Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a member of the Arizona Process Service Association.
• I'm the administrator of the Arizona Process Service Association.
• Barry Goldman, I'm the administrator of the Arizona Process Service Association.
• With that, I stand for any questions. fines, education, and community service.
• With that, I stand for any questions. fines, education, and community service.

Bills: HB2043, HB2045, HB2046, HB2048, HB2064, HB2074, HB2126, HB2133, HB2144

Keywords: felony murder, unborn child, homicide, Arizona Revised Statutes, life imprisonment, death penalty, drive-by shooting, gun violence, firearms, felony, vehicle forfeiture, driver license revocation, drive by shooting, public safety, criminal penalties, education, funding, school districts, state aid, education reform

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2309 concerns requirements of postgraduate degrees for state civil service jobs.
• When gaming is well regulated, the benefits are shared, jobs stay local, revenues support public services
• This bill reflects balance, experience, and respect. services and accountability is built into the system
• Additionally, the Big Ten provides sports monitoring wagering services across the conference.
• Our focus ...sports monitoring wagering services across the conference.

Bills: HB2205, HB2309, HB2206, HB2123, HB2120, HB2411

Keywords: sports wagering, gambling regulation, state control, licensing, consumer protection, state employment, classified service, civil service, job qualifications, degree requirements, postgraduate degree, master's degree, doctorate, higher education, Office of Financial Management, OFM, classification plan, salary survey, market rate pay, compensation

Summary: The committee began in executive session with staff briefing several bills and amendments. House Bill 2206 on uniformed and overseas civilian voting was discussed with multiple amendments, but it was ultimately pulled from consideration for the day. House Bill 2123 on foreign national donors was taken up with a proposed substitute and an amendment raising the certification threshold to $6,000; members debated transparency and burden on auditors, and the substitute bill was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 5-2 vote. House Bill 2120, which would remove two JLARC reporting requirements, also passed out of committee unanimously. House Bill 2411, authorizing shared leave for state employees involved in immigration enforcement actions or who are victims of hate crimes, was amended for clarity and federal-law consistency and then reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 5-2 vote after some members expressed reservations about its complexity. The committee then opened hearings on House Bill 2309, which would prohibit state civil service job classifications from requiring a postgraduate degree as the only way to qualify unless required by law. The prime sponsor and OFM testified that the bill would reduce barriers to state employment and expand the applicant pool while preserving competency standards. Testimony was generally supportive, with witnesses describing the measure as consistent with broader efforts to use skill-based hiring and value lived experience. The committee also heard House Bill 2205 on sports wagering. The bill would allow tribal sports wagering to accept wagers from customers physically present at any tribal gaming facility, and would allow wagering on Washington college teams while continuing to prohibit bets on the performance of individual Washington student-athletes. The sponsor and tribal witnesses said the bill would bring existing betting activity into a regulated market, improve integrity monitoring, and support tribal collaboration; university and Washington State University representatives opposed it, warning of harassment, integrity risks, and expanded exposure for student-athletes. A taxpayer advocacy witness urged broader online sports betting access, while tribal and gaming witnesses emphasized regulation and consumer protection. No final action was taken on the hearing bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 512 makes clear that a user cannot be fined for a violation of terms of service by a money
• This policy was set to go into effect later that year, prohibiting customers from using its services
• The event brought attention to potential actions of money service businesses that could be used to control
• I remind you that last session is when we really passed a fairly significant money service businesses
• Okay, so currently it's limited by how much additional tax it would take to service the debt? Yes.

Bills: SB512, SB1024

Keywords: SB 512, Texas Finance Code, money transmission, money services business, money transmitter, money transmission licensee, terms of service, consumer protection, civil penalty, attorney general enforcement, account closure, refund of balance, financial services regulation, payments industry, fintech, prepaid accounts, remittance, licensee compliance, local government debt, municipal finance

Bills: HB4, HB54, SB 10, SB 24

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code

Bills: SJR71, SJR72, SJR73, SJR74, HJR245, SJR67, SJR68, SJR69, HJR240, HJR241

Keywords: Troy Regional Medical Center, rural health, hospital performance, healthcare recognition, community service, commendation, Coach of the Year, sports, education, Tuscaloosa Academy, Jackie Robinson, civil rights, baseball, Alabama, April 15, equality, inclusion, church anniversary, community, faith

Bills: HB1663, HB2335, HB2597

Keywords: reimbursement, public employees, travel costs, Hawaii statutes, government funding, workforce development, internship, internal recruitment, employment, qualifications, civil service, artificial intelligence, data governance, open data portal, Hawaii, chief data officer, chatbot, public services, data transparency, 910

Transcript Highlights:

• Next bill, Miss Harper, 400, Representative Oliver, ambulance services and set minimum reimbursement
• So your insurance won't cover the ambulance fee except for a nominal amount.
• </c> Office of Prosecution Services 1,92,000. Office of Prosecution Services 1,92,000.
• And then Department of Senior Services,<00:21:26.559><c> 500,000.
• Miss Hall left, but Services, 500,000.

