Transcript Highlights:

• Many PACs may fundraise during the years.
• If a PAC fundraises or raises funds all year but doesn't decide to get involved in an election until
• With campaigns increasing in size each year, it is more realistic for a campaign or PAC to be given more
• This bill also adds that a leadership PAC may use funds to replace, repair, or clean articles lost or
• So this would allow him to use his leadership PAC to pay for the dry cleaning and reimburse him for the

Summary: The committee met on May 12 with a quorum present and first took up HCR 74 by Representative Beham, which would establish a Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission. The author said the proposal would mirror the existing Louisiana-Ireland trade commission and serve as an umbrella group to promote exchanges in trade, academics, financial services, insurance, economic development, and the arts. Members asked about the commission’s purpose and whether members would be paid; the author said they would not be compensated. Representative Marcelle spoke in support, citing the benefits of the Ireland commission, and the committee reported HCR 74 favorably without objection. The committee then considered SCR 38 by Senator Klein-Peter, which repeals Joint Rule No. 7 relating to the Atchafalaya Basin Program Oversight Committee. Technical amendments to the title were offered and adopted. The senator explained the measure was tied to a separate study commission he had created to address water quality and sediment issues in the Atchafalaya Basin, which he said were contributing to stagnant hypoxia and harming the fishing industry. Members discussed sediment, dredging, runoff, and possible ways to manage river silt, and Representative Marcelle expressed interest in the water-quality effort. The resolution was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 495 by Senator Klein-Peter on campaign finance disclosures. The bill would raise the threshold for unitemized contributions from $200, change the definition of participation in elections to focus on making expenditures, extend the annual report deadline from February 28 to March 15, allow leadership PACs to pay for replacing or cleaning items damaged in connection with public office, and treat the second party primary as an election for filing purposes. The author said the bill was shortened from a much larger draft after working with ethics staff and was intended to make reporting more practical for campaigns and PACs. The transcript cuts off before any final action on SB 495 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, the super PAC was born and dark money groups took off. Each of us has a say.
• With that, the super PAC was born and dark money groups took off.
• And super PACs: in 2010, they spent $62.6 million.
• And in 2012, the top 1% of super PAC donors provided 77% of all funds.
• What we're talking about is the 501(c)(4)s, the super PACs, the independent spending that before 2010

Bills: HF4133, HF3419

Keywords: homeowner's insurance, peace officer, property damage, just compensation, exclusion policy, corporate powers, entity law, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, cooperative, partnership, trust, foreign entity, campaign finance, election spending, political spending, ballot measure, ballot initiative

Transcript Highlights:

• And it does delete one currently in statute: a PAC that has not spent money for a year is able to close
• This deletes the last part of Section Four, so the PAC must stay open with the Secretary of State's office
• It is only for an independent expenditure PAC or super PAC. Also called that.
• So, Madam Chair and Senators, if I had a PAC alongside my candidacy PAC, or candidacy account, then I
• And so I'm part of a PAC, but I don't run it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the past decade, more than 5,000 students have participated. in teen PACs programs in Texas.
• As Aaron McCurdy... of Team PAC Leadership School stated, Team PAC is designed to help students understand
• Today we honor Team PAC for their outstanding contributions to civic education and leadership development
• I would also like to take a moment to recognize the nearly 100 Team PAC participants who are present

