Transcript Highlights:

• , uh, our citizens did, um, the people who voted did vote over 60% to um pass a sustainable tax referendum
• :17:53.040> a<01:17:53.200> sustainable<01:17:53.800> tax<01:17:54.120> referendum
• pass a sustainable tax referendum pass a sustainable tax referendum um<01:17:55.560> that
• And so addressing that deferred maintenance is a very important part of what that tax referendum will
• referendum will allow us to do. referendum will allow us to do.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call: 00:01:12 America 250KY: Impact and Legacy: 00:03:15 America 250 Events in Lexington: 01:02:13, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for an interim update from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, with presentations from the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council. Secretary Lindy Casebier reported that Kentucky tourism has posted record growth for four straight years, with $14.6 billion in economic impact, 97,000 tourism-related jobs, and 81 million travelers spending more than $10.4 billion in 2025. He said the Historical Society and Arts Council help create visitor experiences that support those tourism gains. The Kentucky Historical Society focused on America 250, the state’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Staff described a community-driven approach built around themes such as “Revolutionary Experiment,” “We the People,” “Power of Place,” “Crossroads in Kentucky,” and “Doing History,” organized under heritage tourism, education, signature events, and legacy projects. They said the effort has included Liberty Tree plantings in nearly every county, partnerships with local organizations and KET, grants to cabinet agencies and historic sites, and preservation projects in 19 counties. They highlighted Harrodsburg 250 as an early kickoff, along with grant-supported events, exhibits, and educational programs across the state. The Historical Society also described public engagement events tied to the commemoration, including Two Lights for Tomorrow, a food drive in Franklin County, a July 8 historic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State Capitol, and planned participation at the Kentucky State Fair. They said the General Assembly’s support enabled a grant program that has funded 250 events and programs in 43 counties, totaling more than $720,000, and that the work is intended to build a lasting legacy beyond 2026. The Kentucky Arts Council said it received America 250 grant funds to support artists, arts organizations, communities, and nonprofits for public art, artwork creation, and related programs. The council reported 55 funded projects and $466,000 awarded statewide, with examples including a Burkesville summer arts and history camp and a Fayette County community singing project. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Witt, members, expands the applicability of statute regulating circulators and initiative and referendum
• voter approval, expands the applicability of statute regulating circulators and initiative and referendum
• House full 4115 expands the applicability of statute regulating circulators and initiative and referendum
• concurrent resolution 251 expands the applicability of statute regulating circulators and initiative and referendum

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style run-through of many bills and resolutions across Appropriations, Commerce, Education, Federalism/Military Affairs/Elections, Government, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, ENRU, Public Safety, and Rural Economic Development. Measures discussed included housing and HOA rules, school policy and funding, health care licensing and records timelines, public safety and corrections funding, election and campaign rules, water and environmental policy, and several criminal justice and juvenile justice changes. Many items were described as being on third-read consent or consent calendars, with staff often noting that no questions were raised and no sponsor was present. Several bills drew sponsor explanation or member discussion. In education, members reviewed bills on teacher strikes, school safety, math placement, student outcomes, free school meals, parent permission for clubs, and school bond ballot disclosures. In health, bills covered prior authorization data reporting, nursing board rules and complaint procedures, pharmacist testing/treatment authority, opioid antagonist expiration dates, board continuations, and a constitutional amendment on refusing medical mandates. In government and public safety, members discussed DCS legal representation, inmate medical records, public safety parity funding, sheriff authority, border support funding, and a resolution supporting county sheriffs. In commerce and housing, bills addressed condominium and HOA authority, shade structures, pet restrictions, insurance certificates, apprenticeship definitions, automatic renewal contracts, and a state housing affordability district. There was notable discussion on House Bill 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and DOC salaries using interest from the state rainy day fund and other revenue sources. The sponsor argued it would provide a reliable way to fund public safety pay, while others objected that it would consume interest needed to preserve the fund’s value and that a general fund appropriation would be more appropriate. The bill prompted extended back-and-forth, with some members supporting the concept and others saying it was fiscally irresponsible. Another point of discussion came on House Bill 2775, where staff noted a possible misprint in the bill history, and on House Bill 467, where staff clarified that the inactive voter list changes related to e-poll book status categories. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the meeting appears to have been a review of measures before floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Nix: So we're not getting into that with a local referendum.
• And for clarity, it was amended in the last committee that this bill will be for future sales tax referendums
• Representative Holcomb: Sales tax referendum, they included language that would have paid for body cameras
• But if they refresh their sales tax referendum in the future ballot, they could then take advantage of

