Video & Transcript Research : 'Sam Houston'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Custodial accounts for virtual currency 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We do have a couple of testifiers on the bill, and the first one will be Sam Smith, government affairs
- with your testimony. >> Co-chairs O'Driscoll and Cable Kaggel, members of the committee, my name is Sam
- um on the bill and the first one<00:03:46.959>
will <00:03:47.120>be <00:03:47.280>Sam - <00:03:47.599>
Smith, <00:03:48.080>government one will be Sam Smith, government one - members of the committee, my name is Sam members of the committee, my name is Sam Smith<00:04:05.840
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House File 3709, which would allow Minnesota banks and credit unions to offer custodial accounts for digital assets such as cryptocurrency. The bill authors said the measure is intended to let local financial institutions provide a regulated “digital safety deposit box” service, keeping innovation and consumer choice under Minnesota oversight rather than pushing customers to out-of-state or offshore providers. The Department of Commerce testified in support, saying it appreciates efforts to incorporate virtual currency into the regulatory framework and that the bill levels the playing field for trusted community institutions.
Members and testifiers discussed whether the bill was really about consumer protection, institutional competitiveness, or both. Supporters from the Minnesota Credit Union Network and St. Cloud Financial Credit Union said the bill helps local institutions remain relevant as customers increasingly ask for crypto services, and one testifier said the credit union had seen significant liquidity leave local communities for exchanges. They also emphasized that the accounts are custodial, not exchange services, and are not NCUA-insured; one witness noted some institutions may obtain private insurance for risks like loss of keys or hacking. A Department of Commerce witness also said the agency is working on separate legislation to address unclaimed virtual currency property.
Several members raised concerns about volatility, scams, and whether the bill simply helps banks stay relevant. In response, supporters argued that local institutions can provide a trusted point of contact and help customers avoid fraud, unlike stand-alone crypto exchanges or kiosks. The committee also discussed fees, with one witness saying the credit union’s expected charge would be percentage-based with a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $25. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- One other question: what does the City of Houston get from these tolls, these excess tolls?
- And so this, I'm trying, have we had any testimony from the City of Houston on this?
- And I would hope that this bill will be bracketed to Houston, and that it include Corpus Christi.
- I serve as Chief Government and Public Relations Officer of Port Houston.
- I think this is great for Houston and those other ports that may also want it, that's fine.
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation infrastructure, public safety, and local commemorations. SB 2841 would clarify the overweight corridor designation for the Port of Brownsville so all three statutorily approved bridges are treated uniformly for northbound and southbound overweight traffic; the Port of Brownsville testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 39 would restore the commercial motor vehicle “admission rule” framework in collision cases; Senator Birdwell explained the committee substitute, and the bill was later reported favorably. The committee also heard and later advanced SB 682, SB 1369, and SB 1422, which rename stretches of highway or a bridge in honor of fallen firefighters and military service members, with no opposition testimony and all left pending before final votes.
The committee also heard SB 2366, which would create a grant program for short-line railroad projects through rural rail transportation districts for track, bridge, capacity, and restoration work. Senator Hughes and several witnesses from rural rail districts and rail advocacy groups supported the bill, while TxDOT explained current rail funding is limited and that the bill would be the first such grant program for Class 3 short lines; members discussed that the bill would need a floor amendment because state funds cannot be paid directly to railroads. SB 1013 would expand crosswalk protections under the Lisa Torrey-Smith Act to include certain driveway curb cuts along sidewalks; it was supported by the author and left pending before later being reported favorably.
The committee also considered SB 2080, which would modernize port and navigation district rules by easing records and procurement requirements, exempting certain security and cybersecurity discussions from recording, and expanding some operational authority. Port Houston and the Texas Ports Association supported the bill, while the City of Corpus Christi raised concerns that the language could expand port economic-development authority beyond navigation purposes and affect local tax bases; the Port of Galveston also noted concerns about the filed version but supported the bill as presented, and the committee substitute was later reported favorably. SB 2001 would create specialty license plates and related parking/toll benefits for permanently disabled peace officers; SB 2705 would codify registration exemptions for certain farm equipment and some specialty plates. Both were supported by witnesses, adopted with committee substitutes where applicable, and reported favorably. Final votes on the reported bills were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, and the committee recessed after leaving some motions open briefly.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Press Conference: High Speed Rail Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- trend pero tenemosel crescimiento de poblacion and Sonas del norte Texas centro de Texas itam in Houston
- Oh, I'll get in Houston Yegando a San Antonio enunaora.
