Video & Transcript Research : 'governor powers'
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TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate of the 89th Legislature Apr 10th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- The governor would be the only one.
- Senate joint resolution 40 proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the powers of the governor,
- With the governor and the federal government as well.
- That's what the governor calls himself a Texan.
- And we've been working, of course, with Governor Abbott and his team, working with Lieutenant Governor
Keywords:
legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 40, Senate Bill 871, constitutional amendment, emergency powers, governor authority, legislative oversight
Summary:
The meeting focused on several crucial pieces of legislation, notably Senate Joint Resolution 40, which proposed a constitutional amendment to clarify the powers of the governor, the legislature, and the Supreme Court during emergencies. Senator Birdwell presented the resolution, emphasizing the need for legislative involvement during prolonged crises. It garnered broad support, passing with 29 votes in favor and only 1 against. Following this, Senate Bill 871, considered the enabling legislation, was also moved for discussion, with the aim of reinforcing the legislature's authority during emergencies while establishing clear guidelines for the governor's powers.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, we believe that gives the governor too much power.
- Um, we believe that gives the governor too much power.
- It gives the governor too much power.
- See, people mentioning COVID when the governor had the power, him, the governor and the mayor.
- See, people mentioning COVID when the governor had the power, him, the governor and the mayor.
Keywords:
emergency preparedness, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, multilingual resources, American Sign Language, public education, community resilience, disaster response, emergency management, governor powers, legislative oversight, public safety, 910, house, all
Summary:
The committee on Public Safety met on March 20, 2026, and the chair opened by noting severe rain and flooding conditions in Hawaii and said the committee would proceed with the hearing but defer decision-making until the next meeting on March 25. The first measure discussed was SB 2109, an omnibus bill on emergency preparedness communications. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from state agencies and advocacy groups such as the Disability and Communications Access Board, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and others. Supporters emphasized the need for funding and planning for multilingual emergency materials and language access, citing current evacuation notices that were not available in languages such as Ilokano or Tongan. The chair stated that action on SB 2109 would be deferred until March 25.
The committee then heard SB 2151, relating to emergency management and changes to the governor’s emergency authority. Testimony was mixed but heavily focused on concerns about executive power. Earthjustice supported the bill with amendments, saying it should narrow extraordinary emergency powers, add definitions for emergency and disaster, preserve transparency under the Uniform Information Practices Act, and lower the legislative threshold to terminate an emergency proclamation from two-thirds to a simple majority. Other supporters, including the League of Women Voters of Hawaii and some individuals, also backed reform. Opponents, including Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and numerous individuals, argued the bill still gave the governor too much power, used overly broad disaster definitions, and did not sufficiently protect constitutional rights; several urged major amendments or repeal of portions of Chapter 127A. Some opponents specifically objected to the two-thirds termination standard and to provisions they said could enable compulsory immunizations or other mandates.
Members questioned Earthjustice about whether the bill would suspend constitutional rights. Earthjustice responded that the bill would not authorize constitutional violations, but would allow suspension of laws enacted by the legislature, and pointed to existing statutory procedures for individuals to challenge emergency proclamations. The witness described a Mauna Kea case in which a three-judge panel granted relief to an individual under the current statute, and explained that the process could potentially affect a broader proclamation if allowed to run to completion. The hearing continued with additional testimony and questions, but no final vote or committee action on SB 2151 was taken during this portion of the meeting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So that we can try to maintain the purchasing power of the fund, try to keep up with inflation.
- I mean, we're, we're amazing power. Um, and that's just our rainy day fund.
- And then on top of that, we have part, as part of that water issue, we have power associated with desal
- And to solve that power issue, it's still TBD.
Bills:
SJR 4
TX
Bills:
HB 842, HB 1907, HB 2844, HB 2892, HB 3439, HB 4211, HB 4536, HB 5111, HB 5138, HB 5182, HB 5247, HB 5269, HB 5323, HB 5435, HJR 201, SB 871, HB 3896, SJR 40
Keywords:
power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I'm ruling that these powers previously were unconstitutional.
- that power is exclusively theirs, except in very limited circumstances?
- of Texans without power for weeks due to high wind damages to power lines.
- This bill. allows non-profit water supply corporations to sell excess power generation back to the power
- This one bill talked about using power for our own use, but also selling that excess power to, among
Bills:
HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40
Keywords:
power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm following disaster emergency declarations and the emergency powers of the governor and the legislature
- S.J.R. 40 seeks to realign those powers in a couple of key ways by requiring that the governor would
- The governor declared an emergency at some point.
- If they're governor, right? So, that's all.
- I mean, they have a lot of power in this regard.
Bills:
HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40
Keywords:
power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The purchasing power of the fund, trying to keep up with inflation, has been a little bit more difficult
- I mean, we are an amazing power and that's just our responsibility for any day fund.
- And then on top of that, that we have, as part of that water issue, we have power associated with desal
- And to solve that power issue, it's still TBD; we don't really know and nor understand.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It is a sad day in Texas when we can't say the same thing about our governor.
