Transcript Highlights:

• Marana, who have sought to refer a city council action to the ballot, and this bill is trying to allow
• ..a decision specifically around whether data centers should be built in their communities to the ballot
• their city council to allow data centers to be built, and they sought to refer that decision to the ballot
• as is the right of voters across this... ...that decision to the ballot, as is the right of voters across
• the will of the voters, the voices of the voters, who are trying to put this referendum onto the ballot

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the election date is the same, regardless of the candidates, offices, issues, or measures on the ballot
• , and regardless of the date on which ballots are mailed. ...issues or measures on the ballot, and regardless
• of the date on which ballots are mailed or returned.
• Washington, I'm voting for a certain number of people, but if I vote somewhere else, it's a different ballot

Summary: The committee heard six bills on January 27, 2026. Senate Bill 6084 would clarify the prohibition on voting more than once in an election, in response to a court ruling that interpreted “election” narrowly; the sponsor and Secretary of State’s office said the bill is meant to ensure a person votes only once in Washington or in one state and another on the same election date. Testimony was brief and supportive, and the hearing was closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying. Senate Bill 6044 would recognize Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, and Senate Bill 5950 would add several non-legal holidays, including Sikh, Baha’i, Jewish, and Buddhist observances. Sponsors and supporters described the bills as a way to acknowledge minority faith traditions, promote inclusion, and help communities feel seen; testimony came from Jewish, Sikh, multi-faith, Hindu, Zoroastrian, and Buddhist representatives. The committee recorded substantial support for both measures, with no opposition testimony, and closed both hearings. Senate Bill 6046 would establish the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department to better coordinate volunteer aviation support for disasters, search and rescue, cybersecurity, and other missions. The sponsor, Military Department, Civil Air Patrol, and veterans’ representatives said it would improve command and control and help the state use Civil Air Patrol more efficiently at no added cost. Senate Bill 5763 would create a grant program for local law enforcement aviation support units and expand wildfire-related aviation support to sheriff’s offices; sheriffs and police chiefs strongly supported it as a way to sustain helicopter-based search and rescue and disaster response, while DNR raised concerns about wildfire aviation standards, liability, and possible bill drafting issues. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5784, which would require agencies to collect and report more detailed demographic data under updated federal standards; the sponsor said better disaggregation is needed for accountability and to identify disparities, and the Office of Equity supported the policy while noting fiscal and privacy concerns and the need for possible amendments. The meeting ended after the final hearing, with no votes taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• :16:12.639><c> House</c><00:16:13.000><c> Bill</c> Concerning House Bill 27, relative to absentee ballots
• verify, and I don't know, it's not really notary, but to affirm what the voter is doing so that that ballot
• verify, and I don't know, it's not really notary, but to affirm what the voter is doing so that that ballot
• before us House Bill 684, preventing the use of student identification cards as a means to obtain a ballot
• This is requiring a voter to provide identification when requesting an absentee ballot.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Subcommittee met to review its report and vote on eight bills concerning voter registration, absentee voting, domicile qualifications, photographic identification, and related election procedures. The chair explained that the subcommittee’s mission was to consolidate and reconcile the bills, review constitutional and federal-law issues, and issue recommendations. Members thanked the chair, legislative staff, and outside contributors for the report and supporting materials, including research memos and testimony. The report was expected to be formally issued later in the week, with the bill recommendations finalized at the meeting. The subcommittee first voted on House Bill 27, relative to absentee ballots, where members discussed a proposed bipartisan follow-up bill to clarify language for voters in jail and correctional facilities. The bill was recommended ought to pass by a 3-2 vote. House Bill 289, on domicile qualifications for voting, and House Bill 323, requiring government-issued photographic identification to vote, were both retained by unanimous 5-0 votes. House Bill 385, concerning a prior voting law, was recommended inexpedient to legislate by a 3-2 vote after members cited constitutional concerns and cost. House Bills 418, 618, and 684 were each recommended inexpedient to legislate unanimously, with members saying the subcommittee was consolidating overlapping bills into one measure per topic. The final bill, House Bill 686, requiring identification when requesting an absentee ballot, was retained unanimously for further work over the summer and review by the full Election Law Committee in November. After completing all eight votes, members said the process helped them better understand the issues and that there was substantial bipartisan agreement on many principles, even where they differed on implementation. The meeting concluded with thanks and no further action beyond the subcommittee recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if Lisa does not hold this vote, we will take it to the ballot box.
• take</c><00:04:55.840><c> it</c><00:04:56.000><c> to</c><00:04:56.120><c> the</c><00:04:56.240><c> ballot
• </c> vote, we will take it to the ballot box. vote, we will take it to the ballot box.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We negotiated a ballot measure off the ballot in order to pass the bill.
• We negotiated a ballot measure off the ballot in order to pass the bill.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a very large suspense-file agenda and repeatedly moved measures to suspense without objection after authors waived presentation and no questions or opposition were raised. SB 994 was removed from the agenda because it had been approved as a late 28.8 and was sent directly to the Senate floor. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. Several bills drew limited testimony focused on fiscal impacts. On SB 1092 and SB 1093, Chris Weisak of WMA opposed the bills, citing potential litigation costs, reduced state and local tax revenue, higher HCD monitoring and review costs, and additional inspection or review burdens. SB 1041 drew opposition from the California Bankers Association and the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors over concerns about PACE liens, refinancing costs, and possible abusive liens affecting seniors. SB 1147 drew support from the California Agricultural Teachers Association, but opposition from NextGen Financial and Junior Achievement, who argued it would undermine the recently enacted statewide financial literacy course and could weaken equity and consistency in instruction. One measure, SB 1238 by Senator Wahab, was taken up as a due-pass item rather than suspense. The bill would add HOA-related disclosures and duties, clarify reserve spending limits, and improve transparency of inspection ratings. The California Association of Realtors supported it, and the committee approved SB 1238 on a 5-1 vote, with Senators Cervantes, Cabaldon, Grayson, Richardson, and Wahab voting aye and Seyarto voting no. A few other bills received brief support testimony, including SB 1153 on wildfire response planning for urban retail water suppliers, SB 1061 and SB 1062 with support from WMA, and SB 1302 and SB 1303 with support from professional associations, but most measures were simply held and sent to suspense.

