Transcript Highlights:

• Disenfranchise older voters by not being able to vote by mail? Yeah.
• Ability to vote by mail, and they have to go vote in person.
• There's no way for them to vote by mail under this bill. That's correct, under this bill.
• There's no mail voting. We could create a system for mail ballots.
• Making sure that mail-in ballots are available.

Bills: HB2442, HB3697, HB4288, HB5256, HB5337, HB5362, HJR161

Keywords: HB 2442, Texas Election Code, Election Code Section 84.001, early voting, ballot by mail, mail ballot, absentee voting, runoff election, primary runoff, general runoff, voter application, election administration, county election officials, opt-out, voter choice, mail voting, ballot application, voting by mail, Election Code, size requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And by having that designation, like the... or<00:16:24.959><c> what</c><00:16:25.199><c> how</c

Bills: HB131, HB77, HB131, HB77

Keywords: Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers, diversity, government oversight, Sunset Law, congressional districts, HB77, absentee voting, absentee ballot, disabled voter, disability accommodation, voter assistance, ballot delivery, ballot application, designee, caregiver, election manager, vote by mail, mail ballot, ballot harvesting, voter access

Bills: SB 1065, SB 2117, SB 2217, SB 2363, SB 2533, SB 2742, SB 2743, SB 2881, SB 2964, SB 3013, SB 3014

Keywords: election procedures, voting systems, ballot counting, voter registration, electronic voting, electioneering, public funds, political advertising, civil penalties, school district, election offenses, prosecution, criminal procedure, district attorney, disqualification, voting by mail, election process, ballot correction, voter notification, electoral integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• But in Harris County, they had 63,000 ballot-by-mail votes in November of 2024.
• In 2022 they had... hundred thousand ballot-by-mail votes.
• If you're on the ballot board, you're actually going to verify the reason they voted by mail.
• And it's almost just like a vote-by-mail ballot.
• This is up to the ballot by mail cure bill, Senate Bill 1599, which passed in the 88th legislative session

Bills: HB569, HB766, HB1638, HB2316, HB2773, HB2785, HB3113, HB3709, HB3775, HB4275

Keywords: early voting, ballot correction, voting rights, election integrity, mail-in voting, voter notification, HB 766, precinct chair, precinct chair candidate, ballot application, Texas Election Code, Section 172.021, election administration, candidate filing, party precinct chair, county party, political party office, email address, telephone number, confidential candidate information

Transcript Highlights:

• voted by mail.
• So, that means we have to stop accepting ballots mailed by Election Day. ...but received by 5 p.m. the
• Currently, mail ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on the first mail delivery day after Election Day,
• Employees can falsely submit applications and ballots by mail without the resident ever knowing it.
• A ballot by mail can only serve one purpose, and that's to violate my privacy.

Bills: HB2139, HB2253, HB3632, HB4171, HB4309, HB4508, SB760, SB1470

Keywords: voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety

Transcript Highlights:

• This looks like stuff that was actually being done by Eric. That's correct. Yes.
• So we've been damaged by this.
• By the way, we just had a really long day on the floor.
• They're prescribed by the date of each one in the election code. Questions.
• That the major parties play, then we should play by the same rules.

Bills: HB2139, HB2253, HB3632, HB4171, HB4309, HB4508, SB760, SB1470

Keywords: voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Further, SB 1494 could enhance efficiency and save taxpayers by reducing the city's costs by an average
• They're putting Democrats on the Republican ballot and Republicans on the Democrat ballot.
• Excuse me, just so they can get on the ballot.
• He's already gotten his own bill inspired by him.
• Senate Bill 291 by Senator Schwertner.

Bills: SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• The reconciliation of ballots is required by law. 65.013, despite the Secretary of State admonishing
• board to review mail-in ballot carrier envelopes to determine whether to accept or reject a mail-in
• ballot.
• ballot application.
• To a mail ballot envelope.

