Video & Transcript Research : 'Facebook'
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MO
Transcript Highlights:
- I found the image on Facebook and shared it out, and it was incorrect. It wasn’t true.
- Or is it like Mark Zuckerberg because I shared it on Facebook?
- Like who, you know, Facebook was a platform that I found it and I shared it out, right?
- And when something’s on Facebook or something that’s a national or international company, the state—we
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/14/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:17:40.799>
for <00:17:41.200>my I place an ad on Facebook for my I place an ad - on Facebook for my family's<00:17:41.840>
small <00:17:42.160>business, <00:17:43.200>- And when I place an ad, Facebook And when I place an ad, Facebook delivers<00:17:50.559>
that - marketplace or whatever uh Facebook marketplace or whatever uh you're<00:21:02.720>
on <00:21:- Thank you, Chair. businesses like myself use Facebook ads businesses like myself use Facebook ads use
- And when I place an ad, Facebook And when I place an ad, Facebook delivers<00:17:50.559>
Keywords:
workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We also have, like, Facebook, and I think the biggest issue I see regarding 911 and VoIP, and whether
- We also have, like, Facebook, and I think the biggest issue I see regarding 911 and VoIP, and whether
- We also have, like, Facebook, and I think the biggest issue I see regarding 911 and VoIP, and whether
- should we decide to use the in Facebook should we decide to use the Facebook<00:25:05.159>
telephone - absolutely that's a Facebook telephone absolutely that's a great<00:25:07.679>
and <00:25:07.840
Summary:
The committee heard and discussed three nominations to the 911 Board: Matthew Kurara (Governor’s Message 505), Re Mahuna (Governor’s Message 614), and Rebecca Liberman/Weberman (Governor’s Message 661). Kurara, a Honolulu Police Department communications captain, said he would bring PSAP and dispatch experience to the board, with a focus on Next Generation 911, better coordination among PSAPs, and recruiting and retaining telecommunicators. Mahuna, a longtime Hawaiʻi Police Department officer and current board member, emphasized his emergency-response experience during disasters on the Big Island and his support for improving communication through Next Generation 911, including the new joint call center on Hawaiʻi Island. Liberman, the board’s VoIP representative and a Charter/Spectrum government affairs director, said she was continuing her second term and would keep working on legislative and government issues, including the statutory change removing “enhanced” from the board’s name to better support Next Gen efforts.
Members asked each nominee about rural coverage, redundancy, training, broadband, radio-system limitations, and how Next Generation 911 would affect service in places like Puna and other rural areas. The nominees generally said the system is designed with redundancy so service would revert to backup systems if new technology fails, and that the main challenges in rural areas are often broader communications or radio issues rather than 911 itself. Kurara and Mahuna both said each PSAP currently handles much of its own training, though there is interest in more standardization and national best practices. Liberman explained that VoIP calls generally work over the internet and may benefit from Next Gen, but that location/address issues for some internet-based calling services may still need further review.
The committee also discussed public education about text-to-911, the use of technologies such as FirstNet, and whether the E911 special fund ceiling needed to be raised again. Mahuna said he did not see a current need to raise the ceiling further. Written testimony was received in support of all three nominees, including support from public officials, law enforcement, county agencies, and private individuals. No opposition testimony was noted, and the chair said decisions would be made later with the other nominees.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 5, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- We do have a Facebook page, Florida Forest Service, and some of our local districts have Facebook...
- We do have a Facebook page, Florida Forest Service, and some of our local districts have Facebook pages
- The promotional stuff is primarily used through Facebook for the Florida Forest Service.
Summary:
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met with a quorum and heard two Department of Agriculture presentations. First, the Director of Rural and Family Lands described the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which buys development rights through perpetual conservation easements on private agricultural land to preserve farming, wildlife habitat, water resources, and open space while keeping land taxable and avoiding state maintenance costs. He said the program has expanded rapidly since 2023 through streamlined applications, templates, and an online portal, increasing acreage protected from about 66,000 acres through 2022 to more than 210,000 acres, with a higher share in the Florida wildlife corridor. He also said review times were reduced by more than 85 days and that projects under $5 million can move faster under statutory authority. The department is seeking $200 million in nonrecurring funding on top of $100 million recurring, citing 203 existing projects and 224 new applications totaling nearly $2 billion in estimated need. Members asked about the scientific ranking process, South Florida participation, project prioritization, maintenance responsibilities, and whether landowners can exit the program; staff said land remains privately owned, easements are in perpetuity, and partnerships and cost-sharing are prioritized.
