Video & Transcript Research : 'declaratory statement'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAL Public Hearing - Tue Feb 3,2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- this language into a written statement this language into a written statement from<00:23:04.320>
- :37.279>
like <00:24:37.679>if statement would be something like if statement would be - updated their website with a statement updated their website with a statement that<01:25:30.320>
- that statement still on their website. that statement still on their website.
- well, I got a statement actually. well, I got a statement actually.
Summary:
The Committee on Water and Land met on February 3, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, with the chair emphasizing a two-minute limit and noting that bills would die if the hearing ran past noon. For HB 1848, the Commission on Water Resource Management and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development both supported the measure with technical, non-substantive amendments. Testimony focused on requiring early consultation about water availability in district boundary amendment petitions, with water officials explaining that the petitioner should submit a written statement reflecting consultation and that the goal was to identify water constraints earlier in the development process. The Land Use Commission’s representative opposed the bill, arguing that water availability is already addressed through existing environmental review and agency consultation, that the issue had been raised and rejected before, and that the proposal could create unnecessary delay or litigation.
The committee then heard HB 1728 on rainwater catchment systems. The Commission on Water Resource Management said it acknowledged the bill’s intent but deferred to counties and other regulatory agencies, including the Department of Health, on regulatory implications. Hawaii Realtors testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing shown.
For HB 1652 on storm water management systems, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken protections created by Act 281 (“Sharkey’s Law”) and increase drowning risk for children by exempting certain water features from safety requirements. The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii supported the bill, saying the language clarifies and better balances child safety with practical green stormwater infrastructure, including depth-based limits and exemptions for certain agricultural ponds. The Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the agricultural pond exemption, saying such ponds are used for irrigation, livestock, and fire control and are generally away from the public. A private testifier, Allison Schaers, opposed the bill and described her daughter’s drowning in a detention basin, arguing that poor maintenance can turn stormwater features into dangerous hazards. The hearing ended without any recorded committee action or vote in the excerpt provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Audit Commission 11/4/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So for purchasing card statements, the governor's office paid 29 of 30 purchasing card statements late
- 09:07.760>
the for purchasing card statements, the for purchasing card statements, the governor's - These purchasing card statements late.
- Seven statements had no support.
- Eight statements were missing some receipts, and four statements were missing itemized receipts.
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation from the legislative auditor on a performance audit of the governor’s office and lieutenant governor’s office covering July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024. The audit reviewed receipts, inventory, payroll, and non-payroll expenditures and found 12 findings, concluding the office generally did not comply with the criteria tested because of internal control deficiencies. The auditor said four of five prior findings that remained relevant were not fully resolved, and that the problems were widespread across financial operations, creating opportunities for waste and fraud, though no evidence of wrongdoing or misuse of funds was found.
The main findings involved weak segregation of duties, late vendor payments, inaccurate reimbursements and vendor payments, missing documentation, and poor receipt management. Auditors said one employee handled purchasing, receiving, payment processing, and inventory functions without adequate oversight; vendors were often paid late, resulting in more than $1,000 in late/reactivation fees; reimbursements and some state airplane payments contained errors; and many vendor payments, reimbursements, and purchasing card transactions lacked required support. The office also failed to collect about $12,000 for events at the governor’s residence, did not fully process several deposits, and lacked documentation for some billed or deposited amounts.
Members reacted strongly to the repeated control failures and the lack of documentation, with several saying the issues were pervasive and concerning even if the dollar amounts were not large. Questions focused on whether the problems reflected different treatment of vendors versus employee expenses, whether restitution was being sought, and whether legislation was needed. The auditor responded that the state already has the necessary policies and procedures, and that the issue is implementation and oversight by the governor’s office, not new legislation. The auditor also said the governor’s office had been receptive and had begun taking steps to address the findings.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 427 dealt with the requirement that many of our local governments have to file financial statements
- loan or grant to the water district and to set up a procedure by which they can obtain financial statements
- to know what our local governments are doing. ...the funding, and yet they don't file financial statements
- 427 dealt with the... ...requirement that many of our local governments have to file financial statements
- Yet they don't file financial statements, and as a result, we're left in the dark.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 2 - 03/27/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:48:25.480>
in important to have that statement in important to have that statement in - <00:53:50.160>
just though I agree with the statement just though I agree with the statement - That sounds kind of like a purpose statement.
