Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, which close to an election in which they would not.
• The statute prescribes that if a violation really. to an election in which the person is a candidate
• Um, were political advertising and did, uh, would have violated the... the election code.
• Hey, I've lost elections, too, Mr. Rush. Yeah, hey, it's part of it. Goes with the territory.
• It was subject to to the higher statutory penalty as the first report after an election.

Summary: The Texas Ethics Commission met on March 11, 2025, first in executive session and then in open session. The chair announced that, in light of Texas Attorney General Opinion KP-484, the commission would conform its practices to the opinion and move to repeal tolling rules for sworn-complaint deadlines. The chair also said the commission would dismiss 36 pending sworn-complaint cases in which the 120-day settlement deadline had been exceeded, even though the delay had been tolled under prior TEC rules. The commission then set future meeting dates for June 12 and September 17 and approved prior meeting minutes. The commission adopted a new criminal-referral rule clarifying that, once jurisdiction over a complaint is accepted, commissioners may vote to make a criminal referral. It also adopted revised advisory-opinion rules, with a clarifying amendment from a commenter, and republished proposed changes to the definition of “principal purpose” for political committees after staff recommended a 49 percent political-activity threshold and further public input. The commission published for comment proposed changes to ethics training rules, facial-compliance review procedures, late-filing waiver and reduction rules, and sworn-complaint procedures, including tighter discovery limits, a default-order set-aside process, and removal of tolling language inconsistent with KP-484. It also republished Chapter 28 rules on Speaker-candidate reporting. The commission adopted several advisory opinions. It declined to give an affirmative defense on whether certain school-district communications were political advertising because related litigation had already addressed the issue. It reaffirmed that a House member may use donated district-office space if it is not reimbursable with public funds and was accepted before the contribution moratorium. It also concluded that a judge may use political funds for travel to a Navy-hosted event as a local dignitary, that legislators’ use of a corporate aircraft for a border-region fact-finding trip could be permissible but would likely trigger reporting obligations, that a TCEQ commissioner’s revolving-door restrictions apply only to matters actually placed before the commissioner, and that a part-time legislative staffer may not take outside employment assisting a registered lobbyist. The commission then heard and acted on numerous fine-waiver appeals, granting several full waivers or reductions and approving staff recommendations on others, and terminated a number of inactive campaign treasurer appointments. Finally, the executive director briefed the commission on the 2025 legislative session, noting that staffing requests are tied to Sunset recommendations and that the House had preliminarily recommended about half of the commission’s appropriations requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm officially neutral on this bill. My Hudson Board of Selectmen have not weighed in pro or con.
• Remember, the planning boards are elected and usually have little or no experience in either building
• Remember, the planning boards are elected and usually have little or no experience in either building
• Remember, the planning boards are elected and usually have little or no experience in either building
• Remember, the planning boards are elected and usually have little or no experience in either building

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• officials.
• Senator Ruben Gallego, as well as numerous elected officials present here, such as myself from the HLI
• Referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Elections.
• The people on their boards are elected by the people.
• The people of the district speak through their elected government, their elected governing board members

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> says quote a taxpayer making an election says quote a taxpayer making an election under<00:47:14.560
• </c><02:08:44.719><c> our</c> away from the towns where we elect our away from the towns where we elect
• </c><02:11:14.560><c> at</c> people that the people have elected at people that the people have elected
• </c> not what we that's not what we elected not what we that's not what we elected you<02:17:53.280><
• </c> are needed prior to a building official are needed prior to a building official being<02:42:28.640

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• officials and staff.
• You may recall that on June 14th there were law enforcement agencies that had no idea where elected officials
• </c> elected officials and staff. elected officials and staff.
• I mean, there's a wide variety of ideas that members have about the safety and security of elected officials
• Theirs is public officials are having.

