Video & Transcript : 'government transparency' :

Page 43 of 500
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Health and Welfare Apr 29th, 2026

Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • Transparency is good. Yeah, I agree with that.
  • bill to solve the transparency around cost, right?
  • Price transparency.
  • No problem with the price transparency.
  • So they figured transparency would help. But... Transparency would help.
Bills: HB946 , HB1093 , SB26 , SB29 , SB30 , SB195 , SB219 , SB222 , SB255 , SB314 , SCR2 , SCR22
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The obvious answer was that the federal government was the one that led them in the country.
  • to expand the list of sealable offenses to include all misdemeanor offenses of drug forgery. of government
  • Traffickers also commonly force their victims. identifying government documents to evade capture and
  • While Section 420 of the Government Code states that failure of law enforcement to comply with the requirements
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Human Services Mar 18th, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 1151 ensures that only cases involving clear and substantial risk of harm warrant government intervention
  • While other bills say which is 4381, focus on transparency in schools regarding parental medical rights
  • Texas parents should never have to fight the government for their own children. right to raise their
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WLA-HWN Public Hearing 02-19-2026

Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Bills: SB2596 , SB3002 , SB3067
Summary: The joint committees on Water and Culture and the Arts and on Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 3173, which would create a cultural training pilot program in the Department of Land and Natural Resources, administered by DOBOR, for commercial permit holders operating in Lahaina Harbor. Testimony was largely supportive from Lahaina Strong, which said the bill responds to community concerns and would help commercial operators return with greater cultural understanding and respect. Supporters framed the measure as a way to rebuild Lahaina intentionally and strengthen relationships between industry and community. Opposition came from Trilogy Excursions and the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii. They said they already provide or encourage cultural education, but argued the bill as written is too broad, potentially mandatory, and could create hiring and operational problems for businesses trying to restart after the fire. They asked that any program be voluntary, collaborative, and practical, with clearer details on who must take the training, how often it would be offered, and how it would be coordinated. In response to questions, a witness said most operators would likely participate if the training were accessible and well-marketed, but that the harbor’s limited current operations and staggered rebuilding make timing important. After testimony and questions, the chairs said they appreciated the comments but wanted to move the bill forward without amendments because of a filing deadline, noting that timing and other issues could be worked out in later committees with DLNR, OHA, and stakeholders. Both committees then voted to pass SB 3173 unamended, with one member excused in each committee.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • For spending premiums among the employer, employee, and a third party, usually a non-profit or government
Bills: HB50
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Fri Feb 13, 2026 @ 8:30 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> collaboration with government collaboration with government departments<00:33:49.600><c> and</c>
  • ETS provides IT governance across enterprise services.
  • Um, in 1940 it was recognized by the U.S. government as its own category of spirits.
  • as its own category of the US government as its own category of spirits. spirits. spirits.
  • because you did lobbyist in government because you did really<01:37:15.440><c> well.
Summary: The committee opened with HB 1813 on taxation and HB 2429 on tax expenditure evaluation, taking mostly written testimony and limited oral discussion. On HB 2429, the Tax Foundation and Department of Taxation raised privacy and federal-law concerns, warning that the bill could require taxpayers to file duplicative returns and could risk disclosure of federal tax information if released publicly. Members and witnesses discussed using anonymized or summary reporting instead of individual public release, with the department saying summarized data would be preferable and that the state can ask for the information as a policy matter, but individual public release could create problems. The committee then heard HB 2423 HD1 on