Transcript Highlights:

• RSAs for uh towns to adopt a partisan RSAs for uh towns to adopt a partisan election<00:28:38.320>
• School districts can choose to adopt this. They can choose not to adopt this.
• incentive to towns that choose to adopt incentive to towns that choose to adopt it.<00:51:55.760
• Had we adopted the amendment yet?
• not adopted the amendment. not adopted the amendment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• amended be adopted. amended be adopted.
• adopted, I move that this bill pass. adopted, I move that this bill pass.
• If my amendment was adopted, technically there would be no fiscal note for the amendment.
• You can't be considered for adoption if you're not sufficiently affirming.
• I have two adopted African daughters and four other children.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bettencourt moves for the adoption of the committee substitute. Are there any objections?
• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted. Senator Bettencourt moves that Senate Bill 39 do not pass.
• But the committee substitute is adopted and in lieu. Therefore, it does pass and will be printed.
• Senator Bettencourt moves for the adoption of the committee substitute. Are there any objections?
• Code, they adopt the Transportation Code. That's how the bill reads. Mr.

Bills: SB682, SB1013, SB1369, SB1422, SB2001, SB2080, SB2366, SB2705, SB2841

Keywords: memorial highway, Captain Kevin Williams, Firefighter Austin Cheek, Smith County, transportation, pedestrian right-of-way, sidewalk users, bicycle safety, micromobility, electric scooter, motor-assisted scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device, skateboard, roller skates, driveway crossing, alley crossing, traffic safety, yield law, Texas Transportation Code, vehicle-pedestrian collision

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> You're the next contestant. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• >> you're the next contestant. >> you're the next contestant.
• a regulatory and statutory had adopted a regulatory and statutory framework<01:04:02.559> for
• <01:35:20.320> by<01:35:20.880> uh<01:35:21.440> state regulations uh adopted
• by uh state regulations uh adopted by uh state agencies<01:35:22.800> after<01:35:23.040>

Bills: SF0044, SF0046

Keywords: gambling, lotteries, raffles, social relationships, charitable gaming, gaming, liquor establishments, skill based amusement games, regulations, age restrictions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, all in favor of adopting the A2 amendment say aye. I oppose. Same sign. Amendment passed.
• :03:15.599> say<00:03:15.799> I<00:03:16.480> I<00:03:17.000> oppose adopting
• the A2 Amendment say I I oppose adopting the A2 Amendment say I I oppose same<00:03:18.000> sign<
• There being six ayes and five nays, the motion is adopted and the amendment...
• <00:59:45.720> and<00:59:45.880> the adopted and the adopted and the amendment<00:59:48.680

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Stine moves that we adopt the minutes from the last meeting.
• Hearing no objection, the minutes are adopted.
• Imagine that you adopt a new puppy.
• the bill is nothing but a Trojan horse to the last two sentences of the bill, to allow employers to contest

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Stine moves that we adopt the minutes from the last meeting.
• Hearing no objection, the minutes are adopted.
• Imagine that you have, and this is an analogy that I came up with, imagine that you adopt a new puppy
• bill, is nothing but a Trojan horse to the last two sentences of the bill, to allow employers to contest

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee met on March 14 and adopted the prior minutes. It voluntarily deferred Senate Bill 358, which would have addressed workers’ compensation coverage for independent contractors and sole-proprietor subcontractors. Senator Abraham said the bill would instead be studied to determine whether such workers should be able to buy occupational accident coverage or be required to carry workers’ compensation coverage, particularly where no employees are involved. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand and clarify workers’ compensation petition requirements and broaden employers’ and payers’ ability to file disputed claims beyond fraud and medical-director appeals to other disputes under the chapter. The bill drew strong support from business groups and strong opposition from injured-worker attorneys, who argued it would revive problems seen in 2012 when employers could sue injured workers without a ripe dispute, burden unrepresented claimants, and increase litigation and administrative costs. Supporters said it would improve access to the courts and help employers investigate questionable claims. After debate, the committee voted 5-1 to report HB 456 favorably, with Senator Barrow voting no. The committee also heard House Bill 549, which creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or Bayou Works, a proposed statewide workforce training grant program aimed at helping employers quickly train workers for specific skill needs. The sponsor and Louisiana Workforce Commission representatives said it would be privately funded, modeled on Michigan’s “Going Pro” program, and coordinated with technical colleges, apprenticeships, internships, and other workforce partners. Members asked about statewide reach, youth pipeline efforts, and timing; the department said implementation would likely begin later next year. The committee reported HB 549 favorably by unanimous consent and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing none, so adopted. So, is that all I've got to do? Let's go back.
• First, it requires the PUC to adopt a standardized application form for system improvement charge charges
• The report do not pass, but the committee substitute, adopt it in lieu thereof, do pass and be printed
• Senator Perry moves that Senate Bill 1248 be recommended for local and contested.

