Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I move that the changes to the subcommittee on ethical conduct on the sheet dated April 7, 2025
• </c><00:52:40.079><c> dated</c><00:52:40.400><c> April</c> ethical conduct on the sheet dated April ethical
• </c> Seeing no further questions, Senator France moves that a change to the subcommittee on ethical conduct
• </c><00:54:32.800><c> conduct</c><00:54:33.119><c> and</c> subcommittee on ethical conduct and subcommittee
• on ethical conduct and replace<00:54:34.400><c> uh</c><00:54:34.559><c> Sandy</c><00:54:34.880><c> Papis

Transcript Highlights:

• And as required by Rule 12.7, the Committee on Ethics and Elections conducted an inquiry at your direction
• As required by Rule 12.7, the Committee on Ethics and Elections did conduct an inquiry at your direction
• Public hearings were conducted by the Committee of Reference, and the Committee on Ethics and Elections
• Point 7, your Committee on Ethics and Elections conducted an inquiry to your direction concerning the
• Public hearings were conducted by the Committee of Reference, and the Committee on Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Senate first handled a large batch of executive appointments reported by the Ethics and Elections Committee. Senators debated several nominees, with some members objecting to particular appointees over their views or past conduct. The report on the first group of appointments was adopted 31-0, and Jeffrey Aaron’s separate confirmation to the Public Employee Relations Commission was approved 26-10 after extended debate centered on his role as counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and allegations that he helped facilitate the transfer of Medicaid settlement funds into political activity. The chamber then considered Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration. Supporters praised her work on Medicaid directed payments and hospital funding, while opponents criticized her prior tenure at the Department of Children and Families, citing problems with Medicaid redeterminations, postpartum coverage, Hope Florida oversight, and a women’s shelter case. The Senate adopted her confirmation report 32-5. Next, Taylor Hatch’s confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families was taken up; the committee report noted ongoing concerns about SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, audits, and Hope Florida, but recommended confirmation based on her stated commitments to reform. After debate over DCF’s performance and accountability, the Senate adopted her confirmation report 33-4. After a brief recess, the Senate held a recognition ceremony for outgoing President Kathleen Passidomo. Senators from both parties offered lengthy remarks praising her leadership, diligence, humor, and support for members, often recalling personal interactions and her role in shaping legislation and mentoring newer senators. The ceremony emphasized her service as Senate President and continued leadership as Rules Chair, and included a presentation of a handmade keepsake box filled with letters and mementos from staff and colleagues.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:10:00.079><c> neck</c><02:10:00.400><c> ethics</c><02:10:01.040><c> for</c> code of conduct neck
• ethics for code of conduct neck ethics for educational<02:10:02.000><c> professionals.
• This is the code of ethics and code of<02:10:19.679><c> conduct</c><02:10:20.400><c> for</c><02:10:20.719
• </c><02:10:51.920><c> We</c><02:10:52.159><c> are</c> these code of conduct and ethics.
• We are these code of conduct and ethics.

Summary: The meeting covered two committee of conference items. On HB 1260, the House and Senate debated a Senate amendment dealing with sealing certain divorce-related financial records. House members argued the amendment conflicted with the Keane Sentinel decision and would improperly flip the burden of proof on public access to court records, raising constitutional concerns under the state constitution’s open government and privacy provisions. Senate members responded that the privacy amendment and modern conditions support more protection for sensitive financial information, especially in limited uncontested divorces, but several members agreed the issue should be studied in a separate bill with a full hearing next year rather than resolved in conference. The committee ultimately voted unanimously to have the Senate recede and pass HB 1260 in the form originally passed by the House, preserving the underlying bill without the Senate amendment. The committee then took up HB 1574, which extends free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs and provides funding for SNAP administrative costs. The main dispute was the Senate’s addition of $4.4 million for SNAP administration. Senator Gray and DHHS officials said federal changes will shift more administrative costs to the state and that underfunding administration could raise the SNAP error rate, which could trigger future federal penalties and larger state costs; DHHS reported a current error rate of 7.57%, below the national average, and said a higher error rate could cost the state roughly $12 million in a partial fiscal year and nearly $16 million in a full year. Representative Papovich said he understood the department’s needs but was reluctant to support the bill as amended, noting the Senate language resembled a prior bill that had already failed in the House. The discussion ended with the committee still considering the Senate amendment, with members weighing the immediate appropriation against possible future costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was the whole purpose of having ethics standards, to ensure that...
• Maybe somebody from ethics can tell us how this would impact the ethics requirement and fines and penalties
• Do you have the number of boards that would get... ethics up here and ask them?
• Where's the teeth in here for ethics? It's the same.
• David Board along with the Ethics Department. Thank you all for your patience.

