Video & Transcript Research : 'ethical concerns'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- There was a whole bunch of work done regarding the various concerns of industry, stakeholders, individuals
- The speaker raises concerns about forcing dealers to accept certain lenders and begins to pivot to the
- The speaker describes a bait-and-switch concern: a car is advertised at one price, but financing terms
- And concerns for security has been one of our major concerns.
- Just a concern we had. Yeah, that's a very interesting concern. In fact, thank you.
Bills:
HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending.
The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending.
The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Despite FDA approval, there are safety concerns.
- What are the potential implications or safety concerns?
- The other concern being the blended product is a concern for us because we know what the safety...
- You've said there's some safety concerns.
- And that's the concern."
Bills:
HB 44, HB 2200, HB 1612, HB 2747, HB 2038, HB 3717, HB 1431, HB 3800, HB 3801, HB 3560, HB 3246
Keywords:
HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care
Summary:
The meeting of the public health committee focused on the pressing issue of opioid addiction in Texas, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 3717. Chairman Harris detailed the bill's intent to fund a grant program for Ibogaine clinical trials, framing it as a critical response to the ongoing opioid crisis. He shared poignant testimonies highlighting the struggles of families and veterans battling addiction and mental health issues. The conversation underscored the necessity of innovative treatments, like Ibogaine, which showed promising results in studies for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and PTSD.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- That was my only concern. Thank you, ma'am. Okay.
- I understand your concern for kids. And I think to Rep.
- So that's a concern for me. Well, it's also a concern.
- Okay, so what is your opinion concerning this bill?
- And I think that's where I have a pause of concern.
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, AI, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, content standards, K-12 education, public schools, curriculum, digital literacy, computer science, STEM, technology education, student privacy, ethical AI, workforce development, future-ready workforce, instructional resources, education policy, school standards, Louisiana education
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- That's my main concern about this right now.
- It's just I'm really concerned about this. It's not a question.
- It's just that I'm really concerned about this.
- My main concern, and I'll go right back to you, so my main concern, another concern of mine is, you know
- So my main concern, another concern of mine is, you know, you break in my house and what if my wife is
Bills:
SB1004, SB1012, SB1100, SB1110, SB1170, SB1213, SB1317, SB1402, SB1413, SB1416, SB1476, SB1511, SB1573, SB1655, SB1656, SB1709, SB1720, SB1723, SB1725, SCR1040
Keywords:
sex offender registration, sex offender registry, A.R.S. 13-3821, sexual offenses, public safety, GPS monitoring, electronic monitoring, transient offender, homeless registrant, online identifiers, internet identifiers, sheriff notification, Department of Public Safety, DPS, DNA collection, juvenile adjudication, kidnapping of a minor, unlawful imprisonment of a minor, lifetime registration, community notification
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part II) May 1st, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- working group, and all the stakeholders, there was a whole bunch of work done regarding the various concerns
- focuses on clearly defined harms, but also affords companies the flexibility to innovate around these concerns
- Legislators would be entitled to information from executive agencies concerning information that we need
- Security has been one of our major concerns. I have to have bailiffs in my office.
- That's a very interesting concern, in fact. Thank you. Is there anyone else who wishes to testify?
Bills:
HB12, HB149, HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696
Keywords:
election law, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, law enforcement, jurisdiction, voter fraud, local prosecuting attorney, public safety, communication, governor approval, interoperability, political subdivision, radio systems, artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) May 1st, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- We are an ethical pet store dedicated to ethical sourcing, consumer education, and fighting the stigma
- One of the concerns I had was the lifting of the usury interest. Yeah, so here's the history.
- And I suppose if they're concerned about it, they would testify.
- We are concerned about the usury recap; we were originally concerned, but hearing the earlier commentary
- Concern, not exactly sure yet, but I want to state that for the record.
Bills:
HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696, HB12, HB149
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Our concern is that it takes what is emergency intended to be emergency shelters, temporary emergency
- Our concern is that it takes what is intended to be emergency shelters, temporary emergency shelters,
- Although I respect the previous testifiers’ concerns.
