Transcript Highlights:

• The results of the race were confirmed.
• The results of the race were confirmed.
• The results of the race were confirmed.
• The results of the race were confirmed.
• The results of the race were confirmed.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 27 00:04:20 Presentation by Secretary of State 00:10:44 Presentation by Karen Sellers and Jason Denny 00:35:56 Consideration of HB 45 00:55:36, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 27, which would remove the prohibition on political yard signs in planned communities statewide while still allowing communities to regulate size, placement, and duration. The sponsor said the 2023 Planned Communities Act created an unintended consequence by treating similar homeowners differently based on grandfathering dates, and a legal explanation was offered that the bill would clarify the law and avoid constitutional problems. After discussion, the committee voted 15-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The next item was an update from the Secretary of State on the 2024 election and implementation of House Bill 53, which created prompt post-election audits. He said the audits were carried out smoothly, most found no discrepancies, and no election winners changed, though he recommended adding a specific timeline to the law. He also discussed voter-roll maintenance, saying Kentucky has removed more than 440,000 ineligible voters since 2020, and argued that federal law and limited access to federal databases remain the main obstacles to faster cleanup. Members asked about the possibility of improper removals, double voting across states, and how provisional voting works. The Secretary said anyone improperly removed can reregister, that any double-voting abuse is likely marginal but still unacceptable, and that provisional ballots are available when eligibility is in doubt and can be reviewed by the county board of elections. He also urged Congress to modernize the 1993 federal voter-registration law, improve access to death and citizenship data, and create a central interstate information-sharing system for election officials.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of those that I want to touch on: one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;
• concept that the United States is fundamentally racist... ...other race or sex.
• You have the definition here, you know, based on race, sexual orientation.
• Line eight, one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex.
• One race or sex is inherently superior to another sex or race. Like that's prohibited.

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee first approved the minutes from February 25 and February 26, 2026, then took up House Bill 928, the Merit-Based Health Care Act. The bill’s sponsor said it would prohibit DEI-related considerations in Medicaid-funded health care hiring, promotion, contracting, and training, while preserving compliance with federal law and allowing certain clinical and quality-improvement activities. Committee members questioned how the bill would apply in practice, especially to hiring and patient preferences, and the sponsor said an amendment would remove certain terms to align with federal code. The committee heard extensive testimony on HB 928. Physicians and the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict evidence-based training, create legal uncertainty, worsen recruitment and retention in a state already facing provider shortages, and interfere with use of social determinants of health and implicit bias training to improve patient care. Supporters, including a plastic surgeon, Idaho Family Policy Center, and the bill sponsors, argued DEI undermines merit and that taxpayer-funded health care should be based on qualifications and excellence. After debate, the committee voted to send HB 928 to the 14th order for possible amendment, with Senators Harris and Wintrow recorded as opposed. The committee then heard House Bill 916, which would create a legislative rural health transformation oversight committee to monitor federal rural health funds flowing to Idaho. The sponsor said the committee would provide legislative stewardship over the money without appropriating funds, while some senators raised concerns that the bill did not require rural representation on the committee and that appointments should reflect rural advocacy. After testimony from a supporter emphasizing oversight and taxpayer stewardship, the committee voted to hold HB 916 in committee. The meeting ended with notice of a two-hour committee meeting scheduled for the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• on any given race."
• on any given race."
• on any given race."
• on any given race."
• any given race."

Bills: SB2004 , SB2039 , SB2042 , SB2043 , SB2044 , SB2132

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: outdoor advertising, billboards, public safety, penalties, community pollution, elections, campaign finance, business entities, political activity, regulation, liability, non-natural persons, insurance, captives, examination, regulations, policyholders, dormant captive, tax exemption, Hawaii revised statutes