Bills: HB117 , HB228 , HB250 , HB260 , HB393 , HB400 , HB446 , HB534 , HB551 , HB576 , HB842

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: Department of State, statutory entities, re-creation, termination, Louisiana laws, Department of State Civil Service, Louisiana legislation, government re-creation, authority termination, financial disclosure, public servants, ethics, immediate family, transparency, legislators, transportation, foreign travel, cultural exchange, public service, HB393

Transcript Highlights:

• The second area we've increased our focus on is educator ethics.
• The second area we've increased our focus on is educator ethics.
• We place a strong emphasis on ethics, data privacy, bias, and professional judgment.
• Finally, our institutions are at the forefront of conducting research about AI's impact on teaching,
• And we place a strong emphasis on ethics, data privacy, bias, and professional judgment.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This will be enforced by the Texas Ethics Commission.
• Are there questions for the Ethics Commission as a resource?
• I've got one for the Ethics Commission. Next commission. The record shows you're J.R.
• We've had several bills concerning enforcement from the Ethics Commission.
• And has been conducting a virtual power plant and ADR pilot.

Bills: HB1951 , HB2715 , HB3092 , HB3237 , HB3278 , HB3511 , HB3592 , HB3675 , HB3778 , HB3782 , HB3826 , HB3970 , HB4016 , HB4049 , HB4341 , HB4344 , HB4406 , HB4427

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: collective bargaining, public works, government contracts, labor agreements, state funding, removal from office, political subdivisions, local government, judicial proceedings, administrative judicial region, electric transmission, public convenience, landowner consent, utility regulation, energy infrastructure, energy consumption, higher education, governmental entities, sustainability, electricity reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know why we didn't establish this when we set up the ethical guidelines for elected officials
• It is a bill entirely about ethical standards.
• But there are already rules that govern our conduct.
• Those rules also include ethical guidelines relating to those commissioners and their duties.
• Those rules also include ethical guidelines relating to the commissioners and their duties.

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 3423 from Rep. Darren Chappell, which would require judges in Missouri courts of record to file annual financial disclosure statements, bar judges from hearing cases involving people who have given them money, and extend similar disclosure rules to members of judicial nominating commissions. Chappell framed the bill as a transparency and ethics measure. Business groups supported the proposal, but judges, bar groups, and trial and defense lawyers opposed it, arguing existing judicial ethics rules already address gifts and recusals, that the bill is overly broad in covering “anything of value,” and that it could create unintended consequences, including strategic donations to force recusal and reduced public access to judicial financial disclosures. The Supreme Court’s representative said the bill should be read alongside the full Code of Judicial Conduct and offered to provide the committee with that material. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 2922 from Rep. Jeff Myers, which would align Missouri’s right-to-try law with federal law by extending access from terminal illness to debilitating conditions and by addressing the use of Schedule I drugs in that framework. Myers said the bill is intended to help ensure access to emerging treatments and has passed in various forms in prior sessions. There was no opposition testimony, and the hearing concluded without action. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2643, also from Rep. Senate, the “Hope for Missouri Patients Act,” which would expand right-to-try access for individualized treatments such as gene therapies, enzyme replacement therapies, and substrate reduction therapies for patients with rare or debilitating diseases. Supporters, including the Goldwater Institute, a parent of a child with a rare disease, and Americans for Prosperity, said the bill could help patients access customized treatments sooner and reduce red tape. The sponsor and witnesses emphasized that the bill would not require insurance coverage and is meant to help patients who cannot wait for lengthy clinical trial or FDA pathways. No opposition testimony was offered. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3204 from Rep. Senate, which would create a tax credit to encourage private donations to prevention resource centers that work on substance misuse prevention. Supporters from prevention organizations and advocacy groups said the credit would strengthen local prevention coalitions, reduce future treatment and criminal justice costs, and stabilize funding for services such as school education, early intervention, and suicide prevention. One opponent warned that Planned Parenthood could qualify as a prevention resource center and receive tax credits, but supporters said they had no concern about that. The hearing ended with no vote or other committee action, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In reaching this decision, I'm guided by the principles reflected in the Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct
• , which, while not binding on legislators, is persuasive authority in matters of ethical judgment.
• , which while not binding on Conduct, which while not binding on legislators,<00:02:05.520><c> is</c>
• </c><00:02:08.160><c> that</c><00:02:08.479><c> code</c> matters of ethical judgment. that code matters
• of ethical judgment. that code council's<00:02:09.200><c> recusal</c><00:02:09.679><c> whenever</c><