- can and to not use a general statement can and to not use a general statement like this<00:58:08.760
- placement Joy made suicidal statements placement Joy made suicidal statements and<02:19:59.000><
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Closing statement.
- Any closing statement, opening statement, comments? Yes, sir. I think it's a good bill.
- Now, an opening statement, please. Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair.
- opening statement comments yes sir I think it's a good bill I disagree with my friend statement opening
- Chairman, I rise to make an opening statement. If you could move this.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, guest introductions, and a resolution honoring former legislator Barbara Leff, which was unanimously adopted. The chamber also received a long list of first and second readings, then moved into Committee of the Whole on calendar number one. Several measures were considered and advanced with amendments, including HB 2170 on restricting state purchases from Chinese-controlled entities, HB 2375 on preserving historic properties while allowing middle housing, HB 2380 on school board transparency and meeting location requirements, HB 2617, HB 2621 on special education access and certificates of educational convenience, HB 2671, HB 2720 on sealed records and anti-human trafficking funding, HB 2772 on DNR designation on driver’s licenses, HB 2784 on school district excess cash refunds, HB 2902 affirming the Electoral College, HB 2950 on a tourism/hospitality district, and HB 4025 creating a study committee on the feasibility of an Arizona oil refinery.
Debate on HB 2375 focused on balancing historic preservation with middle housing, with supporters emphasizing local flexibility and opponents warning against a one-size-fits-all approach. HB 2380 drew discussion about school district accountability after a district’s out-of-state retreat, with supporters arguing meetings should occur within district boundaries and materials be posted online, while opponents said local boards should retain discretion. HB 2621’s amendment was described as ensuring special-needs students in unorganized territory and group homes can access services through certificates of educational convenience. HB 2720 was presented as strengthening protections for sex trafficking survivors and adding an anti-human trafficking grant fund. HB 2772 prompted questions about how DNR instructions on driver’s licenses would work in emergencies, with the sponsor saying it would protect advance directives while emergency personnel still provide appropriate care until information is known.
HB 2902 generated extended partisan debate over the Electoral College versus a national popular vote, with supporters calling the Electoral College a constitutional safeguard and opponents arguing it violates one person, one vote and overweights swing states. HB 2950 involved competing amendments over whether a tourism-related district should be voluntary or could impose fees, with the Kolodin opt-in/opt-out amendment defeated and the bill advancing as amended. HB 4025, a study committee on an Arizona refinery, drew debate over fuel prices, refinery feasibility, environmental concerns, and whether taxpayer money should fund another study. In each of these Committee of the Whole actions, the House ultimately adopted the committee or amended recommendations and ordered the measures forward by voice vote.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee Dec 15th, 2025
Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And also early in 2026, we will be completing the final supplemental environmental impact statement and
- Supplemental impact statement and seeking signatures from the signatories to that document.
- So the supplemental environmental impact statement will have that determination.
- So that's a summary, kind of a statement. That we have with the federal funding.
- So that's a summary, kind of a statement about the remarks that you've just made.
Summary:
The Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee met for a work session and public hearing on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement program. Program staff outlined major milestones, including the recent biological opinion, the Coast Guard’s opening of a public comment period on the Navigation Impact Report, expected decisions in early 2026 on navigational clearance and the final supplemental environmental impact statement, and a possible amended record of decision in 2026. They also discussed the Bridge Investment Program grant amendment deadline, the need for an initial finance plan, and ongoing community outreach and contractor engagement. Greg Johnson announced he was stepping down as program administrator, and Carly Francis introduced herself as interim administrator.
A large portion of the meeting focused on design and cost questions. Staff said the program is studying fixed and movable spans, single- and double-deck configurations, and one versus two auxiliary lanes, with final recommendations to be made through the federal environmental process. They said the Coast Guard’s decision is central to what bridge configuration is permittable and to the timing of the updated cost estimate, which has not yet been released. Members pressed for more detail on cost drivers, potential impacts to businesses upriver, and whether the states would need to seek additional funding. Staff said they had reached agreements with four impacted river users, but the underlying evaluation materials are protected and not publicly releasable.