- <00:36:28.000>
in <00:36:28.120>Lahaina concerns in Lahaina concerns in Lahaina for<00: - <00:57:33.120>
regarding consider HH FDC's concern regarding consider HH FDC's concern regarding
Bills:
SB2405, HCR19, HCR63, HCR85, HCR140, HCR166, HCR82, HCR98, HCR104, HCR106, HCR141, HCR165, HR20, HR57, HR77, HR132, HR156, HR74, HR90, HR96, HR98, HR133, HR155
Keywords:
agricultural workforce, housing, Hawaii, working group, zoning, land use, financial incentives, tax credits, water conservation, infrastructure, public health, March4Water, water access, sustainable resources, Honopou Bridge, emergency access, wildfire risk, public safety, structural integrity, community outreach
Summary:
The Water and Land Committee met on April 7 and heard testimony on several resolutions and one bill. SB 2405 SD1 HD2, relating to agricultural workforce housing, received support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, HFTC, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the committee later recommended passage as is; one member voted with reservations citing department cost and staffing concerns. The committee also heard HCR 19/HR 20 designating March as March for Water Month, HCR 63/HR 57 urging DLNR and DOT to clarify jurisdiction over Honouliuli Bridge, HCR 85/HR 77 on transferring parcels for the East Kapolei TOD project, HCR 140/HR 132 on vegetation management and fuel reduction in West Maui, HCR 166/HR 156 on identifying East Oahu lands for native Hawaiian tree planting, HCR 82/HR 74 on basic shelter standards for rapid deployment housing, HCR 98/HR 90 on a Honolulu housing pattern book, HCR 104/HR 96 on North Shore coastal trails, HCR 106/HR 98 on endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, HCR 141/HR 133 on Maui fire code enforcement, and HCR 165/HR 155 on permanent pickleball nets and lighting at Kamiloiki Community Park.
Testimony was generally supportive on most measures, with several agencies and organizations submitting written comments or appearing in support. HCR 82/HR 74 drew the most discussion: the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the intent but asked that accessibility be considered on the front end, while another testifier opposed the resolution, arguing it could turn temporary emergency shelters into permanent substandard housing and should be deferred. Committee members discussed temporary versus permanent housing standards and accessibility, and the chair later said the measure would be amended to require permanent units to meet appropriate code standards and to note accessibility concerns in the committee report. On HCR 140/HR 132, DLNR testified that firebreak maintenance on its Waianae lands would be costly, and members noted funding and staffing implications.
At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures it voted on. SB 2405 was passed with a reservation from one member; HCR 19/HR 20, HCR 63/HR 57, HCR 85/HR 77, HCR 98/HR 90, HCR 104/HR 96, HCR 106/HR 98, HCR 141/HR 133, and HCR 165/HR 155 were passed unamended, while HCR 140/HR 132 was passed with reservations and HCR 166/HR 156 and HCR 82/HR 74 were passed with amendments. The committee then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We can work on some language that addresses your concerns.
- The 1925 part that I'm concerned about.
- And so I have. particular concern about husbands.
- So first, our main concern is that HB 44.
- They are very concerned about this 1925 law.
Keywords:
HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care
AL
Bills:
SJR 3, SB 5, SJR 36, SJR 3, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 5, SB 21, SB 72, SB 140, SB 262, SB 370, SB 372, SB 495, SB 627, SB 703, SB 764, SB 842, SB 971, SB 790, SB 767, SB 480, SB 1066, SR 44, SR 135, SR 171, SR 180, SR 185, SR 187, SR 188, SR 191, SR 197, SR 198, SR 199, SR 200
Keywords:
dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- FLORIDA IS BLESSED TO HAVE A MAN OF YOUR WORK ETHIC AND INTEGRITY IN THIS KEY ROLE.
- IN ADDITION TO GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY, THE FLORIDIANS I HEAR FROM ACROSS THE STATE ARE MOST CONCERNED
Bills:
SJR3, SB5, SJR36, SJR3, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB5, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB764, SB842, SB971, SB790, SB767, SB480, SB1066, SR44, SR135, SR171, SR180, SR185, SR187, SR188, SR191, SR197, SR198, SR199, SR200
Keywords:
dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections, and the committee will now come to order.
- Zolkowski, a great general counsel of the Florida Commission on Ethics.
- Stillman, and it concerns what is known as the in-office lobbying ban.
- Garcia, and it concerns a law that was passed two sessions ago.
- You know, they're working hard, those local ethics boards, for sure.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections convened, established a quorum, and members introduced themselves and the committee staff. Chair Gaetz outlined the committee’s jurisdiction over election law, ethics law, executive appointments, and related confirmations, and described the committee’s process for handling gubernatorial nominations and member concerns about nominees.
The committee then received a briefing from the Florida Commission on Ethics on its 2025 legislative priorities and on implementation of Senate Bill 7014 from the prior year. The commission recommended three changes: expanding the definition of “relative” in the gift law to include current and former foster parents and foster children; authorizing salary withholding to help collect civil penalties and restitution; and adding whistleblower-like protections for people who file ethics complaints. Commission staff also explained how SB 7014 changed complaint processing by requiring allegations to be based on personal knowledge or non-hearsay information and by imposing new deadlines for legal sufficiency review, investigations, and advocates’ recommendations. They said the commission has adapted its intake and review process and is currently meeting the new timelines, though the tighter deadlines may create staffing and scheduling challenges.
