Video & Transcript : 'legislative ethics' :
Page 304 of 500
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to call to order the Legislative Joint Audit Committee for Friday, February 13th.
- the audit and special reports scheduled to be presented to the standing committees and the full Legislative
- Legislative Audit staff gave a presentation covering the history of the Medicaid Subcommittee and Legislative
- This report was issued in response to a legislative request for Legislative Audit to conduct a review
- This report was issued in response to a legislative request for Legislative Audit to conduct a review
Summary:
The Legislative Joint Audit Committee met on February 13, 2026, and first adopted the January 9, 2026 minutes. It then received and adopted reports from the Executive Committee, the Standing Committee on Counties and Municipalities, the Standing Committee on Education Institutions, the Standing Committee on State Agencies, and the Medicaid Subcommittee. Those reports covered audit follow-up items, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, state agency audit findings, and a Medicaid oversight presentation. Several reports were filed after discussion, and in multiple cases agencies or local officials were present to answer questions about repeat findings or compliance concerns.
Among the notable audit matters, the committee reviewed a Cleburne County library audit that found more than $80,000 in unauthorized or questionable disbursements, including purchases that appeared personal in nature and improper fuel expenses. The library director had been placed on leave, later charged with felony theft of property and abuse of office, and the matter was referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General. The committee also heard a special report on the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, which found scholarship ineligibility issues and numerous disbursement-processing exceptions, while noting that the program had ended in 2024 and remaining funds were returned to the school districts.
During the state agency report, Legislative Audit described findings at DHS, Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Corrections, and Veterans Affairs, including improper benefit payments, a cashed warrant by someone other than the intended payee, missing receipts, unauthorized fuel card purchases, and payroll and overtime issues. The committee filed that report after agency representatives responded to questions. The meeting ended with the filing of the Cleburne County and Donaldson Scholars Academy reports, and the next committee meeting was announced for March 12-13, 2026.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Press Conference 3/5/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The courts continue to overreach and insert language into legislation.
- This is left to the legislators. HF 13 is a very simple bill.
- </c><00:02:01.079><c> our</c> and insert language into legislation our and insert language into legislation
- </c> three branches of government legislative three branches of government legislative judicial<00:02
- I'll now take your questions. legislators HF 13 is a very simple bill legislators HF 13 is a very simple
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Joint Administrative Procedures Committee Jan 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- forward to serving in that capacity and for all opportunities this provides to make sure that the legislation
- AND COMMITTEES REGARDING LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY OVER PROPOSED RULES, MAINTAINING A CONTINUOUS REVIEW
- THE COMMITTEE DOES NOT INITIATE ANY LEGISLATION, NOR ARE ANY BILLS REFERRED TO IT FOR REVIEW.
- DURING THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
- As written, the rules identified in Tabs Three through 15 are invalid and usurp legislative authority
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government Jul 22nd, 2026
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation would authorize the town of Plymouth to amend the dates of its annual spring town meeting
- This legislation is intended to address an unusual and unforeseen circumstance arising from This legislation
- Circumstances giving rise to this legislation are not the result of any action or omission on the part
- This legislation seeks to authorize and modernize how the town of Shrewsbury This legislation seeks to
- This legislation is not about increasing spending or changing our priorities.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Based on legislation from last year, if you guys will remember the Raigns Act (HB 2728) as well as Senate
- And I'll explain more about that as we Get into it, legislative intent.
- They withdrew that declaratory ruling, and we're running legislation.
- So, watch for that legislative intent.
- So, I am working on some legislation with the senator as well on doing some things to Senator Alvord,
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (01/15/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- issues when we do terms of legislative issues when we do review<00:34:45.399><c> legislation</c><00:
- If you have pending legislation or questions around legislation you might pass, please direct them to
- of that legislatively.
- We talk about legislation, upcoming legislation, legislation that we'd like to have drafted and brought
- We talk about legislation, upcoming legislation, legislation that we'd like to have drafted and brought
FL
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 3, February 11, 2026-PM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Senate file two, legislative budget. Senate file two, legislative budget.
- legislators legislators nationwide.<00:32:42.640><c> They</c><00:32:42.760><c> provide</c><00:32:43.160
- </c> research services to our Legislative research services to our Legislative Service<00:32:48.720><
- We had wildfire legislation.