Transcript Highlights:

• Montana is advancing a ballot measure this November, a bipartisan measure that doesn't call out one specific
• Montana is moving to put this on its 2026 ballot.
• if this bill passes in California, every dollar in California politics, whether it's elections or ballot
• I won't name which one, but one of the petitions that's being circulated to try to add to the ballot

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Clerk, members, just one final reminder: IEB ballots, interim emergency board ballots, are due
• In our office if you need, if you have any questions regarding the submission of your ballot, again,

Bills: HR19 , HR20 , HR21 , HR22 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR28 , HR29 , HR30 , HR31 , HR32 , HR33 , HR34 , HR35 , HR36 , HR37 , HR38 , HCR15 , HCR16 , HCR17 , HCR18 , HB115 , HB208 , HB465 , HB832 , HB964 , HB965 , HB966 , HB967 , HB968 , HB969 , HB970 , HB971 , HB972 , HB973 , HB974 , HB975 , HR14 , HR15 , HR16 , HR17 , HR18 , HCR14 , SCR4 , SCR7 , SCR8 , HB362 , HB963 , HB207 , HB300 , HB331 , HB428 , HB464 , HB587 , HB618 , HB629 , HB801 , HB853 , HB891 , HB78 , HB112 , HB148 , HB149 , HB190 , HB221 , HB346 , HB354 , HB355 , HB356 , HB358 , HB384 , HB427 , HB657 , HB675 , HB716 , HB901

Keywords: HR19, House Resolution 19, Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association Day, LNLA, nursery industry, landscape industry, horticulture, green industry, environmental stewardship, beautification, sustainability, state capitol, special day resolution, commemoration, trade association, wholesale growers, landscape architects, grounds maintenance, interiorscapers, Louisiana agriculture

Summary: The House convened with 97 members present, heard an invocation by Pastor Morris St. Angelo, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then received Senate messages noting concurrence in HCR 8, HCR 9, and HCR 12, and the adoption of SCR 10, which expressed condolences on the death of Dr. Norman Christopher Francis. The House also received an enrollment report confirming several resolutions as properly enrolled. A series of personal privilege recognitions highlighted local and civic observances, including Amite Oyster Festival Day, Opportunity in Action Day at the Capitol, and a visit from international policy fellows. The House introduced numerous resolutions and bills, including measures to designate special days and highways, express condolences, commend individuals and organizations, create or modify local districts, address bail, parole, rural health clinic Medicaid reimbursement, and establish a Department of Public Service. Several committee reports were also received, including transportation and ways and means reports on multiple bills. The House adopted, without objection, several resolutions already lying over, including HR 14, HR 16, HR 18, SCR 4, SCR 7, and SCR 8, while other resolutions and bills were referred or left to lie over. Members also moved to discharge and withdraw certain bills from committee files without objection. The chamber was reminded of upcoming committee meetings, an interim emergency board ballot deadline, and adjourned until 1:00 p.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• supervisors; amending Section 34-308, Idaho Code, to revise the provision regarding the mailing of certain ballots
• Amending Section 34308, Idaho Code, to revise the provision regarding the mailing of certain ballots.
• Code to revise a provision regarding the mailing of certain ballots.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for example, there was, I noticed on the bill that it indicates that they couldn't have a closed ballot
• in case like, let's, for example, in a censorship and they have six members present, it's a closed ballot
• Where do you see anything about a ballot?