Bills: SCR13, SB1248

Keywords: water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, harvest reports, wildlife harvest data, public information act, open records, confidentiality, hunter privacy, angler data, game animals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals

Transcript Highlights:

• AND WE HAVE ASKED CITIES AND COUNTIES WE HAVE 500 OF THEM WHO HAVE ADOPTED IT VOLUNTARILY.
• ARE 3,000 TRADITIONAL APPLICANTS BUT 500 HAVE REQUESTED TO BE A PART OF OUR PROGRAM AND THEY HAVE ADOPTED
• ONE IS A REGIONAL CENTER AND ONE IS AT THE SPORTS CONTEST SPORTS CENTER. >> MEMBERS, I HAVE A COUPLE
• SEE THE MOTION ADOPTED. WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not here to contest that.
• I'm not here to contest that.
• I'm not here to contest that.
• I'm not here to contest that.
• I'm not here to contest that.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope this amendment is adopted, and I hope when it is, that it's adopted by a call of the yeas and
• My question comes on adoption. The amendment is adopted.
• I hope the amendment is adopted. The adoption amendment, all those in favor say aye. Opposed, no.
• The amendment is not adopted.
• The amendment is not adopted.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate resumed debate on Senate No. 2696, An Act Regarding Free Expression, a bill addressing challenges to books and other library materials in school and public libraries. Senators supporting the bill argued it protects free expression and gives students, parents, guardians, and others a court path to challenge removals, while opponents raised concerns about parental rights, school control, and the scope and timing of the review process. Several speakers also emphasized the broader context of book bans and the impact on authors, librarians, and students. A number of amendments were considered. Amendment 4, offered by Senator Creem, was adopted and extended standing to authors and creators to challenge removals of their works, including in municipal libraries. Amendment 5, by Senator DiDomenico, was adopted and limited who may initiate challenges to those connected to the school community. Amendment 6, by Senator Comerford, was adopted to require that challenged materials be considered in their entirety. Amendment 8, by Senator Tarr, proposing parental notification of challenges, was rejected after a roll call. Subsequent Tarr amendments on parental opt-out, reporting, public process, and written policy were also rejected, while Amendment 19, requiring written reasons when librarians remove outdated or successor materials, was rejected as well. Amendment 7, a Ways and Means amendment, was adopted. The Senate then ordered the bill to a third reading and passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35 in favor and 3 against. The chamber also adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's important because that allows for a contest, which has to happen within 14 days.
• 48:33.040> a important because that allows for um a important because that allows for um a contest
• , which has to happen within 14 contest, which has to happen within 14 days.<00:48:35.680> And
• <01:25:04.639> So<01:25:04.880> should contest the election.
• So should contest the election.

Bills: SF0102, SF0113

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, hand count audit, ballots, election integrity, transparency, voting system, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They just told me I better move adoption, so let me move adoption and we adopt this resolution, HR 648
• The chair hears none, and the resolution is adopted.
• Is there an objection to the adoption of the amendment? Chair hears none. The amendment is adopted.
• Is your objection to the adoption of the amendment? Chair here's none. The amendment is adopted.
• Is there objection to the adoption of the amendment, Chair. He's none. The amendment is adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• 19:42.960> was<00:19:43.120> the<00:19:43.360> presidential<00:19:44.000> contest
• <00:19:44.400> between uh was the presidential contest between uh was the presidential contest
• When each side adopts hardball tactics, the result is escalating retaliation and a collapse of forbearance
• When each side<00:29:33.200> adopts<00:29:33.679> hard<00:29:34.000> ball<00:29:
• 34.320> tactics,<00:29:35.039> the side adopts hard ball tactics, the side adopts hard

