Video & Transcript Research : 'legislative rules'

Page 145 of 500
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/13/25

Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:
  • have all already enacted legislation have all already enacted legislation they<00:10:01.440>
  • <00:13:35.199> commission and the municipal legislative commission and the municipal legislative
  • mortgages any component of legislation mortgages any component of legislation that<01:30:00.320>
  • <01:30:20.199> that board introduction of legislation that board introduction of legislation
  • <01:45:31.159> and decide to write their own rules and decide to write their own rules and
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AK

Alaska 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Jul 16th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Alaska House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That is an awful way to go about legislating.
  • Why do we have rules? We're not going to follow them.
  • I know when we were younger, you say rules are just... Why do we have rules?
  • We followed the rules.
  • I talked to a lot of legislators.
Keywords: 905, all
Summary: The House met with a quorum, approved the journal, and received messages from the governor and Senate, including notice that the governor vetoed CSHB 16 and allowed HB 14 to become law without signature. The chamber then took up the conference committee report on HB 381, a major Alaska LNG-related bill that revises the project’s tax and regulatory structure. The conference report was explained as a compromise package that, among other things, changes required local contribution language, expands disclosure and notice requirements, adjusts foreign ownership reporting, extends the Phase 1 construction deadline, adds a $10 million workforce development/community impact fund, modifies project labor agreement provisions, and exempts the Alaska LNG project from the new pass-through entity tax while still requiring an informational tax return in 2027. The Speaker also announced the governor had issued a proclamation calling the legislature back into session on July 27, 2026, and said sine die would be moved after debate. Debate on HB 381 was sharply divided. Supporters argued the bill is necessary enabling legislation to improve the project’s financial viability, protect Alaska’s interests, and move the North Slope gas line toward final investment decision, while also adding transparency, foreign ownership safeguards, and labor and workforce provisions. Several members said the conference committee process was collaborative and that the bill reflects hard-fought compromise with the developer, AGDC, labor, and the administration. Opponents focused on the addition of the pass-through entity/S-corp income tax and related reporting requirements, arguing it is a separate tax policy issue that should have been considered in its own bill, creates uncertainty and litigation risk, could harm existing oil and gas and Cook Inlet production, and may discourage investment. Multiple members also criticized the process as rushed and insufficiently transparent, especially the limited opportunity for the minority and the absence of Department of Revenue testimony during conference. No final vote on the conference committee report is shown in the transcript excerpt. The debate continued with members alternating between support for the gas line project itself and opposition to the tax provisions and process used to advance HB 381.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (04/08/2026)

Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Uh yes it is in rule. >> Uh yes it is in rule.
  • changing rules and things like that. changing rules and things like that.
  • rule four, Roman rule of section Roman rule four, Roman rule 5,<03:16:16.160> Roman<03:16:16.560
  • director of legislative affairs. director of legislative affairs.
  • have with the current legislation. have with the current legislation.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Third, it is most clear that the three-hour rule is not evidence-based.
  • And then if the rule can't be amended through CMS, we'll move to draft bipartisan legislation to modify
  • the three-hour rule via statute.
  • If the rule can't be amended through CMS, will move to draft by partisan legislation legislation to modify
  • the three-hour rule via statute.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held a public hearing focused on health equity for people with disabilities. The chair opened by explaining that the session was not about specific legislation, but about sharing data, lived experience, and strategies to inform more inclusive health systems. Presenters included representatives from the Health Equity Compact, the Department of Public Health, MassHealth, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, UMass Chan Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation, and the Arc of Massachusetts/Operation House Call. Speakers described how structural racism and ableism contribute to poor health outcomes, unemployment, poverty, and barriers to care for disabled people, especially disabled people of color. Testimony highlighted access problems such as inaccessible medical equipment, transportation, inadequate provider training, lack of culturally competent care, and insurance barriers. Several speakers emphasized the importance of collecting and disaggregating disability data, training providers in disability-competent care, and screening for accommodation needs. MassHealth described its Quality and Equity Incentive Program under the 1115 waiver, including disability-related metrics on data completeness, staff training, and accommodation screening, and reported early increases in hospitals collecting self-reported disability data. Brain injury advocates focused on inequities in rehabilitation access, including the impact of CMS’s “three-hour rule,” which they argued denies needed inpatient rehab to people with severe traumatic brain injury. They called for policy changes, a TBI task force, and possibly bipartisan legislation if CMS cannot revise the rule. Other testimony described DPH efforts such as one-to-one navigation, health promotion workshops, mini-grants for accessible recreation, and the Massachusetts Health and Disability Partnership. The hearing also highlighted medical education efforts like Operation House Call, which uses home visits and disability-led teaching to reduce bias and improve provider competence. No votes were taken and no formal actions were announced.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Elections Apr 17th, 2025 at 10:04 am