- Imagine the opportunities that are unlocked for Texans if you can live in Dallas and be in Houston in
- If you could be in Houston and get to San Antonio and or Austin in one hour already if I need to drive
- It takes bills like, like the projects work in Houston, Dallas, hopefully connecting the bottom end of
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Honorable Sam Graves. Dear Mr.
- 27.680>
Honorable House of Representatives, the Honorable House of Representatives, the Honorable Sam - <04:57:29.920>
Chairman, <04:57:30.638>this Sam Graves. Dear Mr. - Chairman, this Sam Graves. Dear Mr.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: High Speed Rail Apr 28th, 2025 at 09:04 am
Transcript Highlights:
- type of train, but we have the growth of population in zones in North Texas, Central Texas, and also Houston
- , or someone in Houston getting to San Antonio in one hour.
- Imagine the opportunities that are unlocked for Texans if you can live in Dallas and be in Houston in
- one hour, if you could be in Houston and get to San Antonio and/or Austin in one hour.
- It takes bills like the projects work in Houston, Dallas, hopefully connecting the bottom end of the
Keywords:
House Bill 483, high-speed rail, transportation network, Texas, public testimony, rail connectivity, economic development
Summary:
The meeting was a press event in support of House Bill 483 and its Senate companion, SB 424, which would repeal the current state ban on high-speed rail investment and direct TxDOT to partner with a private entity to develop a Dallas-Austin-San Antonio rail line along the I-35 corridor. Rep. John Bucy, County Judge Andy Brown, Rep. Rafael Anchia, Rep. Ray Lopez, and Sen. Sarah Eckhardt all argued that Texas’ population growth and highway congestion make passenger rail a necessary transportation alternative and a long-term economic development tool. They emphasized benefits such as reduced commute times, improved mobility, lower congestion and emissions, stronger workforce access, and better connections between major metro areas.
Testimony focused on the Texas Triangle as a strong candidate for high-speed rail because of its population density, flat geography, and existing growth patterns. Speakers cited examples from other places, including Florida’s Brightline and rail systems in other countries, to argue that Texas is behind and could catch up through public-private partnerships. They also discussed transit-oriented development, last-mile connections through local systems like DART and Austin’s Project Connect, and the possibility of future expansion beyond the initial corridor. In response to questions, Bucy said the bill would allow TxDOT to seek bids and keep costs flexible, that the line would likely require dedicated high-speed track, and that express service could reduce Austin-San Antonio travel time to roughly 30 minutes and Austin-Dallas to under an hour and a half, though no launch date was set.
No formal vote or committee action was taken in the transcript. The event ended with Bucy saying the bill was a positive step and could become a bipartisan effort to build a more connected Texas.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, in HPD, the Houston Police Department has 143 meet-and-confer.
- Part of their contract between HPD and the City of Houston is to get protections to officers when the
- For example, in HPD, the Houston Police Department has 143 meet-and-confer.
- representing the officers and the City of Houston.
- And like Houston, we do have a unit inside our office.
Keywords:
gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 14, which would create a confidential department file for law enforcement officers and jailers and limit public access to records involving unsubstantiated misconduct, while preserving access for hiring agencies, TCOLE, and certain criminal justice uses. TCOLE’s Gretchen Grigsby explained the current rollout of law enforcement recordkeeping reforms, including the distinction between the public personnel file and the confidential G-file, and answered questions about when TCOLE would request files during investigations. Senator Perry and other members focused on how the bill would interact with existing personnel-file rules, public transparency, and criminal discovery obligations.
Public testimony was largely opposed. Critics argued the bill was drafted too broadly, could sweep in records beyond misconduct files, and would reduce transparency for the public, journalists, oversight bodies, and families seeking answers in cases such as Uvalde and jail deaths in Tarrant County. Several witnesses said the bill could allow small or single-officer agencies, including elected constables, to shield their own records, and some warned it could chill reporting and oversight. Supporters, including law enforcement representatives, said the bill would protect officers from false or unsubstantiated allegations, align agencies without civil-service protections with those that already have G-files, and preserve confidentiality for records that should not be public. Dallas County prosecutors and Harris County deputies supported the general policy but asked for clarifying amendments, especially to separate language they said could affect the Michael Morton Act and to preserve existing protections through in-camera review or protective orders.