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee opened its first hearing of the year with remarks from Chair Jared Kohole outlining hearing procedures, a two-minute testimony limit, rules for remote testimony and decorum, and a revised testimony-publication pilot that keeps 96-hour notice but returns to a standard 24-hour testimony deadline. He then moved through the agenda, beginning with SB 2004 on outdoor advertising, which would increase penalties for violations of billboard and outdoor advertising laws. Testimony on that measure was limited; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land was first up, and written support was noted from Hawaiian Electric and the Outdoor Circle. The committee then heard SB 2039 on election campaign finance, which would prohibit certain business entities from engaging in campaign finance activities. The Attorney General’s office offered comments and did not take a formal position at the hearing. Several proponents testified in support, including Josh Frost, Tom Moore of the Center for American Progress, Hapa/Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and Common Cause Hawaiʻi, all arguing the bill would curb corporate and dark-money influence and return elections to the people. Moore distinguished between regulating corporate “rights” and limiting corporate “powers,” and said the state can redefine the powers it grants corporations. In questions, Senator McKelvey asked whether the bill could be expanded to include unions; the Attorney General said he would need to get back with legal analysis, while Moore said his preferred approach would include all entities and that leaving out nonprofits or unions would create problems. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect PACs, and Moore explained that the proposal would prohibit corporate and dark-money flows into PACs while leaving individual political giving and existing political committees in place. The committee then moved on to the next measure. SB 2042, relating to insurance, was heard next. The bill would reduce the unimpaired minimum capital and surplus required of class 4 sponsored captive insurance companies under certain circumstances. The DCCA Insurance Division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii Captive Insurance Council testified in support, describing the change as a narrow, risk-based adjustment that would not affect the commissioner’s authority where actual risk resides and would help keep Hawaii competitive. The committee noted additional written support and proceeded without a vote or final action in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They want the state of Texas to rectify race-based consideration.
• That they need to rectify the racial makeup of these districts, the race-based.
• Rights Act, they were race neutral, and there was no indication of race bias one way or another.
• There was no race-based, that the Texas Legislature did not pass race-based electoral districts.
• Nation in rejecting race-based decisions, making it a redistricting process.

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

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a recount for a local race. It was a pick 5 with eight candidates, with 20 teams.
• We had a recount for a local race. It was a pick 5 with eight candidates, with 20 teams.
• We had a recount for a local race. It was a pick 5 with eight candidates, with 20 teams.
• We had a recount for a local race. It was a pick 5 with eight candidates, with 20 teams.
• We had a recount for a local race. It was a pick 5 with eight candidates, with 20 teams.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To use race as a tool to...
• Quit relying on race.
• They just made it more difficult to prove if we did it on race.
• red congressional delegation is by looking at race to change up the districts. ...looking at race to
• So, at the core of this is race. And I know people don't like to talk about race.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ferguson brushed the legislature side and joined the 1918 race for governor anyway.
• of race, ethnicity, or gender? Those are the intended goals of the act, yes.
• to teach all students of any race.
• But you cannot promote it. based on race, color, or ethnicity. That's what it is.
• But race has always been a factor. Discrimination has always been present.

Bills: SCR5 , SCR13 , SB3 , SB6 , SB10 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB18 , SB19 , SB24 , SB35 , SB57 , SB65 , SB112 , SB284 , SB290 , SB388 , SB400 , SB402 , SB412 , SB495 , SB499 , SB502 , SB509 , SB621 , SB706 , SB740 , SB815 , SB842 , SB854 , SB875 , SB893 , SB917 , SB974 , SB1025 , SB1061 , SB1073 , SB1106 , SB1268 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1379 , SB1447 , SB1451 , SB1555 , SB1902 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SCR13 , SCR25 , SCR5 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SB495 , SB412 , SB10 , SB18 , SB565 , SB372 , SB842 , SB765 , SB62 , SB19 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB290 , SB13 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB917 , SB925 , SB388 , SB1902 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB35 , SB6 , SB815 , SB3 , SB1281 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB1451 , SB1061 , SB15 , SB65 , SB241 , SB304 , SB402 , SB499 , SB621 , SB974 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1025 , SB1106 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB400 , SB609 , SB1447 , SB670 , SB502 , SB427 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1555 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB893 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB509 , SB985 , SB965 , SB17 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB12 , SB24 , SB57 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1268 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB840 , SJR57 , SCR8 , SB213 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB378 , SB610 , SB918 , SB1343 , SB608 , SB487 , SB955 , SB957 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB958 , SB535 , SB761 , SB1 , SB541 , SB315 , SB379 , SB1018 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415

