Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so it appears that for the upcoming fiscal year and in future down years a 5% share might not provide
• Uh, so it appears that for the upcoming fiscal year and in future down years a 5% share might not provide
• said as far as the amount that legislators, um... for the current biennium, it was $50 million in fiscal
• year 26 and $50 million in fiscal year 27.

Bills: HB1719, HB1742, HB1737, HB2049, HB1725, HB1726, HB1738, HB1799, HB1700

Keywords: housing crisis, manufactured homes, factory-built housing, zoning, relocatable housing units, farm employee housing, agriculture, Hawaii Revised Statutes, agricultural districts, land use, regulation, renewable energy, community development, housing, affordable housing, real estate, state regulation, building codes, construction, permitting

Summary: The joint public hearing covered several housing-related bills and one building-code measure. HB 1719 would make manufactured homes a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots in the urban district, HB 1742 would authorize self-contained relocatable housing units with restrictions, and HB 1737 would clarify that a farm dwelling in an agricultural district may include an accessory employee housing structure. Testimony on these bills was overwhelmingly supportive from groups including Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Modular Building Institute, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and others, with a few agencies offering comments. No one testified in opposition on HB 1719 or HB 1742, while HB 1737 drew one opposition and one comment in addition to broad support. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 2049, which restructures the conveyance tax into a marginal-rate system and changes how the revenue is allocated, including funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the rental housing revolving fund, while also affecting the legacy land conservation fund. Supporters, including DHHL, Hawaii Appleseed, Aahu Youth Action Board, Hawaii YIMBY, and others, argued the bill would help Native Hawaiian housing and, for most transactions, function as a tax cut. Opponents, including NAP Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Land Trust, Mhai Land Trust, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, objected to using conveyance tax as a revenue-generating tool and raised concerns about higher upfront costs and reduced funding for other housing uses. Committee members and staff discussed the bill’s revenue estimates, the reduced percentage but higher cap for the land conservation fund, the effect on rental housing funding, and the bill’s cost-of-living adjustment language; staff said a line-by-line comparison of the current and proposed tax structure would be provided before decision-making. The hearing also took up HB 1725, which would extend the state building code adoption cycle from two years to six years, apply the IRC to triplexes and fourplexes, allow counties to adopt more or less stringent amendments, and appropriate funds for code adoption work. Most testimony supported the bill, with advocates saying the current process is unmanageable, too resource-intensive, and creates confusion because state and county codes can diverge; supporters said a longer cycle would improve clarity and allow more focused review. The International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers opposed the measure, warning that delaying adoption could have negative consequences and urging the committee to let an existing statewide code-adoption strategy proceed first. Members asked about sequencing, county implementation, and whether the longer cycle would create catch-up problems, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• building transparency into the system. building transparency into the system.
• policy deadlines, we don't have a fiscal policy deadlines, we don't have a fiscal target. target
• merits, and we do expect that fiscal merits, and we do expect that fiscal note<00:25:50.160>
• Um, is there a fiscal note on this? Um, is there a fiscal note on this? Representative Godfrey.
• <01:37:14.920> and start building transparency and start building transparency and accountability

Bills: HF4456, HF4544, HF3698

Keywords: data broker, data brokerage, consumer privacy, personal data, data privacy, Minnesota attorney general, registration, public registry, civil penalties, enforcement, special revenue fund, privacy rights, data sales, data collection, consumer protection, chapter 325M, controller, processor, data broker registry, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, when I was first elected as mayor of Ianti, prior to this job, I wanted to be as transparent with
• Um, I think our colleagues here, you know, share the interest and share the value of transparency and
• because this is doing something that's cutting mandates, cutting red tape, and it's doing it for zero fiscal

Bills: HF4319, HF3295, HF3589, HF3587, HF3588, HF4295, HF3571, HF3895

Keywords: public utilities commission, Lake City, port authority, Red Wing, terms of appointment, local government, elections, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, voter access, polling place, ballot, unexpected needs, election judge, public information, political parties, HF4295

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, it appropriates an additional $1 million from the State General Fund in fiscal year 2027
• We just had the conversation last night about transparency, and I can't see anything more transparent
• I can't think of any more transparency than that, and I vote aye.
• We just had the conversation last night about transparency, and I can't see anything more transparent
• I can't think of any more transparency than that. I vote aye. Okay, I will close with this.

