Video & Transcript Research : 'legislative ethics'

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WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Committee, February 9, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:03:20.879><c> The</c><00:03:21.120><c> remaining</c> legislative action.
  • The remaining legislative action.
  • The second part of page two begins the change from the old legislatively determined appropriation into
  • Uh, the second large change is moving the source of funding from a legislatively determined biennial
  • </c> source of funding from a legislatively source of funding from a legislatively determined<00:46:37.040
Bills: HB0105, HB0107, SF0002
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Administrative Rules 2nd Revised Apr 9th, 2026 at 11:30 am

Administrative Rules

TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part I) Apr 28th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • This also has to do with 10-5 and the Code of Ethics.
  • When we stand up, we pass this legislation.
  • The community member filed a complaint with the ethics board.
  • So it's actually antithetical to the code of ethics.
  • Would that be an ethics violation?
Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing. The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) Apr 28th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • And if the code of ethics that you have has an ethical process, And if the code of ethics that you have
  • Have you seen the legislation? Yes.
  • We still have to comply with the Code of Ethics.
  • Ethics is really educational.
  • This bill positions the state to legislate morality, This bill positions the state to legislate morality
Summary: The committee first reopened public testimony on Senate Bill 2713, which concerned protections for freedom of conscience in the context of Realtor association discipline. Texas Realtors representatives testified that their organization is a separate Texas legal entity but affiliated with the National Association of Realtors through a charter and code of ethics. They said Texas Realtors is neutral on SB 2713, that their ethics process is focused on fair housing and equal professional service, and that they have not suspended or terminated anyone in Texas for religious or political speech. Senators pressed them on whether national standards could override Texas law and on examples from other states; the witnesses said state and federal law control and that they would comply with Texas law if the bill passed. Public testimony then closed and SB 2713 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1698 on e-cigarettes. Senator Parker explained a committee substitute that tightened enforcement, required distributor registration, expanded regulation to nicotine from any source, added restrictions on child-appealing packaging, authorized inspections and audits, and set compliance deadlines later in 2025 and 2026. After questions, the substitute was adopted and SB 1698, as substituted, was reported favorably to the full Senate on a 6-0 vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 2487 on crisis and mental health facilities. Senator Parker described a substitute that renamed the program a crisis service model, allowed multiple county facilities, added local siting limits, expanded staffing options, shortened clinical timelines, required discharge referrals, directed law enforcement and EMS to transport people there first, and created local boards and expanded reporting. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-0 vote, also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2819, dealing with political activities of county elections administrators, was then reported favorably on a 6-0 vote and likewise sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2043 was withdrawn. The committee spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2101, which would require municipal public libraries to move sexually explicit materials out of minors’ sections and impose age-verification and review requirements. Supporters argued the bill would protect children from explicit material in public libraries and that libraries should not be left to self-regulate. Opponents, including librarians, parents, authors, and ACLU representatives, argued the definitions were vague, the bill would be costly and burdensome for small libraries, could function as a book ban, and would restrict teens’ access to classics, research materials, and other books. Several witnesses said parents should make those decisions, not the state. The bill’s author said the committee substitute was still being worked on and asked witnesses to review it; public testimony remained open in the portion provided, with no final action on SB 2101 shown.
NV

Nevada 2025 Regular Session

Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections May 29th, 2025 at 01:00 pm

Legislative Operations and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Welcome to the Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections.
  • during the next biennial legislative session.
  • Long before the Legislative Commission had the authority to approve regulations, the legislative committee
  • Generally, at the Legislative Council Bureau, we defer to a manual called Mason's Manual of Legislative
  • provisions relating to legislative affairs.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 19th, 2025