biodiesel, where Pacific Biodiesel said it can supply all biodiesel needed for B5 in Hawaii without imports and asked to move the implementation date earlier to November 2027 to allow rollout planning. HB 1996 HB1 on hearing aids drew broad support; a disability access representative said earlier insurance-based efforts had run into administrative problems and that this bill would immediately lower costs for consumers. HB 1851 HD1, also related to hearing aids, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while the Tax Foundation argued the program would be better funded directly rather than through the tax system, citing overhead costs and blank provisions that should be filled in before passage. On HB 2546, the research activities tax credit, HCDC said the credit supports long-term R&D and should be converted from a first-come, first-served system to proration so more applicants receive some benefit; the agency described the credit as helping companies move from idea to commercialization and noted the state is leaving potential jobs and federal dollars on the table. HB 2028 HD1, relating to Labor Day for construction workers, drew support from labor representatives who said it recognizes construction workers and helps offset cost-of-living pressures, while the Tax Foundation opposed it as an industry-specific subsidy and flagged technical issues with undefined terms and blank credit amounts. The committee also heard HB 2583, HB 2490, HB 2545, HB 2114, and HB 1859 HD1. HB 2490, concerning coastal erosion at Mokuhiki Bay, received strong support from a temple representative who described severe shoreline loss, years of temporary emergency work, and the need for a long-term, nature-based solution in coordination with state agencies. HB 2545, involving HCDC and SBIR commercialization, was supported as a way to turn R&D into economic development; HCDC said it had more applications than it could fund and that the bill could help create high-wage jobs. HB 2114, the Hawaii Benefits Hub, received comments from ETS and DHS emphasizing support for the concept but cautioning that operational, policy, cybersecurity, and data-sharing standards must be carefully aligned. HB 1859 HD1 on workforce development drew strong support from workforce and philanthropic groups, who said Hawaii faces a long-term gap between projected living-wage jobs and the number of young people entering the workforce, and argued the bill would create durable infrastructure for coordination and long-term planning. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Feb 10th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • government duties.
  • local governments... ...that lawful, routine government functions may be stymied and local governments
  • We've got federal government, we've got state government, we've got local government, right?
  • And that's how y'all are... federal government, we've got state government, we've got local government
  • Y'all don't need to overreach into our local governments. Let our communities govern themselves.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Summary: The committee first considered SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all amendment narrowed eligibility criteria, including environmental and adjacency requirements, density and intensity limits, and exclusions for certain lands and military areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill then passed favorably on an 8-0 vote, with testimony both for and against from advocacy groups. Members then heard several bills related to criminal justice, land use, and local government operations. SB 212 on sexual offenders and sexual predators was amended to add public swimming pools and related restricted-location provisions; the committee heard extensive opposition testimony arguing the bill lacked empirical support and could worsen homelessness and burden families, while supporters said it would reduce temptation and improve safety. The amended bill passed 8-1. SB 686 on agricultural enclaves also received a strike-all amendment clarifying development allowances near interstates and protected-area non-preemption; after opposition from a county Republican committee and support from housing and business groups, it passed 10-0. SB 554 updating nonprofit corporation law, SB 1338 on charitable giving and endowment restrictions, SB 532 on court fee retention by clerks, and SB 218 on land use regulations after hurricanes all passed favorably, each with little or no opposition. The committee also approved SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption should apply retroactively; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks, while opponents warned it could weaken local standards and create litigation issues. The bill passed 9-2. SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended to preserve