Video & Transcript Research : 'absent legislators'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill does this by prohibiting legislators from fundraising or making certain expenditures while absent
- This proposed legislation will help discourage financial gain from unexcused absences.
- House Bill 18 strikes a careful balance between the right of a legislative minority to resist legislation
- A day before they are absent, it's OK. According to what's said in paragraph B on page 3.
- Senator, we could ask, uh, legislative counsel.
Bills:
HB18
Keywords:
HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- while absent from the state without leave for the purposes of breaking quorum.
- It prohibits members absent from the state.
- that are during the legislative session, it's all of us.
- So that's the legislative continuance.
- The intent of this legislation is to prohibit legislators from financially benefiting from breaking quorum
Bills:
HB18
Keywords:
HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- absent from the state without leave for the purpose of breaking quorum.
- It strikes a careful balance between the right of a legislative minority to resist legislation and the
- But I, as a legislator, still believe in incrementalism.
- It makes clear that when a legislator abandons.
- Senator, we could ask legislative council.
Bills:
HB18
Keywords:
HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 18 prohibits legislators from fundraising or making certain expenditures while absent from the state
- Actually, in 2023... inviting the courts into legislative.
- So that's the legislative continuance.
- Legislation is to prohibit legislators from financially benefiting from breaking quorum.
- Legislative sessions are legislative sessions.
Bills:
HB18
Keywords:
HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- If you're disrupting the legislative process, you can't raise money.
- I mean, the courts in legislative matters?
- Disrupting the legislative process in the state of Texas.
- So that's the legislative continuance.
- And legislators here weren't making their commitments.
Bills:
HB18
Keywords:
HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance
Summary:
The meeting of the committee focused on the discussions surrounding HB18, which aims to prevent legislators from financially benefiting when they break quorum. Chairman Shaheen emphasized that this bill addresses the integrity of the Texas legislature and responds to constituent concerns about lawmakers being absent and raising funds simultaneously. Throughout the meeting, members discussed the implications of enforcing penalties for breaking quorum and the balance between legislative strategy and financial transparency. Various representatives expressed their views, with some supporting the bill for enhancing accountability, while others argued that it imposes unfair restrictions on a constitutional tactic historically used by minority factions.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 15th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Keywords:
district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner
Summary:
The House convened with a strict roll-call enforcement request, but only 95 members were present, so a quorum was not present. The chamber heard an invocation from Furman Carpenter, DPS chaplain, followed by the pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags.
A member raised a parliamentary inquiry asking whether members must be present to make a motion and whether all members who requested strict enforcement were present; the Speaker said he would need to check the journal. The Speaker then announced that the House was about to receive a motion to adjourn sine die and noted that the governor might call another special session soon.
Representative Garin moved that the House of Representatives of the First Called Session of the Eighty-Ninth Legislature adjourn sine die. There was no objection, and the motion carried, ending the session.
TX
Texas 89th 1st C.S.
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 5th, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- I believe this legislation takes a balanced approach to campground safety.
- I think that would be permissible under this legislation.
- And that's one of the things that's addressed in this legislation.
- Maybe that layer is made up by legislators as well.
- We will continue to craft commonsense legislation. And when our colleagues come back.
Keywords:
youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 5th, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation, House Bill 19, seeks to require public and private...
- Since before filing this legislation, my office has met with numerous...
- I believe this legislation takes a balanced approach to campground safety.
- I think that would be permissible under this legislation.
- There's an old saying that the legislative process and passing...
Keywords:
emergency communication, interoperability, grant program, first responders, state council, disaster response, emergency management, mass fatality, justices of the peace, training programs, emergency manager license, volunteer management, justice of the peace training, criminal history checks, state health services, broadband, public safety, disaster preparedness, funding, flood disaster plan
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- What they do is it's a think tank group that takes people from the industry and legislators together
- What they do is it's a think tank group that takes people from the industry and legislators together
- What they do is it's a think tank group that takes people from the industry and legislators together
- and recommendations from the legislative and recommendations from the legislative task<00:57:25.680
- There's legislation coming forward through the process this session.