The committee also reviewed transit-related questions. Staff explained that light rail remains part of the modified locally preferred alternative and that ridership and operations estimates are being updated using federal modeling methods. They said projected opening-day transit operations and maintenance costs have dropped from an earlier estimate of $21.8 million to about $10.3 million annually because the current model assumes lower frequency, with Oregon and Washington shares split by geography and fare recovery. Members raised concerns about TriMet’s financial stability and the need for a funding plan by fall 2027, ahead of a planned federal transit funding application in fall 2028.
During public testimony, several speakers criticized the delay in releasing a new cost estimate and argued the project scope should be reduced if costs continue to rise. Testifiers from City Observatory and the Just Crossing Alliance said the project appears to be avoiding bad news, urged the committee to consider scope reductions, and questioned whether the active transportation and freeway components align with the project’s core purpose. The meeting ended with thanks to Johnson for his service and a transition to public hearing testimony.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- There's some, I didn't hear that last statement. There's room for improvement with it.
- True or false statement, do you think?
- I just wanted to clarify that and make sure that that was maybe a strident statement.
- Is that a fair statement? Yes. So I think that could be something you could allow for.
- Is that a fair statement? Yes. So I think that could be something you could allow for.
Bills:
HB18, HB37, HB 116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB 1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744
Keywords:
rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388
Summary:
The committee first reopened testimony on House Bill 2216, which would strengthen child welfare requirements by expanding “active efforts” to help families avoid removal and support reunification, while also raising standards related to removals and terminations. Supporters from child welfare and family defense groups said the bill would better protect families and align Texas more closely with ICWA-style principles, but several warned it would require significant new funding, staffing, and community services such as mental health care, housing, child care, and substance use treatment. The committee then left HB 2216 pending.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 1782, aimed at boarding and group homes. Senator Miles said the bill closes enforcement gaps left by prior law by requiring retention of background-check records and creating misdemeanor penalties for failing to conduct or keep them, or for knowingly hiring people with serious convictions. Harris County sheriff’s investigators testified in support, describing illegal boarding homes, operators who evade permits and background checks, and exploitation of vulnerable residents; the bill was left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 481 on emergency preparedness for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, adopted a new committee substitute that softened some requirements and removed the fiscal note, and left the bill pending.
The committee then heard House Bill 388, which would require the Texas Department of Insurance to create a single standardized coordination-of-benefits form for dual health plans to reduce errors and surprise bills; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1590 would move paternity registry searches for adoptions to an electronic process with a 10-day target, and House Bill 2809 would track child suicide attempts in managing conservatorship and require related reporting and parental notice; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1887, which would prohibit administering mRNA-containing products for immunization for 10 years, with exceptions for cancer and genetic disorders. Supporters argued the bill was needed for safety, informed consent, and medical freedom, while opponents from the medical, research, and public health communities said mRNA vaccines are well-studied, save lives, and that the bill would harm access, research, and Texas’s biotech economy. The bill remained under discussion as testimony concluded.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- And so, to your point, heavy lift, yes, I don't disagree with the statement there.
- Representative, I would like to know if you would agree with this statement from a...
- I think I may know your answer, sir, but would you agree with that statement or disagree?
- Statement or disagree. Thank you for being maybe rightfully presumptuous in my answer.
- Mine is less of a debate than more of a statement of kind of where I stand.
Keywords:
high-demand facilities, electric utilities, public infrastructure, water management, taxpayer-funded subsidies, decommissioning plans, local control, citizen initiative, referendum, HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers, cryptocurrency mining, large load customer, electric rates
US
Transcript Highlights:
- Martin has a long record of objectionable statements and conduct.
- That is an appalling statement. especially for someone who's asking this committee to approve his nomination
- the United States for participating in protests. where the question is raised as to whether their statements
- And he needs to read some history books because based on his statement regarding Japanese internment
- Chairman, I ask consent to put my statement in the record about Mr. Davis's nomination.
