Video & Transcript Research : 'transparency in voting'
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AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Constitution, Campaigns and Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- So, the poll workers see this and say, "I can't let a foreign national vote because you have to be a
- You have to be a citizen to vote.
- Oh, we didn't vote. We voted. All right. All those in favor say "aye." All those opposed, "nay."
Keywords:
SB142, Alabama, voting, voter registration, election law, Secretary of State, board of registrars, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, National Change of Address, NCOA, voter roll maintenance, address change, voter list cleanup, inactive voter, voter notification, forwardable mail, postage prepaid card, statewide voter registration database, county commission
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I vote<00:03:09.120>
yes. vote yes. vote yes. - I vote yes. 2927 Senate draft 1. I vote yes.
- I vote yes. I vote yes.
- I vote yes. draft 1. I vote yes.
- I vote yes. amendments. Chair votes I. Vice chair amendments. Chair votes I.
Bills:
SB2064, SB2662, SB2862, SB2343, SB2075, SB2781, SB2927, SB3068, SB3015, SB2929, SB2938, SB3230, SB3249, SB3332, SB3216
Keywords:
state architect, construction projects, design approvals, building codes, state agency oversight, government accountability, external consultants, procurement reform, cost efficiency, in-house expertise, gubernatorial appointments, senate confirmation, executive branch, accountability, civil service, SB2343, Hawaii Legislature, regular session, lengthened session, continuous legislature
Summary:
The committee met on February 12, 2026, to take decision-making on measures previously heard earlier in the month. Several bills were deferred indefinitely or set for later discussion, including SB 2064 on the Office of the State Architect, SB 3068 on procurement, and SB 3216 after its contents were moved into another measure. SB 2862 on gubernatorial appointments, SB 2781, and SB 315 were all deferred to Tuesday, February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225 for further work. The committee also noted that if technical problems interrupted the meeting, it would reconvene later for outstanding decision-making.
The committee passed SB 2343 on the Legislature with amendments incorporating language from SB 3216, technical changes, and a defective date of 2525. SB 2075 was advanced as a Senate draft 1 after amendments responding to constitutional concerns raised by the attorney general and SPO. SB 2927 on procurement was also passed with amendments clarifying debriefing requirements and adding technical changes, and SB 2938 on search and rescue was amended to place the position in Hima rather than the Governor’s office before being adopted. SB 3249 on procurement protests was amended to remove the term "frivolous," reduce the forfeiture to half the bond amount, and note unresolved issues, then adopted.
The committee also took up SB 3332 on state-funded travel, amending it to remove certain lines, report travel by position number to protect confidentiality, remove subsection G, and add a defective date of 2525; it was adopted. SB 2929 on public notice was amended into a pilot project for counties with populations between 100,000 and 175,000, with a year-end report to the Legislature, and was adopted. Later, the committee returned to SB 2094 on environmental action levels, heard testimony from the Department of Health in support of its current scientific process and from an environmental caucus witness in strong support of the bill’s transparency and petition provisions, and then deferred decision-making to February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225.
In the joint hearing portion, SB 3233 on agricultural workforce housing drew generally supportive testimony from ADC, the Farm Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the State Procurement Office, with concerns focused on clarity, flexibility for smaller farms, and avoiding concentration of benefits in one large operation. The committee ultimately recommended passing SB 3233 with the State Procurement Office’s clarifying amendments and the Hawaii Farmers Union’s amendment to ensure workforce housing incentives benefit multiple farmers, and the measure was adopted.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In numerical order—1868.
- It simply is to codify the change made in regulations back in 2023.
- I also ask that you vote in favor of HB 1211 because it ensures that no qualifying individual should
- We're excited about the ability to put some of this in action, and we urge the committee to vote for
- in the appointment list.
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending.
Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- at least in part tonight in testimony that it is folks in a supervisory capacity that we need to be
- at least in part tonight in testimony that it is folks in a supervisory capacity that we need to be
- And not one of us don't believe in accountability. We all want it. We want transparency.
- This is an approach that positions Texas among a select group of states committed to transparency in
- I got a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Bachelor of Science in sociology, in addition to a minor
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair.
The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending.
A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- order to register to vote is being questioned by the radical left in the Arizona—or sorry, in the U.S
- We believe in the power of our vote.
- all voting locations—so all early voting locations, all in-person election day, and replacement ballot
- The bill really aims to eliminate mail-in voting in the future.
