Video & Transcript Research : 'foreign adversaries'

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OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

State Powers Feb 11th, 2026 at 09:00 am

State Powers

Transcript Highlights:
  • dollars do not flow to countries or entities that do not have our best interests at heart or are adversarial
  • adversary, and the state agency shall terminate the contract with the company if that's the case.
  • Really, what we're targeting here Are our foreign adversaries growing?
  • Our Oklahoma taxpayer dollars making their way to our foreign adversaries?
  • adversaries.
Bills: HB4193
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/28/2026 - House Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • That's the way I would do it if I were a foreign adversary.
Summary: The House Committee on Science and Technology convened for its first meeting of the session, with members and staff introducing themselves and the chair reviewing committee rules and amendment deadlines. The committee then heard several bills focused on technology policy, infrastructure security, and a new study committee on assistive technology. Testimony was generally supportive of the bills’ goals, though several members raised concerns about implementation, costs, and the role of the Arizona Corporation Commission on the infrastructure bill. HB 2121 would prevent manufacturers from disabling consumer electronic devices when owners make modifications, such as using third-party parts or firmware changes, and would allow owners or the Attorney General to sue for damages. After discussion about consumer ownership, security, and possible manufacturing impacts, the committee adopted the Fink amendment narrowing the bill to consumer products and gave HB 2121 a do pass recommendation by a 7-1 vote with one present. HB 2134 would restrict Chinese-produced equipment from critical infrastructure and limit contracts with Chinese companies; the sponsor and supporters framed it as a national security measure, while opponents focused on cost, implementation, and utility coordination. The committee heard testimony from the Arizona Corporation Commission, which said the bill would require new staff and resources, and from outside witnesses who said the bill was prospective and aligned with federal restrictions. HB 2134 passed 5-4. HB 2451 would adjust Arizona Space Commission board terms, extend the strategic plan deadline, and add astronautic educational opportunities to the commission’s duties. Supporters described the commission as a bipartisan effort to grow Arizona’s space industry, and the bill passed 8-0. HB 2700 would create a Technology Study Committee focused on assistive technology and technology-first approaches for people with disabilities. The sponsor and a constituent advocate described how assistive technology can improve independence and service delivery, and members expressed support for the concept. After adopting the Connolly amendment, the committee approved HB 2700 as amended by an 8-0 vote. The committee then adjourned.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Summary: The Committee on Federalism, Military Affairs, and Elections heard several election, health care, and sovereignty-related measures. HB 4115 and mirror resolution HCR 2051 would extend existing statewide rules for paid petition circulators and initiative/referendum disclosures to municipal and county measures, including badge/display requirements for paid circulators and disclosure of expenditures and revenue sources. Speaker Montenegro and supporters framed the bills as transparency and anti-out-of-state influence reforms; the committee recommended HB 4115 do pass by 5-2 and HCR 2051 by 4-3. The committee also considered HCM 2010, urging Congress to repeal the Seventeenth Amendment and return selection of U.S. senators to state legislatures. Sponsor Rep. Powell argued it would restore state sovereignty and accountability, while other members raised concerns about direct democracy, deadlock, and the need for broader public support. The memorial failed on a 3-3-1 vote after a present vote was recorded, despite some members expressing sympathy for the concept. HB 2940 proposed major changes to AHCCCS and DES eligibility verification and procurement, including expanded data checks, a unified eligibility rules engine, new contracting concepts, and a fixed benefit price list. The sponsor said the bill was intended to increase competition, transparency, and fiscal discipline; AHCCCS testified neutrally, noting it already uses many data matches but would need additional work and costs for some provisions, while health plan representatives opposed the bill as a major operational shift that could limit negotiated rates. The committee recommended the bill do pass 4-3. HB 2874, which would ease termination-statement requirements and penalties for committees that never raised money, passed unanimously 7-0. HB 467, requiring inactive-voter status information to appear in precinct registers, signature rosters, or e-poll books, was amended to change a mandatory “shall” to permissive “may” and then passed 5-2. Finally, HB 2775, as amended, would bar state and higher-education participation in implementing international-organization rules or agreements; after removing rulemaking authority for ABOR and adding a higher-education review process, it passed 4-3. The committee then adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs May 14th, 2025

