Transcript Highlights:

• expenditures during these unexcused absences, only during the moratorium period, during years we're in session
• Senator Betancourt's bill, House Bill 19, which would prohibit any fundraising, even through special sessions
• the better public policy is definitely banning all activity, uh, fundraising activity in special sessions
• executive branch, all legislative branch, um, because if we, uh, have that pattern in the regular session
• September 1st, if I remember correctly, so it'd be like two special sessions, um, and, uh but now this

Bills: HB18

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• and doing a special session that's only 30 days long.
• The ability to do was that a special session or was it a regular session? It doesn't matter.
• Legislative sessions are like my argument is that it does matter because the special session is only
• What about in a regular session? Are you OK to use a quorum break in a regular session? Absolutely.
• and not regular sessions.

Bills: HB18

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we're back in open session. Uh, thank you all, everyone, for their patience.

Keywords: The meeting will take start back after coming out of Executive Session, 958, all

Summary: The commission reconvened in open session and announced it had reached a settlement that would avoid a full adjudicatory hearing. Counsel for Representative Gber waived the hearing and agreed to the settlement, and enforcement counsel recommended acceptance. The commission then voted unanimously to accept the agreed settlement. The matter proceeded to an ethics charge involving a proposed finding of probable cause, an agreed order, and a public reprimand. Representative Gber was sworn in and confirmed that he had seen and agreed to the proposed order, waived the adjudicatory hearing, agreed to the findings of violations and penalties in the agreed order, and waived his right to appeal. The commission accepted the agreement and stated that the matter before it was concluded. After the settlement, the chair noted that pending motions related to the case were dismissed and thanked the witnesses for attending, even though they did not have to testify. The chair and Representative Gber each made brief remarks about the long and difficult process, the complexity of the case, and the hope that it would serve as a learning experience. The commission said signed copies of the agreed order and public reprimand would be available, and then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that the better public policy is definitely banning all fundraising activity in special sessions
• So it would be like two special sessions. But now, this may be old-fashioned...

Bills: HB18

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• Who sets the agenda for the special sessions? The governor.
• But was it a special session or was it a regular session? It doesn't matter.
• Legislative sessions are legislative sessions.
• So you're saying that this bill should only apply to special sessions and not regular sessions?
• and not with any special sessions.

Bills: HB18

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is day 107 of our 140-day legislative session.
• The Texas Senate has been amazing this session after session, as well as Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick
• In the 88th session, we finally banned the gender mutilation of kids, but...
• We must pass these bills this session for us to consider this a win for Texas kids.
• Last session, we tried to ban drag shows targeted at children in public libraries.

Keywords: immigration, children's rights, E-Verify, social transitioning, election integrity, Texas GOP, legislative session, urgent legislation

Summary: The committee meeting was characterized by fervent discussions surrounding critical legislation, particularly regarding immigration, children's rights, and election integrity. Key bills such as HB2258, aiming to ban social transitioning for children, and E-Verify legislation were highlighted as urgent priorities. Several representatives expressed frustration over stalled bills and emphasized the necessity of decisive action to fulfill their commitments made during their campaigns. The urgency was marked by the approaching deadline for bill passage, with only days remaining in the legislative session. Members urged House leadership to prioritize these bills, warning that failure to act would undermine public trust in their capacity to fulfill the Republicans' campaign promises.

Transcript Highlights:

• This special session should be about lowering the high cost of living that afflicts the people of Texas
• This special session should be about cleaning up corruption. Thank you.
• This special session should be about cleaning up corruption here in Austin so that a government that
• Don't forget that Governor Abbott just put this on the call for the special session.
• special session in the first place after the floods in the Hill Country.

Keywords: redistricting, gerrymandering, Texas Democrats, voter suppression, Hakeem Jeffries, equitable representation, minority communities, legislative session, political motivations

Summary: Texas Democratic leaders and members of Congress held a press event in Austin with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to denounce the Republican-led special session and proposed congressional redistricting map. Speakers, including Lizzie Fletcher, Lloyd Doggett, Al Green, Joaquin Castro, Sylvia Garcia, and Greg Casar, argued that the session should instead focus on flood recovery after the Hill Country Independence Day floods, affordability, health care, the energy grid, and other state priorities. They said the new map was a partisan and racially discriminatory gerrymander designed to help Donald Trump and Texas Republicans gain seats, weaken minority voting power, and undermine free and fair elections. Several speakers said the current Texas map is already under legal challenge and claimed the proposed changes would further reduce the ability of Black and Latino communities to elect candidates of choice. They also tied the redistricting fight to broader national issues such as Medicaid, Social Security, tariffs, housing costs, and corruption. Jeffries said Texas Democrats would not “bend the knee” and pledged support for their efforts, while emphasizing that the fight would continue politically, in court, and through public organizing. In the question-and-answer portion, Jeffries said all options should be on the table to protect Texans, but that Texas Democrats would decide their own strategy. Fletcher said the immediate priority was informing the public about the rushed process, noting that many Texans testified before seeing a map and that the hearings were moving quickly. No formal vote or legislative action occurred at the event itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• The definition of a special session is extraordinary.
• And I really think This should have been discussed during session.
• We don't have a great track record on special sessions.
• I know this is only a special session.
• Soon after the regular session, the debate began. SB 96 and SB 98.