Bills: SB1037, SB1040, SB1259, SB1281

Keywords: elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway, tabulation equipment, secretary of state, certification, decertification, HAVA, Help America Vote Act, ballot images, audit logs

Summary: The Committee on Federal and Military Affairs and Elections heard a lengthy presentation on an investigative referral concerning alleged voter registration anomalies in Arizona from March 2023 onward. The chair described examples involving out-of-state residents, deceased registrants, military voters, duplicate or mismatched registrations, and registrations tied to Service Arizona, ACCESS, third-party vendors, and NGOs. Members also discussed alleged mismatches between county recorder data and Secretary of State reports, possible issues with automatic voter registration, and concerns about public records compliance. At the end of the presentation, members were asked whether they wanted to sign onto a criminal referral to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice; several declined, while others agreed, and the committee proceeded after correcting a signature-block issue. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1259, which would allow certain protected individuals to use an alternate mailing address and attest to their residential address on candidate and financial disclosure filings. After questions about residency verification and confidentiality, the bill received a do pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote. Senate Bill 1281, dealing with state land department procedures for covered federal designations and notification of land takings, was heard next; after opposition testimony from the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, it passed 4-3. Senate Bill 1037, concerning election equipment security and internet connectivity, drew substantial debate. A Marquez strike-everything amendment that would have shifted the bill toward voting centers, ERIC participation, early voting changes, and election funding failed on a 4-3 vote. The underlying bill then failed to receive a do pass recommendation on a 3-3-1 vote. Finally, Senate Bill 1040, which would make voter registration rolls publicly accessible online and downloadable, passed 4-3 after questions about what information would remain redacted and concerns about public access to voter data.

Bills: HB292, HB307, SB33, HB292, HB307, SB33

Keywords: economic development, incentives, transparency, compliance, Alabama Jobs Act, speedy trial, visiting judge, court administration, public interest, criminal justice, SB33, marriage, premarital class, conflict resolution, marriage license reform, probate judge, Administrative Office of Courts, AOC, domestic violence, intimate partner violence

Transcript Highlights:

• details right where they should have been, but everything is in order now and it's all open and transparent
• details right where they should have been, but everything is in order now and it's all open and transparent

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Summary: The committee considered several House bills dealing with family law and civil procedure. House Bill 1916, concerning a court’s jurisdiction in suits to divide property not divided on dissolution of marriage, was reported favorably on a 4-0 vote and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 1973, addressing proof of the identity of a child’s parents in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship, was also adopted with a committee substitute, reported favorably 4-0, and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 2524, on recovery of fees, court costs, and expenses in family law proceedings, and House Bill 2530, on special appointments in suits affecting the parent-child relationship, each received favorable 4-0 votes and were likewise recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 3180, which was reported favorably 4-0 and recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The most detailed discussion centered on House Bill 40, relating to updates to business courts. Senator Hughes explained a committee amendment that made conforming changes requested by the Finance Committee and removed language creating two new judgeships, replacing it with a different judge allocation. The amendment was adopted, the amended committee substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably on a 4-0 vote and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. At the end of the meeting, members briefly clarified procedural details about the House Bill 40 amendment and then closed out the agenda. The committee also noted a correction to an earlier reference to Bartleby the Scrivener, and the Chair recessed the Committee on Jurisprudence subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Summary: The committee heard several House bills, most of them relating to family law and court procedure, and left each bill pending after testimony. House Bill 1916 would clarify that the court that issued a final divorce decree retains exclusive jurisdiction over later actions involving undivided property. House Bill 1973 would require a certified birth certificate, if reasonably available, to be filed with a SAPCR petition or allow alternative proof of parentage while keeping the information confidential. House Bill 2530 would add qualifications and procedural safeguards for appointing amicus attorneys in SAPCR cases, including notice and hearing requirements, minimum qualifications, conflict rules, and limits on what amicus attorneys may do. House Bill 2524 would make Family Code references to attorney’s fees consistent by using “reasonable and necessary” language. House Bill 3180 would correct a scrivener’s error in the civil discovery rules by changing “settlement” to “statement.” The committee also heard House Bill 4213, which would change the interest rate on overdue child support from the current 6 percent simple interest to a fixed 5 percent and require the Attorney General to report on the impact of the change. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued lower interest could improve collections and help low-income obligors catch up, citing research and the size of child-support arrearages; opponents said lowering the rate would reduce incentives to pay and harm custodial parents and children. The Attorney General’s office raised implementation concerns about a House version that would have created a variable rate, while the committee substitute was described as restoring a simple fixed rate. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also discussed House Bill 40, updating business court provisions and supplemental jurisdiction; House Bill 3421, streamlining probate procedures for original wills and copies; and House Bill 417, clarifying venue for lawsuits involving private transfer fees on real property. Each drew limited testimony and was left pending. Finally, House Bill 3783 drew extensive testimony on court-ordered counseling and reunification therapy in family cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would protect children and abuse victims from coercive, unregulated reunification practices, while opponents argued it was too broad, could interfere with legitimate therapy and judicial discretion, and might affect military families and other high-conflict cases. The committee heard testimony from judges, therapists, parents, survivors, and advocates, but took no final action and left the bill pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a grouchy fiscal conservative, what I would argue is that school districts ought to be utilizing that
• I don't think that's the most transparent, honest way of looking at it. It will be paid back.
• What I can give you is the fiscal note, if you will.
• Yes, No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated, and I think the voters
• So in the interest of transparency and informed decision making, I urge the committee to pass SB 414.

