Transcript Highlights:

• If a balanced budget amendment is passed and our elected Congress at the time of passage accomplishes
• We have term limits because they're elections. I go to the rest. I mean, if you like, but if we...

Bills: SB312, SB945, SB946, SB1367, SB1861, SB2044, SB2337, SB2403, SB2819, SJR54

Keywords: public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards

Transcript Highlights:

• elections.
• There's an election, I'm not sure what elections we haven't seen at this point.
• office or position appointed by an elected official.
• The focus is on election crimes. They are low volume but critical.
• And for election crimes in many cases, there's no one minding the storm.

Bills: SB312, SB945, SB946, SB1367, SB1861, SB2044, SB2337, SB2403, SB2819, SJR54

Keywords: public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards

Bills: SB312, SB945, SB946, SB1367, SB1861, SB2044, SB2337, SB2403, SB2819, SJR54

Keywords: public school funding, education, budget allocation, financial transparency, state law, local control, fiduciary responsibility, public retirement systems, investment management, proxy voting, financial factors, insurance, political shareholder proposals, fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental regulation, discrimination, credit extension, social credit, value-based standards

Transcript Highlights:

• elections, procedures, security, and confidence in Louisiana elections.
• And then there was an election contest suit, and we held the election again.
• So we heard that maybe at the most we're talking about 1,800 votes statewide in a big election, right
• At the most, we're talking about 1,800 votes statewide in a big election, right?
• The 2007 election code had 298 pages. The 2007 election code had 298 pages in it.

Bills: HR118, HR196, HR237, HR285, HCR85, HB442, HB443, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR63, SB25, SB202, SB319

Keywords: water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, fallen trees, property damage, insurance, property values, hurricanes, storm damage, local government, homeowners, risk management, committee study, census, military population, Department of Defense, representation, federal funding

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs met with a quorum present and considered several pending measures. On Senate Bill 1868, Senator Perry explained a committee substitute that would keep kratom in its natural state legal while continuing to ban 7-OH and other synthetic derivatives, and would also add three synthetic opioids from another bill. The substitute was adopted, and SB 1868 was reported favorably to the full Senate and certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 39, Senator Birdwell’s proposed constitutional amendment related to veto overrides after a regular session, and reported it favorably to the full Senate; members noted a floor amendment would also be offered later. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1184, relating to the age of wine authorized to be sold by a wine collection seller, and reported it favorably to the full Senate. After some procedural discussion and a revote to clarify members’ positions, SB 1184 was also certified for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 1194 was likewise certified for the local and uncontested calendar without objection, though the transcript does not include its substantive discussion. Senate Bill 1577, relating to the temporary sale of alcoholic beverages at certain racing facilities, was reported favorably to the full Senate and then certified for the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, Senate Concurrent Resolution 42, by Chairman Hughes, was reported favorably to the full Senate on an 8-1 vote. The committee then recessed until called back by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 2681 amends the Election Code to allow for someone to challenge SB 2681 amends the Election Code to
• The audit of the 2022 general election revealed issues in counties such as inadequate training for election
• It's good to keep all the election equipment secure.
• I remember it takes me back to the last election.
• Election Day... ...to incorporate many different aspects of the election process: Election Day, early

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on several bills, with most measures left pending after public testimony closed. SB 801, by Sen. Menéndez, would require DSHS and local clerks to issue birth certificates at no cost to people experiencing homelessness. The author and Maria Benavides of SA Youth said the fee and mailing requirements are major barriers to obtaining ID, housing, and work, and Benavides described clients who were able to secure housing and employment after getting birth records and IDs through her program. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard a set of bills related to the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America naming issue: SB 1410 would require state agencies to use “Gulf of Mexico” in official documents, SB 1717 would conform state law to the federal renaming to “Gulf of America,” and SJR 63 would amend the Texas Constitution to match that change. Support testimony for the latter two emphasized alignment with federal action and the use of different geographic names by different countries. All three measures were left pending. Members then heard SB 1200, which would require plaintiffs suing defense contractors to disclose in discovery whether they are receiving litigation funding from adversarial nations such as China, Russia, or Cuba. The author and Texans for Lawsuit Reform said the bill targets third-party litigation funding and foreign influence on lawsuits, especially those affecting defense contractors; the committee substitute narrowed the definition of defense contractor and expanded applicability to actions involving defense contractors’ activities. SB 2626, which requires continuing medical education on pregnancy-related emergencies for OB-GYN physicians and nurses, drew support from witnesses who said it would reduce confusion about Texas abortion law and improve care in emergencies. SB 506, SB 2681, SB 1862, SB 1863, and SB 2216 all focused on elections, including ballot language standards, voter registration challenges, interstate voter-roll cleanup, procedural audits, and election equipment security; testimony split between supporters who said the bills improve transparency and integrity and opponents who warned of vague standards, added costs, and possible voter disenfranchisement. Each of those bills was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• and an election in the state of Oregon.
• Under current law with respect to a particular election, an entity participates in that election if it
• Under current law with respect to a particular election, an entity participates in that election if it
• Under Senate Bill 6313, members of the Legislature and statewide elected officials are authorized to
• I think most could support additional general election C-4, approximately... ...general election C-4