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee did not hold a hearing on this bill, as one was held on the official companion, which was
• No impact, fiscal impact anticipated from that amendment. on the official companion, which was Senate
• It expands the address confidentiality program to include elected officials, and it authorizes the redaction
• It expands the address confidentiality program to include elected officials, and it authorizes the redaction
• So we will move on to Second Substitute House Bill 233, protecting elected officials and candidates.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on March 2, 2026, and worked through two large groups of bills, hearing staff briefings, caucusing, and then voting each measure out to the Rules Committee. In the first group, the committee advanced bills on state accounts (HB 2675, with an amendment creating an adult day service facilities account), immigrant worker protections (2SHB 2105, after adopting a striker and Amendment 8 while rejecting amendments that would have changed enforcement and private rights of action), voting rights compliance (E3SHB 1710, with all proposed amendments rejected), AI content provenance and notices (E2SHB 1170, with Amendment 19 adopted to exempt state/local/tribal governments and certain video-game and technical uses), public official protections (2SHB 233, with a technical amendment adopted), WOTEC civil service coverage (HB 2249), JLARC work plan changes (HB 2120), LEOFF Plan 1 termination/restatement (E2SHB 2034, with several amendments adopted including creation of a pension surplus holding account and study directives, while proposals to redirect funds to the Climate Commitment Act or provide a lump-sum payment were rejected or withdrawn), supplemental retirement bargaining (HB 1069, with a striker adopted), port employee retirement exclusions (EHB 2179, with a striker adopted), local government revenue flexibility (ESHB 2442, with Amendment 72 adopted to remove a county public utility tax and other amendments rejected), wildfire mitigation funding (SHB 2089), and timberland REET changes (HB 1983). The committee also noted that it would not take action on some items in the packet, including SHB 1833. In the second group, the committee advanced bills on local housing tax remittance programs (ESHB 1717), renewable energy tax incentives and grants (E3SHB 1960, with a striking amendment adopted that adjusted rates, timing, and related provisions), nonprofit fundraising hall property tax relief (HB 2431), food bank sales tax relief (SB 6006), local tax increment financing (E2SHB 2451), temporary staffing services for nonprofit behavioral health entities (SB 6297), school and child care-related sales tax exemptions (SSB 6351, with a substitute adopted and the competing amendment made out of order), behavioral health work group extension and leadership council creation (2SHB 2429), Working Connections Child Care changes (SB 6353, with Amendment 43 adopted), language access guidelines for state agencies (SHB 2475), unpaid wage recovery (2SHB 2479), firearms background check fee authority (HB 2521, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided), public employee information sharing (HB 2091, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided), and Office of Independent Investigations jurisdiction changes (ESHB 2508, briefed but not acted on in the portion provided). Throughout the meeting, members and staff discussed fiscal notes, implementation costs, and whether amendments would increase or reduce state impacts, with several amendments aimed at narrowing scope, delaying implementation, or shifting enforcement and funding responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will say that elected officials prefer to...
• We'll say that elected officials prefer to take credit for tax cuts as opposed to having the tax department
• But there's a tendency, not only in West Virginia but elsewhere, for maybe elected officials to...
• But there's a tendency not only in West Virginia but elsewhere for maybe elected officials to take a
• This year's official estimate is $398 million.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the January 15 morning meeting. The main agenda item was the Department of Revenue’s budget and revenue presentation from Secretary Eric Nelson, Deputy Secretary Peter Shirley, and Deputy Secretary Mark Mucco. Nelson said the state remains double-A rated with a positive outlook, the budget includes a 5% personal income tax reduction, and the 2027 general revenue estimate is $5.493 billion, up $170 million from the prior year. Shirley gave an economic overview, saying West Virginia is forecast to see continued but slowing employment growth, continued wage growth, gains in private education/health services and business services, declines in some sectors, improving labor force participation relative to the nation, and strong recent net in-migration. He also noted continued growth in natural gas production and a modest rebound in coal production, though coal faces longer-term demand pressure. Mucco reviewed revenue trends and said 2025 collections were about $5.5 billion, below the prior year but above estimate, with personal income tax and sales tax driving the surplus. He explained that the forecast incorporates the 5% PIT cut and annual conformity to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including changes such as Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation, R&D expensing, business interest deductions, and a new manufacturing facility expensing provision. He also discussed the effects of tax credits, severance tax volatility, declining tobacco revenues, and health care provider tax changes tied to federal Medicaid rules. He said road fund revenues are largely flat absent policy changes, and county commission revenues are growing faster than state revenues. Members asked about when new economic development projects like NewCore would appear in the projections, how much 20,000 new jobs would matter, whether the department had a calculator for job-growth impacts, the status of recent tax cuts, road fund growth, tobacco/vape taxation, and whether migration data could be broken down by county. The witnesses said major projects are not yet in the S&P-based forecast but would likely add jobs, wages, and tax revenue over time; they estimated 20,000 jobs would be a significant increase. They also said the state is unlikely to hit the current personal income tax trigger in the near term. No substantive votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee adjourned after a motion carried by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this body has worked on anti-doxing legislation for ourselves, for other elected officials, for people
• who work in elections.
• We had an elected sheriff tell every single committee member that he is.
• It's an amazing nickname, but it's never been officially legitimate or legitimately official.
• It's an amazing nickname, but it's never been officially legitimate or legitimately official.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5067 , SJM8002 , SB5855 , SB5865 , SB5272 , SCR8406 , SB5000 , SB5500 , SJM8006 , SB5325 , SB5286 , SB5937

