Video & Transcript : 'Department governance' :
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the Director of Government Relations for Texas Values. I am testifying in favor of HB 186.
- And I don't want that data to include all of our government IDs.
- I call it government overreach, and for a party that claims to be less government, this seems a little
- This is government overreach.
- Restriction of information is a of authoritarian governments.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Keywords:
social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Director of Government Relations for Texas Values, and I'm testifying in favor of HB 186.
- I call it government overreach, and for a party that all claims to be less government, this seems a little
- This is government overreach.
- Restriction to information is a mark of authoritarian governments.
- Governments commit an even more egregious form of censorship...
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Keywords:
social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority
Summary:
The committee took up House Bill 186, which would require social media platforms to verify users are 18 or older before allowing account creation. Invited witnesses in support, including Mary Elizabeth Castle and David Dunmoyer, argued the bill would protect children from harmful algorithms, addictive design, bullying, sexual exploitation, and mental health harms, and emphasized parental rights and the idea that minors should not enter binding contracts with platforms. Committee members questioned them about how algorithms work, whether parents could realistically monitor content, and whether the bill would still allow educational use; the witnesses said the bill was narrowly aimed at harmful social media use and not educational content.
Public testimony on HB 186 was largely in opposition, though several student witnesses said they supported the bill’s goals but wanted the age lowered to 16 or the bill amended to allow parental consent or joint accounts. Opponents argued the bill would be ineffective because teens could bypass age checks, would cut off access to educational tools, school communications, recruiting and NIL opportunities, and would burden free speech and privacy. Some witnesses also said social media helps teens with mental health, community, and creative or professional opportunities, while others warned the bill could disproportionately harm disabled and marginalized users. After public testimony closed, HB 186 was left pending.
The committee then heard House Bill 5138, which Chairman Hughes said would respond to a court ruling limiting the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes unless invited by local prosecutors by changing the statute to require AG prosecution. Public testimony on HB 5138 was brief and opposed by at least one witness who argued it would further erode local control and expand state preemption. The bill was left pending after testimony.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3225, a library bill aimed at keeping sexually explicit books and materials out of children’s sections in municipal libraries and requiring age verification for checkout, including digital access, with parental consent and other revisions added in the House. Supporters said the bill would protect children from explicit material and keep such content in adult sections, while opponents argued it would amount to censorship, be costly and difficult to implement, and could be used to target LGBTQ+ or other marginalized content. Library workers, parents, students, and advocates testified that existing library sections already separate age-appropriate materials and that the bill could reduce access to books, burden libraries, and infringe on parental choice and free expression.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- If government had more mentality like private businesses, they would be looking for opportunities for
- And so that's what I would say is that, you know, we need to expect more from our government.
- If a man goes in and he puts on a form, of all places, a government form, and swears that he is not a
- This is adding bureaucracy, and it's the opposite of small government.
- , I heard... ...statement, a government check, and a paint check.
Committee:
House Elections
Keywords:
election services, contracting, political subdivisions, county elections, election code, voter registration, citizenship status, election law, cancellation, disqualification, Texas Election Code, voter identification, registration, election integrity, identification documents, election, watcher, polling place, removal, Texas Elections Code
Summary:
The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent.
The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending.
Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending.
Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 2nd, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- It creates a new section in the government code allowing a governing board of a state agency to meet
- And we've seen this in the past where the federal government federal government will say, here's some
- A national government will provide a subnational government with grant money.
- Currently, government code allows.
- These are some of the government departments, and their data breach loss is approximately. $60 to $70
Bills:
HB512 , HB2248 , HB2679 , HB2832 , HB3112 , HB3368 , HB3490 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB3666 , HB3700 , HB3711 , HB3770 , HB3963
Committee:
House Delivery of Government Efficiency
Keywords:
grievance procedures, state agency, employee rights, workplace regulations, employment law, employees, employment actions, appeal, state employees, workplace rights, disciplinary actions, employment conditions, employment disputes, job protections, public information, transparency, government accountability, information access, notification requirements, federal funding
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/20/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:18:43.320><c> of</c> according to the Minnesota Department of according to the Minnesota Department
- </c> part of the time the uh the department part of the time the uh the department um<00:25:51.200><c
- </c><00:26:08.960><c> been</c> dryer is has the the department been dryer is has the the department been
- </c> both the industry and the department both the industry and the department okay<00:52:43.559><c>
- </c> commissioner is right the the Department commissioner is right the the Department of<01:00:12.079
Committee:
House Commerce Finance and Policy
Keywords:
corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association, MIGA, insurance guaranty fund, insurer insolvency, covered claim, net worth threshold, high-net-worth insured, financial information request, insurance claims, self-insured retention, deductible, commercial insurance, insurance regulation, Minnesota Statutes 60C.09, guaranty association
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Education Oversight REVISION 2: SB1812 - Added Apr 15th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Education Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1437 is directing the State Department of Education to establish certain guidelines, administer
- And actually, the Department of Health is wanting this data or information from these results to work
- of the education appropriation chair selecting programs and vendors, this would enable the State Department
Committee:
House Education Oversight
Keywords:
teacher certification, pilot program, education, state board, alternative pathways, education grants, competitive grants, revolving fund, State Department of Education, State Board of Education, Strong Readers Act, literacy instruction, reading intervention, dyslexia, science of reading, structured literacy, multisensory instruction, school districts, public education funding, education innovation
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- This is House Bill 1 by Representative McFarlane, provides for the ordinary expenses of state government
- and the other budget bills work collectively to appropriate funding for the operations of state government
- You mentioned something about the sheriffs in Vernon Parish, the sheriff's department?"