Summary: The committee met to begin work on three impeachment petitions: one against Ballard County Jailer Eric Copus, one against family court judge Stephanie Pllo, and one against Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwin. Before moving into executive session, the chair announced that John Blandon would chair any discussion of the Goodwin petition and that the chair would recuse himself from that matter. The chair then read a formal recusal letter into the record, explaining that he was stepping aside from the Goodwin petition because he had received a lawful campaign contribution from the citizen who filed it. He said the recusal was intended to avoid any appearance of impropriety and to preserve public confidence in the impeachment process, while making clear he would continue to preside over the other impeachment matters. The committee then voted to go into executive session to discuss and adopt rules of procedure. The motion was made by Mr. Blandon, seconded by Mrs. Deckard, and approved after roll call. The committee announced it would retire to executive session in room 125.

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Office of Administrative Hearings serves as an independent forum for conducting fair and impartial
• Criminal conduct by state licensees can pose threats to administrative law judges due to the severity
• If Texas does not lead in addressing ethical considerations, other jurisdictions like like China and
• California will, and could use the guise of ethics to advance an agenda that will stifle innovation and
• It establishes a comprehensive code of ethics, as was mentioned previously, and the bill also calls for

Bills: HCR141 , SB438 , SB1495 , SB1964 , HB 1225

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: HCR 141, House Concurrent Resolution, NASA, Houston, Space City, Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, Apollo 11, moon landing, aerospace, commercial space, space exploration, Texas Space Commission, space policy, federal resolution, memorial resolution, Congress, Washington D.C., headquarters relocation, space industry

Transcript Highlights:

• I know from our joint work, I guess, on the Ethics Committee that the House has an ability to censure
• And yes, it's true that with regard to Ethics Committee procedures and things that have to do with the
• conduct of members...
• I'm sorry. ...procedures and things that have to do with the conduct of members, whether it's orderly
• This is different from that and from the work that we do typically on the Ethics Committee kind of work

Summary: The Rules Committee considered House Resolution 2004, which was described as a resolution of censure or statement of disapproval directed at Attorney General Chris Mays. Tim Fleming from the Rules Office testified that the resolution was constitutional and in proper form. Committee members asked about the legal effect of the measure and whether “censure” had a specific meaning; Fleming said it was essentially a statement of disapproval and would not impose any penalty. Members also noted that the resolution had been assigned only to the Rules Committee, unlike most bills that go through substantive committees. During roll call, Representative Dayla Sanchez explained her no vote by defending Attorney General Mays’s record on fentanyl seizures, drug trafficking prosecutions, and law enforcement recognition, and criticized the resolution as political theater. Representative Contreras and Representative Francis also voted no. The committee voted 4 ayes, 3 nays, and 1 absent to recommend House Resolution 2004 as constitutional and in proper form, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know from our joint work, I guess, on the Ethics Committee, that the House has an ability to censure
• Representative Mathis, it's a resolution of censure, essentially expressing disapproval about the conduct
• And yes, it's true that with regard to Ethics Committee procedures and things that have to do with the
• conduct of members, I'm sorry... ...procedures and things that have to do with the conduct of members
• This is different from that and from the work that we do typically on the Ethics Committee kind of work

Committee: House Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• 21.680><c> to</c> by federal agents of the opportunity to by federal agents of the opportunity to conduct
• </c><00:05:24.160><c> They</c><00:05:24.400><c> even</c> conduct that investigation.
• They even conduct that investigation.
• book and institution calls us ethical book and institution calls us to.
• They recognized that their own ethics and duty to uphold the law and constitution mattered more than

