Video & Transcript Research : 'transparency in voting'

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TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Criminal Jurisprudence Apr 29th, 2025

Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:
  • 2014 to 193 in 2022.
  • I'm in real estate. I don't know. I do not. I'm in real estate.
  • And this isn't— it happened in Houston, but it's happened in other places.
  • a fellow in federal court who was living in McKinney.
  • door in his own home.
Bills: HB115
Summary: The Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence reconvened with a quorum present and announced it would likely not vote that night because of confusion over the bill list; members were told a definitive list would be circulated the next morning and a formal meeting would be scheduled later. The chair then heard a series of bills, generally taking testimony and leaving each pending without action. House Bill 1847 would set maximum caseload standards for private attorneys handling indigent criminal appointments through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission; House Bill 2417 would expand compensation eligibility for some wrongfully imprisoned people; House Bill 2813 would require earlier and more specific victim notice of scheduled court proceedings; and House Bill 2309 would expand state and local authority in certain civil asset forfeiture cases involving human trafficking, health care fraud, and organized crime. Each bill was laid out by its author or a member, with no opposition witnesses registered, and each was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 4733, which would require sealing records for people acquitted of charges when they were not convicted on the related allegation; House Bill 2328, which would modernize expunction service by encouraging electronic notice, setting a standardized fee when electronic service is unavailable, extending clerk retention of expunction orders, and preserving certain mental health commitment orders; and House Bill 115, which would revise Texas’s “junk science” post-conviction writ law by providing counsel, changing the relief standard, requiring written decisions, and easing procedural barriers. Testimony on HB 2328 was mixed: county clerks supported the bill as a cost-saving modernization, while legal advocates warned that permanent retention of expunction orders could undermine true expunction and create privacy risks. HB 115 drew support from innocence and defense organizations, with some concern about a provision affecting subsequent writs. All were left pending after testimony. Later, the committee heard House Bill 2046, which would allow affirmative family-violence findings for any Penal Code offense rather than only Title V offenses; testimony from a Dallas County prosecutor and a committee member emphasized that family violence can involve arson, burglary, fraud, and other non-Title V conduct, and the bill was left pending. House Bill 1765 would tighten restrictions on no-knock warrants by requiring higher-level approval, judicial review, and identifiable officers; members discussed the dangers highlighted by the Harding Street raid and similar incidents, and the bill was also left pending. The meeting ended with the chair noting that some bills had been removed from the agenda at the author’s request and that members should be prepared to finalize the vote list the next day.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Mar 19th, 2025

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • in here Oh, just right in time. Uh, Corin is present. Good morning, everyone.
  • In fact, there are 27 counties in Texas that already have no printed newspaper in their county, and that
  • In in fact, in our case in Denton.
  • Anybody in the world could register to, uh, look for bids in any county or any city in Texas.
  • Uh, TPA members now publish their notices in print, in the, in the local paper, and they've also set
Bills: HB 186
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee Feb 19th, 2025

Ethics and Campaign Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • There’s not a lot of people in attendance for this. Madam Clerk, will you call the first bill?
  • It also says in there that if you've already submitted a statement for another reason, that you're...
  • Sir, just for clarity, qualifying papers in a local election are when they follow the clerk, correct?
  • say, "Here's my official declaration to candidacy," it starts the days from when you turn that paper in
  • All right, all those in favor say "Aye." Aye. All opposed, "No." The "Ayes" have it.
Bills: HB250
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/17/26

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • no on the bill here in committee, because when they vote on a bill in committee, they are voting to
  • , you are vote on a bill in committee, you are voting<00:35:03.440> to<00:35:03.680> re-refer
  • Representative Hudson said he remembered that the committee took a roll call vote in Public Safety and
  • I want to encourage you all to vote in support of House File 4138. My oldest daughter is now 20.
  • <00:59:08.240> File you all to vote in support of House File you all to vote in support of House
TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