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:

• During Texas's 86th legislative session, I was honored to author House Bill 2298 to establish...
• We cannot allow violent felons out on the street ever again, and we need to pass that this session.

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:

• an update on the implementation of the Sunset Recommendations adopted during the last legislative session
• Checking on agency's progress in implementing Sunset Recommendations from the previous legislative session
• The Sunset Compliance Report assessed recommendations from the previous legislative session, impacting
• We now have a large body of work to support throughout the [89th legislative session](link from function
• We now have a large body of work to support throughout the [89th legislative session](link from function

Keywords: Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Ethics Commission, recommendations, Angelina River Authority, Natchez Valley Authority, public testimony, legislative session

Summary: The meeting of the Sunset Advisory Commission served as a concluding assembly for the current biennium, where various agencies were reviewed. Notably, the Commission focused on staff recommendations and modifications regarding the Angelina and Natchez River Authority, Lower Natchez Valley Authority, and Texas Ethics Commission. After discussing various modifications, the members voted unanimously on multiple recommendations aimed at improving operational efficiency and accountability within these agencies. The Chair emphasized the collaborative effort of the Commission members and staff, acknowledging their hard work throughout the biennium.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're okay with people in a special session fundraising, though.
• But was it a special session or was it a regular session? It doesn't matter.
• So you're saying that this bill should only apply to special sessions and not regular sessions?
• gone for two weeks, so that's half of the special session.
• and not with any special sessions.

Bills: HB18

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on the discussions surrounding HB18, which aims to prevent legislators from financially benefiting when they break quorum. Chairman Shaheen emphasized that this bill addresses the integrity of the Texas legislature and responds to constituent concerns about lawmakers being absent and raising funds simultaneously. Throughout the meeting, members discussed the implications of enforcing penalties for breaking quorum and the balance between legislative strategy and financial transparency. Various representatives expressed their views, with some supporting the bill for enhancing accountability, while others argued that it imposes unfair restrictions on a constitutional tactic historically used by minority factions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The joint session will come to order.
• The chair declares the joint session of the two Houses now dissolved.
• 02:33:30.479> declares<02:33:30.800> the<02:33:31.040> joint<02:33:31.280> session
• <02:33:31.520> of The chair declares the joint session of The chair declares the joint session

Keywords: Presidential address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [Applause] e [Music] The joint session will come to order.
• [Music] [Music] e for e e e for one e e e e for morning The joint session will come to order.
• the quorum and the Chair is prepared to direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to restore order to the joint session
• The Chair is prepared to direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to restore order to the joint session. Mr.
• The Chair declares the joint session of the two Houses now dissolved. Hold on.

Keywords: Presidential address to the Joint Session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• through what this will look like, and I think ultimately a lot of this will come down to later in the session

Bills: HB1183, HB1656, HB1658, HB1661, HB1663, HB1664, HB1859, HB2116, HB2271, HB2276, HB2335, HB2360, HB2387, HB2472, HB1805, HB2469, HB1815, HB1860, HB2117, HB2118, HB2437, HB2438, HB2604, HB1590, HB2156, HB2268

Keywords: retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes, indebtedness, salary recovery, employee compensation, deductions, financial management, collective bargaining, employee relations, impasse procedures, arbitration, public employment, HB1661, cafeteria plan, Section 125, Internal Revenue Code, flexible spending account

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I look forward to following the draft as legislation in 2026 when we're back in session. >> Representative
• /c><00:26:13.600> we're<00:26:13.840> back<00:26:14.240> in<00:26:14.559> session
• 2026 when we're back in session. 2026 when we're back in session.