Summary: The Senate opened with a ceremonial welcome for the Washington National Guard, including a color guard, prayer, and a resolution recognizing the Guard’s service. Senate Resolution 8668 was adopted unanimously, with members praising the Guard’s flood response, election support, counterdrug work, youth programs, and community assistance. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees: Ann M. McQuaid to Bellingham Technical College, Eliza Munoz Estee to Grays Harbor College, and Felicia Hancock-Lewis to Wenatchee Valley College, each by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. On legislation, the Senate passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5865 on garnishment forms after adopting an amendment delaying the effective date to May 1, 2027. The chamber also passed Substitute Senate Bill 5855 on law enforcement face coverings after rejecting several amendments that would have broadened or clarified exceptions, including proposals related to timing after transport, warrants, and other scenarios. Debate centered on federal immigration enforcement, public safety, accountability, and whether the bill would affect local law enforcement; the bill ultimately passed on a 30-19 vote. The Senate then passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105, with a technical amendment, to address explicit depictions of minors and AI-generated or altered child sexual abuse material. It also passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, updating community custody provisions for unlawful firearm possession after a date-fixing amendment. Engrossed Senate Bill 5081, revising unattended motor vehicle rules for remote starts, passed unanimously. Senate Joint Memorial 8002, urging action on Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud and supporting original Medicare, also passed unanimously. Finally, the Senate advanced Substitute Senate Bill 5067, lowering the DUI blood alcohol threshold from 0.08 to 0.05. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure to reduce impaired driving, while opponents argued it would have limited effect and that enforcement and staffing issues were more important. The bill was debated at length and then passed 38-11.

Transcript Highlights:

• While sheriffs are independently elected officials, sheriff's jail budgets alone are greater than the
• Budget pressures are tough on all of us elected officials. You don't need me to tell you that.
• Budget pressures are tough on all of us elected officials. You don't need me to tell you that.
• officials... ...to physician organizations, individuals, elected officials abroad have all shared a
• Many elected officials are city council members, mayors, and county supervisors.

Summary: The committee heard several housing, local government, coastal, and infrastructure bills. AB 306 would create a statewide appeal and code-interpretation process for building code issues at the California Building Standards Commission; supporters said it would reduce inconsistent local interpretations and speed housing delivery, while no opposition testified, and it was moved on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 956 would clarify ADU law to allow up to two detached ADUs on a property and address ADUs in HOAs/common interest developments; supporters framed it as a flexibility and housing-supply measure, while local government and county groups raised concerns about ministerial approval, parking, density, and impacts on neighborhood character. After committee questions, the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the bill remaining on call. Members also considered AB 1751, which would create a ministerial approval path for qualifying townhome projects and allow local inclusionary ordinances for larger projects. Supporters said it would expand attainable homeownership and help produce missing-middle housing, while cities and counties objected to reduced density, by-right approval, and potential housing-element net-loss issues. The bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote and remained on call. AB 912, which would revise the governance structure of the Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District board, drew unanimous support from the district, city, and county; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1710, aimed at preserving housing project entitlements from later regulatory changes, also advanced on a 4-0 do-pass-as-amended vote after opponents said they were awaiting the committee amendments. The committee also heard AB 2080, which would make county treasurer investment authority delegations ongoing until revoked rather than requiring annual renewal; supporters said it would reduce technical noncompliance and administrative burden without reducing oversight, and it was moved to the Senate Floor. AB 1740, a coastal bill for Santa Monica, would set timelines and reporting for a local coastal program and create an expedited Coastal Commission process for bike, transit, and pedestrian projects; supporters said it reflected a negotiated path forward with the city and commission, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 2181, backed by Unite Here, would limit use of hypothetical density bonus value in hotel and motel appraisals; supporters said it would protect hospitality jobs from speculative lease-rent increases, and it was moved to the Senate Floor on a 4-0 vote. Finally, AB 2469 on data centers and water use drew the most extended debate. The bill would require water supply and water use assessments before approval, and shift infrastructure costs to project proponents; supporters said it would improve transparency, protect ratepayers, and ensure local governments have information before approving water-intensive facilities. Opponents, including business, city, county, and tech groups, argued existing law already covers water assessments and fees, warned the bill could create a separate permitting regime, and raised concerns about privacy, security, and investment impacts. The committee had not yet taken final action on AB 2469 when the transcript ended, and members were still asking technical questions about data center cooling and water reuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is put in a sealed envelope and delivered by the county precinct election officials to the county
• Is the use of the word 'present,' and it says to the appropriate elected official win voting, and it
• It is put in a sealed envelope and delivered by the county precinct election officials to the county
• It says to the appropriate elected official when voting, and it specifically talks about conducted by
• an election board or the state election board.

