Transcript Highlights:

• My family would have walked away with nothing if it wouldn't have been for this third party.
• And at the end of 2016, then, after that nine years, I sold to a third party.
• And at the end of 2016, then, after that nine years, I sold to a third party. Thank you, ma'am.
• I just wanted the committee to know that I was pursuing a third party with my attorney.
• I just wanted the committee to know that I was pursuing a third party with my attorney.

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up several pending and uncontested bills. It favorably reported SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, and SB 1968, and also moved SB 2321 to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 819, which would change how the Public Utility Commission reviews proposed utility-scale solar and related interconnection projects. The committee substitute would shift the default so interconnection is allowed unless the PUC affirmatively prohibits it within 180 days, limit denial to cases where harm substantially outweighs benefits, remove public meeting requirements, retain setback and financial assurance provisions, add optional application materials such as national security and environmental information, and restore local control over county tax abatements. The substitute was adopted and SB 819 was favorably reported to the full Senate on a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 231, focused on CenterPoint’s use of large emergency generators after Hurricane Beryl. Senator King explained that the original bill was intended to prevent customers from being charged for non-mobile generators that were leased at great cost and did not match the bill’s emergency-response purpose. CenterPoint’s Jason Ryan apologized for the company’s communication failures and said the company would make customers whole through a combination of rate reductions, foregone storm-cost recovery, and a donation of the 15 large generators to ERCOT for about two years to address a San Antonio-area reliability issue, with the company absorbing the associated costs. PUC Executive Director Connie Corona said the commission could enforce the agreement through its contested-case process. Public testimony included consumer and reliability advocates, one of whom argued utility-scale microgrids should be preserved as a policy option. SB 231 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 986, which would create an alternative process for routine Public Information Act requests so local governments can make initial redactions without sending every routine exception to the Attorney General, while preserving an appeal path and training requirements. Supporters said it would reduce backlog and speed access to records; opponents argued it would shift the burden to requesters and encourage delay. The AG’s office testified that the process could improve efficiency and still fit within current timelines if used promptly. SB 986 was left pending. Finally, SB 584 was briefly laid out to require consumer reporting agencies that buy data from others to ensure the information complies with Texas law on excluded items such as bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens, and SB 600 was heard on heir property. SB 600’s substitute would strengthen notice, require an attorney ad litem, add an heir’s bill of rights, allow settlement conferences, and require fair-market-value sales protections; supporters said it would curb predatory partition practices, while opponents warned some provisions could burden or diminish minority heirs’ property rights. SB 584 and SB 600 were left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other words, you can't be both a candidate for the Republican. party and the Democrat party. Mr.
• A candidate should not be able to appear in both parties or all parties, as is the case, with the same
• It was historically voting for one party. It was trending toward the other party.
• As a Democratic Party-wise, a Republican Party could be either.
• You can't win in one party and then file a shotgun-style application with another party to get on their

Bills: SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• SB618 is carefully structured to focus on willful violations, not good faith mistakes or technical errors
• This graduated approach ensures that well-meaning officials who make inadvertent errors have the chance
• We're recommending that the parties be engaged in mediation before any legal action takes place.
• That the bill would add a requirement for mediation of the parties, and that would try to short-circuit

Bills: SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Bills: SF0114, SF0102, SF0117

Keywords: elections, Wyoming House of Representatives, state representatives, multi-member districts, county-based districts, party list voting, list voting, proportional representation, Jefferson method, greatest divisors method, ranked choice voting, RCV, primary elections, party conventions, minor parties, major parties, ballot design, apportionment, redistricting, nomination procedures

Bills: SF0114, SF0102, SF0117

Keywords: elections, Wyoming House of Representatives, state representatives, multi-member districts, county-based districts, party list voting, list voting, proportional representation, Jefferson method, greatest divisors method, ranked choice voting, RCV, primary elections, party conventions, minor parties, major parties, ballot design, apportionment, redistricting, nomination procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• . party. party.
• affiliating with that party. affiliating with that party.
• and the parties— Your party can do all they want.
• Party.
• How you you Party, you got Green Party.