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • H.B. 4253 mirrors the language of the Ohio legislation.
  • So this HB 4253 mirrors Ohio legislation.
  • This, at best, should be a party rule, not a law.
  • It does not set new statewide rules.
  • It makes sense to require them to just post your rules. We're not trying to restrict their rules.
Summary: The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent. The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending. Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Education Committee, February 27, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:04:11.840> on typically already have broader rules on typically already have broader rules
  • That's what this legislation does.
  • Supreme Court's um open abortion ruling. Supreme Court's um open abortion ruling.
  • > through this legislation walks you through this legislation walks you through expressions<00
  • where this legislation stem from. where this legislation stem from.
Bills: HB0159
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Day 30 (2-19-26)

Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We can't legislate to force parent involvement. But this is a good piece of legislation.
  • But this is a good piece of legislation. But this is a good piece of legislation.
  • that you submitted this uh legislation that you submitted this uh legislation to?
  • rule making authority of the SPDM. rule making authority of the SPDM.
  • <01:05:49.680> And rules. And there's a big difference. And rules.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, approval of the prior journal, and remarks welcoming visitors, including military children in the annex. The House clerk then communicated several House-passed measures to the Senate, and the clerk reported second readings of Senate Bills 70, 74, 80, 127, and 154, which were sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports also advanced SB 129, SB 101 with Committee Substitute 1, SB 124, SB 50, SB 162 with Committee Substitute 1, SB 170 with Committee Substitute 1, and Senate Resolution 103. The chamber also introduced SB 211 on prescription drug coverage and SB 212 on mental health coverage and declared an emergency. The main floor action was on Senate Joint Resolution 74, which directs the Legislative Research Commission and state agencies to create a statewide fiscal map of substance use disorder programs and funding sources. Supporters said the map would consolidate fragmented funding information across agencies, identify gaps and duplication, improve budgeting, and provide a public-facing report; the resolution also requires posting the map online and submitting a report to the General Assembly by October 30, 2026. The Senate passed SJR 74 by a vote of 38-0. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 104, the “Halo Act,” which would create a 25-foot safety buffer around first responders while they are performing official duties. Supporters argued it would protect first responders and EMTs from interference and still allow bystanders to document events from a distance. Opponents said existing laws already cover obstruction and related conduct, and warned the bill is vague, duplicative, and could chill First Amendment activity such as filming police or protesting. The debate included multiple explanations of votes, with some senators citing public safety and others raising constitutional concerns; the excerpt ends before the final vote on SB 104 is completed.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

ALC-REVIEW Jun 16th, 2026

ALC-REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:
  • Katie Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research, Fiscal Division.
  • The revisions to the procurement rules were made as a result of legislative changes during the 2025 general
  • these rule changes, worked with CASO Consulting, who was hired by the Legislative Council to review
  • So the rule changes implement those recommendations that were made by CASO.
  • Finally, they offer the rules report, which you all have heard.
Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda item, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, reports, and a member disclosure. The supplemental agenda was accepted, and the Office of State Procurement’s rule revisions were approved after Jessica Patterson explained they were driven by 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, CASO Consulting recommendations, and updates to sole source, bid, protest, and debarment provisions. The methods of finance and discretionary grants were also approved, covering a range of university capital projects, health and human services grants, historic preservation awards, and tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys for services provided during a contract gap, a Department of Health ratification for water-leak repairs, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, a Veterans Affairs HVAC ratification, an ADFA medical services ratification, and a UA Little Rock painting contract ratification. Members questioned the Public Safety ratification at length about why the expired Motorola contract was not caught sooner and why it took months after discovery to come forward; agency officials said the work was tied to bond funding and was not tracked in ASIS, and the chair urged agencies to develop better monitoring procedures. The committee approved a large slate of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including many recurring service agreements for DHS, higher education institutions, corrections, health agencies, and state support functions. Several members asked about specific contracts, including aerial application services for correctional farms and a Southern Arkansas University custodial contract, and staff or agency representatives provided brief explanations. The meeting concluded with review of reports and approval of a member disclosure involving Representative Andrew Collins’ investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The judicial branch is equal, branch, legislative, executive.
  • But there's concerns, because we see it sometimes, legislation from the bench. legislator, a judge legislating
  • I don't think that anybody ought to legislate from the bench.
  • This is the first time this court is going to rule on this.
  • And it has to go by rule, by the commissioner's rule, yes sir. Thank you.
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Human Services - 03/18/26