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there debate Senator conduct Calatayud you're recognized to close on the amendment to the amendment
• candidate polling but retaining the ability to conduct issue polling.
• Toughness, work ethic, leadership and the ability to be a team player.
• Paul Bailey will be be reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee.
• I will not be a voting member of ethics and elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• candidate polling, but retaining the ability to conduct issue polling.
• Would this just mean no candidate can appear in a poll conducted by a university?
• For confirmation to the Ethics and Elections Committee. Next, we will take... Which one? Mr.
• Paul Bailey will be reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee.
• Gates-Garcia will be reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The committee first heard CS/SB 1458 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. The bill sponsor said it would add consistency and transparency by requiring local education agencies and training providers to define their roles and funding shares in contracts, cap an LEA’s share at 10% when it serves only an administrative role, and require public meetings and published work papers for the district workforce education funding steering committee. Several industry and business groups appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without debate. The committee then took up CS/CS/SB 1726 on higher education, which was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment. The amended bill addressed presidential searches, trustee eligibility, interim presidents, polling by universities, mission reviews, and other governance issues. Members asked about the requirement that final presidential candidate groups include at least three applicants, the qualifications for interim presidents, trustee residency/alumni requirements, and limits on candidate polling. Senators Leek and Smith offered contrasting views, with Leek warning about candidate withdrawals and Smith supporting the bill as a way to depoliticize higher education governance. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting was devoted to confirmation hearings for university and college boards of trustees. Several appointees and reappointees from FAMU, UNF, Pensacola State College, UF, and UWF described their ties to their institutions and goals such as student success, workforce alignment, military support, research, and regional access. The UWF nominees drew the most scrutiny over their votes for former board chair Scott Yenor, whose public comments about women and other groups were criticized by senators and public commenters. Some nominees said they were unaware of the full scope of those remarks and would not have voted for him with that knowledge; others defended their votes as based on his education-reform views. Public testimony also raised concerns about UWF board members’ lack of higher-education experience and local ties. The committee confirmed the non-UWF nominees in a block vote and then began individual votes on the UWF nominees, with debate centered on Yenor-related concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• No engaging in conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of this hearing
• That ethics training would not have helped.
• I mean, you know, so it's expansive, and ethics makes sense because ethics, we like to think ethics is
• legal, but not ethical, right?
• .in ethics training.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 753, which would modernize California’s shopping cart recovery rules by allowing cities and counties to return abandoned carts directly to retailers, recover documented retrieval costs, and avoid the current impound-and-wait process. The author and supporters, including San Jose officials and the League of California Cities, said the bill would help clear streets, sidewalks, and waterways and reduce local costs. Grocers and retailers opposed the measure unless amended, arguing it would turn cart retrieval into a new cost burden and could create incentives for cities to charge too much for stolen property. After extensive discussion about notice periods, cost caps, and local ordinances, the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 6-0 as amended. The committee then took up SB 445, which would speed up permitting and approvals needed for high-speed rail by requiring early engagement, setting rules for third-party coordination, and creating a dispute-resolution process. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier, broader transit proposal and was intended to reduce delays caused by utilities, local governments, and other entities. Supporters said permitting bottlenecks add major costs and delays to infrastructure projects, while opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts raised concerns about safety, reliability, affordability, and the need to review the pending amendments. The bill passed 8-1 to the Utilities and Energy Committee. The committee also heard SB 9, a narrower housing bill focused on accessory dwelling units. The author explained that it would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards control if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the bill would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then began hearing SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops; the author and supporters framed it as a response to the housing shortage and transit underuse, and the hearing continued with extensive support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Randy Urban, Texas Ethics Commission, J.R. Johnson, Executive.
• I'm chair of the Texas Ethics Commission, and I'd like to introduce. A.R.
• State owns it, and it offers it for free through the ethics commission.
• Slide 8 shows what Sunset staff had to say about this issue. because they conducted an unprecedented
• Are there any further questions of the Ethics Commission?

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• No engaging in conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of this hearing
• That ethics training would not have helped.
• I mean, you know, so it's expansive, and ethics makes sense because ethics—we like to think ethics is
• .ethics training.
• in the financial part of the ethics training.