Senate Session (Part II) Jul 21st, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And in 2021, you voted in favor of those congressional maps.
  • In order for us to have an equal and transparent type of process as we did back in 2021, it seems to
  • that it is in compliance with the Voting Rights Act.
  • That we passed in 2021 was legal under the Voting Rights Act.
  • In advance of us taking up a vote, folks would have 72 hours.
Summary: The meeting centered around the discussion of congressional redistricting, where the committee established the procedures to ensure a fair and transparent process. Led by Senator King, the session focused on adopting a resolution that authorized a special committee dedicated to congressional redistricting and allowed for regional hearings to gather public input via videoconferencing. Concerns were raised about ensuring adequate notice for public participation, especially from marginalized communities potentially affected by proposed changes. Disagreements emerged regarding the timeline for regional hearings and how to address the implications of the redistricting process on minority districts. Overall, participants acknowledged the complex nature of redistricting and the importance of engaging constituents in the legislative process.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 14th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're once again going back to the voters to ask them to reconsider what they voted for in 2020.
  • It was put in the statute where a majority vote of the House, a majority vote in the Senate, and a signature
  • Chair's prayer in the clothes of those wishing to vote or change their vote.
  • Those in favor will vote aye. Those opposing will vote nay.
  • Those in favor will vote aye, those opposing will vote nay. The clerk will open the roll.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 14th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Postier excellence in resident teaching award.
  • Today, we have a very special group of young people with us in the west gallery.
  • In addition to the sweepstakes, they've won numerous awards.
  • DeLong, right here in the front. We have, she was the winner of the OSM.
  • So, members, this is a group that excels in this area.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/25/2026 - Senate Government

Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • She wanted transparency in the disclosure. The homeowners deserve the knowledge.
  • Members, I vote of four ayes, two nays, and one not voting in HB 2015, a do pass recommendation. 4049
  • May I explain my vote, Mr. Chair? Yeah. So we all know we're in a 26-year drought.
  • Senator Hopkins. in the state and with that I voted an enthusiastic eye. I. Thank you. My vote, Mr.
  • And to advocate for or to vote against measures that would enshrine that in our Constitution, or to vote
Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the prior meetings and then took up several measures, beginning with HCR 2013, which would proclaim June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month in Arizona. The resolution drew emotional testimony in support from Crystal Cooper and Bella Stockton, both of whom shared personal stories about living with spina bifida and argued for celebrating life and supporting people with disabilities. Senator Kennedy voted no, saying the resolution was symbolic and did not address practical supports such as paid family leave, health care, housing, and school meals. The committee ultimately gave HCR 2013 a due pass recommendation on a 4-1 vote, with two members not voting. The committee then advanced HB 2327, as amended, clarifying protections for eligible persons’ identifying information in county recorder records and explicitly excluding voter registration records from the confidentiality provisions. Representative Hendricks said the bill was intended to fix problems created by earlier language protecting elected officials and first responders. The committee also passed HB 2258, which adds La Paz County to the Tourism Advisory Council’s geographic area, with no opposition testimony. A longer debate followed on HB 2397, which expands HOA/condominium disclosure requirements for prospective buyers, including bylaws, declarations, plats, meeting minutes, and information about assessments and known defects. Representative Biasucci said the bill was about transparency for buyers, while the Arizona Association of Community Managers raised concerns about cost and the scope of the disclosure requirements; the Arizona Homeowners Coalition supported the bill but opposed an amendment that would require managers to be on site for capital projects. The committee adopted two Hoffman amendments and then gave HB 2397 a due pass as amended recommendation. The committee also passed HB 2015, which imposes penalties on state agencies that miss federal audit reporting deadlines, and HB 4049, which changes how the Attorney General represents DCS in cases alleging misconduct; both drew opposition over concerns about punitive penalties and existing conflict procedures. Later, the committee approved HB 4087, authorizing a memorial plaque for former legislator Barbara Love, and HB 2100, which allows counties to authorize certain small land subdivisions, despite objections that it could weaken water-supply protections. The committee then passed HB 2460, as amended, preempting local ordinances that penalize businesses for abandoned or stolen movable property such as shopping carts; supporters argued cities were charging victims of theft, while cities and towns said the bill would undercut local nuisance enforcement and shift costs to taxpayers. Finally, the committee began hearing HCR 2056, a proposed constitutional referral recognizing a right to refuse medical mandates, with Representative Cooper and supporters framing it as bodily autonomy and opponents warning it would weaken public health protections, especially in schools and during outbreaks.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Senate Session Aug 19th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • in Christ.
  • We're not just voting on a policy, we're voting on people's lives.
  • It's a solution in search of a problem, and for those reasons, I will be voting no. Thank you, Mr.
  • Ladies and gentlemen, this bill is yet another in a line of bills designed to suppress the vote.
  • If I lived in your district and I didn't vote for you, then my tax dollars would still go towards the
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce May 13th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • It hasn't been changed in the 14 years since it was adopted in 2011.
  • In order to increase transparency. I urge this committee to pass HB 4219. Thank you. Thank you.
  • an effort to promote government transparency. transparency and citizen participation.
  • Taxpayers here in our state pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation, and this is due in
  • AB 1522 provides some much-needed transparency by mandating that, in addition to Uh, posting three business
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Business and Commerce May 13th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • It hasn't been changed in the 14 years since it was adopted in 2011.
  • HB 1522 provides some much needed transparency by mandating that in addition to, John Burra: posting
  • The first is in subsection C.
  • We led in that.
  • This is work in progress.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • It hasn't been changed in the 14 years since it was adopted in 2011.
  • In order to increase transparency, I urge this committee to pass HB 4219. Thank you.
  • HB 1522 provides some much-needed transparency by mandating that, in addition to posting three business
  • HB 1522 provides some much-needed transparency by mandating that in addition to posting three business
  • We led in that.
Summary: The committee first took up pending business and favorably reported several House bills without opposition, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061. Each was moved out of committee with a recommendation that it do pass and be printed, and several were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard HB 3306, which would extend existing construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure construction, maintenance, and vegetation management work for electric utilities and transmission and distribution utilities. The sponsor said the bill would reduce litigation and insurance costs for ratepayers, while construction industry witnesses argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity in a way Texas law has generally prohibited since 2011. HB 3306 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill to repeal an outdated Finance Code provision requiring remittance of a portion of certain delinquency charges to the state, and HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all Department of Banking-requested cleanup bills dealing with confidentiality and supervision rules for perpetual care funds, state banks, and trust companies. Those bills were briefly explained and left pending without testimony. HB 4219, aimed at improving Public Information Act compliance by requiring timely notice when records do not exist or are being withheld, allowing complaints to the Attorney General, and imposing training and fee consequences for noncompliance, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst and was also left pending. The committee then heard HB 4238 on coerced debt and identity theft. The sponsor explained that the committee substitute narrows the bill to court-ordered findings of identity theft/coerced debt, gives collectors seven business days to stop collection activity, and removes a section to avoid litigation over court orders. A law professor and a family violence advocate testified in strong support, describing coerced debt as a barrier for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors trying to rebuild credit and access housing, jobs, and utilities. The bill was left pending. HB 1522, which would require local governments to post meeting notices three business days in advance and make budget materials more accessible online and in physical form, also drew support, though a school business officials representative raised concerns about the timing language, proposed-budget wording, and taxpayer impact statements for school districts; the bill was left pending after discussion. Later, the committee heard additional pending bills, including a PUC background-check bill that would expand the commission’s authority to check current employees and contractors and obtain FBI criminal history information, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending HOA solar-panel protections to solar tiles, and HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance and recycler solvency. HB 3228 received support from a Sierra Club witness who said recycling and disposal plans are needed for end-of-life renewable energy equipment, and HB 3229 was described as requiring recyclers to show financial resources at 125 percent through a letter of credit or bond. These bills were heard and left pending.