Transcript Highlights:

• November 3rd ballot for ad valorem taxes, parcel fees, and charter amendments.
• It's possible we'll have an ad hoc election subcommittee meeting for those election applications that
• There was no change from last month in the election receivable report.
• Are we amending the agenda to add an item?
• Are we amending the agenda to add an item?” “No, it’s on the item.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The State Bond Commission met on May 21 with a quorum present and approved the April 16 minutes. The commission then reviewed and approved a large slate of local government and public authority financing requests, including election propositions for the November ballot, water and sewer infrastructure projects, fire protection and recreation district bonds, school board financing, and several refunding transactions. Most items were found to meet technical requirements and were approved on motions by Speaker DeVillier and seconded by Senator Talbot. Among the more notable items were the East Baton Rouge City-Parish refunding bonds for the Greater Baton Rouge Airport District, the City of Kenner’s retroactive approval request tied to a convention center agreement with GMB Basketball LLC, a Louisiana Housing Corporation financing increase for the Federal City Building 10 affordable housing project, and preliminary approval for the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority’s Petro Tower redevelopment in Shreveport. The commission also approved financing for Southern University’s Scott’s Bluff student housing project and the Crescent City Schools/Harriet Tubman Charter School project. The Crescent City Schools item prompted questions about how MFP funds are used; staff explained that lease payments would support the bonds and that MFP funds are generally split between educational expenses and facilities-related costs. The commission received six monthly cost-of-issuance reports, which required no action, and a status update on the state debt schedule. It also approved Resolution No. 2 authorizing up to $425 million in general obligation refunding bonds to refund the Series 2016 bonds and tender other outstanding bonds for savings, with pricing tentatively set for June 16 and closing for June 30. During other business, New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morel thanked the commission for its role in helping address the city’s fiscal crisis and for approving a charter amendment election item aimed at strengthening budget oversight. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The third meeting of the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
• I wish we get more peaceful on<00:05:16.880> elections. on elections. on elections.
• amended by the committee substitute. amended by the committee substitute.
• The new language in the bill matches the federal election guidance.
• The new language in the bill matches the federal election guidance.