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee began with housekeeping and then took up SB 753 by Senator Cortese, a bill to update California’s shopping cart recovery law. The author and supporters from San Jose, the League of California Cities, counties, and water districts argued the bill would let local governments retrieve abandoned carts immediately, return them directly to retailers, and recover documented costs, rather than storing carts for 30 days. Retail groups and grocers opposed the measure, saying carts are stolen property, that the bill could create a new revenue stream for cities, and that retailers should retain a first right of retrieval without added fees. Members debated notice periods, cost caps, and local control, and the author agreed to continue working on amendments. The committee adopted the bill as amended and passed it 6-0. The committee then heard SB 445 by Senator Wiener, which would speed up third-party permits and approvals for high-speed rail projects. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader transit proposal and now focuses on requiring early engagement, clear rules, and binding arbitration to prevent utilities, cities, and other entities from delaying a state-approved project. Supporters said permitting delays add major costs and can hold projects hostage; opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts said they were concerned about impacts on safety, reliability, affordability, and local authority, though many said they were willing to keep working on amendments. The committee sent SB 445 to the Utilities and Energy Committee on an 8-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 9 by Senator Wiener, a narrower housing bill dealing with accessory dwelling units. The bill would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards apply if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings within the required time. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the measure would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition testimony, and the committee passed the bill 6-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• I won't go into the ethical conversation, but I'm for the bill.
• This is actually relevant to that field too, because some of the research we conduct...
• For striving to abide by their ethical or moral beliefs in the workplace. Take your time.
• I want moral and ethical people in my healthcare.
• Ethics and bias. Yes ma'am.

Bills: SB95 , SB268 , SB493 , SB619 , SB660 , SB922 , SB984 , SB1098 , SB1188 , SB1307 , SB1332 , SB1822

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• In reality, whether our ethics laws are enforced or not is up to the attorney.
• Our current AG owed $11,300 in ethics fines until very recently.
• She was only able to find me because I've been so outspoken against the Ethics Commission.
• If they put a flyer out or they put a sign out, the Ethics Commission regulates.
• And she has now incurred $17,500 in fines from the Ethics Commission.

Bills: HB842 , HB1907 , HB2844 , HB2892 , HB3439 , HB4211 , HB4536 , HB5111 , HB5138 , HB5182 , HB5247 , HB5269 , HB5323 , HB5435 , HJR201 , SB871 , HB3896 , SJR40

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• And similar feedback surveys are conducted across the campus.
• In 2019, the board had an opportunity to conduct a comprehensive counselor task force.
• This encompassed things like student conduct and cheating.
• The other thing that we've worked on is the ethics of access to AI tools.
• At Western or my... ...happened to the student conduct policy.

Summary: The committee spent much of the meeting hearing presentations on student mental health supports at Central Washington University, Washington State University, the University of Washington, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. CWU described high levels of student distress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and basic-needs insecurity, along with a campus-wide holistic well-being model that includes behavioral intervention teams, emergency aid, peer outreach, community partnerships, and a collegiate recovery community. WSU emphasized loneliness, common presenting concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship distress, and the role of housing and residence life, resident advisors, living-learning communities, and coordinated crisis response in identifying and supporting students. UW highlighted prevention and support programs through LiveWell, including alcohol and other drug consultations, confidential advocacy, suicide intervention, student needs navigation, peer health educators, and peer wellness coaches. The community and technical college system reported persistent access barriers, especially for students ages 18 to 24 and those facing housing or food insecurity, and said the legislature-funded mental health pilot at four colleges expanded counseling access, telehealth, and referral pathways, while broader system efforts focus on awareness, telehealth, basic-needs supports, and workforce training in behavioral health fields. Members asked each panel how they gather student feedback, and the institutions said they use surveys, evaluations, and ongoing outreach to students in services. Questions also focused on substance-use and recovery resources, Greek life outreach, and whether colleges have enough licensed mental health staff versus academic advisors; the community college board said not all colleges have licensed mental health providers on staff, and some rely on community contracts or telehealth. The committee also discussed whether counseling services are increasing because of post-pandemic effects or because students are more willing to seek help, with presenters saying both factors likely play a role. The committee then shifted to artificial intelligence in higher education. Washington State University, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and the community and technical college system described campus AI task forces, governance structures, and efforts to set policies for students, faculty, and staff. Presenters said institutions are requiring course-level AI use statements, promoting ethical and transparent use, expanding access to approved tools such as Microsoft Copilot, and using AI for teaching, research, advising, and administrative support while guarding privacy, equity, and academic integrity. Members raised concerns about deepfakes, bias, student monitoring, and whether AI should be used to screen applications or evaluate student work; presenters said human review remains essential and that some institutions prohibit AI use in hiring or admissions screening. The final presentation, from OSPI, described the statewide rollout of the School Links high school and beyond plan platform under 2023 legislation, saying it will standardize career and college planning across K-12, provide better data and student guidance, and connect students to postsecondary pathways and employers; OSPI said the rollout is underway but current funding only extends through June 30, 2026.