB4070, HB4099, HB4882, HB3794, HB46

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, disclosure, next of kin, public information, deceased persons, privacy rights, patient solicitation, marketing practices, healthcare regulation, task force, deceptive advertising, nurse aide, certification, Texas Board of Nursing, healthcare workforce, nursing standards

Transcript Highlights:

• The funding of the system for your products that are being checked by the system.
• Systems, but here's the challenge.
• Systems.
• I don't know, it's just... that's the way the system is. The system is working, so.
• Medicare started charging a certain way just in the Medicare system, which is totally a separate system

Bills: HB46, HB35, HB4490, HB4454, HB2188, HB3078, HB4743, HB2556, HB46, HB5342, HB4783, HB3785, HB5278, HB1639, HB2581, HB4224, HB4070, HB4099, HB4882, HB3794

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• I heard the legislation.
• the person did go through the process the person did go through the process and<00:44:13.880>
• During the COVID pandemic, and thank you for your... legislative approval. legislative approval.
• legislative approval every 2 weeks max. legislative approval every 2 weeks max.
• <00:51:37.360> Explicitly legislative hearings. Explicitly legislative hearings.

Bills: SB2109, SB2151

Keywords: emergency preparedness, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, multilingual resources, American Sign Language, public education, community resilience, disaster response, emergency management, governor powers, legislative oversight, public safety, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Public Safety met on March 20, 2026, and the chair opened by noting severe rain and flooding conditions in Hawaii and said the committee would proceed with the hearing but defer decision-making until the next meeting on March 25. The first measure discussed was SB 2109, an omnibus bill on emergency preparedness communications. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from state agencies and advocacy groups such as the Disability and Communications Access Board, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and others. Supporters emphasized the need for funding and planning for multilingual emergency materials and language access, citing current evacuation notices that were not available in languages such as Ilokano or Tongan. The chair stated that action on SB 2109 would be deferred until March 25. The committee then heard SB 2151, relating to emergency management and changes to the governor’s emergency authority. Testimony was mixed but heavily focused on concerns about executive power. Earthjustice supported the bill with amendments, saying it should narrow extraordinary emergency powers, add definitions for emergency and disaster, preserve transparency under the Uniform Information Practices Act, and lower the legislative threshold to terminate an emergency proclamation from two-thirds to a simple majority. Other supporters, including the League of Women Voters of Hawaii and some individuals, also backed reform. Opponents, including Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and numerous individuals, argued the bill still gave the governor too much power, used overly broad disaster definitions, and did not sufficiently protect constitutional rights; several urged major amendments or repeal of portions of Chapter 127A. Some opponents specifically objected to the two-thirds termination standard and to provisions they said could enable compulsory immunizations or other mandates. Members questioned Earthjustice about whether the bill would suspend constitutional rights. Earthjustice responded that the bill would not authorize constitutional violations, but would allow suspension of laws enacted by the legislature, and pointed to existing statutory procedures for individuals to challenge emergency proclamations. The witness described a Mauna Kea case in which a three-judge panel granted relief to an individual under the current statute, and explained that the process could potentially affect a broader proclamation if allowed to run to completion. The hearing continued with additional testimony and questions, but no final vote or committee action on SB 2151 was taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• IAL criteria for a magical legislative IAL criteria for a magical legislative Panacea<00:10:32.720
• , which is the voters. ...process.
• redistricting map for electoral process redistricting map for electoral process finally<00:14:39.880
• the intent of the legislation the intent of the legislation transparency<00:37:40.960> is
• You're speaking to accessibility of information in our legislative process, which is a totally different

Bills: HF390, HF1202, HF550

Keywords: government data, data practices, record keeping, penalties, legal enforcement, public meetings, transparency, government accountability, interagency groups, Minnesota Statutes, redistricting, Bipartisan Commission, Minnesota Constitution, census, legislative districts, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the current system, if we're in the first session of a two-year legislative term and a bill is
• novo process.
• So House Memorial 13 is really highlighting what we've learned from our Legislative Finance process about
• legislation that will address ...system-level legislation that will address some of the major capacity
• It's the same legislative process as through anything else.

Bills: HJR6, HJR7, HB120, HB60, HB151, HR1, HM13, SB40, SB104

Keywords: constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, legislative session, even-numbered years, New Mexico Constitution, student behavior, physical restraint, seclusion, public schools, training, de-escalation, student safety, behavior interventions, criminal offenses, peace officer, Victims of Crime Act, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• with the State Department of Education, with input and in collaboration with the community college system
• So that's pretty... ...dual enrollment process, so that's pretty much it in a nutshell.
• We have someone from the community college system here.
• I serve as the Vice Chancellor for Student Success at the Alabama Community College System.
• Because, you know, I am one of those ... ...because you know, I am one of those legislators.