- Do all legislators get to attend?
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Jun 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's part of the legislative process.
- My concern is the language, legislative intent. My concern is the language, the legislative intent.
- Legislators will likely create a trust fund.
- And that's what this legislation does. And that's what this legislation does. Follow-up.
- It's magic legislation.
Summary:
The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes.
Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account.
Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- She has the flu, and I am happy to be here to present our 2023 legislative report.
- about how frequently we were seeing a city come in with a beginning piece of legislation.
- </c><00:14:59.720><c> we</c> um beginning a piece of legislation we um beginning a piece of legislation
- The next item on our agenda, we began taking up some special legislation.
- legislation legislation uh<00:38:10.760><c> the</c><00:38:11.520><c> um</c><00:38:12.520><c> uh</c><
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> and filed a bill for legislator and filed a bill for legislator protections,<00:09:05.960><c> that's
- </c> legislation today. legislation today.
- Now, this is not a unique piece of legislation, as 21 other states have already passed similar legislation
- Now, this is not a unique piece of legislation, as 21 other states have already passed similar legislation
- :16.680><c> similar</c><00:43:17.040><c> legislation,</c> already passed similar legislation, already
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- who will talk about this legislation more.
- So I implore you to have this legislation be passed in order to ensure that.
- They will continue throughout all aspects of legislation.
- U.S. state legislators can help by passing freedom to read legislation here in Massachusetts.
- And the proposed legislation does not undermine parental rights.
Summary:
The hearing focused on several bills related to access to library materials, including measures addressing book bans and censorship in public and school libraries, as well as legislation on digital library collections and e-book licensing. Committee leaders said testimony would be limited to three minutes and encouraged written submissions. Early testimony from Chair Brian Murray highlighted H. 3595, which would address challenges facing public libraries and digital resource collections by limiting restrictive publisher-library contract terms, protecting patron confidentiality, and creating a special legislative commission to study the issue.
A large number of legislators, librarians, authors, students, publishers, and advocacy groups testified in support of the free expression bills, including H. 3594 and S. 2328, arguing that book challenges in Massachusetts disproportionately target LGBTQ+ and BIPOC titles and that librarians and educators need protection from retaliation and harassment. Witnesses described local incidents of book removals, threats, and pressure campaigns, and several said the bills would create transparent challenge procedures, keep materials available during reviews, and ensure decisions are made by trained professionals rather than political actors. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s office also submitted support, and multiple speakers cited national trends and Massachusetts-specific censorship attempts.
Testimony on the digital access bills emphasized that e-books and audiobooks are essential for readers with disabilities, homebound patrons, students, and others who rely on accessible formats, but that current licensing terms are far more expensive and restrictive than print purchasing. Library representatives said libraries spend millions on digital content, face long wait times for popular titles, and often must repeatedly re-rent the same materials. Legal and library experts supported the proposed commission as a practical step toward fairer licensing and stronger bargaining power for libraries. The hearing ended after extensive testimony; no votes or final committee action were taken in the portion provided.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, Madam Vice Chair, junior legislative aide, and very junior legislative aide, and fellow members
- Town meetings aside, that's separate legislation. That was it.
- Town meetings, as you all know, are the legislative body of a town.
- I'm the Legislative Director for MASSPIRG.
- Started and then destroyed, but legally, legislatively, was not destroyed.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills related to open meeting law, municipal meetings, town meetings, and remote participation. Senator Rausch supported S. 2205 and S. 2206, and House companion H. 3382, saying they would make remote participation in public bodies permanent and streamline open meeting law and public records complaint processes to reduce burdens on local officials. Committee members and the senator discussed concerns about complaints being weaponized, the role of the Attorney General, and whether public testimony should be presumed allowed unless a chair limits it with justification. The senator said the bills do not change public records fees and are meant to improve process and transparency.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 3342 and S. 2197, which would modernize municipal meetings, town meetings, and local elections by allowing permanent remote or hybrid participation. Supporters included Wayland officials, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, MAPC, MACC, and others, who argued that hybrid and remote options increase participation, help parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and residents with travel or work constraints, and have worked well during the pandemic-era extensions. Municipal officials emphasized that a mandate would be costly and difficult for smaller communities because of staffing, technology, room design, cybersecurity, and uneven internet access, especially in western Massachusetts. Committee members asked about equal access, funding, and whether local discretion should remain; the chair said the committee wants a permanent solution beyond emergency rules but must balance access with local capacity.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3328, which would allow remote participation to count toward quorum for statewide appointed bodies such as commissions on women and LGBTQ issues. Supporters argued this would improve regional equity and make it easier for people outside Greater Boston to serve, while committee members noted it is a separate issue from municipal meetings and may be easier to address than broader local-government changes. Another bill, H. 4351, was supported by Rep. Brandy Fluker Reed, who described it as creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to address longstanding racial wealth disparities affecting descendants of enslaved Americans. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3299 from Common Cause and MASSPIRG in favor of guaranteed hybrid access for public meetings with public participation components, with advocates saying it would improve transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- But is there legislation at the state level, or is it the comptroller who's legislating?
