Transcript Highlights:

• mind, by veterans, for veterans.
• By veterans, for veterans.
• veterans.
• veterans.
• of Veterans Affairs.

Bills: SB693, SB781, SB836, SB860, SB906, SB993, SB1101, SB1321, SB1370, SB1537, SB1563, SB1610, SB1637

Keywords: notary public, notaries, acknowledgment, jurat, personal appearance, remote notarization, online notarization, e-notary, electronic notarization, fraud prevention, identity verification, real estate fraud, property transfer, state jail felony, Class A misdemeanor, secretary of state, continuing education, record retention, notarial act, Texas Government Code

Summary: The committee heard a series of criminal justice bills focused on victim protections, law enforcement tools, notary/deed fraud, sexually violent predators, veterans in jail, tribal policing authority, and peace officer records. Several bills were laid out, heard, and left pending because the committee lacked a quorum for final action on those items. Testimony was generally supportive on bills addressing interpreter appointments, fuel theft investigations, deed fraud, survivor privacy, veteran jailer training, tribal peace officer authority, and officer-record confidentiality, though some bills drew concerns about due process, scope, or drafting. Senate Bill 1537 would clean up criminal procedure language on appointing interpreters and align it with Government Code standards requiring licensed or certified interpreters; it received no public opposition and was left pending. Senate Bill 993 would let Comptroller Criminal Investigative Division officers directly seek warrants for mobile tracking devices in fuel-theft and tax-fraud investigations; it also drew support and was left pending. Senate Bill 693, as substituted, would create a criminal offense for notarizing documents without the signer personally appearing, with a higher penalty when real property is involved, and would add notary continuing education; a Dallas County prosecutor testified that notary fraud is a major driver of deed theft, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1610, as substituted, would address safety, registration, and criminal penalties at the Texas Civil Commitment Office for sexually violent predators, including assaults on staff and sex-offender registration issues; agency witnesses described increased assaults and operational problems, while a public witness urged waiting for Sunset review and raised due-process concerns. Senate Bill 836 would add privacy protections for sexual assault survivors by limiting livestreaming of trials, expanding pseudonym use, and protecting forensic exam and invasive-recording evidence; survivors and advocates strongly supported it, and defense lawyers said they had no opposition to the substitute. Senate Bill 1563 would require county jailer training on interacting with veterans, with testimony from the Texas Veterans Commission and veterans’ advocates emphasizing suicide risk, PTSD, and the need for better identification and support in jails; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 906, which would authorize the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo tribal police to be commissioned as Texas peace officers like two other federally recognized tribes in Texas; tribal leaders said the change would improve response times and coordination, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 781, as substituted, would standardize confidentiality rules for peace officer personnel and departmental files statewide, mirroring Chapter 143 civil-service practices; law enforcement witnesses supported it as a way to protect personal information and create uniform records practices, but several senators raised concerns that the bill could blur existing disclosure rules or bury misconduct complaints, and public testimony included an opposition witness describing a police shooting involving her brother.

Transcript Highlights:

• from taking advantage of veterans.
• </c> does the save act protects veterans does the save act protects veterans Choice<01:18:40.280><c>
• This experience drives me and Veterans Guardian to simplify the process and ensure that every veteran
• </c> mailer that we send out to all veterans mailer that we send out to all veterans who<01:23:18.480
• The state Veterans Home in Littleton is not part of DAVS, but we're everything else veterans.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have disabled veteran license plates?
• They may be a veteran.
• of veterans, I'd say a large proportion of veterans<00:25:48.240><c> do</c><00:25:48.640><c> leave</
• They may be a veteran. disabled placard. They may be a veteran.
• </c> um changes to reflect veteran services. um changes to reflect veteran services.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Veterans Affairs.
• through the Texas Veterans Commission for the Subcommittee on Defense and Veterans Affairs HB 1966 by
• HB 2193 by Gehan relating to a study by the Texas Veterans Commission regarding the provision of veteran
• on Defense of Veterans Affairs.
• The Texas Veterans Commission for the Subcommittee on Defense and Veterans Affairs, HB 115 by Cook relating

Transcript Highlights:

• The veteran would have to apply through their school veterans office for the grant money through the
• Department of Veterans Services.
• He came, he was chatting with a veteran in Yavapai County and was made known that there was a veteran
• It's about the veteran. Doesn't matter where he attends. Veteran programs are veteran programs.
• it would affect veterans in the Valley, veterans, and just the entire state.

Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee heard several bills. HB 2416 would appropriate $20 million for Department of Public Safety border support, including equipment, law enforcement positions, and grants to local governments for border-related enforcement and detention costs. Supporters, including the Arizona Sheriffs Association, said the funds are fully used each year and are largely spent on drug interdiction, especially against fentanyl and methamphetamine. Opponents argued the bill’s immigration-enforcement language was too broad and that the money should instead go to health care, education, food assistance, or prevention programs. The committee approved HB 2416 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard HB 2806, which would require county recorders, ADOT, and AHCCCS to use the federal SAVE system and report citizenship-verification results to JLBC and the Auditor General. The ACLU of Arizona opposed the bill, saying SAVE is not designed to determine voter eligibility, could wrongly flag eligible citizens, and would likely lead to litigation and confusion. Several members questioned the need for the bill, noting existing citizenship requirements and current use of SAVE in some agencies, while others supported it as a way to ensure only citizens access voting and benefits. HB 2806 passed 4-3. HB 2663, a technical cleanup bill updating military leave language for state and local employees serving in the National Guard or Reserves, drew little opposition and passed unanimously. HB 2759 would appropriate $500,000 to the Department of Veterans Services for a grant program with Yavapai County educational institutions to help veterans with emergency housing, equipment, professional development, and other shortfalls tied to delayed GI Bill payments. Testimony supported expanding help for veterans, but some members raised concerns that the bill was limited to Yavapai County and included private institutions; the sponsor and witnesses said it could serve as a pilot and potentially expand statewide. The committee approved HB 2759 on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Laura Koerner, and I am Chair of the Texas Veterans Commission and a U.S. Navy veteran.
• My name is Laura Koerner, and I am Chair of the Texas Veterans Commission and a U.S. Navy veteran.
• Commissioner Kerner: I am the chair of the Texas Veterans Commission and a U.S. Navy veteran.
• , military veteran peers counseling, and veteran homelessness, and also supporting...
• Army veteran.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE MILITARY VETERANS CERTIFICATION PATHWAY ALLOWS QUALIFIED VETERANS TO OBTAIN A FIVE YEAR TEMPORARY
• WE DO TRY TO SERVE THE VETERANS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
• WE ALSO HAVE OUR VETERANS SUCCESS ON CAMPUS.
• TO FACILITATE EMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE VETERANS.
• THE VETERAN SERVICE SEEN AND MANY OF THE STUDENT SERVICE TEAMS SERVING MILITARY MEMBERS AND VETERANS

Transcript Highlights:

• We admitted two more veterans and we're up to 130.
• New Mexico State Veterans Home serves veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and
• All right, our Veterans Home Project.
• more services for veterans and their families.
• Department of Veterans Services, a Veterans Service Officer that is there once a week, as well as the

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh for the state veterans affairs board. uh for the state veterans affairs board.
• I'm a veteran, but it's an privilege.
• And I feel like veterans.
• </c> Mississippi, which is our veteran state Mississippi, which is our veteran state homes.<00:07:05.520
• </c> would be good for the state uh veterans would be good for the state uh veterans affairs<00:08:27.759

Keywords: Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 1:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs.
• ' homes and veterans' service organizations.
• It also allows the flexibility to appoint tribal veteran representatives, National Guardsmen, or veterans
• , and formerly justice-involved veterans.
• Guardsmen or veterans and formerly justice-involved veterans.

Bills: SB6084, SB6044, SB5950, SB6046, SB5763, SB6215, SB6160, SB6123, SB6049, SB6164, SB6313, SB5784, SB5046, SB5489

Keywords: elections, double voting, voting twice, multiple voting, same-day election, primary election, general election, special election, cross-state voting, ballot fraud, election fraud, voter misconduct, RCW 29A.84.660, State v. Padilla, civil infraction, class C felony, Secretary of State, Washington elections, election law, voter eligibility

