Video & Transcript Research : 'contest'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/24/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- regarded, uh, contested case hearings. regarded, uh, contested case hearings.
- <01:53:54.080>
case operations to file a contested case operations to file a contested case - contested case. contested case.
- <01:54:21.760>
case the scope of those contested case the scope of those contested case hearings - But I guess I contested case hearings.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So, in this case, our process is with the contested case hearing, so we're not objecting. to the fact
- It's more on the contested case hearing process that would go to a judge. Making sure that the.
- There are, I wouldn't characterize them as delays, time in the contested case hearing part.
- The contested case hearing process, as we heard, on the air side, it does... have some set timelines.
- And again, when that leverage comes is when they are are in the contested case hearing process.
Keywords:
solid waste management, exclusive contracts, public agency, contract amendment, notification requirements, Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, TERP, air quality, emissions reduction, clean fleet, alternative fuel, natural gas vehicles, hydrogen fuel, hydrogen infrastructure, diesel replacement, fleet grants, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, clean school buses
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And again, when that leverage comes is when they are in the contested case hearing process.
- Again, people tend not to get a lawyer until their contested case hearing request.
- If it wasn't contested, then it, then it moves on to commission agenda and it can be issued.
- If it was contested, it goes to the State Office of Administrative Hearings, ALJ, here's, here's the
- Um, I think it probably depends on whether an application is contested.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator King recommends that Senate Bill 872 be recommended for the local non-contested calendar.
- Recommended Senate Bill 1588 be recommended for local non-contested calendar. Any objection?
- Senator Parker recommends that Senate Bill 1858 be recommended for local non-contested calendar.
- Senator Miles recommends that Senate Bill 1946 be recommended for local non-contested calendar.
- Senator King recommends that Senate Bill 2177 be recommended for local non-contested calendar.
Bills:
SB614, SB872, SB1199, SB1212, SB1278, SB1573, SB1588, SB1602, SB1660, SB1704, SB1723, SB1833, SB1858, SB1946, SB2009, SB2146, SB2177, SB2373, SB2460, SB2785
Keywords:
forensic science, capital writs, criminal justice, case review, Texas Forensic Science Commission, SB 872, burglary of a vehicle, vehicle burglary, theft of a firearm, stolen gun, firearm theft, Penal Code Section 30.04, third-degree felony, Class A misdemeanor, criminal penalty enhancement, gun theft, vehicle break-in, property crime, sentencing enhancement, Texas criminal law
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In the air-permitting contested cases process, impacting project regulatory timelines.
- This contested case hearing process is unique to Texas, but it also is a hurdle that adds six to twelve
- If a contested case hearing is requested, the State Office of Administrative Hearings' Administrative
- Senator Birdwell moves that Senate Bill 1147 be recommended for the local contested calendar.
- So, currently where we are is pending the contested case hearing process.
Keywords:
rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- I think there are probably 15 to 20 states that audit statewide some statewide contests beyond president
- Massachusetts is one of a relative handful that consistently audits state legislative contests, so even
- There was also one case in Florida many years ago in a local contest where a random audit discovered
- There was also one case in Florida many years ago in a local contest where a random audit discovered
- in specific batches of ballots Hand counts of specific contests in specific batches of ballots.
Summary:
The Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on election security bills, focusing first on S. 517 and H. 876, which would strengthen Massachusetts’ post-election audit process. Testimony from the Brennan Center, Common Cause Massachusetts, Verified Voting, and the League of Women Voters supported expanding audits to include all ballot types, increasing audit frequency from every four years to every two years, requiring statewide audit reports to be posted within 30 days and kept online for six years, and allowing municipalities to conduct audits under state standards. Witnesses also praised the bill’s creation of a work group to study risk-limiting audits and other improvements, emphasizing public confidence, transparency, and the ability of audits to detect errors or deter fraud.