- Was this bill modeled after legislation in Texas or Florida?
- I know that there was legislation in Florida that is similar to this bill.
- And then the second piece is the current legislation, and...
- The other is a commission that has to be reestablished by legislation.
Keywords:
grading scale, education reform, students, public schools, academic policy, special education, due process, local education agency, burden of proof, IEP, education law, data sharing, student information, privacy, education, LA FIRST, foreign adversaries, terrorism, contracting, school funding
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislative Audit Commission. Legislative Audit Commission.
- </c> some of them we get put in legislation. some of them we get put in legislation.
- </c> rather than forcing legislation. rather than forcing legislation.
- ><c> fundamental</c><00:25:11.000><c> duty,</c> legislators, we have a fundamental duty, legislators,
- <c> or</c> our office of legislative auditor or our office of legislative auditor or inspector<00:41:
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary (2-6-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> members uh this includes legislators members uh this includes legislators from<00:03:36.519><c>
- </c><00:32:58.159><c> that</c> pass comprehensive legislation that pass comprehensive legislation that
- This isn't just about legislation or partisanship or policy. It's about humanity.
- This isn't just about legislation or partisanship or policy. It's about humanity.
- </c> your long line of uh passing legislation your long line of uh passing legislation to<00:44:02.960
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:05
Roll Call: 00:00:14
SB 26: 00:01:50
SB 64: 00:18:29
SB 73: 00:22:54, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Chair Storm, would protect parents and prospective parents with disabilities by barring disability alone from being the sole basis for denying an adoption petition or terminating parental rights. Testimony from Judge Marcus Vanover and Crystal Adams described the bill as a product of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health and its work groups, cited Kentucky and national cases and federal ADA guidance, and said the bill would require consideration of supportive services, clearer documentation, retention of records, and conforming language changes. Senator Carroll asked how the bill would apply to a hypothetical adult child with special needs; witnesses said the bill is aimed at adoption and termination proceedings where the Cabinet is already involved, not proactive service requests. The committee approved SB 26 by a unanimous 7-0 vote and sent it to the floor with favorable expression.
The committee next considered Senate Bill 64, also sponsored by Chair Storm, which would expand the definition of key infrastructure assets to include telecommunications services such as telephone lines and broadband and make damaging, tampering with, or rendering those services inoperable a Class D felony. Representatives from Charter/Spectrum and AT&T testified that copper theft and vandalism have increasingly damaged fiber and other facilities, citing more than 20 incidents in Kentucky in 2024 affecting over 30,000 customers and diverting resources from broadband expansion. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then passed SB 64 by a 7-0 vote with favorable expression.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Senator Julie Adams, which would create a felony offense for sexual extortion, allow victims or their representatives to bring civil actions, include the offense in Kentucky’s sex-crime definitions, and require school-based notification and education efforts along with resource information for students. Senator Adams and witness Lady T. Thompson described sextortion as a fast-growing online crime targeting minors, often through social media, gaming, and messaging apps, and argued that stronger penalties and prevention efforts are needed. The transcript cuts off before any committee action on SB 73.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Those are the primary changes that you will see in this particular legislation.
- Y’all tell us about stuff that, you know, most legislators never dreamed about.
- The legislation does not provide dedicated state funding for implementation.
- The next legislative session, you can change Section 85.005 of the Election Code.