- Just because you haven't voted in four years, you're not all of a sudden unregistered to vote.
Bills:
HB2109, HB2168, HB2198, HB2226, HB2415, HB2440, HB2665, HB2805, HB2811, HB2825, HB2857, HB2874, HB2966, HB4067, HB4117, HCR2001, HCR2016, HCR2051
Keywords:
distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, attorney general, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes and announced several bills would be held at the sponsors’ request, including HB 4117, HCR 2016, HCR 2051, and HB 2415. It then took up HB 2811, which would expand obstructing governmental operations to include knowingly interfering with a lawful arrest and make that conduct a felony. Supporters, including a county attorney representative, argued the bill closes a loophole and protects officers from third-party interference during arrests, while opponents from criminal justice and civil liberties groups said existing laws already cover the conduct and warned the bill could chill First Amendment activity such as filming police or protesting. The committee debated whether the bill duplicated resisting arrest and hindering prosecution statutes, then passed HB 2811 on a 3-2 vote with one member not voting.
The committee next heard HB 2665, which would create a manslaughter offense for an adult who intentionally gives advice or encouragement through a directed communication to a minor to die by suicide, including via social media or text. Representative Carter and family members of suicide victims described the bill as a response to online encouragement and a way to hold people accountable when minors are clearly urged toward suicide. The committee then passed HB 2665 unanimously, 6-0 with one not voting. It also approved HB 2857, allowing the Department of Corrections to store inmate medical records electronically and dispose of paper copies, by a 5-1 vote.
The committee then passed HB 2226, which requires courts to ask about veteran status at initial appearance, notify prosecutors, and connect veterans to services and possible treatment court referrals; an amendment shifted the service-notice duty from prosecutors to the court. Supporters said the bill helps identify veterans with PTSD or other needs and can reduce recidivism, and it passed 6-0. HB 2168, which would require county board approval before the Attorney General could bring a public nuisance action in superior court, drew sharp disagreement over the AG’s use of nuisance litigation against businesses such as dairies, industrial plants, and rail projects; supporters framed it as local control and opposition to overreach, while opponents said it would weaken accountability and protect corporate interests. The committee passed HB 2168 on a 3-2 vote with two not voting.
Finally, the committee heard HB 2966, which would bar early termination of lifetime probation for dangerous crimes against children and apply that restriction retroactively. Supporters argued it would keep serious child offenders on supervision and protect victims, while opponents, including survivors and defense advocates, said DCAC is a sentencing enhancement rather than a standalone offense, that the bill removes judicial discretion, may raise ex post facto concerns, and could sweep in lower-level online conduct. The bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. The committee then began hearing HCR 2001, a voter referral to end early voting the Friday before Election Day, require government-issued ID for voting, and restrict mail ballot procedures; the sponsor said it would improve election integrity and speed results, while opponents argued it would burden voters and reduce access. The transcript cuts off during testimony and debate on that measure.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 8th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Keywords:
juvenile justice, electronic monitoring, annual report, supervision outcomes, data transparency, inmate release, notification, law enforcement, victims, public safety, hit-and-run, crime of violence, felony, sentencing, battery, sound, intentional harm, physical pain, hearing impairment, video voyeurism
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission (11-15-22) - Part 1
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFtuufVH7zQ, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This is the first part of the up coming live stream for the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. The meeting will be held in in room 169 of the Capitol Annex and will contain both in person and remote members.
Part Two will begin if and when the Commission enters into an executive session., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission (10-11-22) - Part 1
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj97hlZQhnc, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This is the first part of the up coming live stream for the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. The meeting will be held in in room 169 of the Capitol Annex and will contain both in person and remote members.
Part Two will begin if and when the Commission enters into an executive session., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs May 12th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Bills:
HCR74, HCR95, HB705, HB1048, SCR23, SCR31, SCR38, SB49, SB233, SB307, SB326, SB387, SB401, SB435, SB495
Keywords:
trade commission, international relations, Louisiana, United Kingdom, economic exchange, cultural exchange, infrastructure investment, sales tax, exemptions, credits, rebates, uniformity, legislative rules, fiscal report, contempt, legislature, disorderly conduct, bribery, arrest, legislative privilege
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 15 April, 2026; 1:00 PM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- vote?
- I ask you to please vote yes in favor of recommitting this Vote yes in favor of recommitting this bill
- That if you got something you're interested in, it may be a waste of time, but vote not to send it back
- If you're opposed, vote nay. Has everyone voted? Has everyone voted?