The committee then heard from the Florida Forest Service director, who outlined the agency’s dual mission of wildfire response and land management. He said the service responds to roughly 2,200 to 2,500 wildfires annually, manages 38 state forests and one ranch totaling more than 1.1 million acres, and receives about 15 million visitors each year. He highlighted the impact of Senate Bill 1638 gaming compact funds, which provided $32 million for land management, recreation, equipment, roads, invasive species control, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, reforestation, and staffing support. He said Florida leads the nation in prescribed fire, with 277,818 acres burned on state forests last year and 2.47 million acres burned statewide, and noted ongoing restoration work such as Picayune Strand. He also described challenges including aging equipment, deferred maintenance, contractor availability, and timber market instability caused by hurricanes and mill closures, and suggested longer-term funding and a higher capital asset allowance. Members discussed timber markets, public communication and marketing, recreation fees, and coordination with other agencies and FDOT. The meeting ended with the chair noting that next week’s meeting would report out agency conversations and budget recommendations, and the committee rose.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Emerging Issues May 12th, 2026
Emerging Issues and Professional Registration
Transcript Highlights:
- own experience with an AI-generated image where it was not a true image, and I found the image on Facebook
- responsible then because I shared out the image, or is it, like, Mark Zuckerberg, because I shared it on Facebook
- Facebook was a platform that I found it on and shared it out, right?
- And when something's on Facebook or something that's a national or international company, you know, the
Summary:
The committee met without a quorum at first, but proceeded with public hearings on two Senate bills. Senate Bill 944, sponsored by Sen. Carla May, would update the statutory salary range for the City of St. Louis sheriff’s attorney, which she said has been unchanged since 1990 and no longer reflects inflation, modern legal demands, or comparable compensation in other jurisdictions. Rep. Fuchs offered supportive remarks, and there was no opposition or informational testimony. No vote was taken on SB 944 during the hearing.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1012, sponsored by Sen. Nicola, a broad artificial intelligence bill intended to clarify that AI is not a legal person, that humans remain responsible for AI-assisted decisions, and that licensed professionals must retain independent judgment. The bill also addressed companion chatbots, election-related AI disclosures, and other consumer protections. Supporters of the bill’s general accountability approach were not present in testimony, but opponents from Americans for Prosperity and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry argued the bill was overly broad, could chill innovation, and contained numerous drafting and cross-reference errors, including unused definitions and inconsistent metadata requirements. Members questioned how liability would apply to end users and noted the need for clearer drafting.
After public testimony, the committee moved into executive session on SB 1012. A motion was made for do pass, but the roll call resulted in zero ayes and 11 noes, and the bill was voted failed. The meeting then adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, just the way um Face you know, Facebook and Instagram and all these have just taken off.
- Uh, just the way um Facebook and Instagram and all these have just taken off.
- The fact that Facebook can sell someone else's— I just shot for a bookshelf on IKEA.
- Facebook can sell someone else's Facebook can sell someone else's tell<01:46:14.720>
sell <01:46 - <01:46:26.720>
for in in that context could Facebook for in in that context could Facebook
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Do we have to modify Instagram, Facebook, and all that?
- Because we do have government social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and so on.