- "In Vernon Parish, the Sheriff's Department? Yes.
- Members, House Bill 383 provides for the ancillary expenses of state government.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Keywords:
state budget, appropriations, education funding, public health, social services, government operations, state institutions, budget, funding, state general fund, local government, fiscal year, economic development, state treasury, emergency response, education, voting technology, sustainability, revenue sharing, fund distribution
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 38 Apr 9th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So just to be clear on that, but our government is growing. How does government grow?
- I believe our role is to stand for the principle of limited government and to seek not to grow government
- , but to make government smaller.
- , but to make government smaller.
- Once money is placed into a government fund, government develops a reason to keep it.
Keywords:
education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, tax credit, parental choice, private school, income tax, dental insurance, health care, medical necessity, insurance claims, dentist rights, military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, veteran burial
Summary:
The House convened, completed the roll call, received an invocation focused on grief and remembrance, and heard several special presentations recognizing a brave child, visiting groups, and multiple student-athlete teams and school groups in the galleries. The chamber also introduced the Doctor of the Day and Nurse of the Day. The main business was consideration of the Joint Committee report on Senate Bill 1177, the general appropriations bill, presented by Chairman Caldwell-Trey.
Most of the floor time was spent on extended questions about the budget’s major features. Caldwell-Trey explained the bill as a largely flat or modestly increased budget that includes a $200 million transfer to a new sovereign wealth fund, $225 million in set-asides, a $12.5 million “dream accounts” program for newborns, and funding tied to teacher pay, education, workforce, public safety, agriculture, and health agencies. Members questioned the use of one-time funds for recurring expenses, the reduction in state contributions to the OPRS pension system, Medicaid assumptions, emergency management funding, veterans’ services, child care, school counselors, and the lack of funding for some requested items such as National Board Certified Teacher stipends and veterans’ facility maintenance. Caldwell-Trey defended the budget as transparent, early, and designed to preserve cash reserves while supporting core services.
No final vote on the appropriations report is reflected in the transcript excerpt. The House also heard explanations that the limits bills would be run later in committee, and that the budget negotiations were still ongoing with the Senate and governor on some related items. The session ended with the queue closed after the budget questioning, and the transcript cuts off during additional remarks from Representative Timmons.
HI
Committee:
Senate Education
Keywords:
coral reefs, sunscreen, environmental education, student stewardship, marine conservation, tree canopy, public schools, environmental equity, shade coverage, education, HCR183, House Concurrent Resolution, Department of Education, DOE, immigration enforcement, ICE, federal immigration officers, sensitive locations, school safety, student protection
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/16/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I know that the Endangered Species Act comes from the federal government, and they're the ones that establish
Committee:
House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Keywords:
foreign ownership, land sales, review commission, national security, property rights, veterinary technicians, certification, education alternative, Arizona Revised Statutes, veterinary education, Mexican gray wolf, Mexican wolf, Mexican gray wolf puppies, Arizona Game and Fish Commission, Arizona Game and Fish Department, endangered species, wolf reintroduction, wolf translocation, cross-fostering, wildlife management
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> practices act request to the Department practices act request to the Department of<00:35:47.280>
- that of the state government.
- </c> This issue is putting city governments This issue is putting city governments at<00:47:37.280><c
- </c><00:47:50.720><c> I</c> that of the state government. I that of the state government.
- </c> independent of stringent government independent of stringent government oversight.<00:47:56.960>
Keywords:
groundwater, water use permit, data centers, public health, environmental regulations, municipalities, state park license plate, specialty license plate, Minnesota DNR, Department of Natural Resources, license plate design contest, North Shore, Lake Superior Agate, AI-generated art, artificial intelligence, Minnesota resident, state parks, specialty plates, vehicle registration, contest requirements
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, has the budget for the Department of War—or now, is it Department of War?
- >> We say Department of Defense.