Bills: SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• Pepper, but put set aside by diet Dr.
• </c> list held by the Department of Revenue. list held by the Department of Revenue.
• And what I mean by that is it's squeeze.
• </c> by EBT. by EBT.
• </c><00:48:51.599><c> the</c> a bill, and it was signed by the a bill, and it was signed by the governor

Bills: SB57, SB155, HB39, HB77, HB104, SB57, SB155, HB39, HB77, HB104

Keywords: property, acknowledgment, conveyance, business entities, limited liability companies, state employees, payroll deduction, salary deduction, comptroller, membership association, membership dues, voluntary contributions, insurance premiums, financial instruments, deferred compensation, state payroll, employee benefits, association dues, withholding, Alabama Code 36-1-4.3

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a full set of agenda items for executive session, so I'll please ask Melissa to begin by briefing
• There is an amendment to the striking amendment labeled A1 offered by Senator Gildon.
• There is another amendment to the striking amendment labeled A2 offered by Senator Gildon.
• My concern is that by requiring this in the...
• My concern is that by requiring this in the ...places where families live.

Bills: HB2664

Keywords: HB 2664, unlawful detainer, eviction notice, landlord-tenant, tenant rights, service of process, certified mail, notice by mail, notice posting, possession action, vacate notice, Washington RCW 59.12, housing law, rental housing, forcible entry and detainer, proof of service, property possession, occupants, lodging house, hotel guest

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee met in executive session on several housing-related House bills. Melissa Van Gorkum and staff briefed the committee on HB 1859 (affordable housing on religious organization property), ESHB 2266 (step housing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and emergency shelters), SHB 2354 (common interest communities/WUCIOA), SHB 2452 (service of rent-increase notices), SSB 2590 (limited equity cooperatives), and HB 2664 (service of unlawful detainer and related notices). Most bills had no amendments except ESHB 2266, which had a striker and multiple proposed amendments. The committee also noted the House passage votes and fiscal notes where available. On HB 1859, members discussed expanding affordable housing opportunities on religiously owned land, with support from Senator Alvarado and a caution from Senator Gainer about implementation. The bill received a due pass recommendation and was sent to Rules. On ESHB 2266, the committee rejected amendments to require step housing to be within one mile of transit, to allow more local review of operational plans, to require 24-hour on-site supervision unless otherwise justified, and to exempt cities under 10,000 from new requirements. Senators supporting the bill emphasized reducing barriers to shelter and housing and helping people move off the street, while opponents raised concerns about local control and impacts on smaller cities. The striking amendment and the bill as amended were adopted and sent to Rules. The committee then advanced SHB 2354, which limits CIC governing documents from varying from WUCIOA on EV charging stations and heat pumps, exempts certain middle housing CICs from most WUCIOA provisions, and raises the audit threshold; it passed with little discussion. SHB 2452, which changes how rent-increase notices are served under the Manufactured Home Landlord-Tenant Act, also passed. SSB 2590, exempting limited equity cooperatives from WUCIOA and updating the property tax exemption definition, was sent to Ways and Means after supportive comments about expanding homeownership opportunities. HB 2664, removing the certified-mail requirement for mailed unlawful detainer notices and related notices, also received a due pass recommendation. The chair closed by thanking members and staff and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The response said that this includes signing a request for an absentee-by-mail ballot and updating voter
• registration by mail.
• If you've got a different address, I know if you're sending a ballot, mail-in ballot, you've got a different
• mail ballots out and early voting and very, very stressful tasks.
• Those that are unable to get out of bed or hospitalized vote the absentee-by-mail ballot.

Bills: HB117, HB228, HB250, HB260, HB393, HB400, HB446, HB534, HB551, HB576, HB842

Keywords: Department of State, statutory entities, re-creation, termination, Louisiana laws, Department of State Civil Service, Louisiana legislation, government re-creation, authority termination, financial disclosure, public servants, ethics, immediate family, transparency, legislators, transportation, foreign travel, cultural exchange, public service, HB393

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:59:05.520><c> by</c><00:59:05.839><c> not</c> gainsmanship being done there by by not gainsmanship
• being done there by by not providing<00:59:06.480><c> notification.
• of the sample ballot.
• </c> amended by the A3. amended by the A3.
• </c> amended by the A3 say I. amended by the A3 say I. &gt;&gt; I. &gt;&gt; I. &gt;&gt; I.

