Transcript Highlights:

• I encourage this committee to be judicious in this distinction, as witnesses testify.
• We employ over 500 Texans at 32 branches in 26 Texas communities.
• We don't have branches on Wall Street. We do not have branches in New York. We do not set anything.

Bills: HB245, HB245, HB700, HB2783, HB3526, HB3900, HB4061, HB4124, HB4166, HB4395, HB4534, HB4609, HB4641, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HJR175

Keywords: property tax, delinquent taxes, ad valorem, penalties, interest cap, military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees

Transcript Highlights:

• of separation of powers is exactly what we have in condo governance: the board is the legislative branch
• , the executive branch, and the judicial branch.
• the executive branch legislative branch the executive branch and<01:05:38.079> the<01:05:38.400
• > judicial<01:05:38.920> branch<01:05:39.440> the<01:05:39.599> only and
• the judicial branch the only and the judicial branch the only Safeguard<01:05:40.960> against<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• But when it comes to other levels of government or executive branch agencies, or frankly action in the
• judicial branch, we recognize that we've got lawyers serving in the Legislature.

Summary: The Legislative Ethics Board approved the minutes from its September 8, 2025 meeting and reported that there were no employment disclosure forms. The board then discussed whether RCW 42.52.187(1) permits legislators to write letters of recommendation in a broader range of situations, including citizenship, clemency/pardon, immigration waivers, scholarships, and appointments. Members generally favored a broad reading for constituent-requested letters, while staff noted their existing advice had been narrower and suggested drafting an advisory opinion to clarify the definition and scope of “letter of recommendation.” The board also considered whether the statute’s reference to commemorations or celebrations of “persons who are not current legislators” allows use of state resources to recognize entities such as the Mariners or Seahawks. Members discussed whether “person” includes organizations under the Ethics Act’s definition, and the consensus leaned toward a plain-language reading that would allow posts about teams and other non-legislator entities, though some members suggested the language may need cleanup in the future. A third item addressed a previously retired advisory opinion concerning legislators who are attorneys and represent clients before state agencies. Staff proposed republishing or updating the opinion with current citations, but several members expressed concern that the old opinion could be read too narrowly or as implying legislators cannot do outside legal work involving agencies. The board agreed the issue needed more refinement and deferred further action to a future meeting. There was no public testimony beyond a brief check-in from Jerry Cornfield, and the meeting adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hill, an act relating to courts, creating an additional judgeship in the second judicial district, making
• House Bill 182, introduced by Representative Roybal-Caballero (member_12219), an act relating to judicial
• retirement, providing for appropriations and income derived from investments to be credited to the Judicial
• credit required for certain judges, and increasing certain service credit multipliers provided in the Judicial
• public officers elected to a constitutionally created elective office in the executive or legislative branch

Transcript Highlights:

• Executive branch of government.
• I was working for the legislative branch I was working for the legislative branch uh<03:20:39.439
• The bill would also allow judicial The bill would also allow judicial candidates<04:48:46.638>
• <05:40:18.798> budget purpose in its executive branch budget purpose in its executive branch
• The action verb in the executive branch The action verb in the executive branch is<06:07:38.798>

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB1738 relating to the resumption of service by certain judicial officers under the Judicial Retirement
• This updates the Judicial Retirement System to plan and includes consideration for judges returning to
• We divided our government up into three distinct branches like others do.
• branch.
• In the executive branch is where the Attorney General's office is.