Committee members asked detailed questions about how Massachusetts compares with other states, how risk-limiting audits differ from current tabulation audits, how audits are selected and expanded if discrepancies appear, and what the costs and mechanics of different audit methods would be. Witnesses explained that current audits are typically random, hand-count-based checks of selected contests and batches of ballots, that risk-limiting audits use statistical sampling and can escalate to a full recount if needed, and that Massachusetts’ local-control structure makes a collaborative work group useful. They also noted that audits generally confirm results but can uncover errors that do not change outcomes, and occasionally more serious problems.
The committee then heard testimony on H. 832, which would authorize the Secretary of the Commonwealth to take emergency actions affecting elections during declared emergencies. Supporters said the bill would create a clear statutory process for rescheduling or adjusting elections during severe weather or other crises, including allowing emergency absentee ballot accommodations for civilian responders, and would reduce the need for court intervention. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing, and the meeting ended with adjournment after no additional testimony was offered.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/24/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Media Availability 1/13/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You previously referenced the 54A successful election contest.
- Brad Tabke has no impact on the election contest in court, and it has no impact on the election contest
- separate from the election contest separate from the election contest similarly<00:14:19.399>
- in court and it on the election contest in court and it has<00:14:32.240>
no <00:14:32.519> - They have implied that there are other election contests that they would like to run because they're
Summary:
Democratic House leaders Melissa Hortman and Jamie Long said Republicans were escalating the Minnesota House organization dispute by refusing to accept power-sharing, threatening to proceed as if they had a two-year majority, and planning to disregard the Secretary of State’s role on the first day of session. They argued that Minnesota law requires the Secretary of State to preside until a quorum is present, and that the House should follow the Minnesota Senate’s example of sharing power when the chamber is tied. They said Democrats had offered a compromise allowing Republicans to act as a majority for the first few weeks while they held a one-seat edge, then revert to the negotiated power-sharing agreement once the House returns to a 67-67 tie.
Much of the discussion focused on the Brad Tabke election contest and whether Republicans could use a temporary majority to remove him or otherwise reorganize the House. Hortman and Long said the swearing-in of members is a ministerial act and does not affect the election contest, citing past Minnesota examples where members were sworn in while legal challenges were pending. They said if Republicans ignore the Secretary of State and try to organize the House without a quorum, Democrats would go to court to argue the House was not duly organized. They also said Republicans’ claims about the disputed district residency issue were misplaced and that the Tabke case should be decided by the courts.
The leaders said Democrats were prepared to use denial of quorum as a backup if no agreement is reached, describing it as a quieter and less disruptive alternative to a long filibuster. They said the confidential swearing-in held the night before was done as an emergency backup because of security concerns and the possibility that quorum might be denied. They also said they were not worried about Republican recall threats, but warned that if Republicans proceeded with what they called a “kangaroo court,” Democrats might consider recall petitions for malfeasance. No formal vote or legislative action was taken in the exchange, and the leaders said they were still hoping to reach a compromise in later talks with Republican Leader Lisa Demuth.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Brad Tabke, contestant, pursuant to the agreement for House organization dated February 5, 2025, Rule
- 9.1 relating to election contest.
- received relating to an election contest received relating to an election contest from<00:06:42.440
- V Brad taby Aaron Paul contestant V Brad taby conteste<00:06:54.919>
pursuant <00:06:55.479>- rule 9.1 relating to election contest rule 9.1 relating to election contest the<00:07:03.360>
- rule 9.1 relating to election contest rule 9.1 relating to election contest the<00:07:03.360>
AL
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Of the committee, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality refers contested case hearings to the
- Given the consequential nature of a contested case's outcome, it is important that disputes that arise
- This bill ensures that both protestants and applicants in a contested case have a defined mechanism to
- The contested case process, I think this substitute relieves a little bit of the concerns that we had
- Senate Bill 2550 to the local non-contested calendar. Is there any objection?