Keywords:
nomination, Patrick Davis, Assistant Attorney General, Ed Martin, January 6th, public testimony
Summary:
This meeting focused primarily on the nomination of Patrick Davis to serve as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs. Members discussed Mr. Davis's qualifications and experience, emphasizing his commitment to effectively serving the American public and working collaboratively with Congress. The committee also briefly revisited the nominations of John Eisenberg and Brett Shumate but decided to hold them over until the next meeting. Additionally, concerns regarding the nomination of Ed Martin as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia were raised, particularly regarding his past statements and conduct related to the January 6th insurrection and its aftermath. The discussion highlighted the importance of reviewing Mr. Martin's responses to various questions before proceeding with a vote on his nomination.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Combatting Antisemitism Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- around Jewish power at very similar rates as Who also agree to statements around Jewish power at very
- I know that your statement is going to elicit a bunch of questions and comments.
- Students in my residence hall have had antisemitic statements written on their whiteboards, and one of
- The university, from my understanding, when it's sort of more of an informal statement.
- While waiting, I'd like to make a statement for Together for Inclusive Massachusetts.
Summary:
The meeting opened with approval of the July 9, 2025 minutes and a roll call confirming quorum. DESE Commissioner Pedro Martinez gave his first official testimony, affirming the department’s commitment to preventing antisemitism and societal bias in schools, saying DESE supports the commission’s recommendations and will add staff resources to help develop and disseminate guidance and instructional materials. He said DESE’s rubric and guidance for identifying effective curricula and resources should be finalized in late fall, and commissioners welcomed the partnership and asked about the ongoing Section 98A work.
The commission then heard from Professor Eitan Hirsch of Tufts, who presented research on antisemitism and campus climate. He described survey findings showing sharply different Jewish and non-Jewish views on Israel, increasing social pressure on Jewish students, and a growing tendency for Jewish students to hide their identity or feel penalized for participating in Jewish life. He argued that colleges need to do more to teach students how to handle dissent and build cultures of viewpoint diversity, and commissioners asked about best practices, regional differences, and the role of campus climate surveys.
Rabbi Fine of UMass Amherst Hillel and student Sky Landau testified about antisemitism at UMass, especially since October 7. Fine described both a thriving Jewish student community and serious incidents including harassment, vandalism, classroom issues, protests, and students hiding Jewish identity; he said the university is working with Hillel and DEI leadership on goals and strategy for Jewish inclusion, and he urged more training and structured dialogue. Landau described antisemitic incidents she experienced or witnessed, including hostile BDS meetings, exclusion of Zionist students, Holocaust denial, threats, and social ostracism, and said Hillel was the only consistently safe space for her. Commissioners discussed reporting pathways, affinity groups, mental health supports, and ways to distinguish criticism of Israel from antisemitism.
Later, the commission moved to its recommendations and made several edits before voting, including deleting offensive wording in a footnote, adding a citation to recent FBI hate crime data, and restoring language tied to an existing DESE regulation, 603 CMR 26.05, on classroom neutrality and fact-based instruction. Commissioners also reiterated that criticism of Israel’s government is not inherently antisemitic. The meeting included a brief interruption by a protester, after which the commission recessed and then resumed its work on the draft recommendations.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Motion to bring up HF3405 on House Floor 2/19/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- um, her wife wrote another statement um, her wife wrote another statement that<00:12:23.440>
- We're furthering the pattern that we've seen over the past few months of making statements.
- What two three times we've statements.
- And they had to put out a statement really quickly after he was killed.
- this statement because of federal of this statement because of federal officials<00:26:54.559>
who
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 18th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition, they have to make certain and publish a statement that says that they have... ...minimize
- Fair statement. It already can't be the final decision maker.
- Starting with a kind of good faith statement, we really have done it.
- I do think that's an unfair statement.
- I got approved a statement on my forms. The forms had a consent statement saying.
Keywords:
immunization, written informed consent, civil liability, health care provider, vaccine compensation, administrative penalty, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, pharmacy benefit manager, PBM, gag clause, prescription drug pricing, out-of-pocket cost, cash price, pharmacist, pharmacy, prescription drug benefit
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there other members of the public wishing to register a statement of support?
- Okay, we're looking for support statements, but we'll register that statement of opposition.