Bills: HB9, HB102, HB9

Keywords: three-cueing system, reading instruction, K-12 education, structured literacy, scientific strategies, dual enrollment, high school, community college, university, educational access, high school credit, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [laughter] In addition, we have a new microphone system.
• most of you folks are already system most of you folks are already familiar<00:20:19.200> with
• I'm Charlotte Carter Yamamauchi, the director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.
• Um, we stand in strong support of this bill, which includes the Legislative Reference Bureau budget.
• So that will be upcoming, probably not before session ends, unfortunately, but we are in the process

Bills: HB2240, HB2272, HB2273, HB2274, HB2275

Keywords: appropriations, legislative expenses, auditor, legislative reference bureau, state ethics commission, ombudsman, government transparency, HB2272, Act 026, public employment cost items, emergency appropriations, collective bargaining, bargaining unit 11, BU-11, state employees, excluded employees, salary increases, cost adjustments, health premium payments, benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• I've carried some recodifications in the past, and I just appreciate the work by Legislative Council.
• We do have two resource folks here from Texas Legislative Council.
• If none, we do have two resource witnesses from Legislative Council. Anyone have any questions?
• It also involves a lot of work by the Texas Legislative Council. This is non-substantive.
• Austin State University boasts a 138-acre garden system, including the Ruby M.

Bills: HCR75, HCR93, SB644, SCR2, SCR17, HB2703, HCR92, HCR7, HCR126, HB1615, HB1610, HB1620, HCR86, HCR7

Keywords: Hemphill, bass fishing, tourism, state recognition, conservation, recreational activities, Nacogdoches, Garden Capital, public gardens, sustainability, horticultural heritage, hospice, palliative care, awareness day, healthcare, patient care, state regulation, taxation, education, local authority

Transcript Highlights:

• process.
• Court case management systems be part of the public safety report system. Yes. At no cost to them.
• So those are real-life examples of what really goes on in a judicial. system and we as legislators don't
• I already thought there was an integrated system, but there's no integrated system. surprising yes it's
• It's their whole accounting system.

Bills: SJR1, SB9, SB40, SJR36, SJR1, SJR5, SB9, SB40, SJR1, SB9, SB40, SR62, SR92, SR95, SR108, SR110, SR111, SR113, SR114, SR117, SR120, SB314, SB314

Keywords: bail denial, illegal aliens, felony offenses, constitutional amendment, law enforcement, bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunctive relief, taxpayer rights, bail, criminal justice reform, El Paso, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we cleaned that up when we made this change to $750. legislative subpoena um from a $100 fine legislative
• <00:11:02.240> and of artificial intelligence systems and of artificial intelligence systems
• legislation? legislation?
• legislation is. legislation is.
• favor of the legislation. favor of the legislation. >> Senator<01:32:00.000> KGO.

Bills: HB0083, HB0102, HB0178

Keywords: subpoena, legislative authority, penalty, compliance, law enforcement, artificial intelligence, synthetic sexual material, child protection, self-harm, criminal liability, public employment, labor organization, dues withdrawal, collective bargaining, public funding, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Otherwise, for six or eight months before the Senate comes about the process. >> Right.
• that they will cover are listed on page two, number 33: public meeting act, contract review, the Legislative
• public meeting act contract<00:15:57.040> review<00:15:57.759> the<00:15:58.000> legislative
• contract review the legislative contract review the legislative oversight<00:15:58.959> committee

Bills: SB54, SB126, SB128, SB101, SB102, SB104, HB282, HB298, SB54, SB126, SB128, SB101, SB102, SB104, HB282, HB298

Keywords: sunset law, Alabama Surface Mining Commission, environmental regulation, mining, state commission, Alabama Private Investigation Board, regulatory oversight, agency review, continuation, sickle cell disease, healthcare, regulatory commission, public health, regulation, electrical contractors, state agencies, home medical equipment, board continuation, boards, commissions

Transcript Highlights:

• So typically you have to augment or replace systems or combine systems.
• They have their own system that they have set up, and we want to set up our own system.
• , time-consuming processes.
• There is a process.
• Explain that process. Mr.

Bills: HB2006, HB2165, HB2245, HB2348, HB2806, HB2901, HB2902, HCR2016

Keywords: sample ballots, elections, primary election, general election, mailing deadline, ballot mailing, county election officials, board of supervisors, secretary of state, early voting list, election administration, voter information, postal service, USPS processing center, city elections, town elections, special district elections, Arizona election law, ballot proofing, party chair