Bills: HB44, HB400, HB444, HB487, SB249, SB252, SB58, HB44, HB400, HB444, HB487, SB249, SB252, SB58

Keywords: teachers retirement, credit purchase, St. Clair County, DAY Program, pension reform, dental insurance, benefit rollover, healthcare, insurance policy, annual maximum, HB444, vaccines, vaccine exemption, religious exemption, religious liberty, private school, church school, faith-based school, parochial school, school immunization

Transcript Highlights:

• to perform basic emergency skills before the arrival of a licensed ambulance service and who is a member
• to perform basic emergency skills before the arrival of a licensed ambulance service and who is a member
• to perform basic emergency skills before the arrival of a licensed ambulance service and who is a member
• to perform basic emergency skills before the arrival of a licensed ambulance service and who is a member
• to perform basic emergency skills before the arrival of a licensed ambulance service and who is a member

Bills: HF1667, HF2526, HF68

Keywords: correctional fees, supervision fees, probation, Department of Corrections, criminal justice funding, electronic home monitoring, drug testing, restitution collection, community service work, postprison supervision, court-ordered services, fee sunset, fee phaseout, offender fees, community corrections, supervised individuals, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• constituents while preserving the stability of local governments need to deliver those essential services
• > governments need to deliver those governments need to deliver those essential<01:28:32.239><c> services
• </c><01:28:33.199><c> Municipalities</c><01:28:34.080><c> re</c> essential services.
• Municipalities re essential services.

Bills: SF0061, SF0098, SF0110

Keywords: sales tax, motor vehicle, family transfer, tax exemption, Wyoming legislation, veteran, property tax exemption, Wyoming National Guard, honorable discharge, tax benefits, surviving spouse, military service, property tax, residential real estate, tax assessment, primary residence, tax revenue, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:16.000><c> off</c><00:02:16.400><c> service</c> county veteran services off service county
• veteran services off service officers<00:02:17.680><c> and</c><00:02:18.000><c> partner</c><00:02:18.400
• </c><00:02:38.160><c> Meal</c> is verified, service can begin. Meal is verified, service can begin.
• </c> Meals on Wheels then generates service Meals on Wheels then generates service reports<00:02:40.720
• </c> service for veterans in July. service for veterans in July.

Bills: HF3919, HF3467, HF3741

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, veterans affairs, food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention, state resources, reporting requirements, agency initiatives, veterans, educational assistance, tuition waiver, spouses, children, military service, benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• The fire service is no exception to that.
• Upon application for service, a utility must expand its service territory to a property outside its current
• service territory if the property is not within the service territory of another water and wastewater
• for provision of services from a private utility.
• I don't know." "...services.

Bills: S0018, S0028, S0260, S0848, S0934, S1014, S1102, S1264, S1566, S1622, S1724

Keywords: negligence, compensation, child welfare, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, police negligence, law enforcement, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills focused on water safety, utilities, housing, transparency, and claims relief. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was presented as a follow-up to prior water-quality legislation and reported favorably with one support waiver. SB 28, a claims bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child-drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy and drowning-prevention groups in strong support; amendments required rental license applicants to certify compliance and removed local-government add-on authority, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 18, a claims bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, prompted questions about settlement and responsibility but was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from a waiver form. Several utility and infrastructure measures were considered. CS/SB 1724 would regulate municipal utility service outside city limits, limit revenue transfers, require public meetings, and cap rate differences; an amendment added gas utilities, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from municipal utility representatives and small-county advocates. CS/SB 1014 would require municipal utilities to extend water and wastewater service to certain nearby residential properties without conditioning service on annexation; an amendment narrowed the bill to residential uses and clarified capacity and grandfathering provisions, and it passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 would allow local infrastructure surtax revenue to fund body camera programs, with an amendment making the surtax authorization prospective and requiring a new referendum; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 260 on electric-vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to focus on storage only and to tie the higher fee to the period before fire-risk inspection, then reported favorably after testimony from insurers, fire officials, and EV industry representatives. The committee also advanced education, housing, and ethics-related bills. SB 1264 would ease zoning and code barriers for small private schools and micro-schools, with supporters arguing it would expand school choice and opponents raising implementation concerns; it was reported favorably. SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a tax-exemption section that conflicted with the Live Local Act, then reported favorably. SB 1622 would provide a one-time waiver of late financial-disclosure fines under specified conditions and was reported favorably. Finally, CS/SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related materials, and an amendment added utility revenue reinvestment and other changes while removing DEI spending restrictions; the bill drew support for transparency but concern from small cities and counties about cost and workload, and it was reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment after senators recorded votes on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• instances where the county attorneys do not represent the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
• already under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct that talk about post-suicide. service