Bills: SB5000, SB5325, SB6044, SB6313, SB6084, SB6137

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and considered six bills. On Second Substitute Senate Bill 6035, members debated amendments affecting voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters. Amendment 386, which changed tribal meeting requirements, was not adopted, while Amendment 385, which replaced authorization for an electronic ballot portal with a feasibility study, was adopted. The bill then passed out of committee with a due pass as amended recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6081, concerning nondisclosure of sex designation records, was amended unsuccessfully by a proposal to limit protections to survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault; the bill passed with a due pass recommendation. Substitute Senate Bill 6034, codifying the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, was amended to require Senate confirmation of the executive director and passed as amended. Senate Bill 6084 on repeat voting passed without amendment. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5968, implementing Executive Order 25-03 on agency credentials, adopted an amendment making annual ORIA reporting more explicit, rejected another reporting amendment, and passed as amended. Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering adopted amendments restricting certain prop bets and making threats against sports officials, coaches, or participants a gross misdemeanor, then passed as amended. The committee then opened public hearings on several bills. Gross Substitute Senate Joint Memorial 8014 called for a U.S. investigation into the death of Aishinur Ezgi Eygi, and testimony was overwhelmingly in support from family members, friends, University of Washington students, faculty, and advocacy groups, with one opponent arguing the matter belonged to Congress. Substitute Senate Bill 5840 on campaign finance reporting drew support from the Public Disclosure Commission, which said it would align reporting with mail voting and improve transparency, while campaign treasurers and compliance officers opposed the bill’s added reporting frequency and burden. Substitute Senate Bill 6049, expanding Public Records Act exemptions for certain survivors, anonymized demographic data, and individual Healthy Youth Survey responses, received support from OFM and opposition from a public records advocate who argued it added another exemption to an already lengthy list. Substitute Senate Bill 6160, which eliminates or modifies agency reports, was supported as a way to right-size reporting requirements. Senate Bill 5000, naming the Evergreen State as Washington’s official nickname, drew a brief supportive testimony and one opposing witness who objected to the state’s growing number of public records exemptions. Senate Bill 5325, designating Pediocactus nigrispinus as the state cactus, received supportive testimony. Senate Bill 6044, recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, was supported by Sikh community testimony. Substitute Senate Bill 5827, expanding veterans’ preference documentation to include pre-discharge certification, was briefly introduced but had no testimony. The committee adjourned after closing the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Federal and Military Affairs and Elections is called to order.
• So this is the difference between talking to the recorder versus the election director, because the election
• We have secure elections and have for decades. We have secure elections and have for decades.
• There is some overlap with elections in military affairs.
• Tellicent provides chips to the election world. Toast.

Bills: HB2006, HB2165, HB2245, HB2348, HB2806, HB2901, HB2902, HCR2016

Keywords: sample ballots, elections, primary election, general election, mailing deadline, ballot mailing, county election officials, board of supervisors, secretary of state, early voting list, election administration, voter information, postal service, USPS processing center, city elections, town elections, special district elections, Arizona election law, ballot proofing, party chair

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been elected by a million people in my district that expect me to do my job.
• Chairwoman Huffman had a statewide regional hearing.
• How many Republican elected officials? How many Democrat elected officials?
• Does it elect Republicans? or does it elect Democrats?
• I am very concerned that if we proceed down this path, trust will be lost statewide.

Bills: SR5, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35

Keywords: redistricting, Senate procedures, public input, Texas Legislature, amendments, Texas Senate, congressional districts, legislative procedures, legislative transparency, Senate rules, public hearings, committee procedures, hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes

Summary: The meeting centered around the discussion of congressional redistricting, where the committee established the procedures to ensure a fair and transparent process. Led by Senator King, the session focused on adopting a resolution that authorized a special committee dedicated to congressional redistricting and allowed for regional hearings to gather public input via videoconferencing. Concerns were raised about ensuring adequate notice for public participation, especially from marginalized communities potentially affected by proposed changes. Disagreements emerged regarding the timeline for regional hearings and how to address the implications of the redistricting process on minority districts. Overall, participants acknowledged the complex nature of redistricting and the importance of engaging constituents in the legislative process.