Keywords:
mortgage, qualified mortgage, QM, points and fees, conventional loan, consumer lending, home loan, residential real estate, lender fees, service charge, finance charge, closing costs, Minnesota Statutes 47.20, housing finance, borrower protections, cooperative apartment loan, contract for deed, real estate lending, foreclosure, notice requirements
WY
Bills:
SF0002
Keywords:
Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem, mileage reimbursement, legislator training, legislators-elect, newly appointed legislator, carryforward funds, unspent appropriations, Management Council, economic development, energy diversification, economic modeling software, fiscal notes
WY
Bills:
SF0002
Keywords:
Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem, mileage reimbursement, legislator training, legislators-elect, newly appointed legislator, carryforward funds, unspent appropriations, Management Council, economic development, energy diversification, economic modeling software, fiscal notes
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the legislative director at the Department of Labor and Industry.
- I'm the legislative<00:05:32.240>
director <00:05:32.640>at <00:05:32.720>the <00 - :05:32.760>
Department legislative director at the Department legislative director at the Department - :42.360>
the <01:34:42.480>seasonal When the legislator created the seasonal When the legislator - My name is Melissa Hysing, and I'm the legislative director for the Minnesota AFL-CIO.
Keywords:
workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Legislator session, 1.15 million. Legislator interim, 2.24 million. Session staff, 575,000.
- Legislator session 1.15 million. Legislator session 1.15 million.
- >
million Legislator interim 2.24 24 million Legislator interim 2.24 24 million session<00:01: - <00:02:06.719>
out <00:02:06.880>of legislators in session and out of legislators in - . $34,000 to pay, um, for new legislators to attend the new legislator training after they're elected
Keywords:
K-12 education, school facilities, security improvements, public funding, state appropriations, school construction, local government funding, sales tax distribution, municipal funding, economic equity, state revenue, Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:03:20.879>
The <00:03:21.120>remaining legislative action. - The remaining legislative action.
- The second part of page two begins the change from the old legislatively determined appropriation into
- Uh, the second large change is moving the source of funding from a legislatively determined biennial
- source of funding from a legislatively source of funding from a legislatively determined<00:46:37.040
Keywords:
K-12 education, school facilities, security improvements, public funding, state appropriations, school construction, local government funding, sales tax distribution, municipal funding, economic equity, state revenue, Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And so we support legislation that would promote a culture of life in Texas, and we believe House Bill
- You know, I think that for us as legislators, we always look at the fiscal note.
Bills:
HB18, HB742, HB754, HB1644, HB2187, HB1887, HB 1275, HB37, HB1503, HB1699, HB1700, HB2735, HB1741, HB1731, HB1675, HB18, HB37
Keywords:
rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting, good faith report
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - First Called Session Aug 15th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB4, HB1, HB2, HB18, HB19, HB20, HB4, HB1, HB 2, HB20, HB19, HB18, HB 4, HB 1, HB 2, HB 18, HB 19, HB 20
Keywords:
redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, disaster response, emergency management, mass fatality, justices of the peace, training programs, emergency manager license, volunteer management, justice of the peace training, criminal history checks, state health services, emergency communication, interoperability, grant program, first responders, state council
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 15th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If our absent colleagues had shown up this morning, they could have used a few remaining days to stall
- For the Second Called Special Session, I have reserved 35 bill numbers for priority legislation, while
- Some remain open for the entire First Called Special Session working on their legislation.
- While she was here, she did her legislative duties and was able to get over 76 co-authors on this bill
- To leave the chamber and return noon, Monday, August 18th, with the understanding that if enough absent
Bills:
HB4, HB1, HB2, HB18, HB19, HB20, HB4, HB1, HB 2, HB20, HB19, HB18, HB 4, HB 1, HB 2, HB 18, HB 19, HB 20
Keywords:
redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, disaster response, emergency management, mass fatality, justices of the peace, training programs, emergency manager license, volunteer management, justice of the peace training, criminal history checks, state health services, emergency communication, interoperability, grant program, first responders, state council
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , The law has prohibited even simple questions from the executive branch and senior leaders and legislative
- Unfortunately, we don't have it back yet from legislative counsel at this juncture, but I would like
- Additionally, for communication from a legislator, the permit must Additionally, for communication from
- a legislator, the permit must be for a facility within their district.