Bills: HB24, HB45, HB15, HB35, HB38, HB47, HB318, HB349, HB554, HB1359, HB1373, HB1647, HB2254, HB2259, HB2853, HB3073, HB3088, HB353, HB355, HB786, HB762, HB705, HB932, HB849, HB 1160, HB 1119, HB1612, HB3041, HB713, HB3104, HB3970, HB3962, HB5061, HB4042, HB4115, HB4490, HB1731, HB1705, HB2607, HB3556, HB138, HB3689, HB1788, HB1887, HB1914, HB2402, HB2306, HB1809, HB2350, HB3000, HB3237, HB3326, HB3211, HB 1056, HB2081, HB2187, HB3092, HB3308, HB3526, HB3750, HB3527, HB4219, HB4230, HB4290, HB5238, HB4804, HB4749, HCR6, HCR12, HCR34, HCR50, HCR55, HCR58, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR74, HCR75, HCR78, HCR80, HCR93, HCR100, HCR107, HCR116, HCR117, HCR90, SB1806, SB783, SB1271, SB326, SB1637, SB769, SB897, SB1035, SB1706, SB1185, SB1194, SB384, SB1426, SB1468, SB1215, SB1066, SB599, SB1930, SB2065, SB767, SB1619, SB1738, HB1500, HB718, HB23, HB34, HB 119, HB 128, HB 130, HB132, HB2756, HB166, HB406, HB186, HB331, HB380, HB1583, HB1584, HB621, HB303, HB552, HB366, HB463, HB 1211, HB1327, HB1461, HB923, HB1760, HB2467, HB5333, HB1592, HB1576, HB1552, HB2018, HB3511, HB1781, HB2013, HB2340, HB2508, HB2970, HB865, HB2851, HB3385, HB3336, HB3309, HB 1127, HB 1232, HB1397, HB4236, HB4041, HB1965, HB2730, HB3698, HB3699, HB163, HB201, HB272, HB405, HB519, HB654, HB694, HB791, HB 1136, HB 1240, HB 1266, HB 1275, HB1437, HB1532, HB1675, HB1842, HB1868, HB1894, HB1943, HB1990, HB2029, HB2061, HB2286, HB2523, HB2622, HB2652, HB2692, HB2842, HB2885, HB3016, HB3096, HB3248, HB3255, HB3479, HB3611, HB3623, HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3810, HB3816, HB4129, HB4163, HB4187, HB4238, HB4454, HB4588, HB4643, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HB5616, HB1749, HB1775, HB 118, HB1762, HB2520, HB24, HB45, HB15, HB35, HB38, HB47, HB318, HB349, HB554, HB1359, HB1373, HB1647, HB2254, HB2259, HB2853, HB3073, HB3088, HB353, HB355, HB786, HB762, HB705, HB932, HB849, HB 1160, HB 1119, HB1612, HB3041, HB713, HB3104, HB3970, HB3962, HB5061, HB4042, HB4115, HB4490, HB1731, HB1705, HB2607, HB3556, HB138, HB3689, HB1788, HB1887, HB1914, HB2402, HB2306, HB1809, HB2350, HB3000, HB3237, HB3326, HB3211, HB 1056, HB2081, HB2187, HB3092, HB3308, HB3526, HB3750, HB3527, HB4219, HB4230, HB4290, HB5238, HB4804, HB4749, HCR6, HCR12, HCR34, HCR50, HCR55, HCR58, HCR70, HCR71, HCR72, HCR74, HCR75, HCR78, HCR80, HCR93, HCR100, HCR107, HCR116, HCR117, HCR90

Keywords: zoning, public notice, local government, residential development, protests, peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, information network, health services, client referral, data privacy, disaster preparedness, accreditation, community services, sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to remind members, before we ask questions, that there are certain things the judicial branch

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee met briefly and took attendance before announcing that the meeting would be a field trip to the Leon County Circuit Courthouse. The chair explained that the visit would give members a look at the trial court, where most cases begin, following a prior visit to the Florida Supreme Court. She noted that the tour would be led by the chief judge of the Leon County Circuit Court and would likely include some question-and-answer time. Members were reminded that the judicial branch cannot comment on certain matters, so questions should be mindful of those limits. The chair also reviewed courthouse security rules, including passing through metal detectors and bringing no weapons or sharp objects. She joked that Rep. Albert could not bring sewing needles. Sean Burnfin from the Office of State Court Administration was present to escort the group through security. No bills were heard, no testimony was taken, and no votes or formal actions were recorded. The meeting was essentially an informational courthouse visit, and members were told they would not return to the original meeting room after the tour.

Transcript Highlights:

• branch and the others being serving more of an executive branch.
• role of a judicial branch and the others role of a judicial branch and the others being<01:10:52.880
• branch; it is part of the executive branch, as is the Department of Energy.
• Commission is not part of the judicial Commission is not part of the judicial branch<01:11:17.480
• it is part of the executive branch it is part of the executive branch<01:11:20.280> as<01:11:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:52:42.640> of of Congress as a co-equal branch of of Congress as a co-equal branch of
• control over the executive branch. control over the executive branch.
• <03:11:18.920> powers legislative and judicial powers legislative and judicial powers including
• <03:11:32.560> branch agencies of the executive branch branch agencies of the executive branch
• branch and<03:11:33.439> to<03:11:33.600> make<03:11:33.760> laws.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that purpose and any measure should have to go through the legislative process and have a separate branch
• The bill classifies all non-judicial candidates as a political party candidate for the purposes of the
• But the judicial branch, we kind of left alone because they want to do their own thing, and the Secretary