Keywords: HB 136 – 00:02:43, 958, all

Summary: The House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee met with a quorum and opened with the pledge and prayer, followed by routine reminders about microphones, cell phones, and the 24-hour rule for committee substitutes. The only item on the agenda was House Bill 136, sponsored by Representative Wade Williams of Hopkins County. The committee first considered and adopted a committee substitute for HB 136 without opposition. Williams explained that the substitute removes a $15,000 cap that had been added in the Senate, saying the cap was arbitrary and created more problems than it solved. He then presented the bill as amended, describing it as a campaign finance modernization measure that would allow campaign funds to be used for reasonable security costs for a state candidate or officeholder, their family, campaign employees, or office staff. He cited recent political violence and threats as reasons for the change and said the language aligns with federal election guidance and a recent KURF recommendation. Members asked about whether threats and security concerns are common in Kentucky, and Williams responded that such threats do occur and that the issue is not limited to one party or office level. The committee then took a roll-call vote on HB 136 as amended by the substitute, and it passed favorably 15-0. Afterward, the committee had no further business and adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a set of amendments, which is Amendment Set 3835, which I'll offer up for consideration.
• Seeing no objection, amendment set 3824 is adopted. Amendment set 3824 is adopted.
• Do we have further amendments? Okay, we have no further amendments.
• And there is an amendment.
• So this is Amendment Set 3830? Does anybody have any questions on the amendments?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Judiciary B met on May 14, established a quorum, approved the May 5 minutes, and then took up a long agenda of bills and resolutions. The committee first heard House Bill 1252, which would expand and modernize local court jurisdiction in Avoyelles Parish by enlarging the Marksville and Bunkie city courts, adding small claims, misdemeanor, juvenile, and civil jurisdiction, and allowing online payments and virtual appearances. Supporters said it would keep justice local and reduce pressure on district court, while opponents urged more study and warned about impacts on existing courts and funding. The committee adopted Amendment Set 3835 and reported HB 1252 with amendments. It also reported HB 167, requiring state prisons to provide release documentation to inmates; HB 1038, after amendments and continued negotiation with marshals and constables; HB 1077, allowing microbreweries to sell at certain special events; HB 1204, changing administration of the Back on Track Youth Pilot Program to the Office of Juvenile Justice; HB 492, placing the Governor’s Impaired Driving Task Force into statute; HB 175, dedicating $500,000 in lottery proceeds annually to a veterans service grant fund; HCR 41, directing ATC to allow electronic beer rebates; HB 833, creating a Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force; HB 656, creating a pilot program for inmate-administered services; HB 978, raising the population threshold for mayor’s courts to remit indigent defender fees; and HB 969, updating and expanding the crime victim compensation program. The committee also approved HB 985, which adds QR codes to sex offender identification cards, after adopting Amendment Set 3861, and HB 579, updating the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act, after adopting Amendment Set 3830. Several bills drew notable opposition or requests for further work. HB 968, which creates a framework for electronic monitoring providers to notify courts before removing ankle monitors for nonpayment, drew objections from the ACLU and a vendor representative who argued it would turn criminal courts into debt-collection forums and could lead to jail for inability to pay; the author said the bill was intended as a public-safety framework, not debt collection. Despite those concerns, the committee reported HB 968 favorably and agreed to move a 10-day-to-15-day notice change on the floor. HB 525, requiring DOC to publish more incarceration data, especially from local facilities, was opposed by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, which said the bill would impose substantial new reporting burdens; DOC said it was already posting most of the data and would continue updating it. The committee ultimately deferred HB 525, with members encouraging further work. HB 1005, a cleanup-and-restructuring bill for the Office of the State Public Defender, was reported favorably after the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers raised concerns about substantive changes, including removal of board approval for the state public defender and changes to district defender protections; Vice Chair Harris said he would work with stakeholders on those issues. HB 1029, a local alcohol-permit moratorium bill for House District 3, was voluntarily deferred to next week so the author could address concerns about the length of the moratorium. The meeting ended after all scheduled business was completed, with the committee agreeing to revisit the deferred items later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kavanaugh was the chair of the Government and Elections Committee.
• But if they pass this election, it would be for future ones.
• And with that, I'm happy... ...election, but if they pass this election, it will be for future ones.
• only thing that changed was the amendment.
• that amendment was there.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a series of Senate bills and one concurrent resolution, with most measures receiving due-pass recommendations. SB 1078 would require de novo judicial review in public records disputes; supporters from the sponsor and Goldwater Institute argued it would restore transparency and prevent deference to agency denials, and it passed 4-3. SB 1184 would bar HOAs from prohibiting display of military division flags; it drew support as a veterans’ issue and passed unanimously. SB 1586 would require Arizona agencies to post federal guidance they create, adopt, or receive; supporters said it would improve transparency, while one member argued existing websites already provide this information, and it passed 4-3. The committee then considered SB 1665, which would standardize state agency hiring with weighted grades, interview panel grades, an overall grade, and an appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. The sponsor and the Arizona State Personnel Board argued it would create merit-based hiring and a needed check on ADOA, while ADOA warned it would add bureaucracy, cost more than $3 million, and slow hiring; the bill passed 4-3. SCR 1024 would change legislative residency requirements from county-based to district-based and add a one-year district residency requirement for party nomination as well, sending the proposal to voters; after extended discussion about district/county complications and ballot-measure concerns, it passed 6-1. Later, SB 1135 would raise the workers’ compensation burial expense for fallen first responders from $5,000 to $10,000, with emotional testimony from surviving spouses and first responders; it passed 6-1. SB 1136 would allow surviving spouses of first responders to keep death benefits after remarriage, and survivors testified that benefits should not be conditioned on remaining unmarried; it passed 5-2. SB 1435 would make it a class 6 felony for school and public library employees or contractors to refer minors to sexually explicit material, and supporters framed it as protecting children from explicit content while opponents warned it could chill library access and criminalize librarians; it passed 4-3. SB 1567 would extend similar restrictions to state and local agencies and public facilities, including limits on exposing minors to sexually explicit materials and using public property for filming explicit acts; the sponsor said it was another child-protection measure, and it passed 4-3. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• these little things to make elections these little things to make elections work<00:15:27.519>
• office over since CO um between election office over since CO um between election modernization
• catch-up because there's not elections catch-up because there's not elections this<00:19:46.400>
• out the the ad folks are not elected out the the ad folks are not elected folks.<00:43:11.680>
• made a couple of amendments to the bill. made a couple of amendments to the bill.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard an update from representatives of the Kentucky County Clerk’s Association on the transition to electronic recording and land records modernization. They reviewed the 2021 task force work, the legislation and budget funding that followed, and the requirements for county clerks to provide online search portals and complete 30-year property record searches, with a 60-year standard expected next summer. Speakers said most counties are still working through scanning and verification, with only a small number fully complete, and emphasized that verification of records is the main bottleneck because it requires staff time and careful matching of indexes to deeds. They also noted limited vendor availability, differences among counties in what records are already digitized, and that the association and land title attorneys are now working more closely on future “continuous improvement” legislation. The clerks also raised related issues, including concerns about deed fraud as more records become searchable online. They said some counties already offer notification services that alert property owners when a document is recorded, which can help owners respond quickly to suspicious filings. They also discussed the filing document storage fee and KDLA digitization grants, saying the funding structure has generally worked but that two grant cycles have been missed. Another topic was whether, once records are fully digitized and searchable, some permanent records should remain publicly accessible or be moved to a safer archive. In response to committee questions, the witnesses said the remaining delays are less about money than staffing shortages and the need for more manpower to complete verification, and they said they would follow up on the balance in the KDLA fund and other details. The committee then received a presentation from an Area Development District representative, who described the districts as regional, nonpartisan service organizations that help cities and counties pool resources, provide technical assistance, and leverage public and private partnerships. He highlighted examples of regional cooperation, including veterans-directed care and other shared programs, and argued that the districts create efficiencies and economies of scale for local governments and the state. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• want to adopt amendments um might want to adopt amendments um separately.<00:01:47.920> But<00
• Uh it's the and you have an amendment.
• I would move the A98 amendment.
• amendment? amendment?
• including the legacy amendment including the legacy amendment competitive<00:33:54.000> history