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 1585 by Senator Hughes is a foreign adversary procurement bill that is focused on IT and
  • adversaries.
  • adversary.
  • Members, this is the bill we heard relating to establishing the Hostile Foreign Adversaries Unit at the
  • Requirements designated to combat foreign influence and foreign adversary operations critique in criminal
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/18/2026 - Senate Public Safety

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Be it rural on reservation, be it in foreign countries like the DRC or like Colombia, all of them I'm
  • My name is Marina Macklin, and I believe this bill will address some real threats from our foreign adversaries
  • a clear and bipartisan shift in how the U.S. thinks about economic and technology risks from our foreign
  • adversaries, namely China.
  • action accordingly and on a bipartisan basis, from expanding the authorities of the Committee on Foreign
Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met, approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, and heard two presentations before moving to bills. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry presented on its K-9 program, describing staffing, dog types, functions such as contraband interdiction, search and rescue, and offender apprehension, and noting aging vehicles and the need for replacement canines. Biometrica then presented a privacy-focused facial recognition/sensor system intended to help law enforcement identify missing persons and known offenders in real time without storing video or audio; members asked questions but took no action on the presentation. The committee then considered HB 2134, which would create the Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act to restrict Chinese-owned or Chinese-produced equipment and software in critical infrastructure and require reporting and oversight by the Corporation Commission. The sponsor said the bill was revised to be prospective and more workable; supporters framed it as a national security measure, while some members raised cost and implementation concerns. The bill passed 4-3. HB 2404, which shifts inter-facility transport of behavioral health patients away from peace officers and toward authorized transporters except in limited circumstances, drew support from a Phoenix police crisis intervention officer and the Arizona Police Association and passed 7-0. HB 2402, dealing with ambulance certificates of necessity for small or underserved areas, was amended to require rather than allow certain certificates and to streamline reporting and application processes; the sponsor and firefighters said it would preserve access and modernize a decades-old system. It passed as amended 7-0. HB 2673, as amended, was reduced to creating a study committee on inmate mental health services after originally proposing broader jail and prison screening and treatment requirements; the sponsor and a victim’s family member described the bill as a response to failures in the mental health and jail systems. It passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2253, protecting employees from retaliation for testifying in law enforcement disciplinary appeals, passed 5-0 with two not voting, and HB 2270, expanding county control over use of county seals, logos, and sheriff’s posse names, passed 6-0 with one not voting. Finally, HB 2941, which would make certain motorcycle lane-splitting or passing behavior reckless driving except as allowed by existing lane-filtering rules, drew support from the sponsor and motorcycle advocates who said it targets dangerous high-speed lane splitting, but one speaker warned the language could unintentionally criminalize safe filtering. The bill passed 5-1 with one not voting. The committee then adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) Mar 17th, 2025

State Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs resumed consideration of several pending bills, first taking up Senate Bills 667, 1349, 1585, and 2312. After inviting testimony had already been heard, no members of the public came forward to testify on any of those measures, and the committee closed public testimony and left all four bills pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1355, which Senator Parker explained as a committee substitute aimed at helping Texas distillers recover unpaid invoices from wholesalers. The substitute would require distillers to invoice at the time of purchase, send a demand letter if payment terms are violated, and allow complaints to be filed with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which could determine an appropriate penalty based on the facts. Natasha Dehart of Bent Distilling Company testified in support, describing serious cash-flow problems and unpaid invoices from a Texas wholesaler that had forced layoffs, late vendor payments, and operational strain. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1378, a narrowly tailored local bill for a Carrollton facility recently acquired by Sazerac that employs more than 1,000 Texans. Senator Parker said the bill would create a limited exemption to avoid forcing the company to shut down or move because of current permit restrictions, while preserving the three-tier system and preventing the company from selling wine to itself. A Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission resource witness said the bill was drafted so it would not open the door to broader industry changes. Mason Moreland testified against the bill as filed, arguing it gave special treatment to one company and failed to address broader problems in the wine industry, including direct-to-consumer sales and permit issues. After questions from senators, public testimony closed and SB 1378 was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • research into the 117 filings of ASU, it was determined that a significant amount of money from a foreign
  • adversary had gone to the university.
Summary: The committee first heard HB 2908, which would impose criminal penalties on faithless Arizona Article V convention delegates, require delegates to take an oath, and direct the legislature and governor to ratify any approved amendment through the normal legislative process. The sponsor argued the bill adds guardrails to any future convention, while Common Cause Arizona opposed it as ineffective and insufficient to prevent a runaway convention. After debate about whether the bill could meaningfully constrain delegates, the committee voted 5-2 to return HB 2908 with a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered HB 2608, a veterans housing measure creating a military transitional housing grant program at the Arizona Department of Housing with a $7 million General Fund appropriation in FY 2027 and changes to the military transitional housing fund. Testimony focused on revisions to the bill, including limiting use of funds to new construction and requiring veteran-led or veteran-managed organizations. Several members said the bill was too similar to prior versions and had not gone through the Veterans Caucus process. On a motion to table, the committee voted to lay HB 2608 on the table. After a recess, the committee took up HB 2805, as amended, which creates a secure online portal for nomination petition signatures for local governing board candidates and related election administration changes. The sponsor said the bill was intended to give school board candidates and other local candidates equal access to the state’s electronic signature system, while members debated whether requiring candidates to declare party affiliation would undermine nonpartisan races. The Gillette amendment was adopted, and the committee then voted 5-2 to return HB 2805 as amended with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard HB 2775, which would bar the state and its subdivisions from using state assets or money to implement or enforce rules, taxes, or policies of international organizations, and would add restrictions on Arizona public universities’ dealings with certain foreign entities. Members discussed a proposed amendment to create oversight of foreign funding at Arizona State University and the Board of Regents, but raised concerns about rulemaking authority and constitutional issues. The committee ultimately voted to hold HB 2775 for further work, and then adjourned.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/24/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • Furthermore, they actually have a full foreign adversaries list they go off of.
  • Because truly, Iran is not making a lot of products that we're implementing into our foreign infrastructure
  • To introduce myself, I run the China program at the Jamestown Foundation, a foreign policy think tank
  • The country's leader at the time described the United States as China's main adversary.
  • China's Ministry of State Security constantly warns its citizens of the technical dangers of foreign-made
Summary: The Committee on Appropriations met with all members present, approved the March 17, 2026 minutes, and announced its final hearing would be the following Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. The committee first heard HB 2134, the Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, which would bar state and critical infrastructure entities from contracting with Chinese companies for access to critical infrastructure, prohibit Chinese-produced software and equipment in certain systems, require annual certifications and reporting, and direct the Corporation Commission and DEMA to implement oversight and emergency communications measures. The sponsor and a witness argued the bill was a targeted national-security measure and a companion to federal efforts; concerns were raised about cost, overlap with federal law, and staffing, but the bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 6-4 vote. The committee then considered HB 2051, which would require AHCCCS contractors, subject to CMS approval, to provide breastfeeding and lactation care services in multiple settings. Testimony from lactation consultants, researchers, advocates, and tribal representatives emphasized maternal and infant health benefits, access gaps, and potential Medicaid savings; AHCCCS and ADHS were neutral, with AHCCCS estimating a $1.8 million general fund cost and ADHS saying it could not absorb implementation costs. The committee adopted a 15-page amendment creating a voluntary state certification for lactation care providers and a DHS advisory committee, then passed the bill as amended on a 9-0 vote. HB 2700, creating a technology-first study committee on assistive technology for people with disabilities, also passed unanimously after testimony from disability advocates and a proposed amendment to add minority-party appointments was discussed but not voted on. HB 2800, which increases the penalty for knowingly lending a vehicle to a person with a DUI-related driving restriction if that person causes serious injury or death, drew extensive debate over whether the felony penalty was appropriate when the lender may not know the eventual outcome; after testimony from the sponsor and the victim’s widow, the bill passed 9-1. HB 2114, which uses motorcycle safety fund money for scholarships for rural and low-income riders and requires ADOT to issue motorcycle registrations only when an owner has a class M license, passed 10-0 amid concerns that the license language may need clarification on the floor. The committee then began HB 2127, an omnibus special-plates bill with multiple amendments, but discussion centered on whether one amendment was hostile and whether a community-college plate should be offered later; no final action on HB 2127 was taken in the portion provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The government has failed to stop foreign adversaries, as defined by the National Defense Authorization
  • It prohibits accepting gifts... ...contracts or agreements from foreign adversaries without approval
  • The key provisions of this bill provide protection against foreign adversaries. ...influence that they
  • Additionally, education software from foreign adversaries is removed. ...from higher education.
  • By securing higher education from foreign adversaries, Texas can be more open to countries. ...It's all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Government Oversight Mar 3rd, 2026 at 10:30 am

