Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Tabke's bill dealing with absentee voting provisions.
• Representative Tabke's bill dealing with absentee voting provisions.
• c><01:01:51.920> designated absentee voting if they are designated absentee voting if they are
• somebody to vote or refrain from voting somebody to vote or refrain from voting in<01:16:35.400>
• Co-Chair Freiberg voted yes. Vice Chair Altendorf voted no. Vice Chair Lee voted yes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The included provisions allow cities flexibility if they administer absentee voting to do so for the
• voting two weeks before the primary absentee period begins.
• for a new city to opt into absentee for a new city to opt into absentee voting<00:21:34.880>
• two weeks before the primary voting two weeks before the primary absentee<00:21:37.400> period
• and absentee voting period, counties and absentee voting period, counties and cities<00:22:04.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I vote aye.
• Explain my vote. Vote aye. Explain my vote.
• So with that, I vote yes. Members by your vote of four eyes, two nays and one not voting.
• was an assembly vote as its last vote.
• And with that, I vote aye. May I explain my vote?

Bills: HB2015, HB2060, HB2062, HB2100, HB2118, HB2165, HB2258, HB2327, HB2397, HB2445, HB2460, HB2641, HB2745, HB2876, HB2917, HB4011, HB4049, HB4056, HB4087, HCR2013, HCR2016, HCR2040, HCR2044, HCR2048, HCR2056

Keywords: budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, Buffalo Soldiers, monument, commemoration, Arizona, public funding, Wesley Bolin Plaza, military history, historical memorial, small land subdivision, land use

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the prior meetings and then took up several measures, beginning with HCR 2013, which would proclaim June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month in Arizona. The resolution drew emotional testimony in support from Crystal Cooper and Bella Stockton, both of whom shared personal stories about living with spina bifida and argued for celebrating life and supporting people with disabilities. Senator Kennedy voted no, saying the resolution was symbolic and did not address practical supports such as paid family leave, health care, housing, and school meals. The committee ultimately gave HCR 2013 a due pass recommendation on a 4-1 vote, with two members not voting. The committee then advanced HB 2327, as amended, clarifying protections for eligible persons’ identifying information in county recorder records and explicitly excluding voter registration records from the confidentiality provisions. Representative Hendricks said the bill was intended to fix problems created by earlier language protecting elected officials and first responders. The committee also passed HB 2258, which adds La Paz County to the Tourism Advisory Council’s geographic area, with no opposition testimony. A longer debate followed on HB 2397, which expands HOA/condominium disclosure requirements for prospective buyers, including bylaws, declarations, plats, meeting minutes, and information about assessments and known defects. Representative Biasucci said the bill was about transparency for buyers, while the Arizona Association of Community Managers raised concerns about cost and the scope of the disclosure requirements; the Arizona Homeowners Coalition supported the bill but opposed an amendment that would require managers to be on site for capital projects. The committee adopted two Hoffman amendments and then gave HB 2397 a due pass as amended recommendation. The committee also passed HB 2015, which imposes penalties on state agencies that miss federal audit reporting deadlines, and HB 4049, which changes how the Attorney General represents DCS in cases alleging misconduct; both drew opposition over concerns about punitive penalties and existing conflict procedures. Later, the committee approved HB 4087, authorizing a memorial plaque for former legislator Barbara Love, and HB 2100, which allows counties to authorize certain small land subdivisions, despite objections that it could weaken water-supply protections. The committee then passed HB 2460, as amended, preempting local ordinances that penalize businesses for abandoned or stolen movable property such as shopping carts; supporters argued cities were charging victims of theft, while cities and towns said the bill would undercut local nuisance enforcement and shift costs to taxpayers. Finally, the committee began hearing HCR 2056, a proposed constitutional referral recognizing a right to refuse medical mandates, with Representative Cooper and supporters framing it as bodily autonomy and opponents warning it would weaken public health protections, especially in schools and during outbreaks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Tabke's bill dealing with absentee voting provisions.
• or refrain from voting, have somebody register to vote, or have them sign a petition that's related
• This is an easy yes vote.
• from voting in a particular way, to register to vote, or to be eligible to sign a petition that's materially
• People in the act of voting or registering or signing an election petition in the absentee period.