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • the legislation. the legislation.
  • This rule community based settings rule.
  • And you know, uh, up here, you know, we're legislators, so we legislate.
  • When rules are ways.
  • now those rules do not exist. now those rules do not exist.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Rules and Administration - 04/23/26

Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:03:07.440> number legislative telephone number legislative telephone number is<00:03:08.680
  • , or Senate rules?
  • . that you can't do this or Senate rules?
  • that you can't do this or Senate rules?
  • I uh whether it's a rule or a or a law.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Criminal Jurisprudence Mar 4th, 2025

Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, the rules were in place last time, but the rules were in place when these reports were made.
  • I think people not following the rules or the rules are not complete is an issue. And every time.
  • Well, there were rules about it prior to the violations. There were rules.
  • There were rules about it prior to the violations, and there were rules about it prior to the violations
  • The answer from the agency is, the rules we had in place while the rules were being violated are our
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Friedman, moves that the rules be suspended to consider the matter forthwith. Is there objection?
  • Friedman, moves that the rules be suspended to consider the matter forthwith. Is there objection?
  • The rules are suspended. Question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
  • Pursuant to the rules adopted by the Senate, Pursuant to the rules adopted by the Senate, the Chair will
  • And the rules are suspended. Question now comes on ordering the bill to a third reading.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a supplemental appropriations bill and related measures, with several adopted and several rejected or withdrawn. Early amendments on equitable approaches to public safety and a Holyoke local account clarification failed, while amendments providing $2.5 million for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers technical assistance and expanding access to gender-affirming medications and mifepristone were adopted. The chamber also adopted a technical amendment on alternative protein grants, a clarification to ETF modernization, and an energy storage systems amendment. Other proposals on homeowner protections, La Casa funding, emergency contract reform, an energy dashboard, EV charging ratepayer impacts, hate crimes, distressed hospital payments, and task force membership were rejected or withdrawn. A substantial portion of the debate focused on health care, food assistance, and public safety. Senators spoke in support of funding for community health centers, hospital relief, and EBT anti-skimming protections, including $15.5 million for chip-enabled EBT cards and related replacement-benefit support. One amendment to strengthen protections against impersonating federal officers was rejected, while another on professional protections was withdrawn after discussion of ballot address privacy and security concerns. The Senate also adopted amendments to continue prior appropriations for a North Shore food pantry and drought management efforts, and it later approved a sick leave bank for a Department of Mental Health employee. The chamber then took up the fiscal year 2025 fair share supplemental budget conference report, which Ways and Means described as $1.39 billion in spending split between transportation and education, including MBTA improvements, Chapter 90 aid, regional transit authorities, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, higher education deferred maintenance, and career technical education capital grants. After a roll call, the bill passed, with one recorded negative vote. The Senate also adopted a separate Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to third reading before final passage. The session ended with adjournment motions and a moment of silence honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman and other victims of political violence, along with a memorial adjournment for firefighter Jeffrey DeSanchez.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE Feb 18th, 2026

ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

Transcript Highlights:
  • was useful, that working together on legislation, if it's had a positive impact.
  • I'd like to take every opportunity to thank this legislation.
  • Thank you for sponsoring that legislation. I'm certainly all for that.
  • So the rules were, let's just say, gray—left up for interpretation.
  • Our rules and regulations don't allow for just a...
Summary: The committee first heard from Arkansas State Police Director Mike Hager and other agency leaders about vehicle pursuits and tactical vehicle interventions (TVIs, formerly PIT maneuvers). Hager said Acts 734 of 2020 and 82 of 2022, which increased penalties for fleeing in a vehicle, along with a public campaign and work with prosecutors, helped reduce pursuits by 29% from 2023 to 2025, or 180 fewer pursuits last year than in 2023. He said the agency also added 120 troopers during that period and that the goal is to protect innocent civilians, officers, and suspects. Members asked about where pursuits occur most often, prosecution practices, the possibility of making fleeing charges non-pleadable like DWI, and a recent mistaken TVI incident involving the wrong vehicle; Hager said no one was injured in that incident and called it inexcusable. The committee also discussed the Arkansas State Police Foundation. Hager explained that the foundation is a private support group made up largely of businesses and citizens that raises money for trooper-family scholarships, emergency relief for troopers affected by disasters or family hospitalizations, and facilities and training support, including the driving track. He said he was not aware of any lobbying activity by the foundation and praised its staff and leadership for supporting the agency beyond what the state budget can provide. Next, Director Chris Chapman of the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training described the state’s decertification and officer accountability process. He said every separation from an agency must be reported, and if an officer leaves under circumstances that may warrant decertification, the file is flagged so any future hiring agency must be told the full history before the officer can be added to a roster. Chapman said the commission has increased decertification requests from 158 in the prior three years to 256 in the last three years, with 147 officers currently pending hearings, and that the backlog has been reduced from about four and a half years to about a year and a half. Members asked about resignations during investigations, appeal rights, citizen complaints, and FOIA access to decertification records; Chapman said those matters can trigger review, appeals go to circuit court, and the records are generally public. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after discussion of a possible future committee visit to a fish hatchery in Lonoke County.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Jan 22nd, 2026