Committee members spent significant time questioning witnesses about how substantiated versus unsubstantiated allegations would be handled, whether body camera footage and case files would remain public, and how the bill would affect discovery in criminal cases. After hearing all registered witnesses, the chair closed public testimony. Senate Bill 14 was left pending, and the committee recessed.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a trillion dollars actually per year economic impact with the Houston Ship Channel.
- My name is Captain Clint Winneger, presiding officer of the Houston Ship Pilots.
- The Houston Ship Channel alone, a process that I think is probably ended for the moment.
- My name is Captain Clint Winneger, presiding officer of the Houston ship pilots.
- The Houston Ship Channel is 47 feet, but we’ll take 45 feet to Houston. Yeah.
Keywords:
SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service
Summary:
The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills.
A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4.
The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Sam Flynn.
- Uh, Sam, first to you, uh, thank you for your excellent presentation.
- Thank you, Sam. And then Rachel, first of all, it's good to see you again.
- I think the best way is I think um Sam I think the best way is I think um Sam explained<01:07:46.720
- >> And it looks like Sam, you want to... >> Yes.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 20th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Same thing in Houston.
- In Houston, correct? That's Saturday, yes.
- In the Houston area. On mine, are you talking about? On yours.
- In fact, in Houston, over 38% of the population is Hispanic.
- Houston Arlington, yes. That, I don't know.
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, 997, house, all
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Press Conference: Lt. Governor Dan Patrick Feb 12th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I have support letters on this package from Mayor Whitmire back in Houston.
- His killer was arrested thanks to the hard work of the Houston Police Department and Crime Stoppers.
- I'm the Director of Victim Services for Crime Stoppers of Houston.
- I was in the mayor's office for 18 years, at the Houston Police Department, and I'm now running Crime
- We started the Houston Crime Commission a long time ago, long before I was in office.
Keywords:
SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And just so you're aware, we're all pretty nice people up here, but Sam is not.
- And just so you're aware, we're all pretty nice people up here, but Sam is not.
- Of course, Sam and I 2 minutes a piece.
- Vice Chair Putnam, Sam.
- Um, Sam forgot to start the clock. I had an opportunity, so I think that means you did pretty well.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- What does the City of Houston get from these tolls now? This totals down to zero.
- I'm trying to see if we had any testimony from the City of Houston on this.
- Wishing you the best of luck, Kerry Kenry from the Board of Houston.
- I serve as Chief Government and Public Relations Officer of Port Houston.
- I think this is great for Houston. Those ports may also want that, and that's fine.
Keywords:
memorial highway, Captain Kevin Williams, Firefighter Austin Cheek, Smith County, transportation, pedestrian right-of-way, sidewalk users, bicycle safety, micromobility, electric scooter, motor-assisted scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device, skateboard, roller skates, driveway crossing, alley crossing, traffic safety, yield law, Texas Transportation Code, vehicle-pedestrian collision
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Ruben Mercado Jr., and I'm the founder and chairman of Ipsum General Contractors out of Houston
- founded Impulse Healthcare in 2005 and supported the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston
- I'm with a company called Houston Construction Services.
- I'm not going to read the whole dissertation, but I'm here to tell you that if the Houston HUB program
- , for the chapter in Houston and throughout Texas, we came to support it.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- rise for the invocation which will be offered by Cardinal Daniel Denardo from the Archdiocese of Houston
- Galveston in Houston.
- honor to introduce His Eminence, Daniel Carner Donardo of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Galveston, Houston
- served in Bishop, I'm sorry, Pittsburgh, Rome, and Sioux City before becoming Archbishop of Galveston, Houston
- A University of Houston graduate, he established and operated a real estate firm specializing in farm
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce. Okay.
- Service-Connected Disabled Veteran and I serve as the Government Affairs Task Force Chair for the Houston
- We were named the Subcontractor of the Year for my business with KBR in Houston for work we did for them
- I am on the board of directors for the Houston Regional... ...Veterans Chamber, but also a business owner
- I currently serve on the board of directors for the Houston Regional Veterans Chamber, as well as in
Keywords:
veteran-owned businesses, state contracting, historically underutilized business, economic opportunity, small business, economic development, veterans, certification, Texas legislation, unmanned aircraft, spaceport, criminal offense, aviation regulations, airspace safety, military installations, concurrent jurisdiction, governor's approval, state agency, land acquisition, Veteran Affairs
Summary:
The meeting of the Committee on Veteran Affairs addressed several significant bills aimed at supporting veterans and their businesses. Among the bills discussed was SB390, which seeks to expand the definition of historically underutilized businesses to include all veteran-owned businesses, regardless of disability status. This change aims to create a more equitable economic landscape for veterans and to foster their participation in state procurement opportunities. The committee heard strong testimony supporting this initiative, emphasizing the importance of providing veterans with fair chances in business development.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I represented South Central and Southwest Houston.