Transcript Highlights:

• what they're voting for. what they're voting for.
• I guess I don't think of a vote as a thing. Do you want to protect your vote?
• I guess I don't think of a vote as a thing. I guess I don't think of a vote as a thing.
• vote. Enough said. Thank you. All right. vote. Enough said. Thank you. All right.
• She then took questions from senators. intend to vote um perhaps haven't voted intend to vote um perhaps

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there a requirement for at least one early voting location?
• voting have to post that information 14 days before the absentee voting period starts.
• yep<00:07:30.599> yep<00:07:30.759> so absentee voting period starts yep yep so absentee
• special<00:14:47.360> voting<00:14:47.720> machines act it required special voting
• recently voted to do just the opposite.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to open the executive session for Senate Bill 213, relative to absentee voting.
• And I also added in that if you're voting in person with an absentee ballot, so you're doing an in-person
• absentee or whether you're voting in person.
• absentee or whether you're voting in person.
• you're you're voting absentee or whether you're you're voting absentee or whether you're voting

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• because<00:09:58.320> they vote via absentee ballot because they vote via absentee ballot
• voting that are going to be passed.
• voting that are going to be passed.
• voting that are going to be passed.
• We know these are people who voted in every election since they were able to vote.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee worked through several election-related bills and conference committee compromises. On SB 221, members discussed a streamlined re-registration form for voters removed from the checklist, with the Secretary of State to develop the necessary form; one member opposed the bill as unnecessary and warned that more frequent purges can disenfranchise voters, but the committee ultimately accepted the compromise and prepared it for signatures. On SB 213, the committee reviewed technical language changes to the HB 340-related provisions, including changing “legislative body” to “governing body” and replacing “measure” with “warrant article.” Despite those edits, one member argued the bill could chill public employees’ participation in official duties and should be held to the Senate position; another said the bill was unnecessary in light of other voting restrictions already enacted. No position change was made, and the bill remained opposed by at least some members. On SB 218, the committee agreed to add the word “applicable” in two places, and to remove sections 5 and 6 from the Senate version so pre-processing language would be restored. The House also asked to strike a sentence giving the Secretary of State broad authority over errors identified in the process, preferring that such matters remain in statute. Members generally described these edits as improvements, though some still opposed the bill overall. The meeting ended after a final comment on SB 213 seeking to remove language requiring public employees’ factual information to be provided only in response to public requests, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• When Senator Woods, if you were to vote by absentee, request a ballot, and you haven't gotten it yet,
• or in-person absentee voting sites.
• So, they would be coming to in-person absentee voting or they would be coming on election day.
• There are some people, though, other than those that certainly need to vote absentee.
• I always vote absentee. I find it very efficient.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Vote green. Thank you.”
• Would love a green vote.
• Please vote green.
• Please vote vote vote green.<00:49:16.559> The<00:49:16.880> clerk<00:49:17.119> will
• Vote green. And this you, Madam Speaker. Vote green.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You can follow along on page 1142 of today's calendar. chronic absenteeism. chronic absenteeism.
• <00:28:59.680> has According to the AOE, absenteeism has According to the AOE, absenteeism
• quantified in 2023 that absenteeism quantified in 2023 that absenteeism explained<00:29:18.040><
• <00:29:34.160> before In the US, chronic absenteeism before In the US, chronic absenteeism
• Your committee on vote of 11-0-0.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House resumed consideration of H.606 on firearm procedures and first took up Section 3 and its effective dates. A member from Northfield spoke at length in support, arguing the provision is narrowly tailored, based on actual dangerousness rather than mental illness alone, and is more limited than federal law because it applies only to specific court findings and is temporary, with rights restorable upon recovery. The House then approved Section 3 and its effective dates, approved the remainder of the Judiciary Committee report, and ordered third reading. The chamber then moved through third readings and passed H.385 on remedies and protections for victims of coerced debt, H.556 on exceptions to the state minimum wage, H.559 on the parole board, H.723 on posting of land, and H.757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives. On H.814, relating to neurological rights and AI in health and human services, the House adopted an amendment offered by the member from Burlington that required the advisory council to include proposed definitions for neurotechnology, artificial intelligence, and related terms in its report; the House Health Care Committee reported the amendment favorable 11-0-0, and the bill then passed. H.816, regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health services, also passed, as did H.927, technical corrections for the 2026 session. The House then took up H.930 on chronic absenteeism. The committee member from Manchester described the bill as an AOE proposal responding to high post-pandemic absenteeism rates and their impact on learning, and outlined provisions adding definitions, updating compulsory attendance language, requiring a state model policy, strengthening notification and truancy procedures, and preserving existing penalties. The member said the Education Committee heard from a wide range of education and child welfare witnesses and passed the bill 11-0. After a brief clarification on the absences section, the House proceeded toward third reading of H.930.