Bills: HB2424, HB2608, HB2775, HB2805, HB2908

Keywords: Arizona political parties, precinct committeeman, precinct committeemen, proxy voting, party bylaws, county committee, state committee, qualified elector, election administration, political party rules, precinct representation, adjoining precinct, county party meeting, proxy attestation, notary public, witnesses, transitional housing, military veterans, grant program, housing services

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2908, which would impose criminal penalties on faithless Arizona Article V convention delegates, require delegates to take an oath, and direct the legislature and governor to ratify any approved amendment through the normal legislative process. The sponsor argued the bill adds guardrails to any future convention, while Common Cause Arizona opposed it as ineffective and insufficient to prevent a runaway convention. After debate about whether the bill could meaningfully constrain delegates, the committee voted 5-2 to return HB 2908 with a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered HB 2608, a veterans housing measure creating a military transitional housing grant program at the Arizona Department of Housing with a $7 million General Fund appropriation in FY 2027 and changes to the military transitional housing fund. Testimony focused on revisions to the bill, including limiting use of funds to new construction and requiring veteran-led or veteran-managed organizations. Several members said the bill was too similar to prior versions and had not gone through the Veterans Caucus process. On a motion to table, the committee voted to lay HB 2608 on the table. After a recess, the committee took up HB 2805, as amended, which creates a secure online portal for nomination petition signatures for local governing board candidates and related election administration changes. The sponsor said the bill was intended to give school board candidates and other local candidates equal access to the state’s electronic signature system, while members debated whether requiring candidates to declare party affiliation would undermine nonpartisan races. The Gillette amendment was adopted, and the committee then voted 5-2 to return HB 2805 as amended with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard HB 2775, which would bar the state and its subdivisions from using state assets or money to implement or enforce rules, taxes, or policies of international organizations, and would add restrictions on Arizona public universities’ dealings with certain foreign entities. Members discussed a proposed amendment to create oversight of foreign funding at Arizona State University and the Board of Regents, but raised concerns about rulemaking authority and constitutional issues. The committee ultimately voted to hold HB 2775 for further work, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• you will hear from today, uncovered a fentanyl ring operating throughout the Carrollton Farmer's Branch
• Branch Independent School District, and I was directly involved in the chaos that occurred last year.
• section contradicts the established statutory framework, suggesting that licensees be exempt from judicial
• History and current judicial rulings should not be ignored by the public, this legislative body, nor

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, today is the University of Texas Medical Branch student day.
• Today, I am proud to recognize the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District, also known
• 4327 by Moody relating to wrongful death actions by a sibling of a descendant for the Committee on Judicial
• HB 4388 by Hull, relating to judicial authority and duties, for the Committee on Judiciary and Civil

Bills: HJR4, HJR6, HB195, HB 13, HB143, HB135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 38, Chair, Judicial Proceedings, Vehicle Laws, Ignition Interlock System Program, Required
• Uh let's go to calendar 23 out of judicial proceedings.
• <01:15:28.320> of<01:15:28.480> the<01:15:28.600> executive<01:15:29.120> branch
• units of the executive branch. units of the executive branch.
• Judicial proceedings? Nope. Uh, let's see. Do we have any standing committees? Select committees?

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 6, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, received an invocation from Pastor Shannon Watkins of Souls One Outreach Cathedral in Cumberland, and welcomed several guests and student pages. The chamber also announced the week’s schedule for the final days of session, including likely double sessions later in the week and a possible Saturday hold. Administrative items included the reading of House messages, a favorable executive nominations report that was special ordered for Tuesday, and the introduction of several House bills and Senate bills on the calendar. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 841, the Utility Relief Reducing Energy Load Information for Every Family Act. Senators discussed energy affordability, ratepayer relief, utility costs, data center growth, in-state generation, and the role of programs such as RGGI, EmPower, and the RPS. Supporters said the bill provides a comprehensive short- and long-term response, including consumer transparency and low-income relief, while critics argued it did not go far enough and should have included stronger relief or pauses on renewable energy mandates. After debate and several explanations of vote, the Senate passed SB 841 by a constitutional majority, 38-affirmative votes. Earlier in the session, Senate Bill 213 on state procurement transparency and procedures also passed with 40 affirmative votes. After SB 841 passed, the Senate took up House Bill 1532, a conforming companion to the utility relief measure. The committee offered an amendment to align HB 1532 with SB 841, the amendment was adopted without objection, and the bill then passed on third reading. Senators who explained their votes largely echoed the same themes from the SB 841 debate, with some emphasizing the need for more relief and others stressing the bill’s broader policy changes and regional energy-market constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why would we give more money to an agency that a federal judge says has violated more judicial orders
• orders this year, let me more judicial orders this year, let me quote,<00:13:40.639> than<00:
• about Article One and separate and about Article One and separate and co-equal<00:31:21.520> branches
• co-equal branches of government. co-equal branches of government.
• ,<00:31:38.000> the designed the article one branch, the designed the article one branch,