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2348, which would appropriate state general fund money in FY 2027 for Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs projects including wireless networking at training centers, a reimbursement program for service members without government computers, lodging and kind for service members, and HVAC upgrades and maintenance. Two amendments were considered: the Marquez Amendment, which filled in dollar amounts for the appropriations, failed; and the Gillette Amendment, which restricted certain networking equipment for national security reasons, removed the reimbursement program, revised the lodging language, and tied some funding intentions to compliance, passed. After extensive testimony from the sponsor and several Army Reserve and National Guard witnesses about lack of Wi-Fi, inadequate lodging, safety concerns from long drives, and poor HVAC at joint facilities, the committee approved HB 2348 as amended on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered HCR 2016, a ballot referral that would cap precinct size at 2,500 voters and eliminate county authority to use vote centers, emergency voting centers, and certain on-site early voting options. The sponsor said the measure was intended to restore precinct-based voting and let voters decide. County officials and election advocates opposed it, arguing that vote centers and early voting provide flexibility, are more cost-effective in many counties, and are necessary where geography, staffing, and facility availability make precinct voting difficult. After debate over local control, voter choice, and the practicality of precincting, the committee gave HCR 2016 a 4-3 do-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2165, which exempts veterans from Arizona State Parks admission fees, and adopted the Marquez Amendment to extend the exemption to active military members, National Guard members, and reserve-unit members, with alternative ID options. Arizona State Parks testified in neutral, saying it supports veterans but is concerned about revenue losses; it estimated that even a modest share of veteran visits could reduce revenue by about $1.8 million annually. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by constituent requests and was meant to help veterans enjoy outdoor recreation and therapeutic opportunities. The committee then approved HB 2165 as amended on a vote of 4-0, with some members absent or not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And legislative oversight provisions, one being from Chair Nash for the Office of the Legislative Auditor
• The bill also contains a healthy aging subcabinet, which is the work product of the Legislative Tax Force
• But the process went well, and when we met in rooms to get the thing done, we all had a goal in mind,
• Amanda Rudolph, our committee administrator, to John Baylor, our researcher, and to our committee legislative
• very well in a collaborative effort and also made it very comfortable for all of us to engage in the process

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• just like to say for the public who may be watching this and may not understand exactly how this process
• So that's the process that we have in mind for today. Let's see what we have.
• Section 5 is the monitoring office of the legislative auditor.
• Who make the current system work at an effective cost.
• In large part, those proposals are about modernizing our reporting and billing process.

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• system here in a second.
• If you're a merit system employee, you're a mandatory contributor to the retirement system.
• We've seen in recent years legislation to try to allow counties to opt out of the civil service system
• or not, mandatory contributors to the retirement system. ...civil service system or not, mandatory contributors
• to the retirement system.

Bills: HB343, HB345

Keywords: retirement system, mandatory membership, Jefferson County, employee contributions, civil service, special reserve deputy, emergency writ condition, Sheriff, law enforcement, property seizure, Alabama Peace Officers' Standards, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we used this cycle to really start trying to put some of those processes in place that...
• Some of those processes in place that they can expect to see going forward.
• way... ...the judicial system and the way they want to spend their funds.
• Chair, my understanding is it's not going to change that process.
• Just comment about the major cost that this process of transportation is. that this process of transportation

Bills: HB186, HB185, HB184, HB183, HB181, HB312, HB405, HB182, HB460

Keywords: Alabama budget, general fund appropriations, fiscal year 2026, state budget, appropriations act, HB186, executive branch funding, legislative branch funding, judicial branch funding, debt service, capital outlay, corrections, Medicaid, public health, mental health, transportation, education, law enforcement, tourism, veterans affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• That is not how the property tax system is designed to work.
• They've got an accounting system, and they can keep up with those numbers and make sure.
• The impact fee study process is very detailed and complicated.
• There's only one end user in this whole process. Yes, sir. Happy to answer any questions?
• I think there would be some ways to, again, tighten and strengthen that process.

Bills: SB32, SB464, SB996, SB1163, SB1173, SB1277, SB1452, SB1453, SB1548, SB1882, SB1883, SB2016

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, tax exemption, franchise tax credit, income production, personal property, SB 464, school buffer zone, tobacco retailer, vape shop, e-cigarette, vaping, nicotine, tobacco products, retail permit, comptroller, Class A misdemeanor, school proximity, youth access, public school, private school

Summary: The Senate Local Government Committee heard several bills by Senator Bettencourt focused on property tax and local government accountability. SB 32 would provide about $700 million in business tax relief by raising the business personal property exemption from $2,500 to $25,000 and continuing a 20% franchise tax credit for inventory taxes paid. Witnesses from NFIB, the Texas Retailers Association, and Texas Realtors supported the bill, saying business personal property and inventory taxes are burdensome and especially hard on small businesses. After no opposition testimony, SB 32 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 1453, which would change how interest and sinking tax rates are calculated by using only the minimum debt service required under bond schedules, while still allowing a higher rate with a 60% governing body vote and a public explanation. A witness from the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association supported the bill as a way to keep debt rates from rising as property values increase and to preserve tax relief. The bill was left pending after testimony. SB 1883 would tighten rules on local impact fees by requiring 60 days of public availability for capital improvement plans and land use assumptions, raising the approval threshold for adopting impact fees from a simple majority to two-thirds, limiting how often fees can be increased, and expanding notice requirements. Builders and developers testified in support, arguing that impact fees are often poorly reviewed, lack accountability, and are passed on to homebuyers, worsening housing affordability. Committee members discussed adding audit provisions and questioned the lack of city testimony. The bill was left pending with subcommittee action. SB 1452 would require a voter election to decide whether a municipal management district continues to exist, with dissolution if voters reject it; supporters said it would add accountability, while others noted some districts provide essential services and infrastructure. The committee heard testimony from district representatives and builders, then left SB 1452 pending before recessing.