Transcript Highlights:

• On Ethics. You are recognized. >> Thank you. Madam Chair of this bill has 2 sections.
• A person who violates this provision is subject to penalties by the Florida Commission on ethics.
• code of ethics fines and remain unpaid and delinquent.
• This bill is recommended by the commission on Ethics in consultation with the attorney general.
• See Harry Stoneman Florida Commission on ethics waiving in support. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was the whole purpose of having ethics standards, to ensure that— ...of having ethics standards,
• Maybe somebody from ethics can tell us about how this would impact the ethics requirement and fines and
• 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.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The Committee on House and Governmental Affairs met on March 18 and first adopted the minutes from its February 21 meeting. The committee then took up HB 250, which would have narrowed financial disclosure requirements for appointed, unpaid board and commission members by exempting immediate family information. Supporters said the bill would reduce burdens and help recruit volunteers, while opponents argued it would weaken ethics enforcement and create opportunities for undisclosed conflicts of interest. After debate and a roll call, the committee deadlocked and HB 250 failed to advance on a 6-6 vote with one abstention. The committee next considered HB 576, which transfers ownership and maintenance responsibility for the Old Governor’s Mansion to the Department of State and codifies its current operational role. Secretary of State Nancy Landry and mansion staff testified in support, describing expanded programming, increased visitors, and the need to align the statute with current practice. The committee adopted technical amendments and then reported HB 576 favorably without objection. The committee also heard HB 117, which recreates the Department of State and its statutory entities through July 1, 2033, and reported it favorably without objection. The major remaining item was HB 842, the annual omnibus elections bill, which makes numerous technical and substantive changes to election law, including voter assistance for people with disabilities, absentee ballot and petition procedures, inactive voter updates, and election contest deadlines. Several members and public witnesses raised concerns about disability documentation, absentee ballot curing, witness requirements, constitutional amendment challenge deadlines, and the scope of authority given to the Secretary of State, while others said the bill clarified existing practice and improved election administration. After adopting amendments and rejecting a motion to defer, the committee reported HB 842 favorably by an 8-5 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:46:08.880><c> Ethic</c> &gt;&gt; What does that mean ethically?
• Ethic &gt;&gt; What does that mean ethically?
• , what's not ethical.
• , what's not ethical.
• These information safeguards, what's ethical, what's not ethical.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, from our standpoint, ethics is a broad word.
• But ethics is kind of broad depending on who you ask. So when I look at AI, I think of ethics.
• But ethics is &gt;&gt; etc.
• You have um some discussion over ethics.
• </c> around ethical and responsible AI. around ethical and responsible AI.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• So in your packets, we got a notice of the July 2026 rules for the Ethics Commission that pertains to
• On this Ethics Committee, have we already proved what they're doing?
• And then there is, if you don't do something correctly, the Ethics Commission might ask you to amend
• And also, next week, the Ethics Commission is having some education on the issue.
• And then the organizations with this nonprofit are like, would you have an ethics commission?

Committee: Joint Administrative Rules Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• On this Ethics Committee, have we already approved what they're doing?
• And then if you don't do something correctly, the Ethics Commission might ask you to amend your form.
• And also, next week, the Ethics Commission is having some education on the issue.
• And then the organizations with this nonprofit are like, would you have an ethics commission?
• And then the organizations with this nonprofit are like, would you have an ethics commission?

Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes. The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process. The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is what ethical decision-making.
• </c> oversight body that can address ethical oversight body that can address ethical violations,<00:34
• Current statute 146A already safeguards clients while supporting qualified, ethical professionals.
• </c> supporting qualified ethical supporting qualified ethical professionals.<00:56:08.400><c> Any</c
• </c> uphold the highest ethical standards. uphold the highest ethical standards.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• He said there is a remedy to go before the legislative executive branch Ethics Committee, which has a
• He said there is a remedy to go before the legislative executive branch Ethics Committee, which has a
• </c><03:58:09.560><c> Committee</c> implemented would the Ethics Committee implemented would the Ethics
• In the early 2000s, legislative ethics was sort of paramount, and we revised our laws entirely.
• Former Representative Jasper was chair of the Legislative Ethics Committee at one point.