Bills: HB32, HB15, HB171, HB421, HB581, HB644, HB745, HB349, HB917, HB204, HB923, HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: eviction, landlord rights, tenant rights, justice court, property law, court procedures, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, deep fake, digital impersonation, age verification, private cause of action, explicit content, consumer protection, HB 581

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a years of service matrix. So for example, 48 years...
• A lot of the service of the citations on these are done by alternative service, the constable's central
• Lots of reasons, but a lot of them are by alternative service.
• You get some sort of substituted method of service.
• For civil process service, let's see what else.

Bills: HB32, HB15, HB171, HB421, HB581, HB644, HB745, HB349, HB917, HB204, HB923, HB15, HB171, HB204

Keywords: eviction, landlord rights, tenant rights, justice court, property law, court procedures, chemical dependency, court-ordered treatment, mental health, health care, treatment facility, juvenile justice, criminal justice reform, deep fake, digital impersonation, age verification, private cause of action, explicit content, consumer protection, HB 581

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements for agreements between FDOT and paratransit providers are limited to providing such services
• Customer service callback queues will improve service and response time by our executive agencies through
• and will help achieve the standard set by the Florida Customer Service Standards Act.
• It also makes requirements on what the developer must provide as it relates to services.
• They provide fire service; we provided, the sheriff provided law enforcement to them.

Bills: S0002, S0026, S0354, S1112, S1192, S1220, S1352, S1670

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, land use, development, sustainability, environmental protection, housing policy, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard several bills and reported most of them favorably. The first major measure, CS/SB 1220, was described as a broad transportation package expanding FDOT authority over trails, seaports, aviation, advanced air mobility, delivery devices, and related technology, while also addressing toll revenue use, autonomous vehicle penalties, digital driver licenses, and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel vehicles. An amendment narrowed some provisions, including local regulation of personal delivery devices and FDOT airport language. Senator Smith and others raised concerns about language involving FDOT assistance to local governments on federal grant applications, but the bill passed unanimously after support from industry and local-government appearance cards. The committee also approved SB 1112, the Labor Pool Act, which would prohibit labor pools from charging placement fees when workers are hired permanently by a third-party employer and require annual registration with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce barriers to full-time employment, improve oversight, and help returning citizens and low-wage workers; multiple witnesses testified in support, including labor advocates and individuals describing high placement fees. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s worker and reentry benefits, and it passed unanimously. The committee then favorably reported SB 2, a claims bill for the estate of Danielle Maudsley arising from a fatal FHP arrest incident and settlement, and SB 26, another claims bill providing relief for the estate of Mark Legata after alleged FDOT negligence. Senate Bill 1352 on motor vehicles also passed without opposition. It would create a secure online portal for license plate seizure processing, allow disabled veterans to retain their DV plate designation upon reissuance or transfer, ban license plate covers and similar devices that obscure plates, and route certain online driver license and ID transactions through county tax collectors. SB 1192, a customer service pilot requiring callback queues for certain calls to the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families, was likewise reported favorably to improve response times and reduce hold times. The most extensive debate centered on CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new process for very large developments on 10,000-acre or larger parcels if the owner sets aside 60% of the land for conservation or reserve uses. Supporters said it was intended to promote long-range planning, preserve land, and provide certainty for infrastructure and services, while opponents from counties, planning groups, and environmental organizations argued it would preempt local land-use authority, weaken public participation, and allow conservation requirements to be too vague. An amendment added more detail, but concerns remained about administrative approval, timelines, and the definition of reserve areas. Despite opposition from some members, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. SB 1670 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording one member’s vote on SB 1220.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill revises regulations for personal delivery devices and drone delivery services, strengthens planning
• requirements for agreements between FDOT and paratransit providers are limited to providing such services
• Customer service callback queues will improve service and response time by our executive agencies through
• and will help achieve the standard set by the Florida Customer Service Standards Act.
• I misspoke. ...the county it came from, they provide fire service.