Keywords:
concrete crushing, hospital proximity, environmental regulation, public health, zoning laws, SB 2203, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, contested case, administrative law judge, ALJ, discovery, scope of discovery, certification, administrative procedure, permit dispute, agency rules, Government Code
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on SF3045 5/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- And then, in a reference to how long ballot board must maintain ballot envelopes after the election contest
- And then, in a reference to how long ballot board must maintain ballot envelopes after the election contest
- And then, in a reference to how long ballot board must maintain ballot envelopes after the election contest
- And then, in a reference to how long ballot board must maintain ballot envelopes after the election contest
- In a reference to how long ballot board must maintain ballot envelopes after the election contest deadline
Summary:
The State and Local Government and Elections Conference Committee met on May 13, 2025, to adopt agreed-upon provisions from the elections article. The chair noted they initially lacked a quorum on both sides, but later confirmed quorum was present. Members and staff walked through a grid of proposed sections, covering voter registration and student proof-of-residence rules, public voter information list deadlines, electronic rosters for combined polling places, absentee ballot procedures, candidate filing and ballot preparation notices, write-in candidate timelines, municipal boundary adjustments, emergency polling place signage, county election training, special election filing periods for legislative vacancies, school district election timing, voting system testing, town elections, hospital board elections, and repeal of the voting equipment grant account.
Several items were described as technical or clarifying changes, including wording fixes, consistency edits, and updated effective dates, with many provisions set to take effect January 1, 2026. One item, line 15, involving a cannabis-related provision, was set aside because an amendment had not been posted and printed in time; members agreed to take it up later. The committee also discussed a mix of House-only and Senate-only provisions, including third-party presidential electors, phonetic spelling on affidavits of candidacy, notification of ballot preparers when candidate names change, emergency polling place procedures, training requirements, and rules for temporary polling places on tribal land.
After the staff walkthrough and brief questions, Vice Chair Aldenorf moved to adopt the provisions in the document titled “Elections Provisions Proposed Sections for Adoptions, May 13, 2025,” excluding line 15, and include them in the conference committee report. The motion passed on a voice vote with no opposition recorded. The committee then adjourned, with members noting that work on remaining elections provisions could continue afterward.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/10/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- Once all contests and candidates have been finalized, counties can work with their vendors to prepare
- Once all contests and candidates have been finalized, counties can work with their vendors to prepare
- Minnesota law also outlines a process for resolving election disputes through the contest process.
- through the contest process election contests<00:57:33.079>
must <00:57:33.240>be <00:57 - <01:10:24.640>
varies opportunity to to file a contest varies opportunity to to file a contest
Summary:
The Minnesota House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met to begin its session with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview from Secretary of State Steve Simon and elections director Paul Linnell on the state’s elections administration and budget needs. Simon said the office’s committee-jurisdiction budget request was for the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) election security grant match: Minnesota received about $1 million in federal funds in 2024 and needs a $200,000 state match to unlock the money for election security navigator work. He also previewed the office’s broader presentation on the 2024 election, outreach efforts, and election security.
Simon described the 2024 election cycle as successful, saying his administrative goals were high turnout and low drama. He reported that Minnesota had very high turnout in the November election, with more than 3.27 million ballots cast and about 76.4% turnout, and noted that more than 1.3 million voters cast ballots before Election Day. He also highlighted outreach and accessibility efforts, including the Students Voting Program, Youth Day at the Capitol, National Voter Registration Day activities, expanded online voter tools in additional languages, and work to inform eligible Minnesotans about the Restore the Vote law for people leaving prison. He emphasized that elections are a team effort carried out largely by counties, cities, townships, and election judges.
Linnell then explained the state’s election administration structure and responsibilities, including the Statewide Voter Registration System, candidate filing and election reporting systems, voting equipment certification, and post-election performance reviews. He said counties are central to voter registration updates and ballot preparation, and noted that in 2024 there were a handful of counties with ballot errors that required court action, with a vendor process change identified as a contributing factor. Committee members asked for more detail on the number and identity of the affected counties. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Middleton moves House Bill 5688 be recommended for the local and contested calendar.
- Senator Middleton moves that House Bill 5674 be recommended for the local and contested calendar.
- Senator Middleton moves that House Bill 5671 be recommended for the local and contested calendar.
- Be recommended for the local and contested calendar. Is there an objection?
- contested calendar.