Bills: HF3698, HF4243, HF4239, HF4241, HF4242, HF4240

Keywords: libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, campaign finance, elections, political contributions, disclosure, reporting thresholds, economic interest statements, financial disclosure, ethics, public officials, local officials, metropolitan governmental unit, metropolitan area, candidate filings, principal campaign committee, political committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't really have absentee ballots anymore. There's simply all mail ballots.
• Still cast her ballot through the mail in that way.
• We're talking about mail ballots when it comes to the numbers.
• Your mail ballot has to be filled out properly.
• Mail ballots can be mailed in or dropped off for a period of four weeks, early voting lasts for two weeks

Bills: AB49, AB169, AB188, AB284, AB296, AB306, AB356, AB366, AB467, AB499, AB515, AB540, AB542, AB595

Keywords: educational personnel, teacher licensing, reciprocal licensure, provisional teaching, school counselors, school nurses, school social workers, state education standards, health insurance, speech-language pathology, stuttering, rehabilitative services, habilitative services, coverage requirements, health plans, retired public employees, subsidy, Medicare, health reimbursement arrangement, Public Employees' Benefits Program

Transcript Highlights:

• by mail.
• This bill will simply allow registered voters to fill out their application for a ballot by mail online
• So, I'm all for trying to help. ...help seniors and people get applications or get a ballot by mail.
• This would cause problems and probably end up rejecting a lot of vote by mail ballots because the signatures
• by mail for them using a mail signature because the signatures never match.

Bills: HB3097, HB3691, SB108, SB827, SB1541, SB1862, SB2166, SB2216

Keywords: Texas elections, Election Code, uniform election date, November election, local elections, political subdivisions, general election date, election administration, municipal utility district, county elections, local government, ballot scheduling, candidate filing, voter turnout, election calendar, HB 3097, early voting, electronic application, mail-in ballot, voting accessibility

Transcript Highlights:

• The secrecy of one's ballot is a long... ...principle protected by Article 6, Section 4 of the Texas
• This legislation curtails these bad actors and seeks to protect the right to a secret ballot by making
• ...which the secrecy of the ballot is guaranteed by the process itself, ensuring that no individuals
• Already summarized ballot counts and votes by tabulator, precinct, and polling place.
• Senate Bill 2964. is about ballots by mail.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation curtails these bad actors and seeks to protect the right to a secret ballot by making
• secrecy, not by the countywide polling location program, the Rinaldi ballot issue. but by the poll books
• And finally, we require the central accumulator to produce reports showing ballots cast by. location
• Is about ballots by mail.
• So you vote by mail, and there's a problem. There's some kind of a defect.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Over that period of time, our emails were engaged by 30,000 members.
• Over that period of time, our emails were engaged by 30,000 members.
• Grisham, actually influenced some of the lawsuit filed by A.G. Paxton.
• allowing limited intervention by the Attorney General.
• This standard is vague and could be taken advantage of by bad actors.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1065, which would require government property contracts to prohibit contractors from barring licensed handgun holders from carrying firearms on leased or owned public property, with civil penalties and attorney general enforcement for violations. Senator Hall and invited witnesses from the Texas State Rifle Association, NRA, and Texas Gun Rights argued the bill would close a loophole exposed by the State Fair of Texas gun ban and protect law-abiding Texans’ self-defense rights. Opponents, including Moms Demand Action/Everytown, said the bill would undermine event organizers’ ability to set site-specific safety rules and could increase liability and insurance costs. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. The committee next took up Senate Bill 2742, which would create civil penalties for independent school districts and officials who use public resources for electioneering, waive immunity defenses, and expand attorney general enforcement. Senator Hagan-Bood said current law bans the conduct but lacks meaningful penalties, making injunctions the only remedy. No public testimony was heard, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2743, also by Senator Hagan-Bood, which would allow a court to disqualify local prosecutors who refuse to prosecute election offenses and appoint the attorney general to handle the case, with a committee substitute adjusting the removal process through an adjacent-county judge. Opponents from the Texas Civil Rights Project argued the bill would undermine prosecutorial discretion and was vague and open to abuse, while a Harris County election official described past instances where alleged voter fraud cases were not pursued. After testimony, public comment was closed and SB 2743 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, it adds three additional synthetic opioids from Senate Bill 679, by you.
• pending business Senate Bill 1184, Senator Creighton's bill about the age of wine authorized to be sold by
• The Chair lays out as a matter of pending business SCR 42 by Chairman Hughes, and Senator Hughes moves
• So we will show Senator Birdwell present, and we will entertain a motion of writing by saying from Senator