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs, and Elections Committee met on February 3, 2026, first in executive session on 13 bills and then for a public hearing on Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541. The executive session covered election rules, holiday designations, public disclosure exemptions, agency reporting changes, a Civil Air Patrol division, a law enforcement aviation grant program, JLARC review of audit and risk practices, demographic data collection, and a capital stewardship account. Several members noted concerns or support on specific bills, including objections to the cost of the aviation grant program and comments that the holiday bill should be more inclusive. Amendments were adopted on several measures, including changes to the law enforcement aviation bill, the JLARC audit review bill, the agency reports bill, the public disclosure bill, and the demographic data bill; one proposed amendment to the holiday bill was withdrawn. The committee then voted all 13 executive-session bills out with due-pass recommendations, sending most to the Rules Committee and the fiscal bills to Ways and Means. The chair announced each bill passed subject to signatures. Senate Bill 5950, expanding recognized non-legal holidays, passed despite a member stating he would be without recommendation because of a missing Buddhist observance. Senate Bill 5763, the aviation support grant program, and Senate Bills 6215 and 5784 were advanced with substitutes. Senate Bill 6160, on agency reports, was praised as a government-efficiency measure, and Senate Bill 5489, designating the Wilkinson sandstone as the state sandstone, also passed. In the public hearing, the committee heard testimony on Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541, which revises the membership of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee by increasing at-large seats, reducing the number of VSO-designated seats, and allowing appointments to reflect broader military experience and personal attributes. The prime sponsor and a co-sponsor described the bill as a compromise reached after prior concerns, including representation for formerly justice-involved veterans, tribal veterans, and National Guard members. The director of the Department of Veterans Affairs testified in support, saying the changes would provide more flexibility in appointments and better reflect veteran communities. The hearing record noted 57 pro and one con sign-ins, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans, U.S.
• Veterans, U.S.
• Veterans, U.S.
• Veterans, U.S.
• Veterans, U.S.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 10, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a veterans housing bond. It's a veterans bait bond.
• And it does include some veterans benefits, but it is not a veterans bond.
• We do like the veterans.
• We do like the veterans.
• to our veterans.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, the disabled veterans property tax exemption is a crucial tool in helping veterans with
• seemed to be our Veterans Day today.
• And that is for all veterans, not just disabled.
• We want to hold our veterans here.
• So my presentation is Jeff from me, a veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne, a veteran who has two

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills focused on transit funding, veterans’ tax relief, clean energy incentives, housing development costs, and tax conformity. SB 63 would authorize a Bay Area regional sales tax measure for transit agencies facing fiscal shortfalls; supporters said it was needed to avoid major service cuts, while the California Taxpayers Association opposed it on Proposition 13/218 concerns. SB 56 would exclude veterans’ disability compensation from income calculations for the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, and SB 296 would expand property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses; both drew broad veterans’ support. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exemption program, including fusion energy, and SB 302 would conform state tax law to federal clean energy credit monetization provisions; both were backed by industry, labor, and clean energy advocates. SB 328 would cap Department of Toxic Substances Control fees on contaminated-soil remediation for infill and master-planned housing projects, with housing groups arguing the current fee structure can make projects infeasible. SB 711 would update California’s tax conformity date to January 1, 2025 to reduce complexity and inconsistencies with federal law, and was supported by tax professionals and business groups. Several bills were held or sent to suspense, while others advanced with amendments. After quorum was established, SB 63 passed the committee 4-2 and SB 86, SB 302, SB 328, and SB 711 were referred to suspense, with SB 86 and SB 302 later approved out of suspense with amendments. SB 56 was held in committee, SB 296 was made a two-year bill, and SB 284 and SB 723 were held. The committee also approved a number of additional suspense-file bills, including SB 293, SB 359, SB 419, SB 587, SB 603, SB 663, SB 710, and SB 785, while SB 591 was approved with amendments and SB 353 was made a two-year bill. The hearing concluded with the committee adjournment after final roll calls and bill actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the Missouri Veterans Commission, and in the bill you'll see it says Veterans' plural possessive
• So I'm aware of the Veterans Commission's funding issues and things that were promised to fund the Veterans
• So I wanted to know, the Missouri Veterans Commission, it states that the Missouri Veterans Commission
• , veterans showing they possess that?
• But back to the veterans: I appreciate the fact that you are here to support our veterans and listening

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces heard testimony on House Bill 2593, sponsored by Rep. Bill Hardwick, which would modernize Missouri military and veterans statutes. The bill would rename the Military Family Relief Fund panel position to “senior enlisted advisor,” add three Missouri National Guard state ribbons for counterdrug, Homeland Response Force, and explosive ordnance clearance service, authorize the National Guard to provide cybersecurity prevention and response support to state and local entities at their request, update veterans recognition language for post-Vietnam-era conflicts, adjust tuition waiver sequencing so federal GI Bill benefits are used after state tuition waivers and other aid, and repeal the obsolete military council now that the National Guard is its own department. Hardwick and Adjutant General Charlie Hausman said the cybersecurity provisions would let the Guard assist civilian agencies and critical infrastructure while preserving civilian control and consent, and that the revolving fund would support those efforts. Several members asked about the fiscal note, the scope of the new ribbons, the naming of the senior enlisted position, and how cyber requests would be coordinated; Hardwick said the bill was intended as a broad modernization measure and that the Veterans Commission already has funds for recognition programs. The committee also heard a separate informational presentation from the Healing Box Project, which provides guitars and lessons to disabled veterans; the witness described the program’s PTSD benefits and shared a story about a veteran whose life was saved by music. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please state your name and begin. that veterans organizations can use that that veterans organizations
• </c> property so many of our veterans property so many of our veterans organizations<00:02:06.439><c>
• </c> gaming proceeds for veterans gaming proceeds for veterans organizations<00:02:45.560><c> only</c
• </c><00:03:59.840><c> and</c> community loses the the the veteran and community loses the the the veteran
• We must honor our veterans 100%.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ' homes and veterans' service organizations.
• The second is adhering to the principle of every veteran a veteran, and that was importantly reinforced
• Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee.
• It also allows the flexibility to appoint tribal veteran representatives, National Guardsmen, or veterans
• , and formerly justice-involved veterans.