Bills: SB65 , SB248 , SB330 , SB378 , SB844 , SB1330 , SB1410 , SB1475 , SB1476 , SB1565 , SB1618 , SB1623 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SB2084 , SB1655 , SB1679 , SB2174 , SB1775 , SB1873 , SB1204 , SB1884 , SB1916 , SB1937 , SB1447 , SB1500 , SB2007 , SB2074 , SB1944 , SB2018 , SB1984 , SB2026 , SB2045 , SB2049 , SB2062 , SB2112 , SB2118 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB2135 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1195

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• an election period just as school districts already can.
• the early voting period and on Election Day.
• It clarifies election officials' responsibilities, requires documentation for voter assistance, and strengthens
• Working elections, I have seen this numerous times where... Let's start here.
• The bond election would instead be taken up on the next available uniform election date to ensure...

Bills: HB223

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen a greater uptick in threats against public officials in the last couple of years than we've
• ever been... ...uptick in threats against public officials in the last couple of years than we've ever
• We do, I think, a pretty good job of recognizing all of you all as the elected officials.
• We do, I think, a pretty good job of recognizing all of you all as the elected officials.
• We should not immediately be able to capitalize. to do and elected to do in these positions we should

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills covering property, criminal justice, public safety, courts, insurance, housing, and family law. Early measures included HB 4343, which would let district courts set appraiser fees in condemnation cases at levels more comparable to private appraisers, and HB 4125, restoring firearm rights to certain nonviolent felons after meeting requirements. The committee also approved HB 4126 on liability protections for dirt bike tracks, HB 3471 expanding information protections for ongoing investigations by OBN, ABLE, and the Corporation Commission, and HB 3407 clarifying the process for abandoned manufactured homes on private property. Several bills were advanced on recorded votes, generally with strong support, including HB 2933, an omnibus insurance consumer protection bill, and HB 3453, which shifts the burden of proof in eminent domain cases to the condemning authority after amendment. A major point of debate was HB 3094, which would allow SDA license holders to carry firearms in the Capitol. Representative Jenkins argued the bill would align Oklahoma with other states and protect constituents who must leave firearms in vehicles; Department of Public Safety Director Tipton opposed it, citing safety, threat-assessment, and manpower concerns. Committee members questioned the bill’s practical effects, including screening, tracking, and whether the Capitol is truly a gun-free zone. The motion to advance HB 3094 failed on a 4-5 vote. The committee also rejected HB 3727, which would impose a four-year waiting period before former legislators could register as lobbyists, after members raised constitutional and free-speech concerns and the sponsor defended it as a revolving-door restriction. Other notable measures included HB 3845, restoring a driver’s license revocation tool for chronic child-support delinquency; HB 1453, barring foreign entities and individuals tied to designated countries from owning Oklahoma real property or agricultural land and requiring divestment; HB 387, extending garnishment timelines to 30 days; HB 2941, creating overdose reporting and fentanyl-related death presumptions; HB 2959, tightening mandatory child-abuse reporting from schools to law enforcement; and HB 2945, creating a civil qui tam action against trafficking in abortion-inducing drugs, which drew extensive questions about standing, privacy, enforcement, and intent but ultimately failed 3-5. The committee also advanced bills on child custody interview standards, workplace violence protective orders, utility debt collection through tax refunds, eviction mediation to stabilize housing for children, AI chatbot protections for children, supported decision-making for adults with disabilities, commercial receiverships, charitable reporting protections, notice publication errors for municipalities, uniform wage garnishment procedures, and ending cost arrest warrants for unpaid court fines and fees. Most bills were reported out by recorded vote, often with sponsors noting they would continue working on language with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had D.O.D. and federal officials there.
• The youngest woman in America ever elected as a state representative. That was not enough.
• When deployed in a re-election, her opponent raised the issue: could you serve the people that elected
• The American people elected President Trump... the decisive victory and mandate for change.
• Syrian officials made similar comments. They did it repeatedly. They did it in public.

Committee: Senate Intelligence (Select) Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Make sure it's known that when it comes to elected officials, we all come with expiration dates that
• And I would never propose something like this for elected officials.
• That could still be a low voter turnout election. ...to elected officials, we all come with expiration
• And I would never propose something like this for elected officials.
• Our state constitution amendment Hancock keeps government and elected officials in check without getting

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Travers: It is how we pick our elected officials that we want to guide us at both state
• Unfortunately, half of the elected officials in this chamber won't agree. But there's... I'm sorry.
• And not just elected officials, but I'm talking staff, I'm talking custodians, I'm talking security guards
• official.
• official.