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Wendy Wakeman, and I'm the spokesperson for the ballot referendum committee that put this
• It passed as a referendum 10 years ago. You want to go back.
• It passed as a referendum 10 years ago. You want to go back.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-10, House Bill 5002, titled “An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy,” which would repeal Massachusetts’ adult-use cannabis legalization framework. Chairs Brendan Crighton and Kate Hogan outlined the Article 48 initiative process and explained that the committee is gathering testimony for a report to the legislature. The hearing was organized into expert, proponent, opponent, and public testimony, with written testimony accepted through March 27. The first witness, Jessica Trow of MassBudget, testified in opposition to repeal and focused on cannabis-related revenue and social equity. She said legalization has generated nearly $2 billion statewide since adult-use sales began, with revenue flowing through the Marijuana Regulation Fund, the state sales tax, and local taxes and fees. She emphasized that funds support public health, the Cannabis Control Commission’s social equity work, the Cannabis Social Equity Fund, and municipal budgets, and argued that legalization has created pathways for communities harmed by prohibition. The petition’s spokesperson, Wendy Wakeman, argued in favor of repeal, saying legalization has worsened public health, safety, and quality of life, citing higher potency, addiction, youth use, impaired driving, workplace positives, and black-market concerns. Committee members questioned her about the data sources, the will of the voters, the role of paid signature gatherers, and the petition’s funding, including out-of-state and dark-money concerns. Opponents of the initiative then testified that repeal would harm a regulated industry that has created jobs, tax revenue, and social equity opportunities. Caroline Pino of STEM, Kristen Rogers of Levia, Judith Ledbetter of Project De-Stigmatized Healthcare, and Armani White of Firehouse Dispensary/EON described their businesses, community investments, and personal reliance on cannabis, and warned that repeal would push consumers back to the illicit market and undermine equity programs. In public testimony, Lucas Thayer of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition and Jeff Rawson, a chemist and consumer protection advocate, also opposed the measure, arguing that regulated cannabis is safer than unregulated products and that repeal would damage investments and public safety. The hearing ended after the public testimony, and the committee voted to close the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Texas, the state legislature is considering legislation to have a referendum and have action.
• I hope in Texas we do see the referendum because I'd like to see the voters decide it, but with that

Transcript Highlights:

• And in this particular approach to those projects, it also will require a referendum.
• <00:47:13.200> So<00:47:13.440> Senator require a referendum.
• So Senator require a referendum.
• ,<01:31:06.880> a<01:31:07.199> judgment it does go to a referendum, a judgment it
• does go to a referendum, a judgment of<01:31:07.760> the<01:31:08.159> of<01:31:08.480>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• over to page three in a sort of repeated fashion, there is districts are established through a referendum
• You know, after a referendum would occur in either case. Okay. That's all I have.
• ><00:41:04.240> know,<00:41:04.440> after<00:41:04.800> a<00:41:04.880> referendum
• You know, after a referendum correct.
• You know, after a referendum would<00:41:05.560> occur<00:41:05.840> in<00:41:05.920>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lines 10.16 to 10.22 direct funding to the Greenway referendum-approved project for 5 years and expand
• to a Greenway the Greenway referendum to a Greenway referendum<00:10:44.320> approved<00:10:44.839
• > project<00:10:46.120> for<00:10:46.360> 5<00:10:46.760> years referendum
• approved project for 5 years referendum approved project for 5 years and<00:10:47.560> expands
• Is the referendum there conducted then by the school district?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're asking it at a state election, but it is not a state referendum.
• We're asking it at a state election, but it is not a state referendum.
• It is a it is not a state referendum.
• Again, we are not a referendum state, but this decision. And for that reason, I'm this decision.
• Again, we are not<01:23:17.280> a<01:23:17.320> referendum<01:23:18.000> state,<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference first took up House Bill 158 on public inspection of absentee ballot lists. The Senate explained that its amendment replaced the original bill with a requirement that the Secretary of State review absentee ballot data after each general election and report findings to the committees of jurisdiction, focusing on unusual patterns such as multiple ballots sent to the same address. After a brief caucus, the House agreed to the Senate position, and members voted individually to concur. The committee then discussed House Bill 281, which concerns making the electronic voter checklist available in a sortable format. The main dispute was whether the public list should include the mailing address where an absentee ballot was sent if it differs from the voter’s registered address. The Senate argued that including mailing addresses could expose where voters actually live or are away from home and could create safety concerns, while the House argued the information could help candidates reach voters and was not primarily a fraud measure. The parties also discussed a related nursing home verification provision and record-retention/public-records questions. After caucusing, the House agreed to the Senate’s position with the added nursing home signing language, and the committee closed the bill on consent. House Bill 340, concerning electioneering by public employees, was then taken up with a Senate amendment that narrowed the definition of electioneering by tying it to existing statutory language, added a prohibition on expressly or primarily political surveys, and created a civil penalty option alongside the misdemeanor penalty. Senators and representatives debated whether the penalties should be mandatory or discretionary and how the language would apply to certain categories of public employees. After further clarification and caucus, the House accepted the Senate’s amended replace-all language, and the committee closed HB 340. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of citizenship qualifications of registered voters. The Senate explained that its changes removed the need for a permanent audit power by allowing records to be checked against databases and by requiring identification for registration going forward, which is why it added a sunset clause. The House member objected to the sunset and wanted the authority to continue indefinitely, and discussion continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's an appeal process that's going on for a referendum.
• appeal process that's going on<00:25:24.400> for<00:25:24.559> a<00:25:24.720> referendum
• /c><00:25:25.520> There's<00:25:25.760> also<00:25:26.000> trying on for a referendum
• There's also trying on for a referendum.