- What's your wish list for legislative changes? Well, no more than three items.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Sep 2nd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I rise today on behalf of the California Legislative... Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- Today I rise in strong support of SJR 9 on behalf of the API Legislative Caucus.
- Please speak to the merits of this legislation. You're out of order.
- Please speak to the merits of this legislation.
- His contributions to the Capitol and in legislation will not be forgotten.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a busy floor session with several procedural motions and bill actions. Members suspended rules to allow speeches and guests, withdrew AB 362 from Appropriations to the second reading file, and voted 41-13 to suspend the rules for that motion. The body also took up a number of items on the daily and third reading files, with several measures passed, retained, or moved to inactive file.
The main policy focus was ACR 70, designating September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Assembly Member Pellerin presented the resolution with a personal account of losing her husband to suicide and urged greater use of 988, secure firearm storage, and open conversations about mental health. Many members from both parties and caucuses spoke in support, sharing personal experiences with suicide and emphasizing stigma reduction, access to care, and the importance of checking in on others. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, Senate amendments were concurred in, and suicide awareness pins were distributed to members.
The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 977 on Native American human remains, with unanimous support and a 68-0 vote, and to AB 1510, the Assembly PERS Committee bill, which passed 66-1. Members then adopted H.R. 65, recognizing October as Filipino American History Month, after extensive remarks celebrating Filipino American history, labor organizing, public service, and community contributions; 63 co-authors were added without objection before the voice vote. Later, the chamber passed SB 81, protecting access to health care facilities from immigration enforcement, and SB 98, requiring schools and campuses to notify communities when immigration enforcement is present; both were framed as part of a broader package to protect immigrant communities and passed on urgency votes. The session concluded with debate on SJR 9, a resolution condemning mass immigration raids and defending civil liberties, which drew sharply divided remarks from supporters and opponents, with no final action shown in the transcript excerpt.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation is not only about enforcing rules.
- The Texas Humane Legislation Network helped pass the current law in 1997.
- 88th legislative session Senate Bill 2144.
- The legislation already exists.
- Yeah, uh, lastly, I understand that this piece of legislation passed last, uh last legislative session
Bills:
HB 341, HB 791, HB 1564, HB 1695, HB 1722, HB 1729, HB 1772, HB 2003, HB 2954, HB 2989, HB 3084, HB 3134, HB 3135, HB 3309, HB 3611, HB 3679, HB 3727, HB 3832
Keywords:
affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation amends Chapter 35.
- This legislation amends Chapter 35, Title 67, Idaho Code by the addition of a new Section 67-3537.
- This legislation should have no negative impact on the general fund.
- Now it's important to note this legislation supports a full... Statistics.
- This legislation... Provide the desired level of service to the people of Idaho.
Summary:
The Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee met on February 3 and first considered RS 32989, the “Rogue Act,” sponsored by Senator Foreman. The proposal would limit annual increases in state agencies’ maintenance budgets to the average CPI-U increase for the western region, while allowing exceptions for exigent circumstances, federal mandates, and other operational needs. Foreman said the bill was intended to restrain government growth without harming agency flexibility or the general fund.
During the print hearing, several senators expressed concern about moving the measure forward given current budget pressures and cuts affecting Medicaid, public schools, and infrastructure. Senator Rowe asked how the bill would affect state-mandated education support units and other required spending, and Foreman responded that the bill’s flexibility language was meant to avoid interfering with necessary services. The committee then voted on a motion to send RS 32989 to print; the motion passed with at least one recorded nay.
The committee also approved the January 20 and January 22 minutes. It then heard from the Idaho State Tax Commission on administrative rule docket 35-0102-2501, a zero-based rewrite of sales and use tax rules that removed restatements of statute, reduced restrictive language, and cut the rules by about 46 percent, or roughly 33,800 words. Commissioners explained that examples had been moved online with hyperlinks in the rules, and senators asked about usability for practitioners and whether any substantive changes remained; the commission said the remaining rules were intended to be clearer and easier for taxpayers to follow. The committee unanimously approved the docket.
At the end of the meeting, senators noted that House Bill 559, the tax conformity bill, had passed the House and would likely come to the committee later in the week. Members emphasized that prompt action would be needed so Idaho taxpayers and the Tax Commission could update forms and software and proceed with filing season.