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, approved the journal, and took up several Senate bills and one Senate concurrent resolution through motions to reconsider, return bills for reconsideration, and refer measures to additional Committee of the Whole sessions for further amendment. Early actions included returning SB 1175 and SB 1198 to the Senate for reconsideration, rescinding passage of SB 1336 so it could be reconsidered, and referring SB 1111 and SB 152 to an additional COW. The House also recognized Representative Travers for a personal privilege statement honoring National Women Veterans Recognition Day and recorded attendance. In Committee of the Whole, members adopted floor amendments and recommended passage for SB 1511, SB 1552, SB 1198, SB 1110, SB 1618, SB 1431, and SCR 1004, with some debate on SB 1110’s home-confinement/reentry program, SB 1618’s Military Affairs Commission changes, and SB 1431’s city and town authority over residential project standards and streetscapes. The House later adopted the COW reports and moved the measures to engrossing or third reading as appropriate. SB 1336 and SB 1519 were also advanced from committee, while SB 1004 was reconsidered and ultimately failed on reconsideration. On third or final reading, the House passed SB 1127, SB 1180, SB 1428, SB 1198, SB 1336, SB 1511, SCR 1004, SB 1552, HB 2104, HB 2105, HB 2114, HB 2311, HB 2729, and HB 4117. SB 1687, SB 1004, SB 1519, and SB 1502 failed. Members explained votes on several measures, including support for tax administration clarity in SB 1180, objections and support for the May primary proposal in SB 1687, concerns about sex offender monitoring in SB 1004, support for the Arizona Beef Council in SB 1198, and debate over the photo enforcement referral in SCR 1004. The session also included recesses for caucuses, lunch, and dinner, plus a brief technical outage of the live stream.

Transcript Highlights:

• caseloads, led comprehensive training programs, and worked closely with both the public and with elected
• officials.
• officials, and supervised teams responsible for sensitive, time-bound processes, and her work required
• McDonald quite a few years ago, I was a young, brand-new staffer for Congressman-elect Westerman at the
• McDonald, quite a few years ago, I was a young, brand-new staffer for a congressman-elect Westerman at

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Transcript Highlights:

• cycle to your election, because it depends on the election cycle.
• , as overseers of the people's elections strongly believe that if the manner and the form of elections
• Do you remember I am an elected official? So, yeah. You do remember I am an elected official.
• If you elect all three members at large, they couldn't get anybody elected.
• If you elect all three members at large, they couldn't get anybody elected.

Bills: HB2210 , HB2123 , HB2206 , HB2281 , HB2411

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: local representation, fair elections, government accountability, voter rights, transparency, foreign nationals, elections, Washington state, voter participation, government oversight, voting rights, uniform standards, overseas voting, civilian voting, state legislation, tribal relations, government, state policy, sovereignty, federalism

Transcript Highlights:

• We will begin with the second order of business, which is executive and official communications.
• </c> is executive and official is executive and official communications.<00:06:31.240><c> The</c><00:
• I move that Senate File 3894 be withdrawn from the Committee on Elections and re-referred to the Committee
• </c><00:11:56.640><c> and</c><00:11:56.839><c> re-referred</c> Committee on Elections and re-referred
• Committee on Elections and re-referred to<00:11:57.400><c> the</c><00:11:57.480><c> Committee</c> to

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, let me first start by saying it was an honor when my caucus and the rest of the Senate elected
• officials.
• </c><00:19:41.120><c> officials</c><00:19:42.120><c> all</c><00:19:42.240><c> right</c> from their elected
• officials all right from their elected officials all right Senator<00:19:42.960><c> any</c><00:19:43.200
• This is Partha Pra's third year in the program and her first serving in an elected position.

Transcript Highlights:

• This House, elected<04:52:21.040><c> officials</c><04:52:21.440><c> at</c><04:52:21.600><c> the</c><04
• :52:21.760><c> state</c><04:52:22.000><c> and</c><04:52:22.240><c> local</c> elected officials at the
• </c> Representatives calls on elected Representatives calls on elected officials,<05:10:54.718><c> which
• ><c> officials</c><07:34:27.360><c> and</c><07:34:27.680><c> civil</c> calling on elected officials and
• civil calling on elected officials and civil society<07:34:28.558><c> leaders</c><07:34:29.280><c> to