Transcript Highlights:

• With no time to waste and results coming in by the minute, do your part to help the campaign until the
• With no time<00:05:08.760> to<00:05:08.840> waste<00:05:09.200> and<00:05:09.360
• > results<00:05:09.760> coming<00:05:10.040> in<00:05:10.160> the time to waste
• and results coming in the time to waste and results coming in the in<00:05:10.640> by<00:05:10.800
• <00:49:04.200> this Disclosure Board that would study this Disclosure Board that would study

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California serves as a case study for the severe consequences of policies like this.
• And frankly, it's insulting that my tax dollars are being wasted on something like this.
• It is a waste. Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for your testimony. Welcome.
• There is no consequence for wasting law enforcement time with a false report.
• I would like to add that a lot of people have made a lot of really important points today about wasting

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1183, by Senator Creighton, which would require Lone Star Cards used for SNAP and TANF benefits to display the recipient’s name and photo, add fraud-reporting information, and require HHSC to track replacement-card requests. Creighton argued the bill would reduce fraud and protect taxpayer dollars, citing Texas SNAP theft and overpayment data. HHSC testified that photo IDs on the card are technically possible and explained how authorized secondary users are added. Dr. Amber O’Connor of Every Texan testified against the bill, saying SNAP fraud is a small share of expenditures, that the proposal would be costly and ineffective, and that federal rules limit mandatory photo requirements. Public testimony closed and SB 1183 was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1184, also by Senator Creighton, which would lower from 20 years to 10 years the minimum age of collectible wine that Texas collectors may sell to permitted restaurants. Supporters said the change would help Texas restaurants access desirable vintages, keep collectible wine in-state, and align with market demand; invited witnesses from the wine industry testified in favor. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1184 was left pending. Next, Senator Birdwell laid out Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68, both aimed at revising Texas impeachment procedures in response to issues identified during the 2023 impeachment process. The measures would clarify constitutional and statutory impeachment authority, require sworn testimony, extend review periods for House members, address conflicts of interest and presiding officers, require cost reporting, and modify rules for impeaching the governor or lieutenant governor. A committee substitute added protections for the accused, longer review periods, and a fallback presiding-officer option. Witnesses generally supported stronger accountability but raised questions about whether the language should also cover retired or visiting judges. Both measures were left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1577, which would expand Texas Motor Speedway’s alcohol sales authority to include distilled spirits and remove certain event and concession limits; the Speedway’s representative supported the bill and it was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and Senate Bill 240, which would recognize only two sexes and restrict access to sex-designated private spaces in public facilities based on biological sex. Supporters argued the measures were needed to protect women’s privacy and safety, including in schools and shelters, while opponents warned about enforcement problems, privacy concerns, and impacts on transgender Texans and others who do not fit stereotypical sex traits. After extensive testimony, both measures were left pending. The committee then took up multiple pending bills and reported several favorably, including SB 511, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 2024, SB 2166, SJR 27, SJR 40, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 2420, SB 1999, SB 2309, SB 1860, and SB 2429, with some also certified for the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• These funds were not wasteful.
• <02:30:46.479> the really think we should waste the really think we should waste the opportunities
• in California, is a perfect case study in California, is a perfect case study in<03:03:51.840>
• , experienced a surge in waste, experienced a surge in waste, particularly<03:31:08.000> during
• ,<04:49:13.600> misalignment, amount of fraud, waste, misalignment, amount of fraud, waste

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've estimated that 130 million pounds of electronic waste have been generated from expired software
• are countless examples of this kind of behavior, which we've cataloged in our report, The Electronic Waste
• Transparency and minimum support timelines could avert waste and encourage longer support.
• So we need to prevent these devices from becoming a tidal wave of e-waste, a security problem, or both
• As a result, data brokers can legally access and sell information about where we live, shop, work, study

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In response to the senator, I don't agree with your characterization of the various issues that you brought