- The truth is that Governor Abbott is rigging the U.S. Congress to protect Republicans.
- Governor.
- Governor Abbott has yet to say a word about... This is a human problem.
- So this is what Senator Borris Miles has to say: Dear Governor Abbott,...
Keywords:
special election, 18th Congressional District, Governor Abbott, federal representation, constituent services, Sylvester Turner
Summary:
State Rep. Jolanda Jones, joined by Sen. Molly Cook and Reps. Christina Morales, Charlene Ward Johnson, and Lauren Ashley Simmons, held a press event at the Capitol urging Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special election for Texas Congressional District 18. They said the district has been without federal representation since the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner and argued that more than 800,000 constituents are losing access to constituent services, federal assistance, and a voice in Congress.
The speakers framed the delay as a constitutional and fairness issue, repeatedly describing the situation as “taxation without representation.” They said the vacancy affects Democrats and Republicans alike, and cited examples such as passport help, veterans’ issues, immigration concerns, and access to federal funding. Several speakers accused the governor of delaying for partisan reasons and called for immediate action so the district can elect a new representative.
A letter from Sen. Borris Miles was read into the record, urging Abbott to set the earliest possible special election date and noting that the governor has acted quickly in past vacancies. The event ended with a unified demand that Abbott call the election immediately; no vote or formal legislative action was taken.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- resolution of their ideology that stated uh, succinctly that they would do everything they could in their power
Bills:
SB 31, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 1868, SB 2024, SB 2166, SB 2309, SB 2880, SJR 27, SJR 39, SJR 40
Keywords:
SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate State Governmental Affairs Committee Mar 5th, 2025
State Governmental Affairs
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And then APD opened up, and the governor had his confidence in me and moved me over.
- So when the governor sent out the press release, my phone was pinging.
- Are you the governor of State up in support? Thank you.
- Are you the governor of State up in New England? You were, you were. Summer Fyfer.
- Senate, but wouldn't be able to vote for governor.
Keywords:
special elections, vacancy, Governor authority, election timeframe, judicial determination, voting rights, felony, sentencing, civil rights, criminal justice, rehabilitation, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud
Summary:
The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections.
The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes.
The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Section 3 of the Texas Constitution, which outlines the full scope of the Texas Supreme Court's writ powers
- issue writs of prescindos, certiorari, quo warranto, and mandamus against any entity except the governor
- by the Texas Supreme Court with the advice and consent of the Senate, and seven appointed by the governor
Keywords:
judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, constitutional amendment, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, Texas Supreme Court, writ power, mandamus, quo warranto, certiorari, procedendo, extraordinary writs, Government Code Section 22.002, separation of powers, judicial authority
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Public Safety Subcommittee Apr 8th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Public Safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 4/15/26
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- through<00:37:16.720>
a power power of impeachment through a power power of impeachment through - Abuse of power.
- power and obstruction. power and obstruction.
- Abuse<00:47:22.400>
of <00:47:22.480>power. Abuse of power. Abuse of power. - this governor. this governor.
Keywords:
permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The ballot box is raw power.
- leaves nearly all of the governor's suspension powers intact with the exception... that the governor
- We are not bars, but the problem was that the Governor had absolute power, to your point, Senator, to
- Access to the governor. Everybody can't call the governor.
- During the 87th session, the governor utilized his line-item veto power to strike the legislative branch
Bills:
SB31, SB33, SB510, SB871, SB1868, SB2024, SB2166, SB2309, SB2880, SJR27, SJR39, SJR40, SB 31, SB 33
Keywords:
SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education
TX
Bills:
SB31, SB33, SB510, SB871, SB1868, SB2024, SB2166, SB2309, SB2880, SJR27, SJR39, SJR40, SB 31, SB 33
Keywords:
SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Urban and Rural Development Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Urban and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, I tend to think, you know, kind of as a legislative power purist that, you know, we pass laws
Keywords:
rural impact, legislation, agriculture, school funding, transparency, data assessment, rural communities, land bank authority, property acquisition, tax-delinquent properties, real estate management, local government revenue, floodplain management, stormwater drainage, emergency powers, 1136, house, all
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee, February 24, 2026
Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- In Article 17, Section 5, it describes the governor to be the commander-in-chief and his powers.
- So the governor shall be commander-in-chief of all the military forces of the state and shall have power
- Uh so uh the governor and his powers.
- Uh, in B it talks about the governor having the power to uh set up the state council of defense.
- Uh, in B it talks about the governor having the power to uh set up the state council of defense.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee, February 24, 2026
Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Feb 12th, 2025 at 10:30 am
Boards, Agencies and Commissions
Transcript Highlights:
- membership and changing the structure of the board. ...and we're changing the appointments of the governor
- firsthand how boards controlled by association insiders serve their own interests; it's about money and power
Keywords:
U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, public facilities, space exploration, education programs, bond issuance, Governor involvement, pharmacy, pharmacist licensure, Alabama State Board of Pharmacy, renewal fees, continuing education, disciplinary actions, sessions, 2025-R, 1, 219