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I understand there may be an author's amendment. Rep. Rapinsky, if you got the amendment.
• got the amendment. got the amendment.
• The amendment is adopted. Representative Rapinsky, to your bill as amended.
• <00:02:50.640> All amendment. Any discussion to that? All amendment.
• I know we have an amendment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:17.440> Um copy of that amendment on there. Um copy of that amendment on there.
• the bill or the amendment? the bill or the amendment?
• the amendment. the amendment. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay.
• They could be an elective. But it in. They could be an elective.
• All in favor of adopting the amendment say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? The amendment is adopted.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:54.639> explicitly would welcome an amendment explicitly would welcome an amendment
• to amend? to amend?
• . amendment. amendment.
• So, we have the committee amendment now. So, we have the committee amendment now.
• committee amendment. committee amendment.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you for those who have been elected and are now serving.
• H.A.R. 6 by Capri-Leong, proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax that
• The meeting is adjourned. 286 287 288 You What purpose yeah I want to amend my previous motion to make
• Those of you who are in elected public service, who do public service in appointed or volunteer ways,
• of states. and local elections and to the related practices of procedures, referred to the Committee

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second meeting of the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee
• . elections. elections.
• election integrity.
• election integrity.
• election integrity.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 139 -- 00:03:15 Consideration of HB 356 -- 00:08:48, 958, all

Summary: The committee first adopted a committee substitute for House Bill 139, which would allow a political party to replace a candidate who dies or withdraws after the filing deadline but before ballot certification. Representative Decker explained the substitute as a narrow election-related fix, and the bill was then passed by the committee on an 11-yes, 1-pass vote and sent to the full House. The committee then heard House Bill 356, which would move the Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) qualification test from a once-every-four-years, Frankfort-based format to administration through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System at multiple locations and times. Representative Bridges said the Department of Revenue would still write and control the exam, KCTCS would only administer it, the fiscal note was zero, and the change would improve access and convenience without weakening standards. KCTCS said it was prepared to help if directed. Members generally agreed PVAs should be tested, but some raised concerns about test integrity, whether a broader testing network could create uneven conditions, and whether the change should instead use a smaller number of regional test sites. Others supported the bill as a common-sense way to expand access and avoid forcing candidates to wait years after missing a single test date. The committee also discussed the lack of a study guide for the exam and whether that should be addressed separately. No final vote on House Bill 356 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• That happened before the election.
• seat they were elected to.
• He noted that they would then have the amendment and could review the amended language because they were
• So I remember thinking back to when I was elected.
• Do they support term limits on each elected office?