- Are there other members of the public here wishing to have a statement of opposition?
- I'd like to afford the authors an opportunity for any closing statements.
- Okay, seeing no other members of the public wishing to have a statement of support.
Summary:
The committee heard AB 749, which would create a blue ribbon commission to study equitable access to youth sports and recommend a statewide framework, including coaching standards, PE modernization, and funding models to reduce barriers for families. The author and supporters, including youth sports advocates, educators, coaches, and former athletes, argued that sports improve health, school engagement, and long-term opportunity, while noting racial and income disparities in participation. One member raised concerns that a new commission could add cost and regulatory burdens, but the bill was framed as a study measure rather than immediate regulation.
The committee also took up AB 549, aimed at coordinating state and local security planning for major upcoming sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympic and Paralympic Games. Supporters said the bill would improve interagency coordination, protect visitors and communities, and help prevent human trafficking and discrimination during mega-events. Members discussed the need to avoid over-policing and to center community values, but the bill advanced on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations.
AB 1291 addressed ticket purchasing for concerts, sports, and other live events by requiring electronic proof of purchase and allowing it to be used for entry if a ticket cannot be accessed through no fault of the buyer. Supporters said the measure would give consumers more certainty and help address problems in a monopolized ticketing market, while opponents from venues, sports teams, and entertainment groups warned it could undermine anti-scalping tools, create security problems, and burden venues with duplicate or fraudulent proofs of purchase. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended basis to Privacy and Consumer Protection, with the roll held open for absent members. The consent calendar item, AB 644, was also approved.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- up the purpose and need statement. up the purpose and need statement.
- <01:04:43.440>
Thank and need statement. Commissioner. Thank and need statement. - , say an environmental impact statement, say an environmental impact statement, work<01:05:17.599
- <01:06:21.200>
is purpose and need statement is purpose and need statement is established< - c> was the purpose and need statement was the purpose and need statement was worked<01:08:19.279>
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider the nominations of Stephen Miran, of New York, to be Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, Jeffrey Kessler, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, William Pulte, of Florida, to b Mar 6th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We will give the Ranking Member two minutes for her opening statement and then once we have the 12 necessary
- I will put a longer statement into the record but briefly I want to explain why I will oppose all four
- Chairman. opening statement until after we have had an opportunity to vote and release the members who
- Are there any members that would like to make a statement? Mr.
- I'll submit my statement for the record. The second session is now adjourned.
Keywords:
nomination, Senator Warren, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Undersecretary of Commerce, accountability, oversight
Summary:
The committee convened to discuss several nominations, notably for key positions including the directors of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Undersecretary of Commerce. Senator Warren raised significant concerns during her opposition to all four nominees, citing their failure to provide satisfactory answers regarding their qualifications and policy perspectives. She expressed particular alarm over Jonathan McKernan's ties to external influences and Jeffrey Kessler's hesitance to acknowledge geopolitical threats, leading to discussions about accountability in nominations and oversight. The votes resulted in a mixed outcome, with some nominees being approved while others faced substantial opposition.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill includes the when, where, and how of voting, in addition to candidate statements from candidates
- from candidates for federal statements from candidates for federal offices,<00:01:26.479>
statewide - Most state voter guides also include candidate statements and a few basic biographical questions from
- Um I have another concern about the candidate statements.
- It sounds like someone can statements.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee On Racism, Hate, And Xenophobia Jun 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- When we looked at the research on public messages, we found that public statements from political and
- In my own study, statements by political leaders, when designed correctly, can shift these attitudes.
- In my own study, we found that these statements correlated to a daily reduction in hate crime.
- You heard a statement: "When the looting starts, the shooting starts."
- Again, very broad statement.
Summary:
The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to examine the scope of hate activity in California and hear from state agencies, commissions, and community organizations. The chair opened by framing hate as a persistent crisis affecting many protected groups, and Assembly Member Gonzalez briefly joined the committee. The first panel included the California Department of Justice and the California Commission on the State of Hate, both of which presented recent data and policy recommendations.