Commission counsel also provided an update on two active lawsuits. One challenges the constitutional in-office lobbying ban, and the other challenges the requirement that elected municipal officers and mayors file Form 6 financial disclosure forms. The committee discussed the impact of the new complaint standards, the possibility of litigation if deadlines are missed, and whether local ethics boards are implementing SB 7014 similarly. Members expressed support for the commission’s work and asked for written legislative recommendations and proposed statutory language. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And I, so I had that concern.
- But that does not still change my concern about the ethical violations with this donation and these strings
- Simmons acting unethically or violating any ethical rules? I don't recall having any concerns.
- ethical alarm bells?
- was ethical or unethical.
Summary:
The hearing opened in a Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings matter involving Legislative Ethics Board complaint 2025-5 against Representative Tara Simmons. The ALJ outlined the process, the issues on appeal, and the burden of proof, which centered on whether Simmons violated the Ethics Act by using her legislative position for others’ benefit and by holding outside employment that conflicted with her duties, and what sanction would be appropriate. Several exhibits were admitted by stipulation or without objection, while Exhibit 2 was initially held for later ruling but was ultimately admitted after testimony from the witness who prepared it. The board also granted a motion to sequester witnesses and took under advisement a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after the staff case-in-chief.
In opening statements, board staff alleged Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070 by sponsoring a proviso that benefited her outside employer, Equity and Education Coalition (EEC), by using campaign surplus funds to help hire a friend, by intervening in a dispute over the proviso-funded work, and by sending text messages to influence others. Staff said it would seek penalties of up to $5,000 per violation plus costs. Defense counsel argued the allegations were technical ethics issues, denied Simmons profited personally, and contended the proviso funding her employer was permitted under prior board guidance; counsel also argued the campaign donation and later contract dispute were lawful and context-dependent.
The first witness, Kimberly Gordon of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), testified that AEJG received state proviso funding and donations from Simmons, including $10,000 and later $40,000, which Gordon said were intended to fund the hiring of Antoine Coleman, Simmons’s romantic partner. Gordon said AEJG returned the donations and terminated Coleman after learning of the relationship and potential conflict of interest. She also testified about a later 2024 proviso involving EEC, a subcontract between AEJG and EEC, and a dispute over EEC’s performance under that subcontract. Gordon said AEJG raised concerns with the Administrative Office of the Courts, met with contract manager Chris Stanley, and ultimately rewrote the subcontract after Stanley, allegedly after speaking with Simmons, directed them to do so. The hearing then recessed for lunch, and cross-examination of Gordon was set to continue afterward.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 8th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Stanley about our concern.
- But that is not, that still doesn't change my concern about the ethical violations with this donation
- Simmons acting unethically or violating any ethical rules? I don’t recall having any concerns.
- ethical alarm bells?
- Violating any ethical rules or triggering any ethical alarm bells? Objection.
Summary:
The hearing concerned a Legislative Ethics Board complaint against Representative Tara Simmons in Washington State OAH Docket 401-645. The judge outlined the process, the two issues on appeal—whether Simmons violated RCW 42.52.020 and RCW 42.52.070, and, if so, what penalty should apply—and admitted a number of exhibits by stipulation or prior ruling, while taking one exhibit under advisement pending an offer of proof. The board also moved to sequester witnesses, which was granted, and the judge deferred ruling on a motion to exclude three defense witnesses until after hearing the board staff’s case. Opening statements followed, with staff alleging Simmons used her position to benefit an outside organization and to secure special privileges, and the defense arguing the conduct was lawful, technical in nature, and consistent with prior ethics guidance.
Board staff then called Kimberly Gordon, an attorney and founding board member/treasurer of American Equity and Justice Group (AEJG), as its first witness. Gordon testified that AEJG used data dashboards to make justice-system data more accessible, received state proviso funding sponsored by Simmons, and also received two donations from Simmons—$10,000 and $40,000. She said the first donation was intended to help hire Antoine Coleman, whom Simmons had recommended and who was later identified as Simmons’s romantic partner, and that AEJG returned the $10,000 and declined the $40,000 after concluding there was a potential conflict of interest. Gordon also testified that AEJG believed Simmons’s involvement in the organization and her communications about Coleman created ethical concerns.