Summary: The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up a draft bill to make legislators’ and candidates’ residential addresses confidential in public records. Legislative Council and the Secretary of State explained the proposal was prompted by security concerns and would protect residential addresses while still allowing election officials to verify residency and keep candidate names and offices public. Members raised concerns about unintended consequences, transparency, and how the change would affect rural districts and residency enforcement. The Secretary of State suggested an amendment to end the confidentiality when a candidate’s term ends, and the committee agreed to hold the bill over for further discussion at the next meeting. The committee also reviewed follow-up materials on legislator security and best practices, including advice on situational awareness, internet hygiene, varying routines, and reporting threats, along with NCSL materials comparing capitol security practices in other states. Members discussed a recent security incident and the need to keep alert contact information current, and staff said they would continue working with the Highway Patrol on legislative-specific notifications. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to Garrity Consulting’s final report on mitigating the effects of legislative term limits. The consultants summarized survey, focus group, and stakeholder input showing concerns about loss of institutional knowledge, leadership turnover, onboarding demands, and workload pressures, while also noting public support for term limits and annual sessions. Recommendations included considering annual sessions or shifting biennial sessions to even-numbered years, restructuring organizational session and interim committee work, creating office hours and more structured orientation and mentorship, expanding ongoing training and staff support, improving public communication and virtual testimony rules, and addressing barriers to service such as employer support and travel costs. Members discussed the tension between making the legislature more effective and preserving a citizen-legislature model, and the report was received as a roadmap for future implementation rather than immediate action.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 413, budgets, municipalities, amendment. HCM 2016, Chief Barbito Highway Route 191.
• Senate Bill 1011, amending Section 11-590, concerns the county medical examiner.
• Article 1, amending Section 32-32-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-201, relating to health professionals.
• had in statute, so that was a good amendment, but the amendment went too far by altering established
• had in statute, so that was a good amendment, but the amendment went too far by altering established

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, journal approval, and multiple guest introductions, including a pastor, ACLU of Arizona lobby day participants, an architecture advocacy group, a doctor recognized for sleep apnea and dementia care work, and former Senator Frank Antinori. Senator Ortiz also read a proclamation declaring March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month in Arizona, citing the health and public safety impacts of obstructive sleep apnea and disparities in diagnosis and treatment. The chamber then handled calendar and procedural business, including House messages, committee assignments, and a series of third-reading votes. Several bills passed on party-line or near party-line votes, including SB 1011 on county medical examiners, SB 1017 on health professionals, SB 1170 on drug offenses, SB 1173 on health care institutions, SB 1234 on juvenile court, SB 1275 on criminal diversion programs, SB 1332 on a feasibility study for light rail expansion, SB 1544 on probation, SB 1557 on health professionals, and SB 1585 on sex offender monitoring. Members offered explanations of vote on several measures, with opponents raising concerns about mandatory minimums, juvenile court changes, transit delays, and the need for broader criminal justice or transportation studies. The Senate also considered SCR 1022, a proposed constitutional amendment to change legislative member districts and expand the House. Supporters argued it would improve representation and reduce campaign pressures, while opponents said the idea should first be studied more thoroughly. The resolution passed 16-10. Additional transportation-related bills, including SB 1273 and SB 1274, also passed on reconsideration. The session ended with committee announcements for the next day and adjournment until Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3492 by Jon Rosenthal relates to the processes addressing election irregularities, providing a civil
• penalty, for the Committee on Elections.
• HJR 155 by Pursuit proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the governing body of a political
• HJR 158 by Tony Tinderholt proposes a constitutional amendment regarding the time during ...
• to prosecute a criminal offense prescribed by the election laws of the state.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can do a one-page amendment as far as spreading litter.
• There's an amendment on this bill. Read it. Mr.
• Amendment submitted by Provenzano. Provenzano, you're recognized to explain the amendment.
• Received 23 votes of those elected, constituting the House.
• There's a floor amendment we'd like to accept. Mr.