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, March 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• roster of... participants in this committee, there may... mainly members of either the executive branch
• But what the federal approach is at the current time and so it does give the executive branch quite a
• This applies at every level of government, including school board, judicial. show local races, ensuring
• Increased caseloads in recent session legislative changes have placed significant strain on local judicial
• believe that a person is misrepresenting a familial relationship without requiring a warrant. cause or judicial

Bills: HB256, HB1308, HB1554, HB1743, HB2308, HB2351, HB2858, HB3676, HB3784, HB4312, HB4552, HB4823, HB4852, HB5007, HB5010, HB5520, HB5524, HCR19, HB256, HCR19

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• initiate a criminal process because some duties imposed by the Attorney General are both executive and judicial
• Section 22 of the Texas Constitution, he shall, whenever sufficient cause exists, pardon me, seek judicial
• a judicial forfeiture of such charters, unless otherwise expressly directed by law, and give legal advice
• does not permit the legislature to assign to the Attorney General any duty without regard to the branch
• hearing, and they are not representing that member of the legislature. that member of the executive branch

Bills: SB108, SB318, SB507, SB511, SB533, SB1026, SB1386, SB1433, SB1434, SB1596

Keywords: elections, Election Code, poll workers, election clerks, presiding judge, alternate presiding judge, polling place, central counting station, county chair, political party, gubernatorial election, vote counting, election administration, Texas elections, precinct officials, ballot counting, county election officials, election integrity, election fraud, Attorney General

Transcript Highlights:

• General has authority to challenge the constitutionality of these federal directives through the judicial
• Of course, the federal government power is spread over the three branches, but it's also the concept
• Said that uh pushing, uh, allowing the one branch of the federal government to define the limits of the

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB 666, SB 688, SB 707, SB 888

Keywords: municipal libraries, state funding, gender identity, public events, children's literature, SB 19, Texas, political subdivision, local government, county, city, municipality, taxpayer-funded lobbying, lobbying ban, public funds, registered lobbyist, Chapter 305, Government Code, Local Government Code, county association dues

Transcript Highlights:

• It is very out of line that a ceremonial presider over this chamber from the executive branch would shut
• It has been calendared here in the judicial chambers right here in the Capitol, and we look forward to
• the Supreme Court making a determination whether or not a member of the executive branch can shut down

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: A House Republican spokesperson gave an update on the ongoing Minnesota House standoff, saying Republicans continue to seek formal recognition from the Secretary of State and objecting to what they described as the executive branch blocking duly elected members from being recognized on the House floor. They said the Minnesota Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Thursday in a case filed against the Secretary of State over that issue, and they argued that motions had been placed at the desk for several days and that the Secretary’s court filings mischaracterized the parties’ communications. The spokesperson also said negotiations with Democratic colleagues over starting the session were continuing, describing Democrats as showing increased motivation to reach a deal and attributing that, in part, to public pressure. They said House Republicans have been present and working each day, while criticizing absent Democratic members and noting that more than $200,000 in taxpayer funds has been paid to members who have not shown up. They said another meeting was planned for that evening, with no meeting scheduled yet for the next day. Questions also touched on recall efforts and the status of Representative Brad Tab. The spokesperson said recall petitions are a separate process handled by the state party and, once initiated, cannot be stopped by House leaders. On seating Representative Brad Tab, they said the House retains authority to judge the eligibility of its own membership and that their position had not changed.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the legislative branch, the judicial branch.
• It's why we have three types, you know, three branches.
• So our concern is that this... bill presents a usurpation of the third branch of government which is
• Zwiener's point about what each branch is for.
• Of course, the three branches of government, as Cathy Mitchell before aptly mentioned, we think it's

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: HB 21, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem tax, property tax, delinquent taxes, tax delinquency, penalty reduction, interest rate, split payment, installment payment, tax relief, county tax collector, taxing unit, property owner, tax collection, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax increase election, supermajority, 60 percent threshold

Transcript Highlights:

• And basically again this is the judicial branches policy bill.
• And basically again this is the judicial And basically again this is the judicial branches<00:31
• I'm carrying a bill for the judicial branch.
• I'm carrying a bill for the judicial branch.
• I'm carrying a bill for the judicial branch.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all