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear status updates from the state auditor and consider several new audit requests. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, including a new 2026 audit on DMV license revocation, and noted other statutory audits on the State Bar exam rollout, CSU/UC Title IX implementation, tobacco tax, state financial statements, federal compliance, and high-risk issues such as late financial reporting, Medi-Cal eligibility, and water infrastructure safety. The committee approved a consent calendar covering audits on UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s request to audit SANDAG’s road project management and use of transportation funds. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether restricted funds, voter-approved revenues, and project commitments were properly used and documented, citing prior problems with tolling and financial oversight. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, has improved internal controls, and believed its funding uses were appropriate. Several members questioned whether the audit duplicated existing reviews and whether the issues were already public, and the request ultimately failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ administration of Proposition 47 grants. Supporters said the audit would assess whether grant recipients comply with requirements and whether outcome and recidivism data are reliable, while BSCC said the program already has oversight, including biennial State Controller audits, and pointed to reported reductions in homelessness, unemployment, and recidivism. The committee approved the audit. Senator Cortese’s request to audit CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract also passed, with supporters citing rising out-of-pocket costs, provider network problems, and the long-running contract’s lack of competition; CalHR responded that most members have nearby access, it recently ran an RFP, and it will add MetLife as a second carrier in 2027. The committee then approved the remaining consent items and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In response to the Senator, I don't agree with your characterization of the various issues that you brought

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I disagree with the characterization from Representative Greenman about what the bill did.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Harrell, would it be fair to characterize as our existing and recent relationships with consulting

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and considered three items. First, it heard and passed SB 158, which eliminates cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under the state employee health plan. Senator Berman described the bill as a way to remove financial barriers to early breast cancer detection, and several senators spoke in strong support, emphasizing the importance of follow-up screening and the life- and cost-saving value of early diagnosis. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up SPB 7024, a committee bill on state planning and budgeting. Senator Brodeur explained that the proposal modernizes and simplifies the state agency long-range planning process by focusing on key data points, removing stale measures, and improving how plans are presented to the Legislature. Senator Berman supported the bill, highlighting new provisions on implementation status and budget consequences if enacted laws are not carried out. The committee voted to submit the proposal as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7026, a major overhaul of state information technology governance. Senator Harrell described a transition from the current Florida Digital Service structure to a new cabinet-level Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology (ASSET), with enterprise-wide standards, interoperability, procurement oversight, cybersecurity coordination, technical debt tracking, a testing laboratory, workforce development, and annual IT expenditure reporting. Members raised questions about procurement authority, judicial branch inclusion, existing contracts, cybersecurity, and staffing; Harrell said agencies would retain final procurement decisions but would have to follow enterprise standards, the courts were not included, existing contracts would continue, and the bill would add significant state IT staffing. Several amendments were adopted, including changes on CIO selection conflicts, removal of the Northwest Regional Data Center from a definition, reporting on deviations from standards, and technical updates related to the data center and workforce positions. Public testimony strongly supported the bill as a needed modernization of Florida’s fragmented IT system. The committee then reported SPB 7026 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting adjourned after members recorded their votes on the three items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Joe High School in Baltimore and studied uh business at the Catholic University of America.
• Joe High School in Baltimore and studied uh business at the Catholic University of America.
• So, we are wasting a ton of money.
• We're wasting tens of millions of dollars.
• This is already happening right now, except we're wasting all that time in the adult system.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, confirmed a quorum, and heard several ceremonial recognitions, including an invocation by seminarian Benjamin Oler and a resolution honoring Taiwan’s ambassador, Alexander Ui Tore, for strengthening Maryland’s partnership with Taiwan. Senators also welcomed the day’s doctor, Dr. Larry Green, AFCEA Central Maryland chapter members, Chesapeake Bay Foundation student leaders, and Salisbury University students visiting for committee work. On legislation, the chamber referred Senate Bill 995 on cannabis licensing, labor peace agreements, and collective bargaining rules to the Rules Committee, and a bond initiative for New Market Town Hall to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 241, which would automatically restore voter registration for individuals released from state correctional facilities; the committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 323, the Juvenile Court Jurisdiction Youth Charging Reform Act. One amendment to keep first-degree assault in automatic adult charging was offered and debated at length, with supporters arguing the offense is extremely serious and should begin in adult court, and opponents saying the bill allows judges to make individualized decisions and aligns Maryland with other states and federal juvenile practice. The amendment failed by a 27-vote negative roll call. A second amendment from the minority whip sought to exclude firearm-in-drug-crime offenses and firearm use with felony drug convictions from automatic juvenile court treatment; the sponsor argued these offenses involve serious armed drug activity and should remain in adult court, while the bill’s supporters emphasized juvenile services and judicial discretion. The transcript cuts off before the vote on that second amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this weekend, Donald Trump said, and I quote, “Let’s not waste time and energy on Jeffrey Epstein
• This is more than wasteful. It is cruel.
• This is more than wasteful. up in smoke. This is more than wasteful.
• <02:31:24.960> Jonah<02:31:25.439> studies college student.
• Jonah studies college student.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's based on studies in Seattle and Denver?
• Seattle and Denver are the large-scale studies, but... Any other states or cities?
• There are a lot of studies on this. Okay, and I'll ask my staff to... Thank you.
• I just rattled off three studies that all improved employment.
• We've seen studies from other places, including here in Texas, where...