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce May 13th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • In order to increase transparency, I urge this committee to pass HB 4219. Thank you.
  • HB 1522 provides some much-needed transparency by mandating that, in addition to posting three business
  • HB 1522 provides some much-needed transparency by mandating that in addition to posting three business
  • We led in that.
  • We led in that.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up pending business, reporting several House bills favorably to the full Senate, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061, with some also recommended for the local and uncontested or contested calendars. The committee then heard and left pending HB 3306, which would extend construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure work, including construction, maintenance, and vegetation management for utilities. Supporters said it would align utility infrastructure work with public works and reduce litigation and ratepayer costs, while opponents argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity concerns. Members also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill repealing an outdated Finance Code provision tied to delinquency charges on retail charge accounts, and left it pending without testimony. The committee then considered several Department of Banking cleanup bills, including HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all left pending after brief explanations and no public opposition. HB 4219, dealing with public information requests, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst who said it would improve transparency by requiring timely responses, notice when records do not exist, and training or fee consequences for noncompliance; it was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4238, a committee substitute addressing coerced debt and identity theft, which would bar collection of certain debts from victims who obtain a qualifying court order. A law professor and a family violence advocate supported the bill as narrow, protective relief for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors, and it was left pending. Other bills heard and left pending included HB 1522 on local government budget meeting posting and taxpayer impact disclosures, HB 4344 authorizing background checks for PUC employees and contractors, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending solar-panel HOA protections to solar tiles, HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance, and HB 1922 clarifying the accrual date for construction defect claims under right-to-repair law. The committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • I know that many in this chamber have experienced the loss of a loved one in and around this particular
  • Organized in 1939 when Democrats were in charge, Oklahoma... ...are dedicated to serving the needs of
  • As you know, Representative, this legislative body that me and you have both been in— you've been in
  • a row. $200 million ten years in a row—that's not even what we've got in the CLO.
  • We still are, as normal, making a deal and voting on the budget within one week, as we have done in the
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Secretary, please call roll while we have everyone in here. Well, had everyone in here.
  • authorities here in the Commonwealth. authorities here in the Commonwealth.
  • In addition, our coverage for the state government and for the three branches of government in general
  • <00:08:35.919> Um for our current system in 2030. Um for our current system in 2030.
  • Um in addition, you know, of state.
Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance held its first meeting and heard a presentation from personnel cabinet officials on a major request to replace the Kentucky Human Resources Information System, known as CHRIS, which currently handles HR, payroll, tax compliance, and health plan administration for state government and several local offices. Officials said the system supports payroll for about 48,000 employees, covers all three branches of government and 24 sheriff and county clerk offices, and stores records for nearly 475,000 current and former users. They explained that SAP has said the system will reach end of life and lose support by 2030, creating risks around security, maintenance, and tax compliance if it is not replaced. Commissioners and staff emphasized that the replacement is needed not just as an upgrade but as a full system replacement, especially because the current platform no longer receives meaningful HR enhancements and will eventually lose security updates and tax tables. They also described the Kentucky Employees Health Plan as a major driver of the project, noting it serves nearly 300,000 covered lives, many school boards, pre-65 retirees, and more than 700 entities, with significant complexity in billing, premium collection, and regulatory compliance. Officials said the new system would help address current manual workarounds, support changing insurance rules, and better protect personally identifiable and health information. Members asked detailed questions about the $151 million request, including why the estimate had risen by more than $50 million, what would happen if the project missed the 2030 deadline, how progress would be tracked, how vendor costs were estimated, and what the largest cost components would cover. Officials said the increase was mainly due to inflation and changing requirements, and that there was no real backup plan if the replacement was not completed before support ends. They said the project would be managed through an RFP process expected in July 2026, with kickoff in January 2027 and go-live by July 2030, and that oversight would include an enterprise steering committee, monthly updates, and existing quarterly COT reporting to LRC. They also explained that the largest share of the request is for implementation and integrator services, with additional amounts for software licensing and hosting, independent verification and validation, dependent verification, FSA administration, and limited contract support, and that payments would be tied to deliverables and acceptance testing.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Ways and Means Committee 5/2/25

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Opposed? Motion prevails, and the minutes are approved.
  • So all those in favor of my motion say aye. Opposed? Motion prevails.
  • back up scheduled on Monday until further notice, or can we start understanding when we might see it in
  • attention every day, uh, there was a day last week, I believe it was, where this meeting was completed in
  • completed it was, where this meeting was completed it was, where this meeting was completed in
Bills: SF1832, HF2440, HF2442