Bills: S0002, S0026, S0354, S1112, S1192, S1220, S1352, S1670

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, land use, development, sustainability, environmental protection, housing policy, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 348 by Senator Edmonds provides for third-party service providers and enforcement of motor
• So what this bill does is it allows local enforcement agencies to contract with private service providers
• We obviously contract with the sheriff's office for police services, but we already are using private
• They use a company called OSS on-scene service. I found it on WDSU.
• They use a company called OSS On-Scene Services to help with these kinds of things, and it made me wonder

Bills: SB348, SB444, SB485

Keywords: motor vehicles, enforcement, administrative support, law enforcement, private service provider, regulatory compliance, expropriation, public purpose, property rights, compensation, city governance, St. George, insurance premium tax, city of St. George, municipal authority, local taxation, East Baton Rouge Parish, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:41.200><c> Um</c> Services." Well, not completely. Um Services." Well, not completely.
• </c> facility providing a similar service? facility providing a similar service?
• </c> for the services that they provide. for the services that they provide.
• Do you have lab services?
• Do you have lab services? services? services?

Bills: HF4343

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, I'm in an FDI program called Salute to Service, where I'm paired with the military... on how
• Currently, I'm in an FDI program called salute to service, where I'm paired with the military, Country
• Currently, I'm in an FDI program called Salute to Service, where I'm paired with a military mentor, a
• major at Tyndall Air Force Base, creating a service project that helps the military community.
• Our programs instill a love of country, a commitment to community service, as you've heard from some

Bills: S1062, S1718, S7038

Keywords: speech education, debate, high school, Florida Debate Initiative, civics, competitive teams, student participation, educational advancement, educator preparation, certification, professional development, temporary certificate, military service, collaboration, teaching effectiveness, education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met to consider several education bills and the proposed fiscal year 2026-2027 Department of Education budget. The committee first took up CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate, which would formalize Florida’s Speech and Debate Week, strengthen the partnership between the Department of Education and the Florida Debate Initiative, require annual public reporting, and support statewide speech and debate programming. The bill drew extensive supportive testimony from students, alumni, and advocates who said debate improved civic engagement, literacy, confidence, and school performance, while also noting the need for equitable access and funding for travel and competition. The committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and then reported the bill favorably as amended by a unanimous vote of members present. The committee then heard SB 1718 on educator preparation and certification, which expands access to educator preparation coursework, broadens eligibility for temporary certification for some formerly certified professionals, and allows prior subject-area exam results to satisfy requirements. Public testimony largely supported easing barriers for experienced educators while emphasizing that certification changes are only a partial solution to teacher shortages and should be paired with better pay, retention, and professional respect. The bill was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered SB 7038 on education, which included a wide range of higher education and workforce-related changes, including a tuition waiver for Florida State Guard members, residency clarifications, oversight changes for blind services and vocational rehabilitation providers, licensure updates for private colleges, dual enrollment and assessment revisions, scholarship and funding changes, and reserve-fund requirements. An amendment restored the Classical Learning Test as a qualifying option for a grandparent tuition waiver, adjusted a Pell Grant performance metric, changed accreditation timing, and made other technical revisions. A dental education stakeholder raised concerns that one provision could disrupt long-standing exemptions for dental assisting programs, and the Florida Dental Association said it was working with the sponsor to avoid unintended impacts. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. The final major item was a high-level review of the proposed pre-K-12 budget, totaling $34.9 billion with local funds. Highlights included $30 billion for public schools and K-12 scholarships, a $50 increase in the base student allocation, a 1.64% increase in total funds per FTE, $4.5 billion for family empowerment scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, $25 million for districts facing future enrollment declines, $65.3 million to help districts with current-year enrollment losses, $432.8 million for VPK, and $30.4 million for regional education consortia. Senators asked about reductions or flat funding in some allocations, teacher pay, declining enrollment support, Schools of Hope funding, and support for non-teaching school staff. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on concerns about charter and voucher funding, especially the $6 million for Schools of Hope, with speakers urging more investment in traditional public schools, teacher compensation, and school infrastructure. The committee concluded the meeting by adjournment after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The compensation depends on the years of service, the type of service, and whether the service member
• members with more than 20 years of service.
• has a nexus with your military service.
• The benefits they have rightfully earned through service and sacrifice.
• Thank you very much for your service.