Summary: The meeting was an introductory organizational session for the House Legislative Administration Committee. Chair Greg Hill and Vice Chair Vanessa Sheen welcomed members, introduced the new clerk and committee staff, and described the committee as generally nonpartisan and focused on bills on their merits. They also noted that many bills are handled on a consent calendar after discussion, and that the committee often works closely with staff, House counsel, and the House clerk on procedural matters. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on committee operations and expectations: how committee reports should be prepared and submitted, the use of electronic submissions, scheduling hearings, and the need for clear bill placards at the witness table for livestream viewers. Members discussed the committee’s calendar, including a proposed conflict with the governor’s budget address, and ultimately settled on moving the remaining hearings to February 19. The chair also emphasized advance notice for absences or amendments, and said executive sessions can be scheduled as time allows under current rules. House Clerk Paul Smith testified about his role as a nonpartisan officer and said he would be providing informational testimony on a bill affecting a law he sponsored years ago, as well as on a forthcoming PSLF-related bill for legislators. He also spoke about legislative customs, precedents, and the value of parliamentary procedure. The chair concluded with guidance on decorum: arrive on time, avoid interruptions during testimony, keep food out of the room, use electronic devices discreetly, and route questions through the chair for clarification rather than debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Code of Ethics.
• This is Code of Ethics.
• </c> specifies that in the code of ethics specifies that in the code of ethics which<01:55:35.119><c>
• </c> community and D responsible and ethical community and D responsible and ethical use<01:56:42.040
• <01:57:27.679><c> ethical</c> ethics ethical ethics ethical behavior<01:57:30.199><c> and</c><01:57:30.320

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 362, which would give the Department of Education rulemaking authority over educator licensing and testing requirements, including professional education assessments. Representative Ladd argued the bill is meant to preserve New Hampshire’s higher standards for teacher preparation and to avoid lowering requirements for licensed educators, while also allowing flexibility for career and technical education (CTE) instructors who may have strong industry experience but not traditional classroom credentials. Members discussed whether the bill should preserve industry-recognized credentials and basic academic skills testing while exempting CTE teachers from content exams; DOE Director Steven Appy said an amendment would clarify that the bill applies to initial licenses, exempt CTE teachers from the content-testing requirement, and keep current administrative practice on basic skills and industry credentials in statute. The committee also noted that an executive session would be scheduled later, likely the following week, to act on the bills and amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 90, dealing with the definition of part-time teachers. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is intended to let university and community college faculty teach limited hours in high school concurrent enrollment settings, especially in subjects like math and STEM where some schools cannot find locally certified teachers with a master’s degree. He said the measure is designed to expand student access to college-level courses, not to replace fully certified teachers or reduce standards, and emphasized that the bill is limited to faculty employed or contracted by the University System of New Hampshire or the Community College System of New Hampshire, with criminal background checks and ethics/conduct rules still applying. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the discussion ended with the understanding that further action would come in executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• THESE BASIC CONCEPTS IN TEACHING AI THAT STUDENTS HAVE IN A WAY OF ETHICS AND RESPONSIBLE USE.
• WE HAVE SECURITY TRAININGS ON HOW TO USE THEM IN IN AN ETHICAL AND RELIABLE WAY.
• IT'S ABOUT DIGITAL ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
• IT'S A SOFT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE FACULTY AND STUDENTS ON THE ETHICAL USE OF AI.
• BECAUSE YOU ARE TEACHING RESPONSIBLE USE AND ETHICS.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Ethics Commission.
• Chapter 10 relating to ethics training general counsel, please introduce this item.
• Yeah, hopefully this is An easy one one of the recommendations of sunset was for the Ethics Commission
• And so you're going to fly in a plane and you register with the Texas Ethics Commission, you file the
• Okay, any further business commissioners there being no further business the Texas Ethics Commission

Summary: The Texas Ethics Commission met on March 11, 2025, first in executive session and then in open session. The chair announced that, in light of Texas Attorney General Opinion KP-484, the commission would conform its practices to the opinion and move to repeal tolling rules for sworn-complaint deadlines. The chair also said the commission would dismiss 36 pending sworn-complaint cases in which the 120-day settlement deadline had been exceeded, even though the delay had been tolled under prior TEC rules. The commission then set future meeting dates for June 12 and September 17 and approved prior meeting minutes. The commission adopted a new criminal-referral rule clarifying that, once jurisdiction over a complaint is accepted, commissioners may vote to make a criminal referral. It also adopted revised advisory-opinion rules, with a clarifying amendment from a commenter, and republished proposed changes to the definition of “principal purpose” for political committees after staff recommended a 49 percent political-activity threshold and further public input. The commission published for comment proposed changes to ethics training rules, facial-compliance review procedures, late-filing waiver and reduction rules, and sworn-complaint procedures, including tighter discovery limits, a default-order set-aside process, and removal of tolling language inconsistent with KP-484. It also republished Chapter 28 rules on Speaker-candidate reporting. The commission adopted several advisory opinions. It declined to give an affirmative defense on whether certain school-district communications were political advertising because related litigation had already addressed the issue. It reaffirmed that a House member may use donated district-office space if it is not reimbursable with public funds and was accepted before the contribution moratorium. It also concluded that a judge may use political funds for travel to a Navy-hosted event as a local dignitary, that legislators’ use of a corporate aircraft for a border-region fact-finding trip could be permissible but would likely trigger reporting obligations, that a TCEQ commissioner’s revolving-door restrictions apply only to matters actually placed before the commissioner, and that a part-time legislative staffer may not take outside employment assisting a registered lobbyist. The commission then heard and acted on numerous fine-waiver appeals, granting several full waivers or reductions and approving staff recommendations on others, and terminated a number of inactive campaign treasurer appointments. Finally, the executive director briefed the commission on the 2025 legislative session, noting that staffing requests are tied to Sunset recommendations and that the House had preliminarily recommended about half of the commission’s appropriations requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, I'm kind of ethics bill.
• </c> that came to us from the chair of ethics that came to us from the chair of ethics um<01:14:16.080
• </c> work continuously with the ethics work continuously with the ethics committee<01:14:22.239><c> to
• </c> the committee versus uh the ethics the committee versus uh the ethics committee.<01:16:21.280><c
• My other concern is of ethics.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> infringement on a prosecutor's ethical infringement on a prosecutor's ethical and<01:04:38.520><
• </c><01:44:28.000><c> obligations</c> constitutional and ethical obligations constitutional and ethical
• </c><01:44:33.920><c> obligations</c> the Constitutional e ethical obligations the Constitutional e ethical
• It's also against the rules of ethics and the rules of criminal procedure.
• It's also against the rules of ethics and the rules of criminal procedure.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2352 deals with having a beneficial interest in transactions and violation of state ethics
• State ethics laws apply to the executive branch and legislative branch officers and employees.
• State law also provides for a code of ethics for municipal officers.
• House Bill 2352 amends the state ethics laws and aligns them with the municipal ethics laws regarding
• This bill presents a simple question: Should we, as state legislators, have an ethics and conflict of