Bills:
HB103
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- The contests and the location of the contests are determined, you know, years in advance, so closing
- Or 2024 contest?
- I think that is really the day of the contest itself and one or two days prior to the contests, so we're
- I think that is really the day of the contest itself and one or two days prior to the contests, so we're
- <01:01:57.760>
on university would play its contests on university would play its contests
Summary:
The House Committee on Higher Education heard several measures focused on health, environment, and research. HB 970 would allow chiropractic students to participate in clinical practice under direct supervision; the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic offered comments and asked for a delayed implementation date until July 2027 to allow time to adopt rules, while the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the bill. Members also discussed that there are currently no chiropractic schools in the state.
The committee then heard HB 1185, which creates a plant-based building materials working group, and HB 1337, which establishes an endemic plant seed bank pilot program. Supporters of HB 1185 said the bill could help create green jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developing materials such as bamboo, hempcrete, and bio-cements, with questions raised about in-state processing. For HB 1337, witnesses supported the goal of preserving endemic species but said a large-scale refrigerated storage and seed-production facility would be needed; one witness estimated startup costs of about $6 million for one island and noted existing seed banks are small-scale and not designed for reforestation.
HB 1300 would fund a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center multi-ethnic cohort study on cancer disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and Asians, including environmental and social factors such as proximity to landfills. The Cancer Center, ACS CAN, and labor representatives supported the bill, emphasizing health disparities and concerns about landfill exposure; committee members asked about federal funding, and the Cancer Center said it would pursue NIH, private, and foundation support, with the state share described as $500,000 per year for two years. HB 736 would create a wastewater technology testing pilot program at the Water Resources Research Center; supporters said it could help certify cheaper alternatives to costly cesspool and septic upgrades, and the Department of Health supported the measure. The committee also heard HB 531, which authorizes special license plates for the Cancer Center; supporters said it would raise visibility and funds, and the Cancer Center estimated revenue would likely be under $100,000. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 431 has several reported objections and is sent to local contest calendar.
- House Bill 1522 is reported with objections to the local and contested calendar.
- Great, we're reporting with objections, sent to the local non-contested calendar.
- House Bill 4219 is favorably reported with objection and sent to the local and contested calendar.
- Likewise, a company can contest representations and not have to prove intent.
Bills:
HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213, HB106, HB144, HB145, HB252
Keywords:
HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill also adds... ...for an estate, which gives the heirs time to contest the appointment.
- bill also requires proof of service to be given in temporary administrations in time for heirs to contest
- the appointment of a temporary administrator. ...for heirs to contest the appointment of a temporary
- the appointment of a guardian, and contesting an application to restore... ...contesting the appointment
- of a guardian and contesting an application to restore the ward's capacity.
Summary:
The committee first adopted its rules, which were distributed in the same form as the prior session’s rules. Members then took up several bills, beginning with SB 711, an HOA/condominium association bill that would extend and conform property-owner protections to condominium associations; the bill’s author and a Community Associations Institute representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 942 would allow child support and certain prenatal/postnatal medical expenses to be calculated from the date of conception rather than birth; it drew supportive testimony from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the Attorney General’s Child Support Division, and was also left pending after testimony. SB 1448, an estates and probate cleanup bill, would require transfer of original wills by qualified delivery, add notice and electronic-order requirements for statutory probate courts, and make other clarifications; it received supportive testimony from the Texas Real Estate and Probate Institute and was left pending.
The committee also heard SB 1403, the Attorney General’s Title IV-D child support modernization bill, which updates notice, review, remote-hearing, and administrative-process provisions and clarifies several enforcement and evidence rules; the AG’s office testified that it would improve efficiency, and the bill remained pending. SB 1404 would allow courts to require an email address in final SAPCR orders when other contact information is nondisclosed and clarify service and judgment requirements; the Attorney General’s office described it as a good-government measure, and it was left pending. SB 1559 would require transfer of protective orders into divorce or custody cases to avoid conflicting orders; family-law practitioners and a family court judge testified that it would resolve longstanding conflicts identified by multiple courts of appeals, and the bill remained pending.