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • in this legislation.
  • in this legislation.
  • So we have 2,011 legislators, you’re saying 12 hours.
  • You’re talking about ethics violations. You’re talking about tracking legislative work.
  • /c><01:04:30.400><c> legislative</c><01:04:31.039><c> work</c> talking about tracking legislative work
Bills: HF550, HF412, HF796, HF140
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Feb 20th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, I do believe that this legislation will save lives.
  • It's common I've worked very hard to gather a wide bipartisan coalition in support of this legislation
  • How many times have we passed this piece of legislation here in the Senate?
  • And that's not the case with this piece of legislation. Not at all, no sir.
  • Lacey Malone is a junior at Tarleton. and is a legislative intern in my office.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • If you'll recall last year, we passed a piece of legislation codifying the language from the court ruling
  • Uh, I'll be glad to answer any questions. >> Well, I will ask you one: Is your legislation written tight
  • I just want to make sure that we're covering the folks that this legislation is targeted to. >> It will
  • be written tight enough your legislation be written tight enough that<00:02:58.000><c> it</c><00:02:
  • </c> year with another piece of legislation year with another piece of legislation to<00:09:22.240><c
Summary: The committee first took up Representative John Blanton’s bill on pension spiking and Kentucky Public Pension Authority administration. Blanton said the measure would make a prior court-related pension-spiking fix retroactive to July 1, 2022, so employees who retired between that date and the court ruling would be treated the same as those covered by the earlier legislation. KPPPA staff said they did not think the bill would go beyond the Court of Appeals ruling, but noted it could prompt requests from people who retired before July 1, 2022. Members asked about how many retirees might be affected, whether the language was narrow enough, and whether the bill could open the door to additional claims; Blanton estimated roughly 1,000 retirees would need review, with fewer actually impacted. No vote was taken on the bill in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senator Matt Nunn and Scott County Schools Superintendent Billy Parker present a proposal allowing school districts to offer teachers and other employees a voluntary payout for unused sick days. Supporters said the idea could improve attendance, reduce substitute costs and classroom disruptions, help retain younger teachers, and potentially lower long-term retirement-related costs because the payout would not count toward pension compensation. They emphasized the program would be optional for districts and employees, would require teachers to keep at least 15 sick days in reserve, and would be district-funded rather than a state cost. Members raised questions about budget impact, tax treatment, pension effects, and whether the incentive would actually change behavior; the bill sponsor and witnesses said the payout would be taxed like other compensation and would not affect TRS or CERS benefits. One member requested reporting on how the program would be used, and the sponsor said he would be open to adding that. The sponsor also noted a later committee-substitute change would allow use of accumulated sick leave for observance of religious holidays not otherwise on the school calendar, with a personal statement from the employee.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • His expertise has been sought out by many elected officials, not just in the legislative branch, but
  • My work is involved engaging voters, legislators, and faith leaders, and to give Catholics a voice in
Summary: The meeting was characterized by a series of introductions and personal anecdotes shared by the committee members, with a focus on the importance of community engagement and transparency in legislative processes. Members expressed their commitment to open hearings and the necessity for public involvement in discussions impacting constituents. Several members remarked on how personal experiences shape their legislative priorities, thus reinforcing the human element of governance. However, there was a noticeable absence of discussion regarding specific bills, indicating that the session may have been more exploratory or introductory in nature.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Jan 14th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have the greatest legislative body in the country. Members, a quorum is present.
  • It's model legislation in the country.
  • It's model legislation by the American Legislative Exchange Council.
  • He'll be there again this year with more blockbuster legislation.
  • Members, may I now present to you the President Pro Tempore of the 89th Legislative Session.
Bills: SCR7
Summary: The Texas Senate convened for the opening of the 89th Legislature with an invocation, roll call, and certification of the newly elected senators. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock administered the oath of office to the senators-elect, and Governor Greg Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott addressed the chamber, emphasizing priorities such as foster care, the budget, border security, school choice, and maintaining Texas’s economic growth and constitutional principles. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick also welcomed members and guests, noted the Senate’s bipartisan culture, and highlighted the chamber’s organization for the session. The Senate then held its organizational election for President Pro Tempore. Senator Tan Parker nominated Senator Brandon Creighton, and Senator Paul Bettencourt seconded the nomination, both praising Creighton’s background, legislative record, and leadership. The chamber voted by standing vote to elect Creighton, who was then escorted to the front and sworn in as President Pro Tempore by State Minister Scott Wall. Creighton delivered remarks about his family, his time as a Senate messenger, and his priorities for the session, including education, border issues, energy, and Texas sovereignty. After the leadership election, the Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7, granting permission for either house to adjourn for more than three days during the specified January period. The resolution passed by a recorded vote of 31 ayes and no nays. The Senate then adopted a motion by Senator Zaffirini to recess until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15, after a caucus at 10 a.m. in the Betty King Room.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Community Affairs Feb 10th, 2026

Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • This particular way is through legislation that seeks to ensure that, at a minimum, the owner-operator
  • This particular way is through legislation that seeks to ensure that at a minimum, the owner-operator
  • The legislation is seeking fairness. I'm not saying, I think I'm over the target.
  • The goal of this legislation is to increase transparency within local government budgets to mimic the
  • "So I'm always open to talking and communicating with the stakeholders in every single legislation I
Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills focused on water safety, utilities, housing, transparency, and claims relief. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was presented as a follow-up to prior water-quality legislation and reported favorably with one support waiver. SB 28, a claims bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child-drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy and drowning-prevention groups in strong support; amendments required rental license applicants to certify compliance and removed local-government add-on authority, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 18, a claims bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, prompted questions about settlement and responsibility but was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from a waiver form. Several utility and infrastructure measures were considered. CS/SB 1724 would regulate municipal utility service outside city limits, limit revenue transfers, require public meetings, and cap rate differences; an amendment added gas utilities, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from municipal utility representatives and small-county advocates. CS/SB 1014 would require municipal utilities to extend water and wastewater service to certain nearby residential properties without conditioning service on annexation; an amendment narrowed the bill to residential uses and clarified capacity and grandfathering provisions, and it passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 would allow local infrastructure surtax revenue to fund body camera programs, with an amendment making the surtax authorization prospective and requiring a new referendum; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 260 on electric-vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to focus on storage only and to tie the higher fee to the period before fire-risk inspection, then reported favorably after testimony from insurers, fire officials, and EV industry representatives. The committee also advanced education, housing, and ethics-related bills. SB 1264 would ease zoning and code barriers for small private schools and micro-schools, with supporters arguing it would expand school choice and opponents raising implementation concerns; it was reported favorably. SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a tax-exemption section that conflicted with the Live Local Act, then reported favorably. SB 1622 would provide a one-time waiver of late financial-disclosure fines under specified conditions and was reported favorably. Finally, CS/SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related materials, and an amendment added utility revenue reinvestment and other changes while removing DEI spending restrictions; the bill drew support for transparency but concern from small cities and counties about cost and workload, and it was reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment after senators recorded votes on selected bills.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JDC-LBT, JDC DEFER Public Hearings 02-05-2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> &gt;&gt; Do you happen to know how big the ethics &gt;&gt; Do you happen to know how big the ethics
  • So ethics I mean elections assistant.
  • I wouldn't object to pegging it to Ethics, except that Ethics is the same sentence as Health.
  • So I I ethics is the sentence health.
  • Um we'll blank out the to ethics.
Bills: SB2841, SB2533
Summary: The joint Judiciary, Labor, and Technology Committee heard two bills in the morning session and later took up two Judiciary decision-making items. SB 2841 would require human trafficking awareness training for transient accommodation workers. Testimony was generally supportive from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Department of Law Enforcement, and the Hawaii Hotel Alliance/American Hotel and Lodging Association, which also proposed amendments to preserve existing industry training programs and broaden coverage. Members clarified that the administration wanted DLE to be the lead agency instead of DLIR, while the Attorney General would still handle approval of training programs. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including coverage for third-party contractors and implementation dates, and the measure was adopted with no recorded opposition. SB 2533 would adjust the salaries of the Campaign Spending Commission’s executive director and associate director to better align with comparable enforcement/compliance positions. The commission supported the bill, saying its salaries lag behind similar offices by about $30,000 and that recruitment and workload have become more difficult, while one testifier opposed the proposal. Members questioned why the bill used the Department of Health as the salary comparator and whether Ethics would be a better benchmark; the committee agreed to revise the bill to peg the salaries to the Ethics Commission instead, blank out the dollar amounts for further review, and note the requested appropriation in the report. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted. In the Judiciary decision-making agenda, SB 2203, concerning the use of masks or personal disguises by law enforcement officers, was amended to allow exceptions for officers who are unmasked nearby or who are supporting undercover operations, to change the term to “facial covering,” and to add definitions covering federal, state, and county law enforcement. The committee also set a far-future effective date and passed the bill with amendments. SB 2442, relating to judiciary purchase-of-service contracts with community-based organizations, was also passed with amendments; the committee added a far-future effective date, clarified the consumer price index reference, and noted a recommended appropriation amount of $4.26 million in the committee report. All measures were adopted without recorded no votes or reservations.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health Mar 24th, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so we support legislation that would promote a culture of life in Texas, and we believe House Bill
  • You know, I think that for us as legislators, we always look at the fiscal note.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 12th, 2026