Bills: SB414, SB621, SB2395

Keywords: bond election, ballot proposition, debt obligation, municipal bonds, local government finance, property tax, ad valorem tax, school district bonds, county bonds, special taxing district, voter information document, public debt, municipal finance, tax-supported debt, election ballot language, bond transparency, homestead tax impact, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, public bank

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Bill 413 by Senator Middleton is about increasing transparency in the meetings of the
• districts just post audio or video recordings online without proper documentation. ...thus avoiding transparency
• Senate Bill 413 brings needed transparency to the governance of our schools, making it easier for parents
• I went to the community meeting, and then when I went to the board meeting, it was not transparent.
• That's one of our challenges with governance at charter schools: having insight and transparency into

Bills: SB226, SB413, SB571, SB1049, SB2398, SB2920

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension, reporting requirements, released time, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• It will also recommend transparency rules for AI vendors, develop guidance on independent reviews of

Bills: HB875, HB1667, HB2369, HB3844, HB4415, HB4479, HB4483, HB4676, HB5118, HB5400, HB5545

Keywords: workers' compensation, municipal construction, bidding requirements, small municipalities, contracting policies, first responders, PTSD, mental health, emergency services, medical expenses, injury claims, insurance carriers, opportunity youth, workforce development, employment, education, federal funds, employment discrimination, immunity waiver, public employees

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a fiscal note with the bill? There is. My business doesn't cost anything.

Bills: SB248, SB242, HB44, SB266, HB44

Keywords: Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, APA, administrative law, judicial review, agency deference, Chevron deference, de novo review, contested case, state agency, regulatory power, individual liberty, statutory interpretation, rule interpretation, license revocation, license suspension, tax assessment, tax refund, administrative appeal, circuit court, Montgomery County

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill ensures full transparency and right to participation being restored.
• Let's go to the fiscal. note on this on this bill.
• Lastly, I do want to make a comment on the fiscal note. In my hand.
• It's fiscal policy for Texas 2036.
• In fact, in fiscal year 2024, we managed over 46,000. contracts.

Bills: HB150, HB869, HB876, HB 1043, HB1494, HB1522, HB150

Keywords: cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the input from stakeholders as well as the Railroad Commission on the fiscal note.

Bills: SB1150, SB763, SB1061, SB1146, SB1198, HB279, HB310

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Bills: SB1150, SB763, SB1061, SB1146, SB1198, HB279, HB310

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm in favor of radical transparency in government across the board.
• <00:18:06.000> as going to uh increase transparency as going to uh increase transparency as
• I think we all would like to see a lot of transparency, and that's a good thing.
• I think we all would like to see a lot of transparency, and that's a good thing.
• I think we all would like to see a lot of transparency, and that's a good thing.

Bills: HF1917, HF1083, HF367

Keywords: data practices, public official, transparency, government accountability, employment data, domestic abuse, domestic violence, battered women, victim advocate, advocacy, confidentiality, privilege, evidence law, witness privilege, court-ordered disclosure, shelter, crisis intervention, sexual assault counselor, victim services, protective services

Transcript Highlights:

• In summary, what it does is increase transparency.
• Chair, I had not seen a fiscal impact statement yet.
• So the fiscal could be anywhere from $12 to $30,000 per student.

Bills: HB3312, HB3700, HB2981, HB2961, HB3016, HB4478, HB4326, HB3025, HB3710

Keywords: firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient

Transcript Highlights:

• participating members to share claims and payment data through the state HiE So that we can get more transparency

Bills: HB4423, HB3342, HB3645, HB3647, HB3887, HB4430, HB4431, HB2964, HB3834

Keywords: Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Medicaid, immigration verification, healthcare access, federal reporting, health care providers, auditing, patient rights, claims, protection from fraud, audit process, error correction, hospice care, physician determination, healthcare standards, symptom management, health information exchange, all-payer claims database, health care transparency, health care costs

Bills: HB8, HB26, HB192

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it'll enhance transparency. I think it'll enhance transparency.

Bills: HB227, HB556, HB543, HB542, HB482, HB483, HB484

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a big advocate for transparency.
• I think this is more a level of transparency. Don't you think that that would be more transparent?
• Is that really transparency? I believe people are well.
• We support transparency. We wish we were able to do it online.
• Notice and transparency, that's not this bill.

Bills: HB279, HB310, HB365, HB391, HB420, HB422, HB638, HB279, HB310

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing