Transcript Highlights:

• But there is an ethics that we need to be looking at.
• It's very loose ethics, as you had asked about, the ethics around it.
• That's what ethical gestational surrogacy looks like in my life.
• There are also already ethics codes that exist.
• And I think that's what ethical surrogacy really looks like.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• River Authority, Lower Nettius Valley Authority, Trinity River Authority of Texas, and the Texas Ethics
• We will also Trinity River Authority of Texas and the Texas Ethics Commission.
• The next agency we are voting on is the Texas Ethics Commission.
• Allow me to present this modification to staff recommendation 1.2 for the Texas Ethics Commission.
• This modification for the Texas Ethics Commission. Excuse me.

Summary: The Sunset Advisory Commission met for its final meeting of the biennium, established a quorum, approved the December 11, 2024 minutes, and then voted on recommendations for several agencies reviewed earlier in the cycle. It adopted all recommendations for the Angelina and Nettus River Authority, the Lower Nettus Valley Authority, and the Trinity River Authority of Texas, with no modifications offered for those agencies. The Commission then considered the Texas Ethics Commission. Members adopted staff recommendations with modifications, including changes to lobby compensation thresholds and rounding of inflation adjustments. The Commission also adopted a series of new recommendations addressing TEC customer service staffing, late-filing penalties, post-election reporting penalties, waiver of penalties when notice cannot be shown, review of the “substantial compliance” standard, review of the “principal purpose” definition, more prominent public posting of delinquent penalties, and clearer training and guidance on filing and lobby-registration requirements. The Commission also adopted two previously omitted Texas Department of Criminal Justice recommendations, 6.5 and 6.6. By recorded vote, the Commission unanimously forwarded all recommendations adopted during the biennium to the 89th Legislature, with nine ayes. Sunset staff then reported on implementation of 2023 Sunset recommendations, saying the State Auditor found 89% of selected management actions fully implemented and Sunset staff found 68% of statutory and related changes fully implemented, with the remainder mostly in progress. The Commission also noted receipt of a January 6 evaluation of the Texas Lottery Commission, including a study of potential regulation of lottery ticket courier companies, but no further action was taken on that item. The meeting concluded with closing remarks and a motion to recess subject to the call of the Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• The energy and work ethic of all of our interns have made a real impact in our office, and work ethic
• The first time the Texas Ethics Commission will re-determine what our legislative retirement would be
• So for 2026, 27, 28, 29, 30 will be linked, and then August 31, 2030, we kick that over to the Ethics
• One of those is what should the Ethics Commission, if we're not only giving this power to the Ethics
• What I have in front of me, it's page two, lines 11 through 14, says the Ethics...

Summary: The House met on sine die and began with prayer, pledges, quorum verification, and a series of announcements and recognitions. The chamber received Senate messages reporting adoption of conference committee reports on SB 268 and SB 2972, and Senate concurrence in House amendments to SB 1637. Members also referred several resolutions and announced the signing of numerous House and Senate measures by the presence of the House. Technical correction resolutions were adopted: HCR 171, authorizing corrections to HB 46, passed 138-0, and SCR 55, making a wording correction in SB 1964, passed 126-12. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to memorials and recognitions. The House honored Pastor Dave Welch, with several members offering condolences and reflections on his work organizing pastors and engaging in civic life, followed by a moment of silence. Members also recognized the Ganado High School Maidens for winning the 2025 UIL 2A Division I softball state championship, Waco police K-9 Andor after being shot in the line of duty, Region 7 DPS for Capitol Complex security, and various restaurants, staff members, interns, caucus staff, and caucus freshmen of the year across Republican, Democratic, Black, Progressive, LGBTQ, IT, Energy and Climate, and Mexican American Legislative Caucuses. The chamber also heard a retirement-style address from Rep. Tony Tinderholt, who reflected on his six sessions in the House, his military service, and his decision to step aside to focus on family, while colleagues from both parties praised his service, discipline, and willingness to work across differences. The House then continued with additional staff and caucus recognitions, including committee staff, district office staff, and interns, with members repeatedly thanking their teams for their work during the session.