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on February 3, 2026, for executive session on 13 bills and a public hearing on Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1541. One published bill, Senate Bill 6123, was not moved forward. The executive session covered election integrity, holiday recognition, agency reporting and disclosure, veterans and state government administration, and several memorial or symbolic designations. Staff briefed each bill and several proposed substitutes or amendments, including changes to Senate Bills 5763, 6215, 6160, 6049, and 5784. Members discussed policy and fiscal concerns on some measures, including the cost of the aviation support grant program in SB 5763 and the inclusiveness of holiday recognition in SB 5950. The committee adopted amendments or substitutes where offered and advanced all of the bills it took up, generally by due-pass recommendation to the Rules Committee or, for fiscal measures, to the Ways and Means Committee. Senate Bill 5950’s amendment was withdrawn before final action, and Senator Hasegawa stated he would be without recommendation on that bill because a Buddhist observance was missing from the list. Other bills passed with little or no opposition, including SB 6084 on voting more than once, SB 6044 on Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, SB 6046 creating a Civil Air Patrol division, SB 6160 on agency reports, SB 6049 on public disclosure exemptions, SB 6164 on WOTEC information, SB 6313 creating a Capitol Centennial Stewardship Account, SB 5046 designating Kim Chie Day, and SB 5489 naming the Wilkinson sandstone the state sandstone. In the public hearing on ESHB 1541, staff explained that the bill would reorganize the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee by increasing at-large seats, reducing the number of VSO-designated seats, and allowing appointments to reflect military experience and personal attributes. The prime sponsor and Representative Simmons described the bill as a compromise developed after prior concerns, including representation for formerly justice-involved veterans, and said it would broaden advice to the governor. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs supported the bill, saying it would provide more flexibility in appointments and preserve a 17-member committee. The hearing closed with 57 pro and 1 con sign-ins, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The veteran would have to apply through their school veterans office for the grant money through the
• Department of Veterans Services.
• It's about the veteran.
• It doesn't matter where he attends veteran programs or veteran programs; it's about helping the veteran
• area, that it would affect veterans in the Valley, veterans, and just the entire state.

Bills: HB2416, HB2663, HB2759, HB2806

Keywords: border security, drug trafficking, human smuggling, law enforcement funding, Arizona, public safety, immigration, military leave, national guard, employment rights, paid leave, disaster response, veterans services, education programs, funding, appropriation, Yavapai county, lawful presence, public programs, verification

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE A PROGRAM REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS STATE VETERANS MAJOR DEFENDER HARTSELL
• WE KNOW WHERE WE NEED MORE STATE VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS BECAUSE MORE VETERANS ARE MOVING INTO FLORIDA
• AND VETERAN SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES.
• ALL THE VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS ARE VETERANS. THEY LIKE FIGHTING FOR OTHER VETERANS.
• I WENT OVER AND GOT TO TALK TO 101 YEAR OLD WAR VETERANS, COMBAT VETERANS, THEY WERE EXCITED AND SAID

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• David Kuta, past commander of the VFW, supporting 85,000 veterans, combat veterans.
• Veterans, like all Californians, are struggling with the high cost of living.
• Keeping veterans in California must be a priority. This bill opens that door.
• And this state tax and the local revenues can really help our veterans.
• If we can one day say that we do not tax our veterans’ pensions, imagine the number of veterans that

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that's your bill, and Chair Robbins is not a member of the Veterans and Military Affairs Division
• So many of our veterans organizations throughout the state have buildings that are in disrepair, need
• </c> community loses the the the veteran community loses the the the veteran support<00:02:46.800><c>
• </c><00:04:21.440><c> service</c> same building as Barry a veteran service same building as Barry a veteran
• </c><00:05:09.520><c> and</c> less of a safe space for veterans and less of a safe space for veterans

Keywords: 1183, house