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, these committees are known as hybrid PACs.
• Um, additionally, I've motioned with my PAC board to, create an assistant treasurer position to help
• Aaron Rubliin, campaign treasurer for the Houston LGBTQ and political causes PAC. Is Mr.
• He took on, uh, frankly, a very arduous task in getting this PAC reporting up to date, filing reports
• Rubin to bring the PAC into compliance. He has implemented systems to avoid.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, these numbers were set in the 1980s when we were all playing Pac-Man.
• Unfortunately, these numbers were set in the 1980s when we were all playing Pac-Man.
• Unfortunately, these numbers were set in the 1980s when we were all playing Pac-Man.
• Unfortunately, these numbers were set in the 1980s when we were all playing Pac-Man.
• Unfortunately, these numbers were set in the 1980s when we were all playing Pac-Man.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:19 Auditor of Public Accounts 00:01:07 Office of Secretary of State 00:10:22 Kentucky State Treasury 00:17:51 Office of Attorney General 00:28:50, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met for its first meeting and heard budget-related presentations from the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Secretary of State, with the Treasurer beginning a presentation at the end of the transcript. Auditor Allison Ball reviewed her office’s 2024 and early 2025 work, including hundreds of county and state audits, several special examinations, and ongoing reviews such as the kinship care funding issue, the Kentucky Department of Education audit, and the Jefferson County Public Schools audit. She said her office is focused on waste, fraud, abuse, and legal compliance, and asked the committee to consider future budget changes, including aligning her appropriation with restricted funding and restoring a stronger performance-audit function. She also highlighted audits that exposed serious problems, including the Department of Juvenile Justice review, and said those reports are intended to serve as models for other entities to avoid similar failures. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office is self-sustaining through fees and does not need tax dollars, but asked for greater access to its own revenues and more flexibility in using them. He highlighted the Safe at Home address confidentiality program, saying recent changes expanded protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and that the program has grown rapidly while remaining funded by offender fines. Adams also urged lawmakers to again adjust county election funding for inflation, noting the current per-voter and per-precinct amounts were set decades ago. In questioning, Representative Hart asked whether the Safe at Home program was self-funding; Adams replied that it covers only about 10% of its operating cost and said the best solution would be to let the office use more of the revenue it already collects rather than rely on tax dollars. Treasurer Martin Medcafe, introduced with staff member Russell Weber, praised the General Assembly’s fiscal discipline and described the Treasury’s work in managing state funds. He reported strong results from the Unclaimed Property Fund, saying the office returned $35.5 million to Kentuckians in its first year and $3.8 million in the first month of the current year, and said the State Investments Commission generated $682 million in returns last year. He also highlighted financial literacy efforts through the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission and said the Treasury is helping manage opioid settlement funds, which are now earning up to $200,000 per month through investment. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• > try<00:15:21.640> to the union super PAC continues to try to the union super PAC continues
• <00:15:37.440> Be board of the Carpenters super PAC Be board of the Carpenters super PAC Be
• have a PAC. have a PAC. Super<01:15:31.720> PAC.
• Super PAC. Wait, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Super PAC. Wait, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
• regular PAC. regular PAC.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up decision-making on two judicial nominations heard the previous day. Governor’s Message 796, naming Annalisa En Bernard Lee as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County), and Governor’s Message 797, naming Michael K. Soong as Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), were both recommended for consent and adopted by unanimous roll-call votes. The committee then heard testimony on Governor’s Message 801, the nomination of Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Support came from the Governor’s office, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Honolulu Managing Director Michael Formby, the Hawaii Association for Justice, United Public Workers, HGEA/AFL-CIO, the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, labor and trade unions, retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, retired judges, bar and court officials, and many other individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized Devens’ legal experience, work ethic, labor-law background, community ties, mentorship, and ability to manage the judiciary and address the appellate backlog. A few speakers opposed the nomination, including Chuck Freedman, who raised concerns about union influence and potential conflicts, and others who submitted opposition testimony. Devens also testified, describing his Honolulu upbringing, education at UC Berkeley, six years with the police department, and more than 30 years in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. He said the chief justice role is primarily an administrative one, highlighted his experience with bar and judicial administration committees, and identified reducing the appellate backlog as a major priority. No vote was taken on GM 801 during this portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also adds a requirement of statement of organization for political committees, such as PACs.
• Uh, this also establishes a process for the PAC to opt in at any time by amending their statement of
• As there's a cutoff time for a PAC to update their statement of organization to opt out of the future
• This includes that for PACs as well.
• It allows PACs to pay funds from their campaign funds. penalty of fine of up to $10,000 or penalty of