Bills: SB237, HB541, SB237, HB541

Keywords: hemp, hemp beverages, psychoactive cannabinoids, psychoactive hemp products, delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, delta-10 THC, cannabidiol, CBD, intoxicating hemp, hemp-derived THC, cannabis regulation, marijuana alternatives, alcoholic beverage control, ABC Board, licensing, permit, excise tax, age verification, under 21

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a Louisiana Democratic Party license plate bill. It just mirrors...
• The other bill is for the Republican Party, right? This is for the Democratic Party.
• This is very much for the Democratic Party. And where do the funds go for this bill?
• Witness: Louisiana Democratic Party.
• He served with the First Marine Division, the Thundering Third, as they called it.

Bills: SCR58, SB309, SB514, HCR63, HCR69, HB401, HB487, HB722, HB730, HB745, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1024, HB1032, HB1050, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1218, HB1244

Keywords: SCR 58, Senate Concurrent Resolution, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, public-private partnership, P3, public-private partnership contracting, Belle Chasse Toll Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge, toll bridge, tolling, tolls, transportation infrastructure, roads and highways, Plaquemines Parish, bridge project, toll fees, unauthorized charges, contract oversight, procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill allows them to hire a third party vendor to do that and approve.
• They gave guidelines and allows any third party vendor.
• Just to clarify This doesn't limit it to just one third-party vendor. This is open to multiple.
• This is open to any third-party vendor that applies that has approved that.
• Right, we had a clerical error.

Bills: SB65, SB444, SB592, SB640, SB1242, SB1257, SB1304, SB1501, SB1642, SB1946, SB2178

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a small city. that has grown very rapidly, and we too rely on third-party services to provide
• You all heard a different bill by Chairman Harris, which had third-party involvement all the time.
• Y'all heard Chairman Dean's bill this morning for generators and other things on third parties.
• A third party, the third party is going to have to follow the city codes. Absolutely.
• If they go and get a third party, that third party person has to approve those plans according to the

Bills: HB602, HB1322, HB1930, HB2225, HB2304, HB2494, HB3275, HB3810, HB3919

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and it also allows for the use of automated software for third-party review. process.
• As it relates to the third party, when you, as a third party, use the third party, the city's time frame
• We're trying to bring that down considerably by using the third-party experts.
• We're just allowing Qualified third parties to produce the documentation on the installation.
• So the city, the city still has responsibility. yet you're using a third party entity too.

Bills: HB602, HB1322, HB1930, HB2225, HB2304, HB2494, HB3275, HB3810, HB3919

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, an amendment that promotes more transparency than the filed version: the lottery division is prohibited
• This section of the code will be enacted immediately if we have a two-thirds vote.
• This section of the code will be enacted immediately if we have a two-thirds vote.
• And the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and if we have a two-thirds vote.

Bills: HB668, HB677, HB766, HB3133, SB3070

Keywords: HB 668, Texas, handgun license, license to carry, LTC, concealed carry, open carry, firearm permit, gun license renewal, public safety, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Government Code Section 411.185, renewal fee, handgun permit, Second Amendment, carry permit, firearms regulation, HB 677, Texas Election Code