- My name is Rick Noriega from Houston, Texas.
- Area of Houston. And I love Houston. And We won. The Astros won. Yesterday.
- I'm John Culberson from Houston and I was elected in 1986 in my second year of law school and came here
- I was elected in 2000 to represent West Houston in the United States Congress, so I served 1818 years
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Mar 17th, 2026
Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, uh, members of the committee, uh, my name is Sam Albritton.
- > uh<00:08:48.839>
my <00:08:49.000>name <00:08:49.200>is <00:08:49.320>Sam - committee, uh my name is Sam Albritton. committee, uh my name is Sam Albritton.
- In short, we are landowners, long-term neighbors, and prolific agricultural producers, as Sam mentioned
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Omnibus tax finance and policy bill, HF9, passed in Minnesota House 6/9/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of course our CAS Patrick McQuillin, who has just been on a really kind of wild path with us as has Sam
- a really kind of wild path with us as on a really kind of wild path with us as has<00:30:56.799>
Sam - Moyer over the last several has Sam Moyer over the last several weeks.<00:31:00.000>
Um <00:31 - And then when it comes over here, um, Jennifer Goldblers, uh, Jacob, and Sam, thank you.
- You've done an awesome Sam, thank you.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- While we've been here, on an average day, about 20 people have moved to Houston.
- In the last two years, more than 300,000 people moved to Houston.
- Houston exports things all around the world.
- Jason mentioned trade, moving out of Houston, not more than Laredo.
- to power Houston.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And as an example of that, the Dolger case from Houston in 2021, they could not... ...the Dolger case
- from Houston in 2021, they couldn't even get the case transferred from one district court in Houston
- That's the Dolger case and Dolinger case from Houston.
- That's the Dolger case and Dolinger case from from Houston.
- It was in 2021, out of the Houston Court of Appeals. As Ms.
Summary:
The committee first adopted its rules, which were distributed in the same form as the prior session’s rules. Members then took up several bills, beginning with SB 711, an HOA/condominium association bill that would extend and conform property-owner protections to condominium associations; the bill’s author and a Community Associations Institute representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 942 would allow child support and certain prenatal/postnatal medical expenses to be calculated from the date of conception rather than birth; it drew supportive testimony from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Attorney General’s Child Support Division, and was also left pending after testimony. SB 1448, an estates and probate cleanup bill, would require transfer of original wills by qualified delivery, add notice and electronic-order requirements for statutory probate courts, and make other clarifications; it received supportive testimony from the Texas Real Estate and Probate Institute and was left pending.
The committee also heard SB 1403, the Attorney General’s Title IV-D child support modernization bill, which updates notice, review, remote-hearing, and administrative-process provisions and clarifies several enforcement and evidence rules; the AG’s office testified that it would improve efficiency, and the bill remained pending. SB 1404 would allow courts to require an email address in final SAPCR orders when other contact information is nondisclosed and clarify service and judgment requirements; the Attorney General’s office described it as a good-government measure, and it was left pending. SB 1559 would require transfer of protective orders into divorce or custody cases to avoid conflicting orders; family-law practitioners and a family court judge testified that it would resolve longstanding conflicts identified by multiple courts of appeals, and the bill remained pending.
Finally, the committee considered SB 746, a guardianship bill that would address conflicts of interest in guardianship proceedings, allow guardian ad litem appointment earlier in the process, and require timely court action on annual guardianship reports and accounts; a committee substitute would remove some provisions and extend a reporting deadline from 20 to 30 days. TREP supported the bill, and one practitioner suggested requiring courts to state reasons when rejecting annual accounts. SB 1536 would require dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain family guardians, with a committee substitute narrowing the scope and reducing the training time from three hours to one; the Alzheimer’s Association supported the measure and the substitute, and the bill was left pending. No bills were voted out of committee during the meeting.