local government authority while allowing licensed professionals to conduct limited pre-application reviews, and it passed 11-0. Finally, SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools passed 8-3 after extensive public testimony and debate, with supporters saying it would enshrine existing protections in the Constitution and opponents warning it would favor majority religions and increase bullying and litigation. The committee then took up SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor arguing it reflected historical truth and opponents saying it erased Palestinian identity and inserted the state into an international naming dispute; the transcript ends during public testimony on that bill before any vote is shown.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Mar 11th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it's a pleasure to recognize and welcome today the President of the Student Government Association
  • It is not the government, it is your government. We're so pleased to have y'all here.
  • certain government entities to participate in water research or planning.
  • certain government entities to participate in water research or planning activities.
  • It's narrowly tailored to adopt, to accomplish that compelling government interest.
Bills: SJR36 , SJR34 , SJR18 , SCR9 , SB616 , SB565 , SB384 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB764 , SB842 , SB971 , SB767 , SB480 , SB1066 , SB929 , SB765 , SB523 , SB62 , SB19 , SB18 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB869 , SB890 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB494 , SB290 , SB766 , SB11 , SB10 , SB13 , SB263 , SB412 , SB20 , SB441 , SB442 , SB1621 , SCR13 , SB569 , SB314 , SB25 , SB293 , SB914 , SB260 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SJR34 , SCR9 , SB10 , SB11 , SB19 , SB20 , SB25 , SB62 , SB140 , SB260 , SB262 , SB290 , SB293 , SB314 , SB370 , SB384 , SB412 , SB441 , SB442 , SB480 , SB494 , SB495 , SB616 , SB627 , SB706 , SB707 , SB764 , SB767 , SB869 , SB890 , SB929 , SB992 , SB1145 , SB1621 , SJR34 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB480 , SB627 , SB764 , SB767 , SR224 , SB1626 , SB1627 , SB1628 , SB1629 , SB1630 , SB1631 , SB1632 , SB1633 , SB1634 , SB1635 , SB1636 , SB1637 , SB1638 , SB1639 , SB1640 , SB1641 , SB1642 , SB1643 , SB1644 , SB1645 , SB1646 , SB1647 , SB1648 , SB1649 , SB1650 , SB1651 , SB1652 , SB1653 , SB1654 , SB1656 , SB1657 , SB1658 , SB1659 , SB1660 , SB1661 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB1664 , SB1665 , SB1666 , SB1667 , SB1668 , SB1669 , SB1670 , SB1671 , SB1672 , SB1673 , SB1674 , SB1675 , SB1676 , SB1677 , SB1678 , SB1679 , SB1680 , SB1681 , SB1682 , SB1683 , SB1684 , SB1685 , SB1686 , SB1687 , SB1688 , SB1689 , SB1690 , SB1691 , SB1692 , SB1693 , SB1694 , SB1695 , SB1696 , SB1697 , SB1698 , SB1699 , SB1700 , SB1626 , SB1627 , SB1628 , SB1629 , SB1630 , SB1631 , SB1632 , SB1633 , SB1634 , SB1635 , SB1636 , SB1637 , SB1638 , SB1639 , SB1640 , SB1641 , SB1642 , SB1643 , SB1644 , SB1645 , SB1646 , SB1647 , SB1648 , SB1649 , SB1650 , SB1651 , SB1652 , SB1653 , SB1654 , SB1656 , SB1657 , SB1658 , SB1659 , SB1660 , SB1661 , SB1662 , SB1663 , SB1664 , SB1665 , SB1666 , SB1667 , SB1668 , SB1669 , SB1670 , SB1671 , SB1672 , SB1673 , SB1674 , SB1675 , SB1676 , SB1677 , SB1678 , SB1679 , SB1680 , SB1681 , SB1682 , SB1683 , SB1684 , SB1685 , SB1686 , SB1687 , SB1688 , SB1689 , SB1690 , SB1691 , SB1692 , SB1693 , SB1694 , SB1695 , SB1696 , SB1697 , SB1698 , SB1699 , SB1700
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Human Services Jan 27th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, this bill is about transparency, accountability, and protecting children.
  • This amendment simply is in the name and the spirit of transparency.
  • So, once again, we have transparency in our government. A fairly easy one to vote yes on.
  • , that's over $414 million that is at risk of being clawed back to the federal government.
  • Basic transparency... ...annually of where this money is being spent. Basic transparency or G.S.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session May 12th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We cannot let fear dictate how we govern.
  • and airport governing boards.
  • The purpose of the bill is to prevent taxpayer money from being used by the government to host government-sponsored
  • Simply a matter of transparency. That seems redundant.
  • Right now, students graduate knowing more about the federal government than our own government: legislature