Keywords: Elections - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 2:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 250, which would require disclosures for political advertisements that are generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence. Senator Blackman explained that the bill applies to video, image, and audio ads, with specific disclaimer requirements and exemptions for bona fide news coverage, documentaries, and certain distributors that require AI disclosure from submitters. Members asked about the bill’s scope, including that it would not cover written mailers. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion for title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2386, which would prohibit political candidates from using grand jury or jury proceedings as a captive audience for campaign activity. Senator Tate said the measure had been passed before and was intended to prevent politicizing trials. With no questions, the committee again voted title sufficient and do pass, and the bill was reported out. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2096 from the Secretary of State’s office, a technical elections bill establishing minimum cybersecurity standards for access to SIMS by election officials and clerks; counties would have to pass an assessment or use election support funds to fix deficiencies. That bill was likewise reported out on a title sufficient, do pass motion. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 2588, the Shield Act, which would require citizenship verification through the federal SAVE system for certain driver’s license or ID applicants who identify as noncitizens or do not provide verifiable information, and would also run the voter rolls through SAVE annually. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity and add confidence that voters are citizens, while Senator Blunt argued the bill could lead to unnecessary purges based on database mismatches and that existing systems already address the issue. The Secretary of State’s office said SAVE is used with safeguards, does not automatically remove voters, and that voters flagged in error can provide proof and remain eligible. Despite the debate, the committee voted title sufficient and do pass committee substitute, and the bill was reported out. Finally, the chairman began explaining Senate Bill 2558, a comprehensive campaign finance reform bill. He described provisions requiring candidates and committees to file statements of organization before accepting contributions or making expenditures, defining corporate contributions and coordinated expenditures, separating candidate committees from PACs, requiring more detailed reporting and electronic filing, setting rules for termination reports and anonymous contributions, and imposing tiered fines for violations. The transcript cuts off before the committee finished its discussion or took final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Question, Representative: Is the PAC the only entity that... Chairman, question?
• Representative, is the PAC the only entity that can enforce the law? Enforce or sue?
• only the PAC that has the power to do this.
• According to your theory, the theory that we're hearing now, can the PAC sue?
• private schools, or can the PAC also have the authority to sue government agencies?

Summary: The committee met to review and adopt Legislative Council ballot measure analyses, with members repeatedly reminded that the hearing was limited to the accuracy, clarity, and impartiality of the summaries and not the merits of the underlying proposals. Steve Premack explained the statutory role of the analyses in the publicity pamphlet, and staff presented draft language for several measures. The committee considered and voted on multiple amendments, often debating whether proposed wording was clearer or instead crossed into advocacy or added unnecessary legal detail. For SCR 1004, members debated amendments to more closely mirror the measure’s text and to add language about electric vehicles and mileage, but several proposed changes were rejected. The analysis was ultimately adopted by an 8-6 roll call. HCR 2021 was then adopted without amendment by the same 8-6 margin. For HCR 2055, members debated whether the summary should say the Department of Homeland Security must “do everything” or “use all lawful means available,” and whether to add language about cartels acting “individually or collectively”; both amendments were rejected and the analysis was adopted 8-6. The committee next took up SCR 1004 on photo enforcement systems, where members proposed amendments to clarify that the measure would apply to red light cameras, to add “thereafter” regarding recurring voter approval, and to specify that approval would occur at the general election; those amendments failed, and the analysis was adopted 8-6. On SCR 1032, dealing with instructional expenses and classroom site fund reductions, members debated adding a definition of the Classroom Site Fund and spelling out the waiver process in more detail; both amendments failed, and the analysis was adopted 8-6. Finally, on HCR 2001 regarding citizenship identification and early voting, members rejected amendments that would have added background on current law, clarified that mail voting would be affected, added severability and revenue-source language, and struck the measure’s short title; the discussion was lengthy and at times contentious, but the transcript ends before a final roll-call vote on that measure is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• that Elon Musk's political action committee has not only spent money directly on the race, but the PAC
• Super PACs backed by billionaires already distort elections.
• The same pack, super PAC, offered a $100 The same pack, super PAC, offered a $100 for<00:18:25.440>
• billionaires Super PACs backed by billionaires Super PACs backed by billionaires already<00:19:07.440
• So, in terms of outside PACs, those are the two biggest ones.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• interests, and the voices of candidates running for office can feel drowned out by outside spending from PACs
• and super PACs.
• interests, and the voices of candidates running for office can feel drowned out by outside spending from PACs
• and super PACs.
• Candidates running for office can feel drowned out by outside spending from PACs and super PACs, so revisiting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and MnDOT currently creates PACs for bill. Our state has the responsibility bill.
• This includes setting requirements for the frequency and structure of PAC meetings.
• This proposed PAC process offers no appeal process that considers those needs.
• So perhaps we should be thinking about regional representation on some of our PACs as well.
• So, uh, many of the people that serve on the PAC will be volunteers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unless it's moving through super PACs, right? Excuse me?
• Unless it's moving through super PACs. ... myself to that discussion.
• So you do have officeholder accounts, but you can also have an S-PAC that takes the place of an officeholder
• So other people use a special purpose PAC. Okay, so it would apply to both. Right. ...
• public funding, fully disclose all political spending even if it's moving through things like super PACs