- But, if it's, again, I go back to these private companies, and you said it would affect Facebook, Twitter
- The ADA federal requirement is for any state that, if, let's say, Kafka's got a great Facebook, and we
- If they are only providing their governmental information on that Facebook, that would be an issue.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Bill to require warning labels on social media platforms in MN, HF1289, OKd in committee 3/20/25
Transcript Highlights:
- And even if you go to Facebook or Instagram, you can't advertise scales because it promotes the ideal
- And even if you go to Facebook or Instagram, you can't advertise scales because it promotes the ideal
- And even if you go to Facebook or Instagram, you can't advertise scales because it promotes the ideal
- If they didn't believe that there was a connection between what people see on Facebook and what they
- and what they do people see on Facebook and what they do in<00:19:16.080>
real <00:19:16.240><
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Press Conference 2/4/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Another caregiver in our private Facebook group posted hours after the announcement, "I just called the
- ><00:08:50.560>
private Another caregiver in our private Another caregiver in our private Facebook - <00:08:51.120>
group <00:08:51.519>Facebook <00:08:52.000>group <00:08:52.240> - posted Facebook group Facebook group posted Facebook group Facebook group posted hours<00:08:53.040
Summary:
State lawmakers, the attorney general, advocates, and parents held a press event responding to Children’s Minnesota’s announcement that it would pause some gender-affirming care for minors. Speakers, including Rep. Lee Finke, Hannah Edwards of Transforming Families Minnesota, and Jess Braverman of Gender Justice, said the pause was driven by federal pressure and threats from the Trump administration and HHS, not by medical best practice. They emphasized that gender-affirming care remains legal in Minnesota under the state’s Human Rights Act, Trans Refuge law, and insurance protections, and argued that interrupting care harms trans youth and families, especially those who moved to Minnesota for protection.
Testimony focused on the emotional and practical impact on families: loss of trust in providers, delays in treatment, travel and intake wait times, and the stress of having to scramble for continuity of care. Speakers described the care as evidence-based, medically necessary, and life-saving, and said the federal government was using coercion and misinformation to intimidate hospitals and doctors. The attorney general said his office and coalition partners are litigating related federal threats, including a separate RFK Jr. declaration and proposed federal rules, and that Minnesota officials are working to preserve access and enforce state protections.
In response to questions, speakers said the state’s legal tools are strong but limited against federal action, so they are relying on court challenges and enforcement of existing state law. They said Children’s Minnesota had been specifically targeted by federal officials and that the hospital’s pause was tied to that pressure. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for continued public and institutional support for trans youth and for Children’s to resume care as soon as possible.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 04/28/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- When Facebook first started, it was come to Facebook from MySpace, which is owned by a billionaire, and
- So, we all go over to Facebook.
- Um when good example would be Facebook.
- come to Facebook first started, it was come to Facebook<01:09:58.640>
from <01:09:58.880>MySpace - Okay, once all go over to Facebook.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Rep. Heather Keeler departing member remarks 5/18/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I remember saying to myself, I didn't want to be a mom that just bitched on Facebook.
- mom that just I didn't want to be a mom that just bitched<00:02:16.840>
on <00:02:17.000>Facebook - bitched on Facebook. bitched on Facebook.
Summary:
Representative Keeler delivered an emotional farewell speech reflecting on her six years in the House, describing her experience as part of the “Corona Class,” her first day in the chamber, and the challenges of campaigning and governing during the pandemic and after George Floyd’s murder. She emphasized that she came to the Legislature as a mom and community member committed to doing good, and said her work focused on representation, Indigenous visibility, mental health, homelessness, and helping families and children who lacked stable housing or support.
She thanked colleagues, staff, and allies for their support, especially Chair Gomez, Melissa, her legislative staff, and others who helped advance work such as the Pathway Home Act and efforts to prevent homelessness. She also spoke about the importance of allyship, tribal-state relations, and the need for more Indigenous and queer voices in public office, saying Minnesota is better because of their presence and urging others to make room for more diverse leadership.
Keeler closed with advice to colleagues and future legislators to care for themselves, find common ground across party lines, keep greater Minnesota and remote testimony in mind, and continue working together. The speech ended with thanks to her family, including her children, and a statement that it was time to rest, followed by applause.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We were doing a Facebook Live for HB 1041, the New Hope Act, which at that time Ms.
- So we were doing a Facebook Live because one of the works that the Equity and Education Coalition does
- We were doing a Facebook live for the, for HB 1041, the New Hope Act, which at that time, Ms.