The Department of Justice reported that in 2024 California saw 2,023 reported hate crime events, 2,568 hate crime offenses, and 2,491 victims, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias. DOJ also said referrals for prosecution increased, and it described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid response protocol, and multilingual resources. The Commission on the State of Hate said hate is undercounted in law enforcement data and cited a survey suggesting about 2.6 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year, including more than half a million potentially criminal incidents. It recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law enforcement training, and continued funding for community-based prevention and victim support.
The committee then heard testimony from representatives of the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, CARE, Equality California, and the Racial Equity Commission. Witnesses described systemic racism, anti-immigrant enforcement, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian bias, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, often linking these harms to political rhetoric, social media, and federal actions. They urged the Legislature to fund programs such as California vs. Hate, Stop the Hate, nonprofit security grants, language access, school and mental health supports, and legal assistance, while also protecting civil rights, due process, and free speech. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members indicated they would request additional recommendations and continue the discussion in future hearings.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Apr 22nd, 2025
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- Statements, but we'll register that statement of opposition. Thank you. Next. Hi, good morning.
- But there are other members of the public here wishing to have a statement of opposition.
- I’d like to afford the authors the opportunity for any closing statements.
- A statement of support, a position of support. Good morning, Mr.
- Are there any members wishing to register a statement or a position of support?
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- in those instances, just letting the first physician statement that attests to the fact that this is
- requiring a renewed physician statement requiring a renewed physician statement in<00:25:54.480>
- <00:25:57.399>
that <00:25:57.559>attests first physician statement that attests first - physician statement that attests to<00:25:58.080>
the <00:25:58.480>fact <00:25:58.799> - back and get a renewed doctor statement back and get a renewed doctor statement am<00:26:08.880>
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Texas Ethics Commission Mar 11th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- So this rule just makes a clear statement from the commission that once the commission accepts jurisdiction
- The two scenarios I put in my letter: One is, I mean, I file a personal financial statement.
- But it wouldn't... ...client put on the state legislators' personal financial statement.
- I do notice in my statement of defense I forgot to check the box yes that I'm filing it within the 60
- I filed the statement of defense with the staff on the following day, September 12th, and then filed
Summary:
The Texas Ethics Commission met on March 11, 2025, first in executive session and then in open session. The chair announced that, in light of Texas Attorney General Opinion KP-484, the commission would conform its practices to the opinion and move to repeal tolling rules for sworn-complaint deadlines. The chair also said the commission would dismiss 36 pending sworn-complaint cases in which the 120-day settlement deadline had been exceeded, even though the delay had been tolled under prior TEC rules. The commission then set future meeting dates for June 12 and September 17 and approved prior meeting minutes.
The commission adopted a new criminal-referral rule clarifying that, once jurisdiction over a complaint is accepted, commissioners may vote to make a criminal referral. It also adopted revised advisory-opinion rules, with a clarifying amendment from a commenter, and republished proposed changes to the definition of “principal purpose” for political committees after staff recommended a 49 percent political-activity threshold and further public input. The commission published for comment proposed changes to ethics training rules, facial-compliance review procedures, late-filing waiver and reduction rules, and sworn-complaint procedures, including tighter discovery limits, a default-order set-aside process, and removal of tolling language inconsistent with KP-484. It also republished Chapter 28 rules on Speaker-candidate reporting.
The commission adopted several advisory opinions. It declined to give an affirmative defense on whether certain school-district communications were political advertising because related litigation had already addressed the issue. It reaffirmed that a House member may use donated district-office space if it is not reimbursable with public funds and was accepted before the contribution moratorium. It also concluded that a judge may use political funds for travel to a Navy-hosted event as a local dignitary, that legislators’ use of a corporate aircraft for a border-region fact-finding trip could be permissible but would likely trigger reporting obligations, that a TCEQ commissioner’s revolving-door restrictions apply only to matters actually placed before the commissioner, and that a part-time legislative staffer may not take outside employment assisting a registered lobbyist. The commission then heard and acted on numerous fine-waiver appeals, granting several full waivers or reductions and approving staff recommendations on others, and terminated a number of inactive campaign treasurer appointments. Finally, the executive director briefed the commission on the 2025 legislative session, noting that staffing requests are tied to Sunset recommendations and that the House had preliminarily recommended about half of the commission’s appropriations requests.