Bills: SB 2, SB 3, SB 10, SB 16, SB 5, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, SB 19, SB 54, HB23, HB17, HB16, SB19, SB53, SB54, HB16, HB17, HB23, HB27, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, SB2, SB3, SB10, SB16, SB5

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we might have someone from Hokuao PAC via Zoom. Not present on Zoom, Chair. Okay.
• 06:57.280> Hokuao Um, we might have someone from Hokuao Um, we might have someone from Hokuao PAC
• :59.440> Not<00:06:59.640> present<00:06:59.960> on<00:07:00.120> Zoom, PAC
• Not present on Zoom, PAC via Zoom. Not present on Zoom, Chair.<00:07:01.240> Okay.

Bills: SCR11, SR9

Keywords: Civil Rights Act, discrimination, employment, housing, public accommodations, LGBTQ+ rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, Equality Act, civil rights, federally funded programs, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, Transportation, and later Judiciary heard two sets of resolutions. The first, SCR 132 and SR 124, urged the City and County of Honolulu to take steps to finalize the Makakilo Drive Extension Project. Testimony from a Makakilo resident emphasized the lack of a second access route and raised safety concerns about being trapped in the area in an emergency. Both committees voted to pass the resolutions unamended. The second set, SCR 11 and SR 9, requested that the U.S. Congress amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. Supporters from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, IMUA Alliance, and Pride at Work in Hawaii argued that stronger anti-discrimination protections are needed to reduce vulnerability to violence, housing insecurity, and exploitation, and to provide federal protections that mirror state law. One senator asked whether state protections already exist and was told the resolutions seek federal-level protections because federal law can supersede state law. Both committees adopted recommendations to pass SCR 11 and SR 9 unamended, with votes in favor and some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> That, too, but also the fact that the packs—those packs and super PACs—are both exempt from this
• bill and would allow foreign packs and super PACs to come in and influence our elections still, which
• And because mainland packs and super PACs are exempt from this bill, those mainland packs funded by mainland
• about who can fund the packs. >> That, too, but also the fact that the packs—those packs and super PACs—are
• both exempt from this bill and would allow foreign packs and super PACs to come in and influence our

Bills: HB2241, HB1163, HB1514, HB1696, HB2021, SB2135, SB2466, SB2727, SB3082, SB3097, SB2861, SCR100, SB3096, SB99, SB2138, HB2289, HB2319, HB1711, HB2270, SB3138, SB3076, HB1642, HB2338, HB2171, HB1785, SB2881, HB2505, SB2552, HB1518, HB1815, SB3125, SB3234, SCR162, SB2614, SB3118, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB2158, HB1718, HB2207, HB1801, SB3229, SB2338, SB3069, SB2600, HB2300, HB1800, HB1960, SB2999, SB2060, SB2866, SB2239, HB1741, HB1713, HB2023, HB2417, SB2877, SB2598, SB2921, SB2645, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2329, HB2339, HB1838, HB1509, HB1661, HB2271, HB2272, HB2344, HB1888, HB1707, SB2340, HB2474, HB1576, HB1853, HB1804, HB1854, HB2095, HB2050, HB472, SB3215, SB2247, SB2400, HB1618, HB1802, HB1969, HB1541, HB2310, HB2498, HB2443, HB2218, HB649, HB2104, HB1710, SB2802, HB1973, HB1974, HB1894, HB1891, HB1890, SB177, SB2101, SB3320, SB2487, HB2429, HB1870, HB1839, HB2583, HB1391, HB2094, SB2671, SB2673, SB2892, SB2057, SB3245, HB306, HB2592, SB3157, SB3204, SB3324, SB2580, SB2074, SB411, SB3025, SB2934, SB2567, SB2125, SB3238, SB2367, SB2599, SB3007, SB2001, SB2756, SB3029