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • As this legislative session draws to and beginnings.
  • May these legislators, their staff, their families, and all involved in the legislative process hear
  • Thursday, March 12, 2026, the 60th legislative day. Last line. Message received. Legislative day.
  • Thursday, March 12, 2026, the 60th legislative day. Senate Bill 6362 by Senator Housin.
  • And obviously, consumers will get more choices with this legislation.
Bills: SCR8410
Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, colors, pledge, and prayer, then approved the previous day’s journal and received gubernatorial appointments and House messages. It also introduced Senate Bill 6362 and referred it to the Law and Justice Committee. After caucus, the President signed a number of bills in open session. The chamber then took up several House-amended measures. Substitute Senate Bill 6225, a transportation bonding bill, was concurred in and passed 49-0 after remarks that it was needed to support the six-year transportation budget and historic maintenance investments. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6354, allowing direct sales by electric vehicle manufacturers such as Rivian and Lucid, was also concurred in and passed 47-2 after supporters said the House changes lowered consumer fees while preserving the fiscal effect. Engrossed Senate Bill 6228, dealing with tax preferences and pharmacy-related provisions, passed 26-23 after concurrence; Engrossed Senate Bill 6347, concerning estate tax changes, passed 39-10 after concurrence; Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6260, which included changes to transitional kindergarten, National Board bonuses, alternative learning experience, Running Start, and electric bus depreciation, passed 26-23; and Substitute Senate Bill 6355, involving transmission authority governance, transparency, and eminent domain-related sideboards, passed 32-17. The Senate also resolved several House/Senate differences by receding or amending bills. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408, funding the Seattle Community Development Authority, passed 49-0 after the Senate receded from its amendments. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1295, on literacy-related teacher standards and technical assistance, was returned to second reading, amended with a striking amendment, and then passed 48-1. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215, concerning Climate Commitment Act compliance obligations for fuel supply, was similarly amended with a negotiated striking amendment to protect good-faith operators and then passed 49-0. The Senate then signed additional bills in open session and recessed for lunch and caucus.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 11th, 2026

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • He also, I consider him and probably Senator Karen Kaiser, legislative royalty.
  • And I think that just typifies who Steve Conway is as a person and as a legislator.
  • But sitting in front of a legislative committee is a different experience.
  • So I will miss that wisdom and his input in proposed legislation.
  • Kimberly was Senator Conway's former and very long-time legislative assistant.
Bills: SCR8410
Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, suspended rules to allow committee work and additional floor resolutions, and referred committee and gubernatorial appointment reports as designated. It then took up several gubernatorial appointments in third reading. Megan Matthews was confirmed as director of the Washington State Office of Equity by a 45-2 vote, and Robert A. Zupon, Denise E. Gideon, Andrea Buchanan, Michelle R. Smith, and Edison A. Valerio were each confirmed to various community and technical college boards of trustees by large bipartisan margins. The chamber then considered Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation revenue and policy measure. After rejecting the Transportation Committee’s original striking amendment and adopting a narrower floor striking amendment, senators debated the bill’s changes, including repeal of the luxury aircraft tax and replacement with higher aircraft fuel taxes, registration fees, and an annual excise tax, along with technical corrections and safety-related transportation provisions. Supporters said the bill was a workable compromise that would sustain transportation funding and support future aviation investments; opponents argued it would raise costs on small aircraft owners and general aviation. The bill passed final passage 33-15. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8703 honoring Senator Steve Conway for his 34 years of legislative service. Multiple senators spoke in praise of his leadership on labor, pensions, veterans, and district advocacy, as well as his institutional knowledge, mentorship, and personal integrity. Senator Conway then offered a personal statement thanking colleagues, staff, family, and constituents, and saying he would continue advocating for working people after leaving the Legislature. The Senate then recessed for lunch and caucus.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Michael O'Reilly, as a detailee to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and here in the Senate as Legislative
  • In fact, my 2017 NASA Authorization Act was one of the very first pieces of legislation President Trump
  • On technology party, she's helped us pass legislation to improve maps.
  • Back when I was in the house, as I mentioned, some of the legislation I introduced, but we had one on
  • The law also specifies explicitly, the administrator shall, and when legislation uses the word shall
Summary: During the committee meeting, various issues surrounding state policy and governance were deliberated. Although the specifics of bills under discussion were not highlighted, comments from several committee members indicated a focus on improving legislative processes and addressing public concerns. The chairman facilitated discussions that included several points of critique as well as suggestions for enhancement of existing laws. The atmosphere remained constructive despite the complexity of the topics at hand.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • committees and to provide legislative recommendations.
  • I know this piece of legislation will be on.
  • We're the legislative body. And in my mind, we're taking the law.
  • Thus, there's no enabling language legislation for this SJR.
  • Senator, this bill, I would say this is part of a bill we should consider with other legislation.
Summary: The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.