Summary: The committee met to hear several bills, beginning with House Bill 766, which would require precinct chair applicants to provide an email address, phone number, or both on their applications while keeping that contact information confidential. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 677, a companion to a previously approved Senate bill, would bar county election administrators from simultaneously holding another office or position appointed by an elected official; it also drew no public testimony and was left pending. Members then heard House Bill 3133, which would add explicit deepfake material to the list of content social media platforms must handle through complaint systems, including prompt acknowledgment, investigation, and status updates. Senators discussed concerns about how platforms would verify whether reported content was actually a deepfake, and the sponsor indicated the bill may be held pending while federal law on the subject is reviewed. House Bill 668 would create a one-year grace period for renewing an expired Texas handgun license to carry, codifying an existing DPS practice; it also received no testimony and was left pending. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 3070, a major overhaul of the Texas Lottery system. The bill would move oversight from the Lottery Commission to TDLR, dissolve the commission, impose new restrictions on ticket sales and internet play, create a lottery advisory committee, increase transparency and audit requirements, and include a sunset review that could lead to abolishing the lottery if not continued by 2027. The author described the bill as a response to alleged misconduct and illegal practices by the commission, while a witness from the Christian Life Commission testified in favor, supporting changes to prize anonymity and other lottery restrictions. After testimony, the bill was left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, an amendment promotes more transparency than the file version of the Lottery Division. is prohibited
• It will be enacted immediately if we have a two-thirds vote, and the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney

Bills: HB668, HB677, HB766, HB3133, SB3070

Keywords: HB 668, Texas, handgun license, license to carry, LTC, concealed carry, open carry, firearm permit, gun license renewal, public safety, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Government Code Section 411.185, renewal fee, handgun permit, Second Amendment, carry permit, firearms regulation, HB 677, Texas Election Code

Transcript Highlights:

• I personally think that precinct chairmen are part of the party organization, and if the party wants
• to a party to apply for a position.
• errors that were turned in.
• I have seen it in my own party and in other parties because it requires consent from the party.
• You should not have to have someone from a party be answerable to their party.

Bills: HB569, HB766, HB1638, HB2316, HB2773, HB2785, HB3113, HB3709, HB3775, HB4275

Keywords: early voting, ballot correction, voting rights, election integrity, mail-in voting, voter notification, HB 766, precinct chair, precinct chair candidate, ballot application, Texas Election Code, Section 172.021, election administration, candidate filing, party precinct chair, county party, political party office, email address, telephone number, confidential candidate information

Bills: SB1491, SB1581, SB1286, SB1451

Keywords: presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, initiative petitions, signature gathering, protest period, grand jury, Oklahoma legislature, voter registration, election integrity, Secretary of State, cancellation of registration, gender neutrality, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, but so take it if you want to, well, there was Another young individual, probably third or fourth
• American history, and then look at a few readers of the third best-selling book in American history and
• I've talked to dozens of third and fourth grade, fifth grade teachers that say they can't even teach

Bills: SB 10, SB 11

Keywords: human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• clarity can be— What someone's intentions are, the lack of clarity can be manipulated regardless of what party
• And just from my point of view, and perhaps some members of my party might agree, when we have a multi-trillion-dollar
• which passed Ways and Means by a 7-0-1 vote. ...which passed Ways and Means by a 7-0-1 vote and a third-read

Bills: SB1042, SB1043, SB1067, SB1180, SB1221, SB1292, SB1503, SCR1033

Keywords: public funds, virtual currency, bitcoin, investment, Arizona Strategic Digital Asset Reserve Act, state treasurer, retirement system, state payments, cryptocurrency, Arizona law, payment methods, government transactions, tax lien, property tax lien, real property tax lien, foreclosure, right of redemption, redeem, excess proceeds, county abatement lien