- of defense or will help the department of defense or department<00:15:40.399><c> of</c><00:15:40.639
- of of um that the Hawaii department of of um that the Hawaii Department<00:16:22.480><c> of</c><00:16
- Savin Governance Committee.
Bills:
HB676
Committee:
House Public Safety
Keywords:
HB676, Hawaii correctional facilities, youth correctional facilities, adult correctional facilities, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Youth Services, inmate phone calls, prison phone calls, jail phone calls, free prison calls, free communication services, incarcerated persons, prison reform, reentry, family visitation, recidivism, video visitation, electronic messaging, commissions, ancillary fees
Summary:
The committee heard three public safety bills. HB 2235 would appropriate $1.3 million for the Military Affairs and Community Relations Office to strengthen coordination on military and defense issues. Supporters, including the Hawaii National Guard and DBEDT’s military relations office, said the office helps Hawaiʻi understand federal contracting, USA Jobs, and military-related economic impacts. One member questioned why the state should fund a DoD-related office while Hawaiʻi remains under-reimbursed on impact aid; supporters responded that the office serves Hawaiʻi communities and helps prepare residents for federal jobs. The chair said she intended to recommend the bill pass with a HD1, a blank appropriation to be filled in the committee report, technical amendments, a defective effective date, and updated office title language.
HB 2263 would expand Hawaiʻi family leave law to cover qualifying military exigencies. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii National Guard supported the measure, saying military families often face short-notice deployments, relocations, briefings, and urgent family arrangements that require time away from work, and that aligning state law with federal standards would provide clarity and consistency. The chair said she would recommend passage with a HD1, a defective effective date, and technical amendments.
HB 2291 would clarify that certain National Guard Youth and Educational Programs employees are excluded from collective bargaining, rename the program, and codify its Hawaiian name. The Hawaii National Guard said it was a housekeeping bill with no appropriation, but requested an amendment to align the bill with updated authorities and program references; the chair asked for proposed language before the later decision-making. She said she would recommend passage with a defective date and the requested amendment if provided, and then recessed the hearing until 11:30 a.m. for decision-making on all three bills.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This would allow state and local parks and recreation agencies or departments to promote recreational
- trial event is deposited in the Game and Fish and Water Safety Account of the Parks and Wildlife Department
Committee:
House Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Keywords:
SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial, coonhound trial, dog trial, squirrel hunting, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals, hunting license exemption, wildlife management, public land permit, private land hunting, game fish and water safety account, permit fee, commission rules, Parks and Wildlife Department, Unplug Texas Day, digital detox
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Below the table, the department that filled out the fiscal note, I believe, is the education department
- Department of Education.
- Department...
- under the MARS department.
- I'm the Director of Government Relations for the Minnesota Department of Education, and thank you for
Committee:
House Education Finance
Keywords:
HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I just first of all, just want to have the 2 departments we've >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- John Waters from the Government Relations Unit, supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources.
- Chairman is John Waters from the government Relations unit supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources
- My name is Josiah Moore, and I'm the legislative director at the Department of Labor and Industry.
- I'm the legislative director at the Department of Labor and Industry.
Keywords:
commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF78, Minnesota veterans, veteran retreats, Camp Bliss, Walker, Independent Lifestyles Inc., Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs grant, general fund appropriation, family members, spouse, domestic partner, children, therapy, transportation
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Mar 3rd, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- statewide, including emergency service districts and volunteer fire departments.
- This would allow fire departments to share and locate equipment more effectively during emergencies,
- Yes, sir, that's correct. 85% of the state of Texas is covered by a volunteer fire department.
- They just see the municipal fire departments and they don't equate the coverage.
- Under current law, contractors on public work projects... ...Parks and Wildlife Department.
Committee:
Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Keywords:
water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met on Texas Water Day and limited public testimony to two minutes. The chair emphasized the need to move quickly because of scheduling conflicts with other committees and noted the importance of water policy and related stakeholders. The committee heard several bills focused on water administration, rural utilities, emergency response, and public works contracting.
Senate Bill 790 by Senator Alvarado would let the Public Utility Commission create a simplified process for resolving tenant complaints over water or wastewater bill discrepancies; it was described as a way to avoid lengthy contested-case hearings for small disputes. Senate Bill 971 by Senator Sparks would clean up conflicting statutory definitions of “rural political subdivision” so Texas Water Development Board programs are applied consistently; Texas Rural Water Association testified in support. Senate Bill 767, also by Senator Sparks, would expand and improve a statewide database of fire-response equipment so departments, including volunteer and rural departments, can locate and share resources more effectively during emergencies; fire service witnesses supported the bill and suggested annual updates to keep the database current.