Bills: HB46 , HJR35 , HJR47 , HJR182 , HB 113 , HB983 , HB4847 , HB1449 , HB3833 , HB5151 , HB265 , HB1845 , HB782 , HB 108 , HB1960 , HB158 , HB1954 , HB1955 , HB2512 , HB605 , HB2581 , HB2803 , HB627 , HB2667 , HB1738 , HB636 , HB3679 , HB2638 , HB2655 , HB871 , HB2438 , HB 1107 , HB1765 , HB1822 , HB2153 , HB4099 , HB3732 , HB3171 , HB3178 , HB3182 , HB3749 , HB2814 , HB3977 , HB4204 , HB4207 , HB4449 , HB1820 , HB1876 , HB1939 , HB1347 , HB2593 , HB2136 , HB2132 , HB2658 , HB2413 , HB2757 , HB2080 , HB3154 , HB3063 , HB3009 , HB3448 , HB3006 , HB2844 , HB3241 , HB3680 , HB3169 , HB2078 , HB2507 , HB4559 , HB3946 , HB3460 , HB3405 , HB475 , HB3463 , HB3441 , HB3520 , HB2060 , HB4731 , HB4991 , HB1991 , HB5596 , HB2014 , HB2142 , HB2673 , HB2731 , HB2417 , HB2399 , HB2301 , HB3335 , HB3234 , HB3320 , HB5573 , HB4848 , HB4748 , HB4769 , HB4795 , HB2086 , HB2234 , HB2203 , HB4916 , HB5624 , HB4505 , HB139 , HB5093 , HB5302 , HB5402 , HB5606 , HB2333 , HB4630 , HB4701 , HB2583 , HB2983 , HB4924 , HB3339 , HB3793 , HB3631 , HB4882 , HB5509 , HB5499 , HB5430 , HB5561 , HB5611 , HB5043 , HB5064 , HB3733 , HB3781 , HB3219 , HB32 , HB4515 , HB5348 , HR559 , HB4506 , HB1646 , HB3185 , HB3388 , HB2761 , HB3233 , HB1534 , HB5129 , HB5394 , HB3619 , HB2867 , HB3672 , HB2434 , HB4903 , HB3687 , HB3675 , HB4609 , HB4582 , HB3866 , HB4534 , HB2446 , HB3984 , HB700 , HB4088 , HB229 , SB2419 , SB842 , SB1257 , SB2550 , SB996 , HB 1186 , HB4327 , HB3221 , HB2588 , SB552 , HB4870 , HB2494 , HB3940 , HB4838 , HB3177 , HB1441 , SB1841 , HB3962 , HB2225 , HJR112 , HB897 , HB2695 , HB4670 , HB3602 , HB3317 , HB3717 , HB3138 , HB3704 , HB1403 , HJR218 , HB4921 , SJR37 , HJR138 , HJR144 , HB3892 , HB4 , HB46 , HJR35 , HJR47 , HJR182 , HB4234 , HB722 , HB4136 , HB4105 , HB4413 , HB170 , HB551 , HB2858 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3180 , HB3722 , HB2200 , HB1794 , HB1784 , HB1581 , HB2530 , HB4308 , HB1896 , HB2974 , HB3359 , HB4580 , HB2458 , HB2215 , HB3332 , HB2278 , HB3015 , HB3151 , HB1368 , HB40 , HB 101 , HB 112 , HB146 , HB168 , HB214 , HB413 , HB1523 , HB493 , HB521 , HB594 , HB557 , HB305 , HB549 , HB854 , HB 1057 , HB 1052 , HB842 , HB3174 , HB3311 , HB2486 , HB3196 , HB824 , HB 1039 , HB2529 , HB2713 , HB4936 , HB4995 , HB4830 , HB4864 , HB5219 , HB5263 , HB5154 , HB2674 , HB5525 , HB5623 , HB2545 , HB2587 , HB2625 , HB5520 , HB5436 , HB4926 , HB1573 , HB5165 , HB4811 , HB5081 , HB4755 , HB3179 , HB4310 , HB4611 , HB2159 , HB4626 , HB3637 , HB3153 , HB3066 , HB2786 , HB2966 , HB638 , HB640 , HB876 , HB497 , HB5539 , HB4809 , HB5308 , HB4687 , HB4070 , HB4421 , HB4412 , HB3284 , HB3369 , HB3420 , HB3449 , HB4098 , HB4281 , HB4120 , HB4504 , HB4370 , HB 1106 , HB2370 , HB2404 , HB3863 , HB2407 , HB2253 , HB2273 , HB2040 , HB1586 , HB3788 , HB3993 , HB4690 , HB4309 , HB4696 , HB2308 , HB 1142 , HB1533 , HB1621 , HB2242 , HB2012 , HB2193 , HB2442 , HB2464 , HB2348 , HB2313 , HB2289 , HB1942 , HB2011 , HB1629 , HB2993 , HB3592 , HB3824 , HB4076 , HB4535 , HB4623 , HB4773 , HB 1091 , HB5115 , HB5515 , HB3372 , HB5659 , HB 127 , HB386 , HB 115 , HB2868 , HB 1249 , HB4766 , HB3720 , HB4656 , HB4879 , HB 105 , HB5383 , HB4621 , HB5431 , HB5678 , HB5534 , HB4174 , HB4212 , HB3954 , HB3966 , HB3636 , HB3918 , HB1422 , HB4765 , HB4732 , HB4742 , HB5122 , HB4518 , HB5084 , HB3986 , HB4045 , HB4144 , HB3911 , HB3976 , HB4473 , HB3425 , HB3641 , HB3642 , HB3475 , HB3509 , HB3424 , HB3383 , HB4744 , HB4531 , HB4539 , HB3159 , HB5228 , HB5370 , HB4359 , HB4398 , HB4443 , HB4466 , HB3861 , HB3849 , HB4240 , HB4706 , HB4685 , HB5354 , HB5141 , HB5686 , HB3629 , HB3554 , HB3567 , HB2015 , HB3575 , HB5381 , HB1431 , HB3514 , HB4614 , HB4546 , HB4683 , HB5681 , HB5673 , HB5663 , HB4271 , HB4350 , HB4035 , HB3807 , HB3812 , HB3552 , HB3540 , HB3715 , HB3710 , HB3664 , HB4196 , HB4233 , HB4173 , HB1998 , HB3333 , HB3510 , HB4222 , HB2070 , HB2854 , HB2347 , HB 113 , HB983 , HB4847 , HB1449 , HB3833 , HB5151 , HB265 , HB1845 , HB782 , HB 108 , HB1960 , HB158 , HB1954 , HB1955 , HB2512 , HB605 , HB2581 , HB2803 , HB627 , HB2667 , HB1738 , HB636 , HB3679 , HB2638 , HB2655 , HB871 , HB2438 , HB 1107 , HB1765 , HB1822 , HB2153 , HB4099 , HB3732 , HB3171 , HB3178 , HB3182 , HB3749 , HB2814 , HB3977 , HB4204 , HB4207 , HB4449 , HB1820 , HB1876 , HB1939 , HB1347 , HB2593 , HB2136 , HB2132 , HB2658 , HB2413 , HB2757 , HB2080 , HB3154 , HB3063 , HB3009 , HB3448 , HB3006 , HB2844 , HB3241 , HB3680 , HB3169 , HB2078 , HB2507 , HB4559 , HB3946 , HB3460 , HB3405 , HB475 , HB3463 , HB3441 , HB3520 , HB2060 , HB4731 , HB4991 , HB1991 , HB5596 , HB2014 , HB2142 , HB2673 , HB2731 , HB2417 , HB2399 , HB2301 , HB3335 , HB3234 , HB3320 , HB5573 , HB4848 , HB4748 , HB4769 , HB4795 , HB2086 , HB2234 , HB2203 , HB4916 , HB5624 , HB4505 , HB139 , HB5093 , HB5302 , HB5402 , HB5606 , HB2333 , HB4630 , HB4701 , HB2583 , HB2983 , HB4924 , HB3339 , HB3793 , HB3631 , HB4882 , HB5509 , HB5499 , HB5430 , HB5561 , HB5611 , HB5043 , HB5064 , HB3733 , HB3781 , HB3219 , HB32 , HB4515 , HB5348 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HCR118 , HR559
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Feb 24th, 2026