Summary: The committee heard several bill presentations and took executive action on three measures. House Bill 2249 would remove a civil service exemption for Washington Technology Solutions cybersecurity employees, allowing those workers to be covered by state civil service law; the prime sponsor and a Washington Federation of State Employees representative said the bill would correct an unintended statutory discrepancy and let similarly classified IT security staff organize like counterparts in other agencies. House Bill 2475 would direct the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines for state agencies and address interpreter and translator shortages; supporters from the Latino Community Fund, WFSE, and the Office of Equity said the bill would improve access to public services for limited-English-proficiency residents. House Bill 2237 would require deputy state fire marshal salaries to be competitive with comparable local fire agencies and direct a report on whether the State Fire Marshal’s Office should be made independent of the State Patrol; supporters said current pay is too low and hurts recruitment and retention. House Bill 2408 was described as a cleanup bill removing expired provisions and obsolete references to the Department of Personnel and other outdated statutes, and OFM supported it. In executive session, the committee adopted amendments and reported out three bills. Substitute House Bill 2281, concerning tribal traditional cultural places and consultation, was amended to narrow consultation scope, remove a reference to “contemporary” lands, and add a three-year statute of limitations; a proposed amendment to remove the cause of action was rejected, and the bill passed 4-3. House Bill 2309, which limits OFM from treating a postgraduate degree as the only way to show qualifications unless required by law, was reported out unanimously. House Bill 2244, a Sunshine Committee cleanup bill on ethics and public disclosure, was amended to restore exemptions for certain donor records and driver case records and then passed unanimously. The committee also heard House Bill 2352, which would lower the ownership threshold for state ethics conflicts from 10% to 1% to align state law with municipal ethics rules. Representative Paulette argued the current 10% standard is too lax and weakens public trust, but no vote was taken on the bill during the meeting. The hearing on House Bill 2435, which would create a Legislative Office on Indian Affairs to provide training and resources for legislators and staff on tribal affairs, featured strong support from Representative Lekanoff, who said it would strengthen the legislature’s government-to-government relationship with tribes. The committee then recessed and later adjourned after completing the remaining hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you considering an ethics complaint against Senator Champion? What do you need to hear?
• But I think, as we dig into it, we might have more ideas going forward, but ethics is a possibility.
• </c><00:07:11.759><c> is</c><00:07:12.080><c> is</c><00:07:12.240><c> a</c> going forward, but ethics
• is is a going forward, but ethics is is a possibility.<00:07:12.880><c> Are</c><00:07:13.039><c> you
• </c> them to issue their advice, the ethics them to issue their advice, the ethics committee<00:07:16.960

Transcript Highlights:

• Last, on Rule 55, the subcommittee on ethical conduct, there are some modernizations in terms of the
• subcommittee on ethical conduct, again making more clear the way this body works, about executive session
• conduct there are some ethical conduct there are some modernizations<00:14:48.440><c> in</c><00:14:48.600
• terms of the modernizations in terms of the subcommittee<00:14:49.839><c> on</c><00:14:50.000><c> ethical
• on ethical conduct again making<00:14:51.880><c> more</c><00:14:52.160><c> clear</c><00:14:52.560><c