Bills: SB434, SB844, SB898, SB1177, SB1214, SB1454, SB1920, SB1927, SB1935, SB1965, SB2010, SB2046, SB2068, SB2073, SB2183, SB2260, SB3034, SB907

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So the A4 here, the e-waste bill we're calling this e-waste kind of 2.0, after having seen introduction
• <01:25:37.840> Minnesota increasing volumes of waste Minnesota increasing volumes of waste
• only about 2% of our waste stream.
• only about 2% of our waste stream.
• only about 2% of our waste stream.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:49:29.920> of the operation and characterization of the operation and characterization
• There's a couple studies that have been done under great taxpayer expense that have all come to the same
• It went to interim study and then now recommended for further legislation.
• c><05:27:55.798> went<05:27:55.958> to<05:27:56.080> interim<05:27:56.520> study
• <05:27:56.840> and years ago it went to interim study and years ago it went to interim study

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, which would add ski, snowboard, and boat wax containing PFAS to the state’s consumer-product restrictions. The sponsor argued the product is already banned in many places, has PFAS-free alternatives, and is used in ways that can directly contaminate water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and said the bill was a simple extension of prior PFAS legislation. A witness also described a personal experience where a liquid ski wax disappeared from the market and later returned, likely because of PFAS concerns. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167 without a vote. The committee then opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett said the bill was modeled on New Jersey law and intended to let student-athletes earn compensation from NIL without losing institutional scholarships, while also requiring licensed representation and setting limits on certain endorsements. He described the measure as proactive because NIL rules are evolving and could create conflicts among schools and future lawsuits. Members questioned whether the bill should apply to two-year institutions, whether it should exclude firearms and weapons, and whether the scholarship protections would cover need-based or academic aid as well as athletic scholarships. Moffett said the scholarship language was intended to protect scholarships generally, but not need-based aid specifically, and he acknowledged discomfort with some of the endorsement restrictions. Public testimony on HB 312 was mixed. One supporter, a former Division III athlete and coach, backed the bill but urged removal of a section allowing institutions or athletic bodies to use an athlete’s NIL without compensation, arguing most New Hampshire athletes do not receive NIL money and should not have to work extra jobs to cover basic expenses. The chair also raised concerns about the bill’s contractual and identity-rights implications, referencing prior committee work on a J.D. Salinger-related identity case and noting the committee had previously declined to get involved in similar contractual disputes. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, we had a study done by the U.S.
• This study alone was just about extreme heat. Storms, all those costs.
• This study alone was just about extreme heat.
• We don't have any problem with a study.
• Support and cooperation in any sort of study that y'all want to conduct.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• billions of dollars in waste and fraud. billions of dollars in waste and fraud.
• It’s a waste of time to talk with Jeff and Schumer. The President said that.
• It’s a waste of time to talk with Jeff and Schumer. The President said that.
• It’s a waste of time to talk with Jeff and Schumer. The President said that.
• the United States, he said it's a waste the United States, he said it's a waste of<00:57:08.079>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, September 19, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the National Renewable Energy Laboratory identified—this was back a few years ago—they studied hydrothermal
• I think a study resolution would be a much better option to just get... ...for it yet.
• I think a study resolution would be a much better option to just get more in line with what other states
• Lafourche Parish pays $32.77 to dispose of our waste that we pick up on the roadside twice a week.
• to dispose of our waste that we pick up on the roadside twice a week.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 480, which would allow anchoring in certain waterways, specifically Oyster Bayou, with restrictions to protect oyster leases and require a person to remain on board. After brief explanation from the sponsor, Representative DeWitt moved favorable and the bill was reported favorable without objection. House Bill 510, which would have prohibited importation of captured carbon dioxide into Louisiana for sequestration, was discussed briefly. The sponsor said the proposal appeared to conflict with federal law and interstate commerce concerns, and he asked to voluntarily defer the bill. The committee agreed, and HB 510 was deferred. The committee also heard House Resolution 279, urging the state to study geothermal energy policy; after questions about geothermal technology and possible overlap with CCS infrastructure, the resolution was adopted on a 10-3 roll call vote and reported favorable. The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 1152, as amended, dealing with the Carbon Dioxide Geologic Storage Trust Fund and a proposed injection fee for carbon sequestration projects. The amendment would set the fee at 19 cents per ton, with 12 cents going to the state trust fund and 7 cents going directly to affected parishes, while retaining existing fund caps and adding evacuation routes as an eligible local expenditure. Industry groups and local government representatives both testified: industry warned the proposal was rushed, could create uncertainty, and might hurt Louisiana’s competitiveness; parish officials argued locals need a meaningful revenue share, transparency, and bargaining power because they will bear emergency-response burdens. Members raised questions about the fee structure, exemptions for state lands and parish agreements, and whether the local share would continue for the life of a project. The bill remained under discussion at the end of the transcript, with talk of creating an off-session task force or working group to continue negotiations for next year.