County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have a small comment that I'd like to make as it relates to local governments.
  • And so we put mandates and requirements on locals all the time, huge ones, and our county government
  • I have a small comment that I'd like to make as it relates to local governments.
  • </c> relates to local governments. relates to local governments.
  • </c> huge ones. and our county government huge ones. and our county government certainly<00:24:52.880
Bills: SB298 , SB91 , SB298 , SB91
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Energy Resources Mar 24th, 2025

Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think navigating through government, knowing kind of what we know behind the scenes, we don't talk
  • House Bill 2890 amends Chapter 760 of the Government Code to create an interstate compact aimed at increasing
  • I understand you, and I think that state government should play a factor in this.
  • and how much we've dropped emissions in the state of Texas on our own without the long arm of the government
Bills: HB48 , HB49 , HB 1169 , HB1971 , HB2584 , HB2663 , HB2890 , HB48 , HB49
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Ways and Means Mar 17th, 2026

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's only fair that government growth follows that same pace.
  • valued puts government and homeowners on the same economic footing.
  • If government can't keep up with inflation rate, that's all I'm trying to do.
  • It's completely optional for local government.
  • There's all degrees of parish government that exist out there.
Bills: HB287 , HB340 , HB412 , HB440 , HB514 , HB515 , HB521 , HB543 , HB553 , HB570 , HB961
Committee: House Ways & Means
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/26