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> alternatives exist, the only ethical alternatives exist, the only ethical choice<00:27:54.640><c
• </c><01:14:51.760><c> in</c> ethics commission is respectfully in ethics commission is respectfully in
• uh the director of the uh the ethics uh the director of the uh ethics<01:31:08.320><c> commission</c
• </c> statements to the state ethics statements to the state ethics commission<02:25:53.439><c> and</c
• </c> to do the work of the ethics commission. to do the work of the ethics commission.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1531, HD1, which would require the governor or county mayors to provide American Sign Language interpreters during official emergency announcements broadcast on television or the internet, ensure the interpreter is visible, and provide a primary pool feed with picture-in-picture so rebroadcasters would not need to add the feature themselves. Testimony from the Disability and Communication Access Board and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and noting that interpreter placement and size can make broadcasts inaccessible. The council requested an effective date of July 1, 2027 to allow implementation time. Members raised concerns about interpreter availability and emergency logistics on Hawaiʻi Island, but the chair moved to pass the bill with amendments reflecting the picture-in-picture recommendation and the later effective date. The committee adopted the motion, with several members voting aye and others voting with reservations. The committee then heard House Bill 1880, HD2, which would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2027, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-dichloropropene, such as Telone. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity explained that pesticides are already regulated at both the federal and state levels, with EPA risk assessments and state enforcement of label restrictions, reporting, and school-buffer requirements. The Hawaii Public Health Institute supported the bill, citing cancer and respiratory risks and arguing that safer alternatives exist. In opposition, Dole Food and the Hawaii Farm Bureau said Telone is important for controlling nematodes in pineapple production, that it is applied underground under EPA conditions, and that no comparable registered alternative exists for pineapple; they also said the bill’s 2027 start date is too short for growers to adjust. A representative from the Y Alliance for Progressive Action and Support supported the measure, citing statewide usage data and concerns about drift and chronic health impacts. Committee members questioned both sides about drift monitoring, groundwater impacts, alternative methods, and whether a transition period or research into resistant varieties could reduce reliance on the chemical.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess I don't know what functional, moral, and ethical local... Sure, okay, okay.
• Instruction in functional, moral, and ethical, local, state, and national governance.
• Instruction in functional, moral, and ethical, local, state, and national governance.
• I guess I don't know what functional, moral, and ethical, local. Sure, okay, okay.
• There is ethics or national governance, things like that, I would see that.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2722, then voted the bill do pass by a roll call vote of 13 yes and 2 no. The sponsor explained that the substitute clarified the roles of liaisons for foster care students, McKinney-Vento students, and unaccompanied youth in higher education, and added language to avoid conflicting with Missouri law on public benefits for non-citizens. Members also discussed the fiscal note, which was expected to be minimal or not yet available until after committee reporting. The committee then heard House Bills 3483 and 3532, sponsored by Representatives Prouty and Pollitt, which would require the General Assembly to create Missouri-specific educational materials about how the state legislative process works and how a bill becomes law. Supporters, including legislators, teachers, students, and social studies coordinators, said the materials would help students understand Missouri government, civic engagement, and the differences between state and federal lawmaking. Several witnesses suggested the materials should be tailored by grade level, with third grade and high school mentioned as likely targets, and some members raised questions about drafting, implementation, and the estimated fiscal note. One witness spoke in opposition, saying only that he opposed the bill in the spirit of civil discourse. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 31, sponsored by Representative Martin, which would establish a Missouri seal of civic recognition for students who demonstrate civic knowledge, participation, and service. The sponsor described a tiered recognition system tied to coursework, civic engagement, and community or military service, administered through DESE and the existing civics and patriotic work group. Members asked about the resolution format, the role of the work group, how schools would track eligibility, and whether the measure should be narrowed to high school graduation before expanding to younger grades. Supporters, including a retired educator and civic education advocates, said the seal could encourage stronger civic learning and student engagement, while one coalition witness urged a streamlined, merit-based model and local district flexibility. The committee took no final action on the latter two measures during the hearing and adjourned after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• A GENERATIVE AI TOOLS CAN PERFORM SOME TASKS AT LESS EXPENSE AND WITH GREATER ETHICS THAN HUMAN WORKERS
• ETHICS IS ACTUALLY INTEGRATED INTO OUR STUDENTS OUTCOMES AND CURRICULUM.
• LET'S NOT TRY TO IMPOSE ANY BOUNDARIES BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE ETHICAL AND MORAL ASPECT.
• COULD YOU PLEASE ARTICULATE MORE ABOUT THE ETHICAL GUARDRAILS.
• YOU WILL GET THIS PRODUCED ON ANYTHING PROVIDE A MODEL THAT USES ENGINEERING, PSYCHOLOGY, AND ETHICS

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you considering an ethics complaint against Senator Champion? What do you need to hear?
• Uh, but I think, you know, as we dig into it, we might have more ideas going forward, but ethics is a
• Are you considering an ethics complaint against Senator Champion? What do you need to hear?
• Uh, but I think, you know, as we dig into it, we might have more ideas going forward, but ethics is a
• </c><00:07:17.360><c> is</c> more ideas going forward, but ethics is more ideas going forward, but ethics