Transcript Highlights:

• To what end other than we don't want them wasting their time, which is a, you know, a good one.
• <00:41:30.160> their<00:41:30.320> time, don't want them wasting their time, don't
• <00:56:50.920> is Many of the ways we know from studies is Many of the ways we know from studies
• Studies<00:56:58.600> show<00:56:58.760> that<00:56:58.880> from<00:56:59.040>
• from 2015 to 2022 mass Studies show that from 2015 to 2022 mass shootings<00:57:01.960> with<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 4138, a bill establishing requirements for social media platforms regarding accounts for minors. Rep. Scott explained the bill and an A10 amendment that made several changes, including aligning with Senate language, adding transparency about age-estimation processes, changing the covered-platform revenue threshold, tightening privacy settings for child accounts, and strengthening limits on the sale or disclosure of data collected for age estimation. The A10 amendment was adopted by voice vote. Rep. Bonner then offered A11 to raise the bill’s age threshold from under 16 to under 18 and to replace references to “child” with “minor,” arguing that 18 is the clearer legal age of consent and would better protect 16- and 17-year-olds. Rep. Scott and others opposed the change, saying the bill was designed around First Amendment concerns and that 16 was a more workable cutoff; the amendment failed on a roll call, 15 yeas to 111 nays. A subsequent A13 amendment by Rep. Smith, as amended by A17 from Rep. Myers, added a requirement that platforms review publicly available user-generated content and report potential mass-violence threats to the state fusion center with immediate reporting language. Scott objected that the new language had not had hearings, but the Myers amendment to the amendment was adopted, 83 yeas to 47 nays. Rep. Greenman then offered A18 to tie the discussion to broader gun violence prevention and assault weapons, arguing social media measures alone were insufficient; Rep. Finke spoke in support of broader harm-reduction efforts and the amendment’s intent. The transcript ends while discussion of A18 is still underway, with no final vote shown on that amendment or on final passage of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Studies show that 88% of Texans support red flag laws.
• A study conducted by John Lott, a statistician statistician, Has shown that red flag laws have virtually
• And a DOD study has stated even certain red flags are common amongst mass shooters.
• Senate Bill 990 would lead to even more money and resources wasted when we could be investing in proven
• We know from study after study that the threat of the death penalty does little to prevent violent crimes

Transcript Highlights:

• And the bill requires Dbpr in Dacs to conduct certain studies and that is the bill.
• in the last few years of students learning best on the job or through internships or through work study
• We feel like there's not a lot of wasted time.
• First of all, with the studies, if you ask contractors today, they're trying to build homes.
• And I think a study is going to really give a lot of insight into that.

Transcript Highlights:

• OUT THESE WAIVERS AS WE ARE DOING IN THIS BILL BROUGHT FORWARD BY SENATOR GRUTERS IS GOING TO BE STUDYING
• AMENDMENT IS NOT NEEDED BECAUSE WE CAN REQUEST A OPPAGA STUDY ANYTIME WE DEEM IT NECESSARY SO THIS IS
• I WILL WITHDRAW THIS AMENDMENT AND WORK WITH SENATOR GRUTERS TO GET A OPPAGA STUDY ON THE BENEFITS OF
• THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT WORK HARD, STUDY HARD AND FACED CHALLENGES AND OBSTACLES MANY OF US IN THIS ROOM
• OF TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WASTED ON STUPID STUFF, STUPIDER THAN A LAW-ABIDING KID TRYING TO GET

Keywords: 999, senate, all