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • ,</c> &gt;&gt; always like to talk about transparency, &gt;&gt; always like to talk about transparency
  • This mirrors by a government actor.
  • </c><00:05:14.000><c> and</c> recent context of federal government and recent context of federal government
  • </c><00:14:32.399><c> to</c> and to encourage local governments to and to encourage local governments
  • </c><00:57:38.160><c> relations</c> Ley, director of government relations Ley, director of government
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

General Government REVISED: HB4434 - Added Feb 17th, 2026

General Government

Summary: The committee took up several bills related to housing, state operations, veterans, and administrative cleanup. HB 4409, as amended by PCS, would create a bicameral, bipartisan legislative committee to oversee workforce and affordable housing issues and coordinate with outside stakeholders; members asked about membership, meeting frequency, and pay, and the bill passed 9-0. HB 4414, also with a PCS, would direct the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency’s housing stability program to use a needs-assessment tool to guide funding decisions, with the tool and related provisions sunset after five years; members discussed whether it would be data-mapping based and how it would connect to broader legislative decision-making, and it passed 6-3. The committee also advanced HB 4484, allowing Oklahoma Corporation Commission workers to use state-owned or state-leased vehicles between home and work when traveling statewide for duties; it passed 9-0. HB 4486 would authorize placement of a Gold Star Family Memorial Monument on state grounds as a gift from the Woody Williams Foundation, with OMES handling routine cleaning, and it passed 10-0 after questions about the final design and consultation with veterans groups. HB 3057, a cleanup bill based on a 2025 evaluation identifying more than 50 obsolete statutory reports, repealed outdated reporting requirements and passed 10-0. Two additional bills addressed governance rules. HB 2588 would add requirements for HOA board service, limiting board membership after developer turnover to owners who live in the neighborhood and excluding tenants and nonresident owners; it passed 10-0. HB 4434 would require the governor to notify officials in the line of succession before being out of state, with members briefly discussing whether 24 hours was enough notice and whether the succession order should mirror the federal model; it passed 10-0. The meeting ended with all bills reported due pass and the committee adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) Mar 17th, 2025

State Affairs

Bills: SB8 , SB650 , SB667 , SB779 , SB1349 , SB1355 , SB1378 , SB1585 , SB1721 , SB2312
Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs resumed consideration of several pending bills, first taking up Senate Bills 667, 1349, 1585, and 2312. After inviting testimony had already been heard, no members of the public came forward to testify on any of those measures, and the committee closed public testimony and left all four bills pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1355, which Senator Parker explained as a committee substitute aimed at helping Texas distillers recover unpaid invoices from wholesalers. The substitute would require distillers to invoice at the time of purchase, send a demand letter if payment terms are violated, and allow complaints to be filed with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which could determine an appropriate penalty based on the facts. Natasha Dehart of Bent Distilling Company testified in support, describing serious cash-flow problems and unpaid invoices from a Texas wholesaler that had forced layoffs, late vendor payments, and operational strain. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1378, a narrowly tailored local bill for a Carrollton facility recently acquired by Sazerac that employs more than 1,000 Texans. Senator Parker said the bill would create a limited exemption to avoid forcing the company to shut down or move because of current permit restrictions, while preserving the three-tier system and preventing the company from selling wine to itself. A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission resource witness said the bill was drafted so it would not open the door to broader industry changes. Mason Moreland testified against the bill as filed, arguing it gave special treatment to one company and failed to address broader problems in the wine industry, including direct-to-consumer sales and permit issues. After questions from senators, public testimony closed and SB 1378 was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.