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • . rules. rules.
  • , report from the committee on rules, report from the committee on rules, please.
  • Mobile County signed John legislation.
  • Those have been legislation. Signed, John Treadwell. legislation. Signed, John Treadwell.
  • , Committee on Local Legislation, Committee on Local Legislation, Jefferson<00:51:35.359> County
Keywords: 920, all
Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. Early procedural motions were adopted without objection, including excusing absent senators, dispensing with the prior journal, and allowing bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The Senate then took up several confirmation reports from the Committee on Confirmations, unanimously confirming Ralph Foster, Andre Harrison, Katie Randall, Donna Jones, and Reetta McCannan to the State Textbook Committee for Social Studies. The chamber also received a favorable report on Senate Bill 174 from the Transportation and Energy Committee, and later adopted a special order calendar from the Rules Committee. On the floor, the Senate passed a series of measures, including SB 104, which requires training for members of certain boards, commissions, and councils under the sunset law but was amended to exclude county and municipal boards; HB 59, a cleanup bill concerning the Certified Public Accountants Board; SB 8, authorizing the Emergency Management Agency to spend public funds on public information; SB 66, changing University of Monavalo board terms and related requirements, with an amendment protecting certain trustees appointed before January 1, 2027; SB 168, codifying limits on a reading technique and emphasizing the science of reading; SB 149, creating a temporary teaching certificate pathway for qualified military veterans; SB 46, adding a special driver’s license designation for individuals with invisible disabilities; and SB 90, addressing seafood dealer licenses and support for domestic seafood producers. Local bills including SB 175 and HB 84, HB 200, HB 201, HB 184, HB 203, HB 204, HB 205, HB 133, HB 134, HB 193, and HB 112 also advanced or passed, with several county-specific measures receiving BR adoption, final passage, and in one case certification. Near the end of the meeting, leadership and members discussed severe weather and contingency plans for the coming week. Budget hearings scheduled for Monday were canceled and moved to Thursday, with the Senate planning to meet Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. if weather permits, or Wednesday if necessary. The Senate also received several House messages referring local bills to committee. The session adjourned after a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, January 27 at 3:00 p.m., with the journal left open to receive House messages.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Public Service