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.
• Sunset pointed out that there's been very little I think in their report they said Very little ethics
• Are there any further questions of the Ethics Commission?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It connects AI instruction with critical evaluation, recognition of limitations, and ethical reasoning
• that addresses both capabilities and limitations helps reduce overreliance and misuse, including ethical
• think critically about how these systems work, how they use data, where they fall short, and what ethical
• how these systems, about these systems, about how they use data, where they fall short, and what ethical
• And by your vote, all members that we have heard from today will be reported favorably to the Ethics

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee and Legislative Ethics.
• to the Legislative Ethics Committee and Legislative<00:20:11.440> Ethics.
• <00:20:12.799> Chairman, Legislative Ethics. Mr. Mr. Chairman, Legislative Ethics. Mr.
• he chairs legislative ethics.
• legislative ethics, and you'll see, uh, legislative ethics, and you'll see, uh, Senator,<00:20:41.600

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the purpose of the bill is to establish a lawful and ethical framework for law enforcement agencies
• <00:17:19.199> framework establish a lawful and ethical framework establish a lawful and ethical
• The tools they need to serve the community effectively and ethically. >> Good afternoon again.
• <00:18:14.680> a<00:18:14.760> lawful<00:18:15.360> and<00:18:15.480> ethical
• which establishes a lawful and ethical which establishes a lawful and ethical framework<00:18:16.240

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We want everyone to uphold the ethical use of AI and prevent plagiarism or misuses of AI.
• <00:42:40.920> use want everyone to uphold the ethical use want everyone to uphold the ethical
• use and that's our focus on ethical use and that's our accountability<00:42:56.480> um<00:42:
• One of them is governance and ethics. The other one is outreach and engagement with respect to AI.
• <01:14:09.719> principles through some of the ethics principles through some of the ethics

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I won't go into the ethical conversation, but I'm for the bill.
• The conscientious objection has to be based on ethical concerns with the procedure itself.
• 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

Keywords: immunization, written informed consent, civil liability, health care provider, vaccine compensation, administrative penalty, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, pharmacy benefit manager, PBM, gag clause, prescription drug pricing, out-of-pocket cost, cash price, pharmacist, pharmacy, prescription drug benefit

Transcript Highlights:

• 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.
• in the financial part of the 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:

• It's titled the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct for New Hampshire educators.
• We don't have a code of ethics for parents.
• It's titled the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct for New Hampshire educators.
• We don't have a code of ethics for parents.
• And uh uh and ethical use of technology.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This concludes my presentation on the Texas Ethics Commission. Any questions?
• I'm the chair of the Ethics Commission, and I'd like to introduce to you J.R.
• Do we have ethics applied to anything else?
• to GR, not to the Ethics Commission, but I just...
• All revenues collected by the Ethics Commission go to GR, not to the Ethics Commission.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, next is Hawaii State Ethics Commission. Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee.
• My name is Robert Harris, on behalf of the Hawaii State Ethics Commission.
• <00:12:33.079> the<00:12:33.160> ho<00:12:33.399> State<00:12:33.600> ethics
• <00:12:33.920> commission behalf of the ho State ethics commission behalf of the ho State
• ethics commission we<00:12:34.399> are<00:12:34.560> in<00:12:34.720> support<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

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

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When it comes to ethics, you know, I heard you refer about, you know, just concerns you want to have
• Senator as as you are aware the Office of Government Ethics does a comprehensive review of basically
• The guidance of the Office of Government Ethics.
• Yeah, that figure is in the Office of Government Ethics report.
• Yeah, Office of Government Ethics releases it at a certain point in time.

Keywords: nominations, labor, health, veterans, Social Security, Elon Musk, transparency, government accountability

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on various executive nominations and their implications on labor and health affairs. Significant discussions surrounded the nomination of Mr. Sonderling as the Deputy Secretary of Labor, with members expressing concerns about workforce cuts affecting veterans and Social Security employees. There was also a debate led by a member regarding the authority and influence of private individuals, specifically citing Elon Musk's involvement in government decisions. Such discussions raised questions about transparency and accountability within governmental agencies, leading to a proposal for Mr. Musk to provide testimony before the committee.

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 >> etc.
• You have um some discussion over ethics.
• around ethical and responsible AI. around ethical and responsible AI.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is what ethical decision-making.
• 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.
• supporting qualified ethical supporting qualified ethical professionals.<00:56:08.400> Any
• uphold the highest ethical standards. uphold the highest ethical standards.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

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

Keywords: 928, house, all

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:

• 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
• <03:58:09.560> Committee 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.

Keywords: 928, house, all

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:

• <03:58:32.920> rules to son and daughter in our ethics rules to son and daughter in our ethics
• appropriate access to the Ethics appropriate access to the Ethics Committee<04:32:44.439> and
• That's right, they want to jettison ethics for quote conduct.
• That's right, they want to jettison ethics for quote conduct.
• ethics for right they want a jettison ethics for quote<04:37:50.799> conduct<04:37:51.799>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 3, 2025, 1012, house, all