Bills: HR1036, HB2975, HB3026, HB3297, HB2981, HB2978, HB4144, HB1322, HB1818, HB3194, HB3767, HB3342, HB3344, HB4170, HB3287, HB3288, HB4454, HB3264, HB3266, HB3268, HB4095, HB4115, HB4316, HB3530, HB3428, HB4272, HB4273, HB4274, HB3405, HB3406, HB3467, HB3469, HB3931

Keywords: poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, agriculture, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, kindergarten, military families, education policy, school districts, international military dependents, age eligibility, towing services, Oklahoma Wrecker and Towing Services Fund, Department of Labor, vehicle storage fees, consumer protection, nonconsensual towing, open meetings

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, in 2023, the solar statutes were further amended.
• I just as other elected officials.
• Jailers amended the bill after Patton was out of office.
• However, there's been year of election.
• Taxpayers elect us to establish those priorities and balance meeting needs.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Look at the amendments. We actually do follow those amendments.
• Tomorrow, the Congress could propose an amendment to eliminate the First Amendment.
• Amendment rescinded the 18th Amendment Amendment rescinded the 18th Amendment the<02:12:02.360><
• is<02:54:08.120> a amendment the amending convention is a amendment the amending convention
• uh an amendment proposed amendments uh an amendment might<02:54:17.399> be<02:54:17.600> proposed

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, I don't see that in the amendment, and second of all, the amendment does say shall.
• I’d like to offer an amendment.
• amendment to the House bill.
• The amendment to the amendment to 2025-36H to House Bill 373, local.
• I make a motion to accept the amendment to HB 124, the amendment number 2025 D08 61H.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a position that's in the constitution that we elect every election.
• <01:52:49.840> the "Okay, you actually have to elect the "Okay, you actually have to elect
• indicate you have an amendment.
• In the New Hampshire Constitution, Article 11 covers election and elective franchises.
• Hampshire elections? Hampshire elections? >> Absolutely<04:16:57.840> not.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have some amendments. First amendment is by Senator Smith. It's a late-filed amendment.
• We do have some amendments. First amendment is by Senator Smith. It's a late filed amendment.
• your first amendment.
• That is the amendment, Mr. Chair. Are there questions on the amendment? Seeing none. The amendment.
• I would withdraw the amendment. I withdraw the amendment.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee took up SB 2B, a major immigration bill by Senator Gruters, described by supporters as a Trump-aligned package to strengthen Florida’s role in immigration enforcement. The bill would create a grant program for local law enforcement, expand jail-ICE agreements beyond sheriff-operated jails, establish a chief immigration officer and a state immigration enforcement council, require more coordination on E-Verify and detention-bed reporting, allow immigration status to be considered in bail decisions, increase penalties for certain offenses tied to illegal reentry and voting, and repeal in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Much of the sponsor’s presentation and debate emphasized focusing on criminal offenders, improving coordination with federal authorities, and using state resources to support detention and enforcement. Committee questioning focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, reimbursement for jail costs, E-Verify coverage, and whether the bill could lead to street-level immigration enforcement in schools or churches. Senator Smith, Senator Pizzo, Senator Polsky, Senator Sharief, and others challenged the tuition repeal as unfair to students who were brought to Florida as children and argued for grandfathering current students or studying the fiscal impact first. Senator Fine defended the repeal as ending a state subsidy for people who are not lawfully present and argued the change would save tens of millions of dollars. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri testified that the bill was limited to jail-based enforcement, said there was no current street-level 287(g) program in Florida, and stated he did not believe the bill raised concerns for law enforcement or schools/churches. A representative of the Florida Supervisors of Elections supported the voting-related section, while a Florida Highway Patrol representative said state agencies would need additional funding if they were expected to take on more enforcement duties. The committee adopted Senator Gruters’ late-filed amendment correcting a drafting error. Senator Smith’s amendment to require an OPAGA study on the tuition-waiver policy was withdrawn after discussion, and his handwritten amendment to delete the repeal of in-state tuition for undocumented students failed on a roll-call vote. The bill then advanced as amended, with several members speaking in debate both for and against it. Supporters framed it as a focused public-safety and enforcement measure; opponents criticized the special-session process, the cost, and the tuition repeal’s impact on students already enrolled.