Finally, the committee considered SB 746, a guardianship bill that would address conflicts of interest in guardianship proceedings, allow guardian ad litem appointment earlier in the process, and require timely court action on annual guardianship reports and accounts; a committee substitute would remove some provisions and extend a reporting deadline from 20 to 30 days. TREP supported the bill, and one practitioner suggested requiring courts to state reasons when rejecting annual accounts. SB 1536 would require dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain family guardians, with a committee substitute narrowing the scope and reducing the training time from three hours to one; the Alzheimer’s Association supported the measure and the substitute, and the bill was left pending. No bills were voted out of committee during the meeting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Recommended for local non-contested calendar. Any objection? Hearing none, so ordered.
- Senator Hueso recommends House Bill 908 be recommended for the local non-contested calendar.
- Senator Hagenbuch recommends House Bill 1024 be recommended for the local non-contested calendar.
- Senator Miles recommends that House Bill 1306 be recommended for local non-contested elections.
- Senator Miles moves that House Bill 1866 be recommended for the local non-contested calendar.
Bills:
HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305, HB449, HB908, HB1024, HB1306, HB1443, HB1445, HB1741, HB1866, HB1902, HB2001, HB2282, HB2355, HB2492, HB2637, HB2697, HB3464, HB4263, HB4996, HB5667, HB47, HB171, HB285, HB305
Keywords:
sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, pretrial hearings
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator, uh, Parker now moves to House Bill 114 to be recommended for local and contested calendar.
- Senator Parker now moves to House Bill 1875 be recommended for low contested.
- We recommended for local and contested calendar. Is there an objection? Chair is none, so ordered.
- Senator Menendez moves to the House Bill 1965 be recommended for local and contested calendar.
- Senator Parker moves to House Bill 2513 be recommended for local and contested calendar.
Keywords:
veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- A 1974 special law treats at-large seats on the Rochester School Board as distinct parallel contests.
- The board as distinct parallel contests.
- House File 3699 amends a 2024 law establishing a license plate contest for the state park plate that
- > celebrate<00:49:10.720>
a Uh, this contest would celebrate a Uh, this contest would celebrate - <00:50:18.240>
organizers how the contest organizers how the contest organizers are<00:50:
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The body then moved through routine business including committee reports, second readings, first readings of a large batch of House files, and receipt of Senate File 3958 for comparison with a House companion. Several noncontroversial motions were adopted without objection, including referral and re-referral motions later in the day.
The chamber then took up a series of bills, many of them veterans, commerce, mortgage, liquor, elections, and financial institutions measures. House File 3544, a veterans housekeeping bill updating state law to conform with federal standards and clarifying benefit forfeiture language, passed 133-0. House File 3467, authorizing MDVA to use nonmonetary support to collaborate on veteran services such as food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention, also passed 133-0. House File 3437, clarifying that certain mortgage lending protections apply to consumer home loans rather than commercial loans, passed 133-0. House File 3479, clarifying homeowners’ rights to postpone foreclosure sales in several edge cases, passed 128-5.
The annual liquor bill, Senate File 2511, drew the most discussion. Members described provisions addressing the so-called “Granny Happy Hour” in senior facilities, University of Minnesota liquor-related flexibility, and other local liquor-law changes. An author’s amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 129-1. House File 4118, allowing state-chartered credit unions to use private deposit share insurance subject to state oversight, passed 131-2. House File 4241, a local government/elections omnibus addressing disclosure rules, Hennepin County medical examiner appointment procedures, and Rochester School Board election structure, passed 124-9. House File 3699, changing a license plate contest to feature the Lake Superior agate and requiring a Minnesota artist, passed 110-22.
Later, the House adopted motions to send House File 4668, an Explore Minnesota film tax credit bill, and House File 4319, a Lake City port authority bill affecting local taxing authority, to the Taxes Committee. The chamber also approved a motion to recall House File 1234, the payment transparency bill, from Ways and Means and place it on the General Register after a zero-cost fiscal note was reported.