Transcript Highlights:

• Excuse me, I haven't talked absenteeism.
• Chronic absenteeism is not just a school issue.
• The Minneapolis chronic absenteeism.
• <01:44:02.720> and 25 years and chronic absenteeism and 25 years and chronic absenteeism and
• a yes vote. a yes vote.

Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Summary: The committee first approved the previous day’s minutes, then took up House File 3776, as amended by the A2 amendment, which clarified how the bill would apply to students with IEPs and 504 plans. The bill’s author argued that Minnesota should address screen time for preschool and kindergarten students, saying current law is too broad, that young children are especially vulnerable to developmental and attention harms from screens, and that parents and teachers should have more control over device use. The bill was laid over after discussion. Testimony on HF 3776 was split. Amanda Faye of Minnetonka Public Schools opposed the bill as drafted, saying it would conflict with existing academic standards, READ Act screening requirements, accessibility tools, and local control, and would force districts back to paper-based screening. Katherine Myers of Live More Screen Less supported the bill, citing concerns about early childhood screen exposure and arguing that screen-free time supports child development. Members raised concerns about local control, parental rights, and how to protect students who need devices for accommodations; the author and nonpartisan staff noted that schools can already adopt cell phone policies, but exceptions may be needed for certain students and uses. After laying over HF 3776, the committee began House File 3557. Representative Craft introduced the bill as a voluntary program to promote practical science education and workforce development tied to climate literacy, including a proposed Minnesota Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students. The bill was only introduced before the transcript ended, with no vote or final action recorded on HF 3557.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair votes aye. Thank you. Of the CPN Chair votes aye. Thank you.
• votes or reservations? votes or reservations?
• Your Your no vote is noted. Excuse me. Your Your no vote is noted.
• Chair votes aye. Thank you. Chair votes aye. Thank you.
• votes aye. Senator La Mason. Aye. votes aye. Senator La Mason. Aye.

Bills: SB2386, SB2804, SB2852

Keywords: employment, wage transparency, job listings, salary disclosure, labor rights, monopoly, health care access, insurance rates, competition, stock acquisition, digital accessibility, web accessibility, website accessibility, app accessibility, ADA, disability rights, civil rights, public accommodations, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, HCRC

Summary: The committees met in decision-making sessions on several bills and generally advanced them without opposition. Early actions included SB 2386, which clarifies job-posting pay disclosure requirements and lowers the small-employer exemption threshold, and SB 2804, both recommended to pass unamended. SB 2852, addressing accessibility of information and communications technology for people with disabilities in public accommodations, was also recommended to pass unamended. SB 2975 on marine life conservation districts was advanced unamended despite a noted defective effective date. The CPN committee then acted on SB 3019, a consumer protection bill, recommending passage with amendments to require refunds of certain fees upon cancellation and to defect the effective date to July 1, 2050. SB 3231 on agricultural districts, SB 2378 on housing, and SB 3062 on liquor were all recommended to pass with amendments and a defective effective date set to July 1, 2050. SB 3255, concerning cash payments and rounding guidance, was reconsidered after discussion with small business stakeholders and was also advanced with amendments. In the later regular CPN agenda, SB 2607 on landscape architect licensure drew support from the board and professional groups and was recommended to pass with board-requested amendments and a July 1, 2050 effective date. SB 2623 SD1 on pharmacy technician registration was recommended to pass with clarifying amendments from the Board of Pharmacy. SB 2396, which would create a registry for agents managing property for absentee owners and require on-island contact information for certain condo owners, received mixed testimony: supporters emphasized accountability and enforcement, while opponents from community associations raised implementation concerns and asked for further work. The committee ultimately recommended SB 2396 with amendments from the Hawaii Council of Community Associations and a July 1, 2050 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• > inexpediate<00:17:44.720> to ask that you vote inexpediate to ask that you vote inexpediate
• > 107 Please consider voting HB 107 Please consider voting HB 107 inexpedient<00:20:00.000>
• observe the processing of absentee observe the processing of absentee ballots<00:37:44.960> can
• <00:39:28.960> unanimously Election Law Committee voted unanimously Election Law Committee voted
• <00:40:21.599> ballots town to dictate when absentee ballots town to dictate when absentee