Government Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • I was reviewing the definition of foreign adversary, which is on page 3. lines 17 through 21, a list
  • Members, all we're doing here is expanding the scope of the foreign government adversary property law
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • It treats foreign land ownership as a systemic and national security enforcement problem, and it's just
  • , but my be specifically targeted at rare earth minerals and critical minerals, ensuring that our foreign-owned
  • adversaries, our foreign adversaries, don't own those mineral rights within the state of Oklahoma.
Bills: HB3840, HB3431
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, for hostile foreign adversaries, and the way we...
  • Okay, but throughout it doesn't refer to 'hostile'; it refers to 'foreign adversary.'
  • Do you mean 'hostile foreign adversary' each place? It's just you? Senator, that's a great point.
  • Okay, I just... looking at page five, it just refers to 'foreign adversary.'
  • But first, why is a state-level response to a hostile foreign adversary necessary?
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • As a matter of pending business, Senate Bill 2117, Senator Parker's bill on the Texas Committee on Foreign
  • Investment, addresses the review of transactions with certain foreign entities and establishes a committee
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) Apr 14th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • as a matter of pending business, Senate Bill 2117, Senator Parker's bill on the Texas Committee on Foreign
  • Investment Review, to review transactions with certain foreign entities.
Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 30 and then voted to report the substituted bill favorably to the full Senate; the roll call showed six ayes and one nay, with later unanimous-consent corrections noted for additional aye votes. The committee also reported Senate Bill 801 favorably to the full Senate by an eight-to-one vote. Both bills were left with no further action in the meeting after the votes. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2595 by Senator Middleton and Senate Bill 2876 by Chairman Hughes, both aimed at addressing masked harassment and riot-related conduct. Supporters said the bills would deter intimidation, protect public order, and respond to recent protests and anti-Semitic incidents, while opponents from civil rights, disability, and advocacy groups argued the measures were overly broad, could chill peaceful protest, and would burden people who wear masks for religious, medical, or disability-related reasons. Public testimony was taken on both bills, and both were left pending after testimony closed. Senate Bill 2753, by Senator Hall, proposed consolidating early voting and election day into a single continuous in-person voting period with common procedures and equipment, while preserving countywide voting and mail voting. The Secretary of State’s office said the bill could improve ballot secrecy and simplify administration, though witnesses raised concerns about ballot privacy, logistics, and access for disabled voters; some county election officials were neutral or supportive of the concept, while others opposed it as confusing or potentially burdensome. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2225 on allowing spirit-based ready-to-drink beverages to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, with supporters arguing the law should focus on alcohol content rather than the source of the alcohol and that the bill would modernize an outdated code. Later, Senate Bill 1540, which would add election officials and related workers to confidentiality protections, drew support from county election officials who described threats and harassment, though one witness suggested the bill’s language may need technical adjustment to better match its intent. Finally, Senate Bill 2382, concerning statewide voter registration systems and offline counties, drew opposition from county election administrators and vendors who warned about capacity, cybersecurity, and single-point-of-failure risks, while others suggested a phased approach or API-based integration; the transcript ends with testimony still open on that bill.