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was referred House Bill 557, An Act Relative to the Information That Appears on the School Budget Ballot
• amended, requires districts to include the average per-pupil costs and proficiency scores on your ballot
• accomplish an honorable goal, and if I further know the information that would be printed on these ballots
• information that would be printed on information that would be printed on these<00:50:14.079><c> ballots
• is not always easy or these ballots is not always easy or convenient<00:50:17.760><c> for</c><00:50:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fought to correct this injustice, leading multiple movements to get the holiday initiative on the ballot
• fought to correct this injustice, leading multiple movements to get the holiday initiative on the ballot
• fought to correct this injustice, leading multiple movements to get the holiday initiative on the ballot
• fought to correct this injustice, leading multiple movements to get the holiday initiative on the ballot
• I urge the postmaster deliveries.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 26, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we do want to always work in a way to ensure every eligible voter who wishes to cast a ballot
• is able to do so in an to cast a ballot is able to do so in an efficient<00:58:03.839><c> manner.
• stands and that election judges should initial ballots as they go.
• </c><01:24:46.480><c> Um</c><01:24:46.960><c> so</c> should initial ballots as they go.
• Um so should initial ballots as they go.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You're giving all of Minnesota a choice when they go to the ballots to vote if they want this or not.
• :48.679><c> the</c> Minnesota a choice when they go to the Minnesota a choice when they go to the ballots
• to vote if they want this or not ballots to vote if they want this or not you<02:08:51.280><c> know<
• </c><02:08:57.920><c> for</c> did not have that on the ballot for did not have that on the ballot for
• </c><02:14:38.599><c> allowing</c><02:14:39.480><c> motans</c><02:14:40.480><c> not</c> the 2026 ballot

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to close and also let everyone in the chamber know that you have a ballot on your desk.
• Attacking schools, hospitals, buses, and ballot boxes, Jim Crow used literacy tests to humiliate educated
• They charged poll taxes, so poverty itself became a barrier to the ballot box.
• Let us honor those who bled for the ballot by defending her with everything we have.
• Do you know how many times we've put a gas tax increase on the ballot in Missouri in the last 10 years

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all of you who are too young to remember, there was a thing called Proposition 13 that was on the ballot
• language of the charter amendment, and let's put it to a vote of the council; we'll put it on the ballot
• pretty good signature gatherer, several initiatives that me and some of my colleagues put on the ballot
• And he did negotiate with us, and we put together language, which we then put on the ballot, which was
• And we put together a language, which we then put on the ballot, which was approved by over 70% of the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The city itself, say the city of Jonesville, can't say to the voters, 'Vote yes on ballot measure one
• The city itself, say the city of Jonesville can't say to the voters vote yes on ballot measure one.
• We're in a position now where the consequence will then drive the decision to put it on the ballot.
• The consequence will then drive the decision to put it on the ballot and have the people then support
• He said taxpayers will be informed and able to make decisions on questions such as ballot measures or

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Requires the notice to be in 32-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot.
• Requires the notice to be in 32-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot.
• Requires the notice to be in 32-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot.
• Requires the notice to be in 32-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot.
• Requires the notice to be in 32-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot.

Bills: SB2444 , SB2446 , SB2450 , SB2453 , SB2461 , SB2457 , SB2462 , SB2313 , SB2528 , SB2532 , SB2571 , SB2678 , SB2529

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: real property, exemption, attachment, execution, consumer protection, financial security, inflation adjustment, head of family, senior citizens, Intermediate Court of Appeals, judges, Hawaii judiciary, court membership, legal system, presidential preference primary, elections, political parties, Hawaii voting, 2028 election, voting

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's exactly what most Arizonans, if we put this on the ballot... ...if we put this on the ballot, this
• The simple fact is that this ballot referral is not about sports.
• And to the ballot from last session, we're expecting about 14.
• And to the ballot from last session, we're expecting about 14.
• Abathia mentioned, we have a ton of referrals that are being considered to go to the ballot.

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horn’s annual State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, school choice, teacher pay, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools and teacher preparation. Horn said the department has expanded school police officers, promoted Project Momentum and tutoring, supported cell phone restrictions in classrooms, and pushed for more phonics-based reading instruction and stronger university teacher-prep programs. Members questioned him about DEI complaints, cell phone implementation, ESA oversight, school safety funding, reading proficiency, and teacher compensation; Horn said ESA spending is reviewed and recovered when inappropriate, and argued teacher raises should come directly to teachers, not through districts. No formal action was taken on his presentation. The committee then considered HB 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues to professional library associations. Sponsor Representative Cooper argued the bill would keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while saying membership itself would still be allowed if paid privately. Opponents, including a former librarian, a school board member, and the ACLU of Arizona, said the bill would undermine professional development, local control, literacy support, and constitutional rights of association and petition. Supporters said associations promote ideological content and that free professional-development alternatives exist. After public testimony and debate, the committee voted to return HB 2008 with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a change of the in-person absentee ballot drop-off time from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• on the ballot.
• on the ballot.
• Um you're now if things on the ballot.
• . ballot. ballot.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot.
• Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot.
• Seeing no one, please cast up the ballot.

Keywords: 1204, all