Keywords: SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming, education K-16, State Affairs, Texas Legislature, public school tribute, water rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of those that I want to touch on: one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex;
• the concept that the United States is fundamentally racist... ...other race or sex.
• So it sounds like what I'm hearing is we aren't hiring doctors based on race, right?
• Line eight: one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex.
• One race or sex is inherently superior to another sex or race. Like, that's prohibited.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:06:22.079><c> in</c> races in races in I<01:06:25.440><c> couldn't</c><01:06:25.760><c> tell</c><
• a presidential race or Senate race.
• ,</c> level races, level races, uh<01:07:35.280><c> you</c><01:07:35.720><c> know,</c><01:07:36.720><
• </c><01:07:47.680><c> But</c> representative race at all. Yeah. But representative race at all.
• </c><01:07:58.000><c> So</c> race or senate race. Yep. Yep. So race or senate race. Yep. Yep.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• corneal transplants on people who are awake, and I could blind them, and I will tell you my heart is racing
• well, and what we're hearing from driver educators around the state is that teens have less of an incentive
• You think about connectivity with social media, Have less of an incentive to learn to drive these days
• And so I think there already are a number of incentives in place for training such as this.
• Personally, I don't have a horse in this race, but I think it is something that could benefit the students

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hard to not do anything that was race-based. Okay, let's go on to District 18.
• ; they're not race-blind, as you stated they are.
• But I don't want to speak about someone's political preference based on race. So...
• To draw those maps race blind, as you have done, it's simply impossible.
• Race blind. And I close. If I may respond, Chairman.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Five percent was people who indicate that they are white race alone.
• There's either evidence of race-conscious drawing, or the maps were drawn race-blind, but those two things
• There's either evidence of race, conscious drawing, or the maps were drawn race-blind, but those two
• Texas vehemently argued that race was not considered.
• 'Race-blind' is quoted there.

Summary: The Senate Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting met virtually for its West Texas regional hearing, established a quorum, and explained that the hearing was part of a series of statewide information-gathering sessions before any map was filed. The chair outlined the Zoom procedures, the two-minute testimony limit, and the availability of written comments through the committee’s public portal. Senators also discussed the logistics and transparency of the process, including the expectation that any proposed map or amendment would be made public once filed and that additional hearings would follow. Senator Blanco, whose district includes West Texas and the border region, said the area’s communities of interest should be kept together and warned against repeating the loss of representation that followed the last redistricting cycle. Senators Alvarado, Hinojosa, Miles, and others debated the value of virtual hearings versus in-person hearings, the number of people who had testified, and whether the committee could subpoena witnesses after the regional hearings ended. The chair said he was awaiting legal guidance and would consider a subpoena motion at a formal meeting the next day. A lengthy exchange also occurred over the tone of public testimony and the chair’s view that some comments directed at Republicans and the president had been offensive or historically inaccurate. Invited witnesses and public commenters largely opposed mid-decade redistricting and argued that any new map should reflect population growth, especially among Latino and other minority communities, and comply with the Voting Rights Act. Nina Perales of MALDEF said the hearings were not meaningful without a draft map and testified that Texas has a long history of discriminatory redistricting; senators questioned her about litigation, DOJ’s July 7 letter, and the 2021 congressional map. Tania Chavez Camacho, Luis Figueroa, and several El Paso residents emphasized that maps should preserve communities of interest, avoid cracking and packing, and be transparent and participatory. A smaller number of witnesses supported redistricting, including one El Paso resident who said the current districting leaves the area underrepresented and another who argued that some communities want to return to a map closer to the earlier District 16 configuration. Several witnesses also criticized the DOJ letter as inconsistent with the state’s position that the 2021 maps were drawn race-blind, while others said the current process was too rushed and lacked sufficient public input.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that is in the horse racing space. that is in the horse racing space.
• </c> on a race. on a race.
• Um by the time the race goes six to one.
• </c><00:15:06.400><c> and</c> realize you might win the race and realize you might win the race and you've
• </c> even historical horse racing. even historical horse racing. Mhm. Mhm. Mhm.