Bills: HB2523, HB2606, HB2684, HJM4012

Keywords: community reinvestment, housing, local funding, urban development, economic revitalization, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy, social disadvantage, business certification, state guidelines, economic equity, minority-owned businesses, combat veterans, support, military service, injury compensation, veteran affairs

Summary: The House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee met on February 3 to take executive action on House Bill 2523, concerning the Community Reinvestment Program, and House Bill 2606, concerning performance measures and reporting for the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, and then held public hearings on House Bill 2684 and House Joint Memorial 4012. Staff briefed a proposed substitute for HB 2523 that would change how Community Reinvestment Account funds are distributed, expand Commerce’s reporting and tribal consultation duties, add Office of Equity and WSIPP responsibilities, and require more detailed plan updates and oversight. During executive session, the committee adopted Amendment 285 to require the community reinvestment plan to be updated every five years instead of every 10, but rejected amendments that would have barred recipients from other state down payment programs, restricted grants to officers and family members, required an independent third-party audit, or expanded the WSIPP study. The proposed substitute HB 2523 then passed out of committee on an 8-5 vote. HB 2606, which responds to a JLARC audit by streamlining overlapping duties among the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, the state broadband office, and the Office of Equity, was moved out of committee with a unanimous do pass recommendation. Members described it as a modest but useful efficiency measure, and the vote was 13-0. The committee then heard HB 2684, which would create rebuttable presumptions that people in 10 specified groups are socially disadvantaged for purposes of OMWBE certification. Supporters, including Middle Eastern and North African business owners, argued the bill would correct exclusion of MENA-owned firms from certification and contracting opportunities; opponents argued it would entrench identity-based classifications and raise constitutional concerns. OMWBE testified that the bill would be workable and that social disadvantage is only one factor in certification. The committee also heard HJM 4012, which asks Congress to bring the Major Richard Starr Act to a floor vote to allow combat-injured service members who retire before 20 years of service to receive both retirement pay and disability compensation. Veterans advocates strongly supported the memorial, and the committee closed the hearing without taking final action on either public-hearing item, noting both would be considered again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Human Services Committee for this Monday, January 19th.
• Examples of community residential services businesses include adult family homes, supported living services
• Examples of community residential services businesses include adult family homes, supported living services
• By starting DDCS services at 20, we can prevent this service cliff.
• through the developmental disabilities community services.

Bills: SB5681, SB6024, SB6036, SB6063

Keywords: employment services, community inclusion, age limitations, disability services, home and community living, community residential services, oversight, monitoring, service providers, streamlining, foster care, licensure, adoption, child welfare, support services, terminology alignment, social services, Washington state code, department reorganization, legislative amendment

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard four bills. SB 6024, sponsored by Senator Gildon, would streamline DSHS oversight of community residential service providers by limiting routine reviews to no more than one annual review per subject area, combining reviews when possible, and requiring better document sharing within the department to reduce duplicate requests. The sponsor and provider witnesses said the bill would reduce redundant audits and paperwork so providers can spend more time on direct client care. SB 6063, a DSHS request bill sponsored by Senator Bateman, would update statutes to reflect DSHS’s recent reorganization and rename references to the new administrations; testimony described it as a technical, no-cost cleanup measure. The committee also heard a proposed substitute for SB 5681, sponsored by Senator Cortez, which would lower from 21 to 20 the age at which people with intellectual and developmental disabilities may access employment and community inclusion services, and would rename community access as community inclusion. Senator Cortez and multiple advocates, educators, and service providers testified that earlier access would help young adults avoid a service gap after school, support transition to work, and improve long-term independence; the substitute was explained as changing the original bill’s proposed age from 19 to 20. SB 6036, sponsored by Senator Kaufman and requested by DSHS, would create a narrow exemption from adult family home licensure for certain foster care or kinship caregivers who continue caring for former foster youth who are the only unrelated adults in the home. Senator Kaufman and DSHS said the bill would preserve stability and continuity of care for youth aging out of foster care while maintaining safeguards, and DSHS testified in support. No votes were taken; the chair closed each hearing after testimony, and announced upcoming executive sessions and future hearings.