Gordon further testified about a second proviso intended to expand AEJG’s work into education data and its subcontract with Equity in Education Coalition (EEC). She said EEC did not perform the expected deliverables, prompting repeated communications with the Administrative Office of the Courts and a meeting involving Chris Stanley, where AEJG raised concerns that EEC was not complying and that Simmons had intervened in the dispute. According to Gordon, Stanley ultimately directed the parties to rewrite the subcontract and continue, but AEJG later moved forward largely without EEC’s assistance. The board staff introduced AEJG’s complaint and related timeline exhibits during her testimony. After direct examination, the hearing recessed for lunch, and cross-examination by Simmons’s counsel began when the hearing resumed.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 9th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Were you concerned about ethics before you got elected?” “Oh my gosh, yes.
- Struz regarding ethics considerations or concerns.
- review Ethics Board decisions?
- Now, do any of the Legislative Ethics Board members have any questions, comments, or concerns for me
- Legislative Ethics Board members have any questions, comments, or concerns for me before we adjourn?
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.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Media Availability 4/7/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- An ethics complaint is a very serious thing. I have never brought an ethics complaint before.
- An ethics complaint is a very serious thing. I have never brought an ethics complaint before.
- >
the <00:05:24.200>same Ethics Committee abides by the same Ethics Committee abides by - integrity of members of the ethics integrity of members of the ethics committee<00:10:13.480>
- you've been here, any ethics complaints. you've been here, any ethics complaints.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Jun 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- “Were you concerned about ethics before you got elected?” “Oh my gosh, yes.
- Struz regarding ethics considerations or concerns.
- review Ethics Board decisions?
- Now, do any of the Legislative Ethics Board members have any questions, comments, or concerns for me
- "Legislative Ethics Board members have any questions, comments, or concerns for me before we adjourn?
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.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate State and Local Government Apr 10th, 2025 at 02:30 pm
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- They said their concern was how the bill is laid out, not whether the Ethics Commission is or is not
- That's where our office had concerns.
- The attorney for the Ethics Commission, is the attorney for the Ethics Commission also a SAG? Yes.
- It would just simply be taking current code, adding Ethics Commission.
- Governor, Ethics, and Auditor?
Summary:
The Senate State and Local Government Committee reconvened and reviewed the status of several bills. The chair said bill 1377 could not be acted on until the House finished work on campaign finance bill 2156, and bill 1535 likely would not be ready because of unresolved concerns from Representative Davis and planned meetings with Highway Patrol and BCI. The committee therefore focused on bill 1601, which dealt with when the Attorney General may refuse or revoke special assistant attorney general appointments for certain state offices and entities.
Members debated the policy and constitutional implications of the bill, including whether it was solving a real problem or creating a potential conflict, and whether statewide elected officials and independent bodies should have their own counsel. After testimony from the Chief Deputy Attorney General clarifying current law and the appropriations process, the committee amended the bill to add the Ethics Commission to the list of entities and to narrow the affected offices to the Governor, State Auditor, and Ethics Commission. The committee also changed one provision from “and” to “or” to clarify the standard for refusal or revocation.
The committee then approved the bill as amended on a 6-0 vote and designated Senator Braunberger as the carrier. The chair said the committee would not meet the next morning and would instead reconvene the following week at the call of the chair.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Media Availability 4/7/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >> We actually have a very large concern >> We actually have a very large concern about
- people that has filed an ethics people that has filed an ethics complaint.<00:07:36.480>
He'd - response to the other ethics complaint? response to the other ethics complaint?
- >> Um, the way that the ethics work is we receive those ethics complaint.
- >> What you're going to see is the ethics committee is going to do their work.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Rules and Administration - 06/13/25
Rules and Administration
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
LMG Public Hearing - Wed Mar 19, 2025 @ 2:45 PM HST
Legislative Management
Transcript Highlights:
- that I'm concerned about.
- Very serious concerns.
- state ethics commission, Robert Harris. state ethics commission, Robert Harris.
- Uh the ethics commission. My committee. Uh the ethics commission.
- concerned about. Very serious concerns. concerned about. Very serious concerns.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 5 and SB 1545. SB 5 drew opposition from the Department of the Attorney General, which said the bill conflicted with two sections of the state constitution. A member of the public also opposed SB 5, arguing that representatives should be elected by the people and urging the committee not to pass the measure. After discussion, the committee deferred SB 5, citing the deputy attorney general’s view that it was unconstitutional.
The committee then heard SB 1545, which concerns nepotism rules and good-cause exceptions. The State Ethics Commission testified in support, saying the bill would create a clearer, more transparent central process for good-cause exceptions and noting that several exceptions had already been publicly filed. A public testifier also supported the bill but questioned why the judiciary appeared to be excluded from its coverage.
After a brief recess, the committee decided to amend SB 1545 by striking the exemption for the legislature and judiciary and changing the effective date to the House defective date. The committee then voted to pass SB 1545 with amendments. The chair, vice chair, and Representatives Ichiyama and Morikawa voted aye; Representative Matsumoto was excused, and the recommendation was adopted.