Committee: House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Keywords: 00:00 CALL TO ORDER 00:05 ROLL CALL 01:03 HB 566 DISCUSSION 03:05 HB 566 VOTE 05:10 HB 885 DISCUSSION 08:03 HB 885 VOTE 09:55 HB 904 DISCUSSION 33:10 HB 904 VOTE 34:28 ADJOURNMENT, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can compare it to the race to the moon in the 1960s.
• We are in a race right now for AI, and the data centers are a critical part of this.
• I can compare it to the race to the moon in the 1960s.
• I will be voting yes. fully how big the race to AI really fully how big the race to AI really was.<00
• </c> obviously it wasn't around, but the race obviously it wasn't around, but the race to<00:13:51.200

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , and judicial races.
• </c><00:01:29.759><c> races.
• </c><00:01:30.720><c> It</c> legislative, and judicial race races.
• It legislative, and judicial race races.
• , as well as judicial races.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is reflected here in Minnesota, also in the 2024 State House race.
• those candidates in the top 15 races total.
• </c> also in the 2024 State House race also in the 2024 State House race spending<00:03:10.239><c> from
• </c><00:03:18.159><c> total</c> candidates in the top 15 races total candidates in the top 15 races total
• Senate races, used red boxing by at least one of the candidates or the parties.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so it's different for each race. Right.
• </c><00:25:58.840><c> Um</c> it's different for each race. Right. Um it's different for each race.
• But it will probably be a chart that has each race differently, correct? >> Yeah.
• </c> each race differently, correct? each race differently, correct?
• Let's take, for example, a House race: $20,000, and they would get X amount of that money.

Bills: HB389 , HB469 , HB1510 , HB1573 , HB1705 , HB1858 , HB1875 , HB1946 , HB1961 , HB1962 , HB2001 , HB2093 , HB2096 , HB2097

Keywords: HB389, uncrewed aircraft, drone, drones, UAS, unmanned aerial vehicle, misuse of uncrewed aircraft, criminal offense, felony enhancement, drone crime, public safety, police, deputy sheriff, fire department, intoxicated operation, registration number tampering, property damage, bodily injury, Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Package, Hawaii Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• in job-creation-based incentives available to life sciences companies.
• Incentive Program, EDIP.
• Our life sciences center tax incentive also gives greater incentives broadly throughout the state.
• Incentives broadly throughout the state.
• But if you allow the cheaters to continue to cheat, it is a race to the bottom.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He couldn't issue a complaint, and he was the candidate in one of the races that was affected.
• </c> in one of the races that was affected. in one of the races that was affected.
• </c><00:35:07.280><c> This</c><00:35:07.440><c> is</c> about the legislative race.
• This is about the legislative race.
• </c><00:37:46.400><c> in</c> way through in the legislative races in way through in the legislative races

Bills: HB0086

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: county officials, election code, misconduct, removal, government accountability, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a Federation Internationale de l'Automobile World Endurance Championship International Automobile Race
• SB1577 by Parker, relating to the temporary sale of alcoholic beverages at certain racing facilities.
• This practice misuses taxpayer dollars and creates a perverse... ...incentive allowing superintendents
• When appointing the executive committee, those appointments shall be made without regard to the race,