Keywords: Cabinet for Economic Development – Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Overview 02:35 ----Discussion of BR 868, 2026 Regular Session 24:08, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August 21 minutes. The main presentation was from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development on the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC), which was created in 1984 and is administratively tied to the cabinet. Staff explained that BSSC supports workforce training for companies in Kentucky through two main programs: the grant-in-aid reimbursement program and the skills training investment tax credit. They also described the board’s structure, quarterly meetings, annual audit, and the metropolitan tax credit tied to UPS in Louisville, along with public-private training consortia supported by the program. The cabinet outlined eligibility and funding rules: applicants must be qualified companies, trainees must be full-time Kentucky residents meeting wage requirements, and eligible training includes in-house company-specific training, train-the-trainer efforts, safety/OSHA training, and outside training through KCTCS or other providers. Grant-in-aid is a 50% reimbursement program capped at $75,000 per company per fiscal year and $2,000 per trainee, while the tax credit is capped annually and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are scored based on county tier, wages, workforce development activity, veteran hiring, participation in consortia, and job growth. Members asked for data on trainees and industries served, and staff said they could provide it. They also discussed coordination with other workforce programs, especially KCTCS and the state’s TRAIN program, to avoid overlap and double dipping. Several members asked about program usage and differences between fiscal years. Staff said the tax credit is less popular because it is not refundable and requires tax liability, while grant-in-aid is more attractive because it is cash reimbursement. They said lower or delayed spending in some years can reflect one-year training windows, reimbursement lag, new facilities ramping up, consortia activity, and special allocations such as those tied to Ford facilities. Questions also covered support for new businesses, which staff said can receive favorable scoring for new jobs and may have funds set aside for new location projects. On veterans, staff said they connect companies to Kentucky Valor and other resources, but the program does not track veteran retention outcomes. The final discussion was on a draft bill related to the Kentucky Horse Park and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Representative Vanessa Gracel and Kentucky Horse Park President Lee Carter explained that the proposal is intended to help the park maintain integrity and protect athletes, volunteers, coaches, trainers, and guests from abuse and misconduct. They described SafeSport’s federal role in Olympic and Paralympic sports and said they hope to move the draft forward as legislation in 2026. No votes were taken on the BSSC presentation or the horse park discussion.

Bills: SF0002

Keywords: Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem, mileage reimbursement, legislator training, legislators-elect, newly appointed legislator, carryforward funds, unspent appropriations, Management Council, economic development, energy diversification, economic modeling software, fiscal notes

Bills: SF0002

Keywords: Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem, mileage reimbursement, legislator training, legislators-elect, newly appointed legislator, carryforward funds, unspent appropriations, Management Council, economic development, energy diversification, economic modeling software, fiscal notes

Transcript Highlights:

• Last session, the legislature passed a 5% raise, which did bring state worker turnover down to its lowest
• We can change it and we must change it this session.
• A session ago, we've gotten even chinchier, but generally speaking, most of the state workforce is under
• Last session, we took care of our retired teachers after 20 years.
• Last session, we took care of our retired teachers after 20 years.

Keywords: Texas state employees, retirees, compensation, House Bill 343, House Bill 247, Senator Sarah Eckhardt, Representative John Busey, cost of living, workforce, legislative session

Summary: The committee meeting focused on critical issues facing Texas state employees and retirees, highlighting the need for increased compensation and improved benefits. Senator Sarah Eckhardt and Representative John Busey presented new legislation aimed at addressing these longstanding problems, including proposed House Bills 343 and 247, which seek a $10,000 across-the-board pay increase for state employees. Senator Eckhardt emphasized the growing wage gap between public sector jobs and private sector offerings, which has led to high turnover rates and the loss of institutional knowledge. Public testimonies underscored the urgency of the issue as retirees shared their struggles with stagnant pensions amidst rising living costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was passed out of the House 136 to 8 in the 87th legislative session. With that, Mr.
• We've met at length with the mayor about some Suggested is to make the bill better We've worked with
• Yes sir and there have been so many improvements made just in the last couple of sessions and alert,
• Um, House Bill three last session. that was filed by Speaker of the House Dustin Burroughs.
• After the last session in Senate Bill 1852, I believe it was.

Bills: HB33, HB298, HB 1024, HB 1234, HB 1261, HB1696, HB298

Keywords: electronic monitoring, parole supervision, law enforcement, warrant execution, public safety, handgun license, judgment evaluation, medical advisory board, application denial, gun law procedures, abandoned property, unclaimed property, disposition, handgun, driver's license, commercial driver's license, weapon carry, gun rights, Texas legislature, legislative attendance

Keywords: KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu6XBte69zI, 2026-06-21T07:17:05+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00:25 Roll Call 00:02:20 Approval of Minutes 00:02:40 Potential Legislative Issues for the 2024 Regular Session 00:59:30 Overview of the Murray State University Hutson School of Agriculture 01:18:50 Update on the Implementation of 2023 Regular Session Senate Bill 281, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47