- Yes, we became friends right immediately after the Facebook Live.
- So we became Facebook friends.
Summary:
The hearing resumed in the Legislative Ethics Board matter involving Tara Simmons after the board confirmed no ex parte communications had occurred overnight. Respondent’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she violated ethics rules by combining legislative support for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and personal dealings were intertwined. After a recess for deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss, and the hearing moved into the defense case.
The first defense witness was Sharon Navas, executive director of the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC). Navas testified that she met Simmons in 2018, later hired her, and took steps to separate Simmons’s legislative duties from her work for EEC. She said Simmons was never paid for lobbying or legislative acts, that her compensation came from unrestricted funds, and that the organization used written ethics-compliance language and a formal scope of work. Navas also described the proviso-funded dashboard project involving Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley, testifying that Simmons was not involved in the project’s day-to-day work, did not attend the meetings about the dispute, and was not part of the alleged contract disagreement. On cross-examination, staff focused on the contract documents, the dashboard work, and whether the scope of work matched the parties’ understanding.
Tara Simmons then testified in her own defense. She described her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics guidance from House counsel and board-related materials before taking outside employment or supporting provisos. She said she relied on prior ethics advice when separating her legislative role from outside work and when seeking provisos for AEJG and EEC. Simmons also addressed her relationship with Anthony Powers, describing it as a friendship rooted in criminal justice reform work and prior collaboration. The hearing was still in the middle of Simmons’s direct testimony when the transcript excerpt ended, with no final ruling on the merits or disposition of the allegations.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (04/07/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- get to finding it and they know how to get to their<00:22:35.440>
their <00:22:35.840>Facebook - <00:22:36.320>
page <00:22:36.559>or <00:22:36.799>their their their Facebook - <00:23:12.799>
page <00:23:13.120>of think putting it on the Facebook page of think - putting it on the Facebook page of the<00:23:13.440>
the <00:23:13.679>front <00:23:13.840 - to publicize an event goes on Facebook to publicize an event that<00:29:17.679>
is <00:29:17.840
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 33 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- what's been happening in the courts very recently, the jury in New Mexico held that Meta, which owns Facebook
- In 2021, a former Facebook employee, Francis Haugen, shared information with The Wall Street Journal
- that exposed how Facebook and Instagram failed to respond to their own internal research that showed
- In 2021, a former Facebook employee, Francis Hogan, shared information with the Wall Street Journal that
- exposed how Facebook and Instagram failed to respond to their own internal research that showed that
Summary:
The House first recognized several student athletes and teams, including East Bridgewater cheerleaders, Medway athletes and teams, and the Housatonic Valley basketball team, and adopted a resolution congratulating the William Diamond Jr. Fife and Drum Corps on its 25th anniversary. Members also suspended Joint Rule 12 to advance a petition concerning an extension of a lease authorization for conservation land.
The chamber then took up Senate 2581, as amended, a major education and youth technology bill. The bill was rewritten to promote safe technology use and distraction-free education, including restrictions on personal electronic devices in public schools and limits on social media access for children. Members debated whether the policy should be bell-to-bell or allow more local flexibility, and several amendments were offered. An amendment from Attleboro to preserve district-specific policies was rejected, while a consolidated amendment tightening social media restrictions and related protections was adopted.
The House also considered and passed several other bills, including measures amending the Sandwich charter, authorizing Springfield to help certain residents with local tax obligations, authorizing charity alcohol auctions, and directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for a specific police applicant. In addition, the House rejected concurrence on a Senate version of a higher education infrastructure bill and instead appointed a committee of conference. Later, the House accepted a conference report on modernizing cannabis laws after debate focused on regulatory streamlining, equity, ownership caps, and hemp regulation. The report was adopted by roll call, and the House then passed the amended education bill to be engrossed before adjourning to the next day.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Judiciary (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- court cases coming up, one in family court and one in criminal court, because he decided to take to Facebook
- and following accounts and fake profiles and following me<00:09:48.680>
on <00:09:49.000>Facebook - Instagram Tik Tok I found me on Facebook Instagram Tik Tok I found them<00:09:52.959>
I <00:09 - he decided to criminal court because he decided to take<00:10:58.320>
to <00:10:58.519>Facebook - >
on <00:11:00.839>videos <00:11:01.560>and <00:11:01.760>at Take to Facebook
Summary:
The House Judiciary Committee met for its first meeting, established a quorum, welcomed new members and guests, and announced that committee rules would be sent out later. The committee then took up House Bill 38, sponsored by Representative Tipton, which would increase the penalty for repeated violations of an order of protection. Under the committee substitute, a third violation of the same protective order could be charged as a Class D felony instead of a Class A misdemeanor. The substitute was adopted by voice vote.