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee considered a series of Senate bills and one concurrent resolution, with several measures involving virtual currency, county tax liens, tax conformity, and retirement system investments. The chair announced that Senate Bill 1503 would be held at the sponsor’s request and noted this was likely the committee’s last meeting of the session. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 1042, which would allow state treasurer and retirement system funds to invest up to 10% in virtual currency holdings, and Senate Bill 1043, which would allow state agencies to accept virtual currency payments through agreements with providers. Members raised concerns about volatility and government involvement, but both bills were described as permissive rather than mandatory and were returned with due pass recommendations by 5-3 votes. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1067, dealing with county cleanup assessments for blighted properties in unincorporated areas. Chairman Olson offered an amendment removing the bill’s property-tax-bill mechanism and instead preserving county liens so cleanup costs could survive a tax lien sale. County representatives and the County Supervisors Association supported the amended approach as a way to recover costs and make counties whole. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill as amended passed 8-0. Senate Bill 1292, clarifying that the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System’s 5% voting-stock cap applies to publicly traded corporations, also passed with broad support after testimony from PSPRS. Two tax-administration bills prompted extended debate. Senate Bill 1180 would direct the Department of Revenue to prepare tax forms based on conformity to the Internal Revenue Code unless the legislature enacts nonconformity; Chairman Olson’s amendment limited the presumption to provisions that reduce federal adjusted gross income or taxable income, reflecting concerns about automatic tax increases. The sponsor said the bill was meant to clarify legislative intent and prevent executive overreach, while several members said the amended version was materially different from the original. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed 5-3. Senate Bill 1221 would require DOR to notify the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance chairs before adopting new interpretations or applications of tax law that adversely affect taxpayers and to testify if hearings are held; an intent amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 5-3 amid debate over the meaning of “adversely.” Finally, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1033, which encourages the Arizona State Retirement System and PSPRS to monitor digital asset exchange-traded funds and report on feasibility, risks, and benefits before the next session, was approved 5-3. Some members objected to the use of “encourage” and to the underlying cryptocurrency policy, while supporters said the resolution simply sought information and did not mandate investment. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• party transfer, which I know is third party transfer, which I know is something<00:26:02.320> that
• , the existing language is that third party has to be a qualified party.
• , the existing language is that third party has to be a qualified party. >> Thank you, Madam Chair.
• , the existing language is that third party has to be a qualified party.
• Um, and I do I do third party piece.

Bills: HF3465, HF3782, HF4075, HF391, HF3946, HF2976, HF3350

Keywords: theft, vulnerable adults, public safety, penalties, Minnesota statutes, chemical irritants, law enforcement, transparency, building owners, tenant rights, notification, remediation, firearm restrictions, domestic violence, court orders, criminal convictions, firearms prohibition, gun surrender, order for protection, protective order

Transcript Highlights:

• A third party that intentionally releases any automated license plate reader data or images without authorization
• A third party that intentionally releases any automated license plate reader data or images without authorization
• As Jen Marson pointed out, if this is actually a combination of several bills, and my majority party
• But if we have to get two-thirds, I mean, shouldn't we do, like—I mean, it's very difficult to get two-thirds
• We think, you know, because to Senator Fernandez's point earlier, this is a two-thirds vote.

Bills: SB1072, SB1111, SB1114, SB1116, SB1122, SB1179, SB1250, SB1308, SB1455, SB1456, SB1457, SB1487, SB1547, SB1549, SB1551, SB1552

Keywords: reimbursement rates, intellectual disabilities, community services, economic security, funding appropriations, automated license plate readers, law enforcement, privacy, data access, public records, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare

Summary: The committee first approved the February 3, 2026 minutes and reordered the agenda to accommodate sponsors and speakers. SB 1114, which would appropriate $1 million to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to investigate behavioral health patient brokering statewide, was presented as a response to Medicaid fraud and exploitation of vulnerable Native American patients. After brief questions about why Maricopa County would handle statewide oversight, the bill received a do pass recommendation on a 9-0 vote with one member not voting. The committee then took up SB 1111, as amended by a strike-everything amendment regulating automated license plate readers. The amendment limited use to specified law enforcement purposes, required verification of alerts when feasible, imposed data-retention and handling responsibilities on agencies, and created a misdemeanor penalty for unauthorized release of data. Supporters from Phoenix, Tempe, Prescott Valley, the Arizona Chiefs of Police, and the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association argued the bill provides needed statewide guardrails while preserving a valuable investigative tool for missing persons, stolen vehicles, and serious crimes. Opponents from the ACLU, Institute for Justice, and private citizens raised privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns, warning about dragnet surveillance, unclear terms like “legitimate” law enforcement purposes, lack of public access to records, and the risk of misuse for immigration or abortion-related tracking. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 1111 as amended a do pass recommendation on a 7-2 vote, with one not voting. Next, SB 1116, as amended, was approved. The bill requires appeals or adverse determinations on behavioral health claims under AHCCCS fee-for-service to be reviewed by someone with relevant clinical experience, and the amendment broadened the requirement to include medical-necessity denials and specified at least two years of similar clinical experience. Senator Werner said the measure was intended to curb inappropriate denials and improve payment for behavioral health providers serving Native communities. Access was neutral but said the bill’s terms were too broad and could require additional staff; the committee nonetheless adopted the amendment and passed the bill 10-0. Finally, SB 1122, as amended, was approved 10-0. The bill bars AHCCCS from requiring prior authorization for behavioral health services under the American Indian Health Plan, while the amendment prohibited 100% prepayment review and adjusted the corrective-action language. Senator Werner and provider representatives said the measure was needed because providers were being delayed or denied payment, contributing to closures, workforce shortages, and patient brokering. The committee then began hearing SB 1072, a major appropriation to increase reimbursement rates for home- and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with testimony focused on severe caregiver shortages, overtime costs, and unassigned service authorizations.

Bills: HB398, HB906, HB1201, SB41, SB47, SB106, SB210, SB218, SB220, SB248, SB289, SB397

Keywords: travel expenses, reimbursement, state officials, US General Services Administration, disaster management, nominating petitions, unaffiliated voters, party primaries, political participation, elections, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, boards and commissions, public records, contact information, email addresses, phone numbers

Transcript Highlights:

• issue This issue is not about one This issue This issue is not about one political<00:40:28.320> party
• It is about political party or another.
• The person with the highest votes, whether Republican or Democrat, is the nominee of their party, and
• <00:55:33.400> at<00:55:33.520> the<00:55:33.600> Republican<00:55:34.240> Party
• we are coming at the Republican Party we are coming at the Republican Party and<00:55:34.720>

Bills: HB1

Keywords: HB1, Alabama, elections, primary election, special primary, runoff, congressional districts, redistricting, reapportionment, district boundaries, federal court, injunction, judgment, Governor proclamation, nominee certification, party nominee, general election 2026, election calendar, voting rights, congressional race

Summary: The Ways and Means General Fund Committee met in special session and took up only one bill, HB 1 by Rep. Chris Pringle, which would authorize a special election for certain congressional districts if the federal court lifts its injunction and allows the state to use the 2023 congressional map. Pringle said the bill only creates a pathway for that special election, and members were told the fiscal note estimates the election could cost about $4.5 million from the General Fund. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was tied to recent federal court and Supreme Court rulings, including Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the Purcell principle, and whether it would be too close to an election or create confusion. Several committee members pressed Pringle on whether the bill would reduce Black representation, whether Alabama had agreed not to revisit redistricting until 2030, and whether the 2023 map had previously been found discriminatory. Pringle repeatedly said he was not offering legal advice and that the matter was pending in federal court, while also saying the bill would simply allow voters to use the legislature’s 2023 map if the courts permit it. Rep. Ford raised concerns about the cost to the General Fund and competing budget priorities, and Rep. All questioned the timing and possible administrative confusion. Pringle responded that citizens would still be able to vote for candidates of their choosing. During the public hearing, speakers overwhelmingly opposed the bill. Jamaal Brown, Kenneth Sharpton, Eliza Jane Franklin, Pastor Richard Williams, Rep. Givan, Jacoby Bibbs, and Agnes Lover argued that the proposal would weaken Black voting power, revive a map they described as unfair or racist, and create unnecessary disruption so close to an election. Several speakers framed the issue as one of civil rights, fair representation, and trust in democracy, while others criticized the cost and said the legislature should focus on broader needs such as health care and mental health. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.