Bills: HB542, HB566, SB270, HB618, HB617, HB542, HB566, SB270, HB618, HB617

Keywords: HB542, district attorney, prosecutor, supernumerary district attorney, Employees' Retirement System, ERS, Alabama retirement, public employee retirement, pension, retirement benefits, post-retirement employment, salary cap, dual participation, double dipping, District Attorneys' Plan, assistant district attorney, deputy district attorney, state pension, survivor benefits, Office of Prosecution Services

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to voting on the regular election cycle, they have the power of initiative, referendum, and
• But of course, because I don't live in the city, I have no voice in your initiative, referendum, recall
• We do stand in respectful opposition to this measure as well as the referendum.
• elected to make difficult decisions, and accountability mechanisms already exist through initiative, referendum

Bills: HB2780, HB4029, HB4030, HCR2052

Keywords: judicial foreclosure, tax lien, redemption rights, excess proceeds, property auction, income tax, federal tax conformity, revenue analysis, legislative session, tax reporting, municipal fees, county fees, utility rates, moratorium, tax classification, local government, inflation, economic stability, tax increases, cost-of-living protection

Transcript Highlights:

• they did income tax and add them and said it has to be a tax and add them and said it has to be a referendum
• 52.080> a tax and add them and said it has to be a tax and add them and said it has to be a referendum
• <00:04:54.000> You're<00:04:54.320> doing<00:04:54.479> the referendum to raise
• You're doing the referendum to raise it. You're doing the same<00:04:54.880> thing.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're asking it at a state election, but it is not a state referendum.
• It is a it is not a state referendum.
• Again, we are not a referendum state, but property taxes are a problem. property taxes are a problem.
• Again, we are not<01:23:17.280> a<01:23:17.320> referendum<01:23:18.000> state,<
• 01:23:18.480> but Not a referendum state, but, you know, things that are similar to this, you