Transcript Highlights:
  • The veterans bonus legislation.
  • The Veterans Bonus legislation has been around Beacon Hill for several years.
  • As such, the existing rules make it impossible for me to have had any such...
  • As such, the existing rules make it impossible for me to have had any such...
  • It makes everybody play by the same rules and laws.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a range of retirement-related bills, with several witnesses and advocates focusing on pension equity, veteran benefits, and recognition for public safety workers. Representative Dennis Gallagher and Mass Retirees supported legislation to increase the long-standing veterans’ bonus from $15 to $50 per year of service, up to $1,000 annually, and described it as a modest, overdue adjustment with minimal fiscal impact. Mass Retirees also backed bills to raise the minimum survivor allowance for public retirees and to address inequities in Option B and Option C survivor benefits for retirees whose pensions were calculated under older mortality tables. The committee also heard a personal bill from Representative Jim Arceiro and Nathan McKinnon seeking creditable service for McKinnon’s years in the Nevada higher education system, which he said should count toward his Massachusetts retirement. Another individual bill was presented by Roberta Wollins, supported by Senator Keenan, to remedy what she described as misleading retirement advice from UMass Boston that affected her ability to buy back prior service and made her retirement planning inaccurate. Senator Keenan and others framed both cases as unique fairness issues rather than broad policy changes. A large panel from police, fire, corrections, EMS, and related organizations testified in favor of a COVID-19 retirement credit proposal and a study bill, arguing that essential workers who reported in person throughout the pandemic should receive recognition and a time-based retirement credit. Witnesses described exposure risks, illness, deaths, staffing strain, and long-term effects from COVID-19, and several committee members voiced support and appreciation for their service. The hearing concluded with no votes taken on the bills and a motion to adjourn, which was approved.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • O'Connor, moves that Senate Rule 36 be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith.
  • The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended. Question now comes on suspension of Joint Rule 12.
  • The ayes have it, and the rule is suspended.
  • The rule will be suspended to allow the matter to be considered forthwith. Is there objection?
  • The Chair has none, and the rules are suspended.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and first took up final passage of H. 4426, establishing a sick leave bank for Paul Starvasky of the Department of Correction. A standing vote was required for the emergency preamble, which was adopted, and the bill later passed to be enacted along with H. 4158, expanding the Select Board of the Town of Weston, and H. 4532, exempting certain affordable housing and branch library space in Dorchester from public procurement laws. All three bills were signed by the President and sent to the Governor. The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution commending Hope and Comfort Incorporated for observing Hygiene and Security Awareness Week. In addition, the Senate ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed S. 1859, a retirement bill for Walter L. Gertner, a former Attleboro firefighter, and H. 360, a bill further regulating certain on-premises alcoholic beverage licenses in Holyoke. The Senate also suspended rules to advance a petition concerning purchase of out-of-state service and referred it to the Committee on Public Service, and received a House bill revising the charter of the town of Millis, which was ordered to a third reading. The Senate referred a House petition on expanding access to the family self-sufficiency program to the Committee on Housing. Members then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Stephen E. Strum, with a brief remembrance read into the record. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. and adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Business and Commerce Apr 1st, 2026

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • in the 89th legislative session.
  • But this rule really pertains to that.
  • And finally, talking about customer costs, the last rule I talked about would be the last rule in that
  • writing some really complex rules.
  • writing some really complex 5051 rules.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce held its first interim hearing on securing critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, with a focus on Texas’s electric grid and the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act. The chair also highlighted Texas’s relatively low electricity prices and welcomed new committee members. ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission (PUC), and the Attorney General’s office were invited to explain how the state screens market participants and grid equipment for ties to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and how the agencies respond to noncompliance. ERCOT testified that it has implemented the requirements of three related Senate bills by requiring attestations on corporate affiliations and on critical grid equipment and services. ERCOT said it has processed thousands of attestations, used additional requests for information and third-party verification tools such as Dun & Bradstreet, and terminated nonresponsive market participants. ERCOT also said it has not seen a case requiring direct Attorney General involvement, but it does refer matters to the PUC when needed. The PUC said it can investigate suspected violations and impose penalties of up to $1 million per violation per day, and that most investigations into late or missing attestations have been resolved through compliance, market exit, or removal by ERCOT. The Attorney General’s office said its role is currently limited to audits and court involvement, and that it lacks broad independent investigatory authority under the act. Members pressed the panel on whether the current system is too reliant on self-reporting and whether it adequately addresses indirect foreign influence, especially through supply chains for batteries, inverters, transformers, and other equipment with routable connectivity. ERCOT acknowledged that the current attestation process has gaps and said it plans to refine definitions of critical grid equipment and grid services, improve information requests, and continue stakeholder rulemaking. The panel also discussed possible legislative changes, including tying prohibitions to the Department of Defense Section 1260H list and the Texas Prohibited Technologies list, clarifying warranty and service access, and expanding the statute to cover grid services more directly. Several senators raised concerns about cost, reliability, and the extent to which foreign-sourced components remain embedded in Texas infrastructure, while others suggested incentives for domestic manufacturing and stronger verification tools, including possible work with national labs such as Sandia.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Intergovernmental Affairs May 13th, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • This universal rule would not benefit the city of Port Arthur.
  • Our home, our town, our rules, how we govern means something to us.
  • The two political parties in the state have obviously different rules.
  • This legislation offers critical reforms aimed at upholding the rule of law and halting lawless acts.
  • And I think that's an amendment that would improve the legislation.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • So Texas laws and rules And medical records.
  • It's a fairly bright-line rule for us.
  • proposed rules.
  • There will be rules promulgated for the construction requirements, and we anticipate those rules being
  • Texas is home, but legislation makes it...
Keywords: 1185, senate, all