Representative Tipton said the bill was prompted by a constituent’s experience with repeated abuse and violations of protective orders, and he argued the change was needed to better protect the public. Maryanne Pratt testified in support of the bill, describing a long history of domestic violence, repeated violations of protective orders, stalking through calls and social media, and her fear for her safety. Several members expressed support and praised her courage. Questions focused on whether the bill would cover social media contact and on the committee substitute’s language requiring the same victim and same order.
Representative Burke raised concern that the same-victim language could allow an abuser to victimize multiple partners without triggering the felony provision. Tipton said the original bill was broader, that the change was added because of concerns about reverse protective orders, and that the issue might be revisited in the Senate. Scott West, speaking for the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said the bill addressed some concerns but warned that the third-offense trigger could be based on technical contempt findings rather than violent conduct, and he noted that stalking already can be charged as a felony in some cases. The discussion continued on those concerns, but no final action on the bill beyond adoption of the committee substitute was taken in the portion provided.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- and other electronic services, but mostly Facebook, I'm aware of online yard sales.
- So if you go online, you can go to your Facebook page, and we have something called Los Alamos online
- This sort of thing when basically they're just hosting a Facebook page.
- Um, so how is this going to affect, um, you know, Facebook?
- I always worry when I hear about guns being sold on Facebook. It's just concerning.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Children and Youth Health Committee Feb 27th, 2025
Children and Youth Health
Transcript Highlights:
- , this bill that we have here is, as I understand it, is being proposed by Meta, what we know as Facebook
- Facebook now supports... You heard that others are... now supports...
- platforms and the supporters of this bill across the country include Meta, which is also Instagram and Facebook
- bill was introduced in 2023, but that happened to be the same year that parents sued Snapchat and Facebook
Keywords:
internet filtering, child protection, obscene content, civil liability, manufacturers, app store, app store provider, app developer, mobile app, age verification, parental consent, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, age gating, digital privacy, data protection, in-app purchases, online consumer protection, deceptive trade practice
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Judiciary, Division A (Part 2) - Room 409, 3 March, 2026; 4:15 P.M.
Judiciary, Division A
Transcript Highlights:
- One is that I personally have received commitments from representatives from Google, Facebook, TikTok
- ,<00:07:37.720>
TikTok, <00:07:38.919>NetChoice Facebook, TikTok, NetChoice Facebook, TikTok - And, to be fair, the representatives for these companies—Facebook, Google, TikTok—I've talked to them
- And, to be fair, the representatives for these companies—Facebook, Google, TikTok—I've talked to them
- And to be fair, the representatives for these companies—Facebook, Google, TikTok—I've talked to them,
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 1752, which had already passed Judiciary A, gone to Appropriations, and returned with an amendment. The chair explained that the amendment froze a rate increase that had been included by LBR and instead set the amount at $150,100 on a two-year schedule for further review. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill on a title-sufficient-do-pass motion.
The committee then considered House Bill 1603, described as a cleanup measure related to last year’s squatters law. Counsel explained that it removed language stating that a squatter who commits trespass or remains on another person’s property shall not accrue property rights based on that conduct. After a brief question about what the bill removed, the committee passed it on a title-sufficient-do-pass motion.