Keywords: 9:00am HB 158 9:10am HB 281 9:20am HB 317 9:30am HB 340 9:40am HB 1062 9:50am HB 1187 10:00am HB 1234 10:10am HB 1300 10:20am HB 1306 10:30am HB 1381 10:40am HB 1541, 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference first resolved House Bill 158, which concerns public inspection of absentee ballot lists. The Senate explained a revised approach that removed the broader bill language and instead directed the Secretary of State to review absentee ballot data after each general election for patterns such as common addresses and to report findings to the committees of jurisdiction. The House agreed to the Senate position, and the conference committee voted unanimously to concur. The committee then took up House Bill 281, dealing with a sortable electronic voter checklist. Members debated the Senate’s removal of language that would have included the absentee ballot mailing address when different from the voter’s registration address. Concerns were raised that releasing mailing addresses could expose where voters are not home and could affect overseas and military voters. The committee also discussed a related form for election officials who personally know a voter, including how long the form would be retained and whether it would be subject to public records law. After further discussion, the House agreed to the Senate changes with an additional requirement that the form be signed, and the committee voted to proceed with the amended Senate position. House Bill 317, concerning verification of a person’s identity by a supervisor of the checklist without identification, was also discussed at length. The Senate’s version preserved the ability for election officials to identify people they know, but required a signed form under penalty of perjury and added a nursing home-related provision. Members described the measure as balancing community-based identification with tighter documentation, and a House witness described local problems with inconsistent ID checks and concerns about voting in nursing homes. The House sought one additional change requiring the nursing home verification form to be signed, and the Senate accepted that addition; the committee then voted to move the bill forward on the consent calendar. The conference committee next considered House Bill 340 on electioneering by public employees. The chair presented a replace-all amendment that tied the definition of electioneering to existing law, added a prohibition on expressly or primarily political surveys, and created a civil penalty of up to $1,000 alongside the misdemeanor penalty. Members discussed clarifying when the misdemeanor versus civil penalty would apply and which categories of public employees were covered. After caucus, the Senate agreed to the House’s replace-all approach with the clarifying changes, and the bill was closed. The committee also resolved House Bill 1062 by agreeing to strike a sunset clause from the Senate version authorizing random audits of citizenship qualifications, and it began discussion of House Bill 1187 on the filing window for special-election candidates, where the House proposed requiring local election officials to arrange a filing time on the same day or next business day after being contacted.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're coming to their residents with referendums.
• their residents with referendums. their residents with referendums.
• struggling with, "Do I vote yes for are struggling with, "Do I vote yes for this<00:24:27.160> referendum
• knowing<00:24:28.720> that<00:24:28.840> my<00:24:28.960> property this referendum
• knowing that my property this referendum knowing that my property tax<00:24:29.679> burden<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just ask the question: do we really want to strip away the people's right to vote on a referendum?
• California's referendum power is not a procedure.
• California's referendum power is not a procedural technicality. It's a constitutional safeguard.
• And that can include sometimes referendums, you know, that are driven by NIMBY to stop housing that a
• And a referendum initiative could be employed at that time.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• had the expansion of historic horse racing into fairly large properties without having an opt-in referendum
• situation involves the expansion of historic horse racing into fairly large properties without a referendum
• language it says it only authorizes the language it says it only authorizes a<01:46:21.719> referendum
• <01:46:22.400> regarding<01:46:23.239> historic<01:46:23.679> horse a referendum
• regarding historic horse a referendum regarding historic horse racing<01:46:25.639> I racing

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on HB 660, which would require historic horse racing facilities to provide 10% of HHR winnings to host municipalities as mitigation. Representative Om said the bill was intended to offset local costs associated with large gaming facilities, noting that prior gaming measures included opt-in provisions and that this proposal would leave charities and the state whole while taking the 10% from the operator’s share. Members questioned why 10% was chosen and whether municipalities were currently experiencing added costs; Om said the amount was meant to address projected future impacts, not broader municipal budget issues, and cited a study on casino-related community costs. Opponents from the New Hampshire Charitable Gaming Operators Association argued the bill unfairly singled out one industry and said gaming facilities do not impose more municipal burden than other entertainment venues. The hearing closed without a vote, and a member clarified the bill would apply to existing and future casinos/facilities. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 658-FN, which raises the cap on reimbursements from the Oil Discharge and Disposal Cleanup Fund and makes related changes to the Oil Pollution Control Fund. Representative Malloy introduced the bill, and Representative Aly described the funds as an insurance backstop for oil spill cleanup and low-income tank replacement, saying the program helps prevent environmental hazards and satisfies financial responsibility requirements. Bob Scully of the Energy Marketers Association supported the bill but noted that fee changes are ultimately passed on to consumers. Department of Environmental Services officials Robert Bishop and Jennifer Marts explained that the bill would change reporting deadlines, raise the reimbursement cap for low-income homeowners, extend the fee collection period for 10 years, and adjust petroleum import fees based on an actuarial review. They said the funds cover spill response, prevention, and tank replacement, and that the fee structure was designed to keep the funds solvent while balancing costs across fuel categories. Committee members asked about the actuarial basis for the fee changes, why some fees would rise while others would fall, and how the funds are used. DES said the review used 10 years of claims and exposure data and that the fuel oil fee would otherwise need to rise sharply, so the board proposed a smaller increase and rebalanced other fees. Members also asked about the scope of covered oil imports, and DES explained that the fee applies to oil destined for use in New Hampshire, not merely passing through the state. The discussion also covered home heating oil spills, which DES said are often discovered by homeowners or fire departments and are usually caused by tank corrosion, piping, or overfills. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair noted that the policy committee had already approved the bill before the finance-focused review.