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, commercial drivers license, non-domiciled, federal regulations, commercial learner's permit, citizenship, lawful residency, Department of Transportation, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, commercial driving, driver's license

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you referring to things like PACs and, correct, Mr. Chair? Thank you, Representative Greenman.
• Are you referring to things like PACs and, correct, Mr. Chair? Thank you, Representative Greenman.
• Are you referring to things like PACs and, correct, Mr. Chair? Thank you, Representative Greenman.
• and are utilizing state funds interchangeably with that PAC.
• and are utilizing state funds interchangeably with that PAC.

Bills: HF72, HF66, HF69, HF73

Keywords: campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide

Transcript Highlights:

• Plus the fact that we are pushing, and other universities are pushing this as well, we have PAC Preview
• But nobody from special education comes to PAC Preview.
• They can come see us because we're at every PAC Preview, so why aren't we including everybody to go see
• Because we have a gazillion PAC Previews.
• Let me just tell you, it's a month of every Saturday I'm eaten up with PAC Previews.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from November 17 by motion and voice vote. It then heard a presentation from Arkansas State University on its inclusive postsecondary education programs, HOWL and ATLAS, led by Dr. Kristen Johnson and Shane Broadway. The programs serve students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, by providing on-campus living, academic support, life-skills training, financial literacy, internships, employment support, and community integration. Johnson explained that HOWL is a comprehensive transition program that does not lead to a degree but is eligible for financial aid, while ATLAS is degree-seeking and provides additional supports. She reported strong outcomes, including high goal attainment and a majority of graduates working full time, and emphasized that the programs are designed to help students build autonomous adult lives. Members asked about recruitment, eligibility, costs, school outreach, business partnerships, and transition planning. Johnson said the programs have done extensive outreach through IEP meetings, transition symposia, email blasts, and school visits, but that awareness remains a challenge. She identified major roadblocks as business concerns about liability, fragmented collaboration, and difficulty navigating funding streams such as vocational rehabilitation and Medicaid. She also said more coordinated statewide communication and coalition-building are needed, and noted that ASU is helping launch a state alliance for similar programs, with new programs opening at ASU Mountain Home and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. The committee then heard from the University of Central Arkansas about Project Ascend, a new low-sensory living-learning community for neurodiverse students in Hughes Hall. Dr. Debbie Daly and Jeremy Gillum described it as a voluntary, self-identified program focused on community building, belonging, and retention rather than remediation or degree planning. The program has hosted a few low-sensory social events and plans to expand outreach through campus tours, orientation, and targeted communications. Members asked about recruitment, participation, success measures, and how to avoid duplicating ASU’s efforts; UCA said it is still in its infancy and will measure success mainly through participation, retention, and student engagement. The meeting ended with general support from members, discussion of collaboration across institutions and agencies, and adjournment of the task force.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have presented before that PAC on three different occasions.
• We have presented before that PAC on three different occasions.
• We have presented before that PAC on three different occasions.
• We have presented before that PAC on three different occasions.
• We have presented before that PAC on three different occasions.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Super PACs and dark money groups now spend vast sums to influence and sometimes determine election outcomes

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:15:08.920> dark<01:15:09.159> money<01:15:09.520> Super<01:15:09.920> PAC
• The donor, it's a PAC, a lobby, and it's a personal... there aren't a lot of layers in the laundering
• that has co-mingled monies from maybe individuals and itself, under PACs and maybe corporate entities
• If it's a PAC giving to another PAC, then that PAC would have to show where their original money came
• And if some of it came from a bunch of individuals, but some of it came from another PAC, then that PAC

Keywords: 1187, senate, all