The main discussion centered on House Bill 1224, a strike-all for the Keeping Kids Safe Online Act, which the chair described as a revised version of the Walker Montgomery law. The chair said the original House bill raised serious constitutional concerns, especially around age verification, First Amendment issues, and overbreadth, and noted Justice Kavanaugh’s comments in the Walker Montgomery litigation suggesting the prior law was likely unconstitutional. He said the strike-all would create a task force, include a reverse repealer, and use language modeled on laws in Florida and Virginia, with the goal of producing a bill that could withstand legal challenge. Several senators questioned whether the committee should move forward with a bill that might still be vulnerable, while others emphasized the need to protect children online and referenced Mr. Montgomery’s advocacy and the book Anxious Generation. The chair said industry representatives from Google, Facebook, TikTok, and NetChoice had expressed willingness to discuss a workable compromise, and he indicated the committee could still go to conference and potentially return to the House version if needed.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine big fixes for big tech. Apr 1st, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- The Federal Trade Commission, of course, sued Facebook in 2020 to unwind some of its prior lawsuits.
- Picking up Google and Facebook stop it from outlining a bold vision for digital advertising competition
- issues several years ago, right here before the Senate Judiciary Committee, warning that Google and Facebook
- It's clear that the America Act would require significant divestitures by Google and Facebook of some
- discovery, the data, the monetization are all being gobbled up to go back to that by Google and Facebook
Keywords:
antitrust, competition policy, digital advertising, monopoly, America Act, big tech, consumer rights
Summary:
The meeting, titled 'Big Fixes, Big Tech', marked the first hearing of the Senate antitrust competition policy and consumer rights subcommittee in the 119th Congress. Chairman Lee opened the session focusing on the urgent need for effective solutions regarding anti-competitive behavior among major tech firms like Google and Facebook, highlighting several ongoing court cases regarding monopolistic practices in the digital advertising and search markets. Key discussions included the limitations imposed on small businesses and innovation due to the dominance of these tech giants, with many testimonies advocating for stronger legislative measures, including the America Act. The act aims to disrupt the monopolistic capabilities of these firms and restore competitive integrity in the marketplace, which has suffered under their oppressive market control.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 9th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- We were doing a Facebook Live for HB 1041, the New Hope Act, which at that time Ms.
- So we were doing a Facebook Live because one of the works that the Equity and Education Coalition does
- So we were doing a Facebook Live because one of the works that the Equity and Education Coalition does
- Yes, we became friends right immediately after the Facebook Live.
- So we became Facebook friends.
Summary:
The hearing resumed on day two of the Legislative Ethics Board fact-finding matter involving Representative Tara Simmons. After opening remarks and confirmation that board members had not engaged in outside research or ex parte communications, Simmons’s counsel moved to dismiss two allegations at the close of the board staff’s case: that Simmons pressured the Administrative Office of the Courts to alter a contract in favor of her employer, and that she improperly combined a legislative proviso for AEJG with a personal donation to the organization. Board staff opposed the motion, arguing the evidence showed Simmons’s legislative and private conduct were intertwined and that the board had enough evidence to require a defense. After deliberation, the board denied the motion to dismiss and proceeded to hear defense testimony.
The first defense witness, Sharon Navas, testified that she met Simmons through advocacy work, later hired her at the Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), and maintained written employment policies intended to separate Simmons’s legislative role from her work for EEC. Navas said Simmons was never compensated for lobbying or legislative acts, that EEC paid her from unrestricted funds, and that Simmons did not work on the AEJG dashboard project or participate in the contract dispute with Anthony Powers and Chris Stanley. Navas described the proviso request and later contract issues as separate from Simmons’s legislative duties, and said she continued to pay invoices while the project was being completed.
Simmons then testified about her background, legislative career, disability accommodations, and extensive efforts to seek ethics advice before taking outside employment or pursuing provisos. She said she repeatedly consulted House ethics counsel and reviewed prior board decisions to ensure her outside work and legislative actions were separated. Simmons described her relationship with Anthony Powers, the dashboard project, the proviso process, and her understanding that the work was distinct from her legislative role. The hearing paused for lunch after part of Simmons’s direct examination, with testimony set to continue after the break.