- If you favor the resolution, vote aye. If you're opposed, vote no. Has everyone voted?
Keywords:
commendation, sports, team achievement, high school, state championship, suffrage, restoration of voting rights, conviction, probation, law-abiding citizen, congressional term limits, constitutional amendments, Article V, state resolution, political reform, Jackson State University, Veterans Memorial Stadium, economic growth, property tax, multi-purpose facility
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission (9-13-22) - Part 1
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sehRd-k41FQ, 2026-06-21T07:17:01+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, This is the first part of the up coming live stream for the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. The meeting will be held in in room 169 of the Capitol Annex and will contain both in person and remote members.
Part Two will begin if and when the Commission enters into an executive session., 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
VA
Virginia 2026 1st Special Session
Virginia Housing Commission - Fees in Residential Rental Agreements Workgroup Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- More than 22 states have laws in place to make rental housing fees transparent, and many states have
- State legislators have moved throughout 2024, 2025, and 2026 to promote all-in pricing transparency,
- It's like, when do we want this kind of transparency to kick in? At what point in the process?
- And I think that's something that always needs to be remembered in pricing transparency: how do you adjust
- So moving into the policy objectives, in order to create that transparency, we have developed standards
Keywords:
Virginia Housing Commission - Fees in Residential Rental Agreements Workgroup, 976, house, all
Summary:
The workgroup began with introductions and then reviewed staff research on rental fees, including recent Virginia laws on lease transparency, application fees, payment portal fees, security deposits, pet fees, late fees, and maintenance charges, as well as approaches in other states. Members discussed the federal FTC rule on rental advertising and how Virginia’s current laws interact with broader consumer protection provisions. Several participants raised concerns about enforcement, remedies, and whether transparency rules should be placed in the landlord-tenant code to make them easier for tenants to use.
The main legislative discussion centered on Senator Van Valkenburg’s SB 349, which would standardize and limit several rental charges. The bill would cap application fees at $50, make application deposits optional, limit administrative and utility-related fees, restrict renewal fees, require earlier disclosure of fees before touring, shorten the security deposit return deadline from 45 to 30 days, prohibit automatic move-out fees, and cap security deposits at one month’s rent. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency, predictability, and affordability for renters, while opponents warned about unintended consequences, especially for landlords in college towns and for tenants with weaker credit or unusual circumstances. There was also debate over whether application deposits are used to hold units off the market or function as a barrier to entry, and whether the bill should instead focus on clearer definitions and timing.
Members also discussed application fee practices in Virginia, including whether landlords charge every adult on the lease, whether fees are truly capped at $50 plus out-of-pocket costs, and whether portable tenant screening reports should be considered. On security deposits, there was a sharp divide: tenant advocates argued that a one-month cap would reduce barriers for low-income renters and that larger deposits do not clearly correlate with damage risk, while industry representatives said the current two-month cap helps landlords manage risk and avoid higher rents or litigation costs. The workgroup did not take any formal votes, but the chair indicated that some issues appeared closer to consensus than others and that the application deposit and security deposit provisions likely need further follow-up before any final recommendations.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- So, for example, in November, they would have to vote on U.S. Congress and U.S.
- It's to ensure that U.S. citizens are voting, Florida citizens are voting in our elections.
- It could have been in 1953, ’54, or ’55. And she has voted in every election her whole life.
- I was born on an Army post in Missouri. My eligibility to vote has never been in question.
- In 2020, nearly 80% of Florida voters mandated that only U.S. citizens vote in our state, yet we lack
Keywords:
special elections, vacancy, Governor authority, election timeframe, judicial determination, voting rights, felony, sentencing, civil rights, criminal justice, rehabilitation, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections.
The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes.
The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.
HI
Keywords:
HI House YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUkM7pRu6Tk, 2026-07-02T01:22:34+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, In response to increasing cases of COVID-19 in DOE schools.
House Committee on Education
Chair, Justin Woodson
Vice Chair, Jeanne Kapela, 910, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It's in here. Back that you're in.
- Since you're in settings, you'll have settings here. >> Just pull down there. >> You can just type in
- Voice vote. All in favor say I. I. >> All oppose. >> Thank you. >> Favorable passes. >> All right.
- >> All right, vote. All in favor say I. I. >> All oppose. >> For report, yes, ma'am.