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing with Professor Colin Moore on democratic norms and their erosion in the United States, with a focus on what that could mean for Hawaii. Chair Carl Rhodes introduced the topic and the professor, noting the briefing was livestreamed and could be rescheduled if technical problems arose. Moore defined democratic norms as unwritten guardrails that make written constitutional rules work in practice, emphasizing two core norms from political science: mutual toleration, meaning acceptance of political opponents as legitimate, and institutional forbearance, meaning restraint in using legal powers to the maximum for partisan gain. Moore used historical examples to show how norms develop and erode, including George Washington’s resignation, the Alien and Sedition Acts, the contested 1800 election, Franklin Roosevelt’s court-packing plan, and Watergate. He argued that democracies usually erode gradually rather than through sudden coups, often through leaders who reject opponents’ legitimacy, tolerate political violence, restrict civil liberties, or attack the press. He said the United States is vulnerable because of its strong presidency, an 18th-century constitutional design that did not anticipate modern political parties or a neutral civil service, and because polarization has encouraged “constitutional hardball” and retaliation. He cited comparative examples such as Hungary, Turkey, and other countries that slid toward authoritarianism over time, and said the U.S. has been rated a flawed democracy by outside indexes. Moore said the erosion predates Donald Trump, though he believes Trump has accelerated it, and pointed to recent actions and rhetoric as moving beyond ceremony into government practice. He also warned that Congress has not consistently checked executive power and that public willingness to excuse anti-democratic behavior from preferred candidates is troubling. The briefing ended with Moore turning to federalism and Hawaii, arguing that the state depends heavily on federal funding for health care, schools, housing, and infrastructure, and that delays or disruptions from an unstable federal government could create serious local harm even if no law is formally broken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Move for adoption. The question occurs in the adoption of the resolution.
• They're being 148 ayes and 0 nays, the resolution is adopted.
• Move adoption. Members, the question occurs in the adoption of the resolution.
• Move adoption. The question occurs in the adoption of the resolution. Is there any objection?
• Speaker, I move adoption. Members, the question occurs in the adoption of the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so what was requested of us with the industry was to adopt a similar salary adjustment program that
• <01:32:02.080> a with the industry was uh to adopt a with the industry was uh to adopt a similar
• that a few years ago in air adopted that a few years ago in air quality.<01:33:34.880> uh<01:
• to conduct contested case hearings arising<02:29:10.880> from<02:29:11.120> the<02:29:
• , and all public contested cases, and all rulemaking<02:33:15.120> hearings.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, colleagues, the consent calendar has been adopted.
• I've been able to do it or to contest it. It's a reasonable thing.
• Okay, that bill is out, and the consent calendar was previously adopted.
• This item was adopted on consent. Item 3, SB 758 by Senator Umberg.
• This item was adopted on consent.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think Brad Hager and his colleagues can contest that the DNR budget is one of the most complicated
• I think Brad Hager and his colleagues can contest that the DNR budget is one of the most complicated
• I think Brad Hager and his colleagues can contest that the DNR budget is one of the most complicated
• in the coming weeks, spread across more than 50 funds, I think Brad Hager and his colleagues can contest
• we adopted the one Watershed<01:23:17.600> one<01:23:18.199> plan<01:23:19.199> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The question occurs in the adoption of the resolution.
• Move adoption. The question occurs in the adoption of the resolution. Is there any objection?
• Speaker I move adoption.
• is none the resolution is adopted.
• On the adoption of the resolution, is there objection?

Bills: HCR21, HCR22, HCR23, HCR24, HCR25, HCR26, HCR27, HCR31, HCR41, HCR42, HCR43, HCR44, HCR45, HCR52, HCR53, HCR66, HCR67, HCR73, HR8, HR10, HR13, HR20, HR21, HR50, HR59, HR61, HR71, HR74, HR79, HR84, HR86, HR90, HR91, HR102, HR103, HR107, HR113, HR125, HR126, HR132, HR142, HR145, HR149, HR150, HR152, HR167, HR179, HR181, HR183, HR186, HR192, HR196, HR199, HR207, HR211, HR212, HR213, HR216, HR249, HR256, HR259, HR261, HR263, HR272, HR281, HR285, HR294, HR295, HR300, HR305, HR311, HR313, HR315, HR316, HR323, HR331, HR339, HR340, HR346, HR349, HR352, HR357, HR358, HR360, HR363, HR374, HR377, HCR20, HCR28, HCR30, HCR32, HCR49, HR14, HR15, HR19, HR23, HR24, HR25, HR26, HR27, HR29, HR47, HR48, HR55, HR56, HR66, HR85, HR92, HR93, HR95, HR96, HR140, HR155, HR164, HR204, HR241, HR242, HR250, HR253, HR260, HR262, HR265, HR279, HR310, HR312, HR328, HR332, HR359, HR362, HR367

Keywords: recognition, award, petroleum industry, leadership, community service, HCR 22, House Concurrent Resolution, Texas Legislature, commendation, honorary resolution, Dr. James Olson, James Olson, University of Texas Permian Basin, UT Permian Basin, psychology professor, 50 years of service, faculty recognition, academic award, Piper Professor Award, Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator King moves adoption of the committee substitute for Senate Bill 2310.
• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted. Yes, Senator Mendoza, very quickly.
• Hearing none, the substitute is adopted.
• Members, we do need to adopt the committee substitute.
• Hearing none, it is adopted.

Bills: SB2972, SB1909, SB2815, SB735, SB2233, SB800, SB1069, SB2683, SB2986, SB2058, SB2310, SB2055, SB1032

Keywords: expressive activities, freedom of speech, public forum, higher education, protests, student rights, antisemitism, public institutions, disciplinary policy, student organizations, compliance, institutional policy, disciplinary sanctions, diploma designation, institution merger, academic records, student options, Holocaust education, Holocaust Remembrance Week, genocide education