Bills: HB293

Keywords: political contributions, legislature, quorum, transparency, election code

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2026-32 statewide capital improvement plan.
• </c> stand approved. stand approved. the<00:01:47.680><c> 202632</c><00:01:49.040><c> statewide</c><00
• :01:49.520><c> capital</c><00:01:49.920><c> improvement</c> the 202632 statewide capital improvement
• </c><00:02:14.319><c> capital</c> for a review of our statewide capital for a review of our statewide
• </c><00:04:06.239><c> capital</c> the actual statewide capital the actual statewide capital improvements

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:01 Approval of Minutes 00:01:40 2026-2032 Statewide Capital Improvements Plan 00:02:15, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of the prior meeting minutes. The board then reviewed the 2026–2032 statewide capital improvement plan, including project recommendations across maintenance, renovation, IT, and new construction categories. Staff explained that 15 projects were selected in each category and described how the board’s tiebreaker process was used to finalize the recommendations. Members asked about the asset preservation pool, specifically whether institutions receive a blanket appropriation or must identify projects. Staff explained that the Council on Postsecondary Education serves as the gatekeeper after appropriation, reviewing institution-submitted uses to ensure they meet criteria for maintaining and improving existing facilities rather than new construction. Staff also outlined revisions to the draft plan, including updated summary data, revised wording for clarity, an updated maintenance pool policy recommendation based on Pew research, and a change to cross-reference major state-funded construction project status information rather than listing it directly. During discussion, one member praised the work on the plan and commented on the budget reserve trust fund, noting disagreement with Pew’s suggestion that the process should be in statute because Kentucky has long used the budget bill to govern deposits and uses. The board then moved to final action and unanimously adopted the draft 2026–2032 statewide capital improvement plan, with authority for staff to make final technical and editorial revisions and insert the comprehensive project list before publication. The chair thanked members for their work, noting it was the final meeting of the year, and the meeting adjourned.

Bills: HB4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts

Bills: HB4

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee is called to order.
• where election materials are created, handled, processed, tabulated, or stored for the election that
• they have to certify the election.
• Because we were establishing a statewide concern that people have to be participating in our elections
• Real quick, this is a matter of do we have elections when a lot of people show up, or do we have elections

Bills: SB1012, SB1099, SB1234, SB1392, SB1489, SB1535, SB1570, SB1609, SB1627, SB1634, SB1661, SB1709, SB1723, SB1725, SB1743, SB1829, SCR1027, SCR1040, SCR1048

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access

Transcript Highlights:

• I could tell you, having served on the elections committee, we allow people to bring in the relatives
• The decision remains entirely local and in the hands of each city elected officials.

Bills: HB113

Keywords: HB 113, Texas, Government Code Chapter 1253, general obligation bonds, bond election, voter approval, political subdivision, local government, city bonds, county bonds, school district bonds, capital projects, public finance, bond referendum, ballot measure, five-year waiting period, rejected proposition, election law, municipal finance

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 379 by Representative Carver provides for the qualifications of election commissioners.
• House Bill 379 by Representative Carver provides for the qualifications of election commissioners.
• commissioners how they have continued to struggle to find enough poll commissioners to pull off elections
• at the 11th grade level in a homeschool curriculum to be able to serve as a poll commissioner in elections

Bills: HR9, HR15, HB202, HB206, HB338, HB379, HB547, HB691, HB843, HB861, HB908

Keywords: human rights, individual liberties, Magna Carta, constitutionalism, free speech, voter identification, election integrity, federal elections, public confidence, election security, SAVE America Act, Louisiana, election fraud, job advertisement, salary transparency, civil service, employment notification, applicant rights, legislative attendance, task force

Transcript Highlights:

• election judges and poll workers, discrepancies between county and statewide data on ballots by mail
• Running the elections.
• Election equipment.
• It's good to keep all the election equipment secure, you know.
• process: election day, early voting, early voting by mail.

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63, SB 3

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63, SB 3

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Bills: HB138

Keywords: voter registration, application rejection, transparency, election integrity, state law

Bills: HB 10, HB 12, HB 675

Keywords: public information, government transparency, civil penalty, recordkeeping, election reports