Bills: HB1535 , HB 123 , HB 111 , HB180 , HB342 , HB 1027 , HB 1178 , HB610 , HB 1277 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB5342 , HB4885 , HB4751 , HB4689 , HB4530 , HB4488 , HB2149 , HB2041 , HB2071 , HB1813 , HB2282 , HB2248 , HB2243 , HB2522 , HB2310 , HB2513 , HB2300 , HB1902 , HB3719 , HB4284 , HB4327 , HB3743 , HB3778 , HB3801 , HB5153 , HB5147 , HB4877 , HB4850 , HB3158 , HB3261 , HB3005 , HB3033 , HB3138 , HB3099 , HB2849 , HB2967 , HB3488 , HB3477 , HB3466 , HB3396 , HB3469 , HB2594 , HB2776 , HB2564 , HB2298 , HB5331 , HB5646 , HB5247 , HB5323 , HB2015 , HB4384 , HB3896 , HB4014 , HB3627 , HB3594 , HB2524 , HB510 , HB561 , HB5111 , HB5446 , HB 1181 , HB3963 , HB2785 , HB1661 , HB2460 , HB24 , HJR138 , HB3800 , HB42 , HB 129 , HB677 , HB668 , HB2128 , HB2038 , HB2316 , HB3686 , HB2563 , HB 1160 , HB3883 , HB2788 , HB2663 , HB3305 , HB3474 , HB 1105 , HB3490 , HB3597 , HB 1295 , HB3512 , HB3783 , HB2017 , HB3010 , HB3112 , HB4215 , HB3223 , HB3464 , HB3120 , HB4214 , HB4081 , HB4783 , HB4063 , HB2783 , HB5085 , HB2510 , HB3426 , HB4361 , HB 1169 , HB2516 , HB4700 , HB3560 , HB3860 , HB3146 , HB184 , HB198 , HB247 , HB367 , HB449 , HB1778 , HB514 , HB632 , HB2582 , HB766 , HB2715 , HB2712 , HB3069 , HB3505 , HB 1269 , HB4224 , HB5032 , HB2240 , HB5180 , HB3348 , HB4668 , HB4665 , HB3395 , HB3157 , HB4395 , HB4325 , HB4386 , HB4273 , HB2760 , HB2820 , HB1828 , HB1579 , SB2349 , SB1268 , SB610 , SB1577 , SB1369 , SB2032 , SB2034 , SB1057 , SB1044 , SB922 , SB1759 , SB1143 , SB1506 , SB1403 , SB2361 , SB870 , SB372 , SB72 , SB1583 , SB2314 , SB1267 , SB1273 , SB765 , SB552 , HB2145 , HJR112 , HB1804 , HJR110 , HB 1194 , HB1531 , HB5008 , HB3421 , SCR27 , HB5398 , HB1407 , HB426 , HB1535 , HB 123 , HB1773 , HB1871 , HB2035 , HB2448 , HB2492 , HB1411 , HB4753 , HB4666 , HB4529 , HB1499 , HB1610 , HB2028 , HB1506 , HB886 , HB3546 , HB796 , HB223 , HB1475 , HB3556 , HB4638 , HB 111 , HB180 , HB342 , HB 1027 , HB 1178 , HB610 , HB 1277 , HB1615 , HB1620 , HB5342 , HB4885 , HB4751 , HB4689 , HB4530 , HB4488 , HB2149 , HB2041 , HB2071 , HB1813 , HB2282 , HB2248 , HB2243 , HB2522 , HB2310 , HB2513 , HB2300 , HB1902 , HB3719 , HB4284 , HB4327 , HB3743 , HB3778 , HB3801 , HB5153 , HB5147 , HB4877 , HB4850 , HB3158 , HB3261 , HB3005 , HB3033 , HB3138 , HB3099 , HB2849 , HB2967 , HB3488 , HB3477 , HB3466 , HB3396 , HB3469 , HB2594 , HB2776 , HB2564 , HB2298 , HB5331 , HB5646 , HB5247 , HB5323 , HB2015 , HB4384 , HB3896 , HB4014 , HB3627 , HB3594 , HB2524 , HB510 , HB561 , HB5111 , HB5446 , HB 1181 , HB3963 , HB2785 , HB1661 , HB2460 , HCR98 , HCR92 , HCR126

Keywords: Trinity River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, board of directors, governor appointment, public water authority, regional water authority, water resources, local government, natural resources, board training, ethics, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, complaint procedures, public comment, director removal, governance reform