- >> all right vote. All in favor say I. >> all right vote. All in favor say I.
Keywords:
Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers, diversity, government oversight, Sunset Law, congressional districts, HB77, absentee voting, absentee ballot, disabled voter, disability accommodation, voter assistance, ballot delivery, ballot application, designee, caregiver, election manager, vote by mail, mail ballot, ballot harvesting, voter access
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 5 Feb 9th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, now, roll call where Calls now in progress. Representative Roberts votes ai.
- Representative Guy votes iii. Leer Munson votes i. Chairman Cadwellrey votes ii.
- Proto more votes 'aye'. Representative Doriinsky votes 'aye'. Representative Miller votes 'aye'.
- Representative Osman now moves that the vote on the bill be voted in an emergency.
- To clear the vote, 61 in favor, 26 nay, have received a majority of those legislators in the House.
Bills:
HB2975, HB3405, HB3406, HB3728, HB3902, HB3977, SB397, HB1161, HB2938, HB2939, HB3306, HB3722, HB4113, HB4123, HB2293, HB3176, HB3545, HB3546
Keywords:
poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, agriculture, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, noxious weeds, poison hemlock, kudzu, landowner responsibilities, environmental control, public nuisance, eradication, burn bans, fire danger, drought conditions, emergency declaration, scrap metal, regulation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Regarding problems with vote histories, information about who voted, when, and where are kept in living
- checked in matches the number of votes that were cast.
- A smaller threshold depending on how many people voted in the election.
- Where you have two weeks of early voting, in some cases, you may have 10,000 to 20,000 ballots in Dallas
- So early voting clerks were not included in the list in Senate Bill 1599.
Keywords:
SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We see problems where vote histories, who voted when and where, are kept in living databases.
- cast in people who showed up, not how they voted.
- checked in matches the number of votes. votes that were cast, just the numbers.
- clerk. the technicality, in early voting you don't have presiding judges, the actual, the early vote
- So early voting clerks were not included in the list in Senate Bill 15.
Keywords:
SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- openly in places where it's not prohibited.
- This decision was made in response to a prior shooting incident involving a gun illegally smuggled in
- of it happening again in 2024.
- We did not have the committee substitute in time, but there is no change in the substitute.
- In the code, it required you to put together a list of everybody that voted who was not registered.
Keywords:
SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty
Summary:
The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1065, which would require government property contracts to prohibit contractors from barring licensed handgun holders from carrying firearms on leased or owned public property, with civil penalties and attorney general enforcement for violations. Senator Hall and invited witnesses from the Texas State Rifle Association, NRA, and Texas Gun Rights argued the bill would close a loophole exposed by the State Fair of Texas gun ban and protect law-abiding Texans’ self-defense rights. Opponents, including Moms Demand Action/Everytown, said the bill would undermine event organizers’ ability to set site-specific safety rules and could increase liability and insurance costs. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending.
The committee next took up Senate Bill 2742, which would create civil penalties for independent school districts and officials who use public resources for electioneering, waive immunity defenses, and expand attorney general enforcement. Senator Hagan-Bood said current law bans the conduct but lacks meaningful penalties, making injunctions the only remedy. No public testimony was heard, and the bill was left pending.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2743, also by Senator Hagan-Bood, which would allow a court to disqualify local prosecutors who refuse to prosecute election offenses and appoint the attorney general to handle the case, with a committee substitute adjusting the removal process through an adjacent-county judge. Opponents from the Texas Civil Rights Project argued the bill would undermine prosecutorial discretion and was vague and open to abuse, while a Harris County election official described past instances where alleged voter fraud cases were not pursued. After testimony, public comment was closed and SB 2743 was left pending.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing no questions and having a due pass in a second, please open the queue for vote. Needed.
- Seeing none, close the vote and declare the vote: six ayes. Sorry, declare the vote.
- Having a due pass in a second, open the cue for a vote. Marty, Tedford, Timmons, Adam's eye.
- Anyone wishing to change their vote, to close the vote, declare the vote.
- Basically, what this bill is trying to address and create some transparency in what the patient's responsible
Keywords:
licensure, criminal history, public safety, occupational certification, rehabilitation, state regulations, insurance, regulations, certification, long-term care, mergers, consumer protection, property safety, vision insurance, optometry, reimbursement, healthcare policy, ophthalmic materials, provider agreements, captive insurance