Transcript Highlights:

• INCREASE FUNDING TRANSPARENCY AND LONG-TERM PLANNING INPUTS LOCAL TAXPAYERS AND CONTROL VIA LOCAL REFERENDUM
• THEM A NEW TOOL TO FUND PROJECTS OR IS IT LIMITING THEM TO FUND CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT ONLY TO THAT REFERENDUM

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The way we're doing it now is creating a referendum, which New Hampshire is not a referendum state.
• Thank you, Madam President. not a referendum state. So, I think that not a referendum state.
• It is not a state referendum. It is a local question. A local question.
• It is not a state referendum. It is a local question. A local question.
• referendum but a local<01:39:53.440> vote.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the reenactment provisions for discretionary sales tax apply only to those surtaxes that require referendum
• If this bill passes every referendum year, we deal with a huge amount of uncertainty that creates problems
• from two to five years, so we would have to stop doing business two to five years before every referendum
• Most specifically, we would implore you to strike the fact that this goes out to referendum to the voters

Summary: The committee took up several claims bills first and reported both favorably without debate. SB 20, relating to relief of J.N., a minor, would pay the remaining $400,000 of a $600,000 settlement after an 11-year-old was injured on a Hillsborough County sidewalk with a known defect; SB 14, relating to the estate of Pineal Januier, would authorize payment of the remaining $1.7 million of a $2 million settlement after a drowning at a Miami Beach youth center pool. Both bills were supported by the sponsors and the Senate Special Master’s favorable recommendations, and both passed on roll call votes. The committee then considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, both by Senator Avila, which would create a new property tax benefit for owners who lease a non-homestead residential property for more than six months in order to encourage more affordable rental housing. Local governments, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties opposed the proposal, warning of major revenue losses, impacts on public safety and services, and uncertainty for local budgets; several senators also questioned whether landlords would pass savings on to renters and whether the measure would worsen density and parking issues. Despite the opposition, both measures were reported favorably after the sponsor said the bills would be refined and revised. SB 674, by Senator Wright, was reported favorably with support from property appraisers who said it would let them budget and pay hiring or retention bonuses, similar to authority already given to tax collectors, to help compete for specialized staff. CS for CS SB 268, by Senator Jones, also passed after an amendment adding congressional members; the bill would create a public-records exemption for certain home-address information for elected officials, and debate centered on balancing transparency with safety after members described death threats and harassment. The committee then approved SB 100, by Senator Fine, which would bar government buildings from displaying flags representing political viewpoints and allow active or retired military or National Guard members to use reasonable force to stop desecration of the U.S. flag; the bill drew extensive opposition from transparency, civil rights, and LGBTQ advocates who argued it was vague, unconstitutional, and aimed at pride flags, while supporters said government should not endorse political messages. Finally, CS for SB 1664, by Senator Trumbull, was reported favorably after a strike-all amendment. The bill would require voter reapproval every eight years for certain local discretionary taxes, including tourist development taxes and some local option taxes, unless pledged to revenue bonds. Cities, counties, tourism groups, and the lodging industry opposed it, saying the measure would create uncertainty, threaten tourism marketing and beach restoration funding, and make long-term infrastructure and debt planning difficult. Senator Trumbull argued the proposal simply gives voters a recurring chance to decide whether they still support the taxes and the projects they fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:30:09.920> to<02:30:10.160> resend<02:30:10.680> the to hold a referendum
• by the city and town the a referendum by the city and town the state<02:31:45.760> will<02:31
• If you have a tool that says you don't want to talk to us, we're going to put out a referendum and see
• Yeah, that's specified in the statute for referendums.
• referendums um and that's an excellent question<02:40:10.840> because<02:40:11.040> you

Keywords: 1189, house, all