- I serve as the executive director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network.
Keywords:
SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal
Summary:
The committee heard and laid out several natural resources and environmental bills, with testimony focused on balancing development, public health, wildlife protection, and regulatory authority. SB 3074 would allow the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to communicate in writing with TCEQ about matters before the commission, with safeguards requiring the communication to be part of the record and allowing other parties to respond; a committee substitute narrowed it to written communications about permits only, limited legislator communications to facilities in their districts, and adjusted conflict-of-interest rules. HB 3556, as substituted, would require notice to Texas Parks and Wildlife for certain very tall structures in specified coastal counties and give TPWD a limited right to seek injunctive relief if mitigation is insufficient to prevent material harm to migratory birds; supporters said it would address ignored wildlife recommendations and protect key flyways, while opponents argued the bill was too broad, singled out wind energy, and gave one agency unusually strong enforcement power. HB 49 would expand liability protections for produced-water recycling and beneficial use; supporters said it would encourage reuse of a large wastewater stream and reduce disposal pressures, while opponents warned it could shield operators from responsibility before the science and standards are mature. HB 4413 would authorize mass-balance accounting for renewable biomass feedstocks, and HB 3866 would regulate intermediate bulk container recycling facilities near homes, with a committee substitute adding a grandfather clause and making implementation contingent on funding.
The committee also heard bills affecting air and energy regulation. HB 5033 would create a trigger to end vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes to allow it; the substitute removed a Supreme Court-related trigger, and the lone public witness opposed the bill, warning it would worsen air quality and harm nonattainment areas. HB 4112 would clarify that on-site storage of high-level radioactive waste is allowed at current and future nuclear reactors and university research reactors only for waste generated at that site; the substitute clarified the language and removed an inoperative permit condition, and witnesses from environmental and nuclear groups said the clarification was needed to prevent unintended restrictions while avoiding off-site storage. HB 2440 would prohibit state agencies from using air-quality rules to ban or restrict vehicles based on energy source, including internal combustion vehicles, and no public testimony was offered. HB 4271 would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on request for composting facility authorizations; the substitute limited the requirement to future applications and was presented as a transparency measure after a denied local request and extensive public comments.
Additional bills addressed landowner protections and Railroad Commission oversight. HB 3619 would require the Railroad Commission to restore surface land after plugging or replugging operations and indemnify landowners from damages tied to authorized entry; a witness supported the bill but urged fixing a separate statutory loophole that he said allowed operators to enter unrelated tracts without notice. HB 4042 would extend Railroad Commission pipeline safety and fee provisions to propane distribution systems by removing the word “natural” from the relevant definitions. HB 4426 would set a 10-year permit term for commercial surface disposal facilities, allow renewal based on compliance history, and require renewal applications 120 days before expiration. The committee took no votes because a quorum was not initially present, and each bill was left pending after testimony and discussion.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part II) May 7th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- We appreciate your partnership and your willingness to hear from us on this legislation.
- Ultimately, this legislation is about ensuring... ...that we know our vaccines are safe, and with that
- This legislative proposal doesn't embody that, and it would be detrimental to our state's economy through
- Ground Zero was enacted in the 75th legislative session as part of Governor Bush's adoption omnibus bill
- You are the legislators. You are designed to make the laws.
Bills:
HB18, HB37, HB116, HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744
Keywords:
HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part I) May 7th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill aligns with Texans for Medical Freedom's broader legislative priority of regaining parental
- I hope that my being here today helps you. see how crucial this legislation is to someone like me.
- From a D.A. standpoint, newborn parents on meth or fentanyl under this legislation, how would that be
- But I respectfully believe that while this legislation sometimes has good intentions of preserving the
- I think this legislation goes in the opposite direction of safe families, respectfully. Questions?
Bills:
HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744, HB18, HB37, HB116
Keywords:
rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388