Chair Perry laid out Senate Bill 480 to clarify that local governments and special districts may enter interlocal agreements for water-related planning and research, including aquifer management and flood/water planning. He also presented Senate Bill 1066, which raises payment and performance bond thresholds for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public works contracts to $150,000, arguing the change would reflect inflation and help smaller vendors on lower-risk projects. Witnesses were heard on the bills, with no opposition recorded in the transcript.
The committee voted out all five bills favorably. SB 1066, SB 480, SB 767, SB 790, and SB 971 each received unanimous committee approval and were recommended to the local and contested calendar, with SB 767 noted as amended by a suggested annual-update requirement for the equipment database.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary (9-19-24)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaM_asNKfvc, 2026-06-21T07:17:08+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:05
Approval of Minutes of the August 23, 2024 Meeting: 00:01:30
Department of Criminal Justice Training Update: 00:02:44
Real-Time Crime Index: 00:25:30
Caregivers and Incarceration: 01:12:49
Men of Valor: 01:38:23, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Banking and Insurance (11-1-23)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeR0ycSDyMA, 2026-06-21T07:17:05+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00:00 – call to order and roll call
00:02:05 – Industry update from Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance
00:37:22 – The role of regional banks in Kentucky’s economy
00:59:34 – Department of Financial Institutions update
01:16:10 – Banking code modernization and unlawful financial trade practices, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate legislative Session Mar 23rd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, there is data that the state department has right now.
- So, there is data that exists within the state Department.
- And again, they help govern.
- Members, this is a government transparency bill.
- So with this bill, would it apply to foreign governments?
Bills:
SB1521 , SB372 , SB1232 , SB1307 , SB1338 , SB1390 , SB1451 , SB1463 , SB1558 , SB1567 , SB1595 , SB1621 , SB1734 , SB1749 , SB1827 , SB1833 , SB1991 , SB1992 , SB63 , SB2063 , SB2180 , SB1198 , SB80
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, chatbot, conversational AI, companion AI, AI companion, virtual companion, chatbot regulation, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, content moderation, self-harm, suicidal ideation, crisis intervention, mental health claims, romantic AI, emotional dependence, app store
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate legislative Session Mar 23rd, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, there is data that the State Department has.
- And so there is data that exists within the State Department.
- The State Department has data.
- And a half for the Department of Human Services to really fine-tune things.
- Members, this is a government transparency bill.
Bills:
SB1521 , SB372 , SB1232 , SB1307 , SB1338 , SB1390 , SB1451 , SB1463 , SB1558 , SB1567 , SB1595 , SB1621 , SB1734 , SB1749 , SB1827 , SB1833 , SB1991 , SB1992 , SB63 , SB2063 , SB2180 , SB1198 , SB80
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, chatbot, conversational AI, companion AI, AI companion, virtual companion, chatbot regulation, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, content moderation, self-harm, suicidal ideation, crisis intervention, mental health claims, romantic AI, emotional dependence, app store
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledges, and a series of guest and gallery introductions, including medical professionals, interns, students, and advocates visiting for Disability Day. The chamber then moved quickly through a long floor agenda, with leaders repeatedly noting the need to stay at desks and proceed efficiently. Several bills were taken up with floor substitutes or minor amendments, most often restore-title amendments, before advancing to final passage.
The Senate passed a number of measures addressing technology, public safety, education, health care, elections, and state agency operations. Among the most notable were SB 1521, which creates safeguards around AI social companions for minors after discussion of teen suicides linked to such products; SB 1734, which sets guardrails for AI use in schools and requires district policies by 2027; and SB 1307, which removes statutory language conflicting with religious-freedom case law and passed after debate over whether it could open the door to funding religious entities. Other bills approved included SB 372 on carrying firearms in certain state-owned lodges and cabins, SB 1232 on escalating penalties for major copper theft damage, SB 1338 making the literacy-coach program permanent and tying Strong Readers Act dollars to district access, SB 1451 on voter-registration cleanup and reporting, SB 1463 extending the polygraph examiners board sunset, SB 1558 clarifying that some OJA youth in Level E group homes may remain served until age 19, and SB 1567 clarifying APRN prescriptive-authority rules and supervision compensation.
The chamber also approved SB 1595, an anti-steering/anti-discrimination bill aimed at CDL training grants and workforce boards, and SB 1621, treating public law libraries as public entities represented by district attorneys. SB 1749, which lets the LP Gas Board create permitting and inspection rules for mobile food vendors and delegate inspections to more local permit holders, drew concern from some senators about added costs and burdens on food-truck operators but still passed. The Senate also advanced SB 1833, codifying the SNAP waiver executive order and limiting certain non-nutritive foods, with questions focused on how the restrictions would be communicated and applied. Most measures were passed by substantial margins, and several were declared emergency measures after final votes.