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs met with a quorum present and considered several pending measures. On Senate Bill 1868, Senator Perry explained a committee substitute that would keep kratom in its natural state legal while continuing to ban 7-OH and other synthetic derivatives, and would also add three synthetic opioids from another bill. The substitute was adopted, and SB 1868 was reported favorably to the full Senate and certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 39, Senator Birdwell’s proposed constitutional amendment related to veto overrides after a regular session, and reported it favorably to the full Senate; members noted a floor amendment would also be offered later. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1184, relating to the age of wine authorized to be sold by a wine collection seller, and reported it favorably to the full Senate. After some procedural discussion and a revote to clarify members’ positions, SB 1184 was also certified for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 1194 was likewise certified for the local and uncontested calendar without objection, though the transcript does not include its substantive discussion. Senate Bill 1577, relating to the temporary sale of alcoholic beverages at certain racing facilities, was reported favorably to the full Senate and then certified for the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, Senate Concurrent Resolution 42, by Chairman Hughes, was reported favorably to the full Senate on an 8-1 vote. The committee then recessed until called back by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ballots by mail that appeared to have been counted but were still sealed...
• Ballots by mail that appeared to have been counted but were still sealed in their carrier envelopes and
• by mail, the early voting in person, the memory cards, the election day results, and those machines,
• On that issue, there may be some concerns there, but by and large, the issue on ballot privacy, it's
• impacted by the early voting process, by early voting by mail.

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on several bills, with most measures left pending after public testimony closed. SB 801, by Sen. Menéndez, would require DSHS and local clerks to issue birth certificates at no cost to people experiencing homelessness. The author and Maria Benavides of SA Youth said the fee and mailing requirements are major barriers to obtaining ID, housing, and work, and Benavides described clients who were able to secure housing and employment after getting birth records and IDs through her program. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard a set of bills related to the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America naming issue: SB 1410 would require state agencies to use “Gulf of Mexico” in official documents, SB 1717 would conform state law to the federal renaming to “Gulf of America,” and SJR 63 would amend the Texas Constitution to match that change. Support testimony for the latter two emphasized alignment with federal action and the use of different geographic names by different countries. All three measures were left pending. Members then heard SB 1200, which would require plaintiffs suing defense contractors to disclose in discovery whether they are receiving litigation funding from adversarial nations such as China, Russia, or Cuba. The author and Texans for Lawsuit Reform said the bill targets third-party litigation funding and foreign influence on lawsuits, especially those affecting defense contractors; the committee substitute narrowed the definition of defense contractor and expanded applicability to actions involving defense contractors’ activities. SB 2626, which requires continuing medical education on pregnancy-related emergencies for OB-GYN physicians and nurses, drew support from witnesses who said it would reduce confusion about Texas abortion law and improve care in emergencies. SB 506, SB 2681, SB 1862, SB 1863, and SB 2216 all focused on elections, including ballot language standards, voter registration challenges, interstate voter-roll cleanup, procedural audits, and election equipment security; testimony split between supporters who said the bills improve transparency and integrity and opponents who warned of vague standards, added costs, and possible voter disenfranchisement. Each of those bills was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• voters can request a mail ballot in the case of emergencies.
• voters can request a mail ballot in the case of emergencies.
• My question is regarding the mail ballots.
• Getting those mail ballots counted, all of the mail ballots that come in before Election Day, having
• First, Section 12, which refers to mail ballot counting by the counting board and states, quote, the

Bills: AB534, AB562, AB595, AB597, AB600, SB74, SB226, SB422, SB488

Keywords: election reform, voter accessibility, conditional ballots, voter registration, mechanical voting systems, election audits, voter access grants, provisional ballot, voting technology, AB562, Nevada, Secretary of State, elections, elections management system, HAVA, Help America Vote Act, automatic voter registration, AVR, election technology, state appropriations