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Lockach, Representative Lock uh leaves a committee absentee voting form of I.
• Uh, Minority Leader Yen leaves a committee absentee voting form of I. Chairman Neck, I. Mr.
• Chairman, this is a roll call vote >> Mr.
• committee absentee voting form of I. committee absentee voting form of I.
• committee absentee voting form of I. committee absentee voting form of I.

Bills: HB0002, HB0022

Keywords: building permits, local government, residential construction, permit timelines, code compliance, municipal officers, recall election, petition requirements, local governance, voter participation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• new designs for the I Voted sticker. new designs for the I Voted sticker.
• and early voting.
• of absentee and early voting. voting. voting.
• of absentee ballots and agents. of absentee ballots and agents.
• <00:42:57.680> voting intent to administer absentee voting intent to administer absentee voting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their votes.
• Representative Baker voted yes. Representative Bivens voted yes. Representative Branscum voted yes.
• Representative Calloway voted yes. Representative Chester-Burton voted yes.
• Representative Imes voted yes. Representative Cook voted yes. Representative Lewis voted yes.
• Representative Lockett voted no. Representative Roberts voted no. Representative Johnson voted yes.

Keywords: Consideration of HB 684 02:30 Consideration of HB 699 19:10, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs met with a quorum and considered two election-related bills. The committee first took up House Bill 684, sponsored by Representative Jennifer Decker, and adopted a committee substitute. Decker described the bill as a “continuous improvement” measure developed with election officials, clerks, legislators, and citizens. She walked through provisions addressing precinct officer staffing in vote centers, notice to school districts when schools are used as voting centers, absentee ballot replacement when a ballot is not received, retention and disposal timelines for election-related video surveillance, permanent voting assistance certifications, write-in candidate deadlines and posting restrictions, candidate filing details, witness requirements, public posting of candidate information, felony voting language, and school district closure rules for voting locations. Members discussed the school-related provision, the handling of mail-in ballots, and a committee-substitute change removing credit cards and debit cards as acceptable voter ID. Supportive comments emphasized election integrity and the collaborative drafting process. The committee then voted to report HB 684 favorably. The committee next considered House Bill 699, sponsored by Representative DJ Johnson, which would add a pre-certification verification process for candidate filings. Johnson said the bill was intended to prevent ineligible candidates from appearing on the ballot by requiring election officials to verify that a candidate’s residence is in the correct jurisdiction and, in partisan races, that the candidate is registered with the party sought, with appeals going to circuit court. He argued the current system relies on costly legal challenges after filing errors occur. During discussion, Representative Hancock voted no, saying the bill would create an unnecessary administrative burden and that filing paperwork should remain a basic responsibility of candidates, while other members voted yes. The committee ultimately reported HB 699 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , early voting, absentee voting.
• Um, we've now left just trying to help like military folks who vote via absentee ballot, which is a good
• by six votes. by six votes. Six. Six. Six.
• <01:06:10.920> understand absentee votes, which I don't understand absentee votes, which I
• Your vote is cast when received. We don't oppose absentee ballots.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer, then the Speaker noted a long day ahead and asked members to be patient as the chamber worked through several remaining bills. The House then handled routine business, including reading the journal and taking up a resolution honoring Delegate Susan K. McComas for her 24 years of service representing Harford County. Members from the Harford County delegation praised her work on behalf of families and children, her service as a former mayor of Bel Air, and her long legislative career. McComas briefly spoke in response, reflecting on her service and thanking colleagues. The chamber then moved through a series of consent calendar items and Senate amendments. House Bill 193 on state procurement transparency, House Bill 261 on competitive proof-of-concept procurement, House Bill 266 on the Information Technology Investment Fund, House Bill 998 on Baltimore City alcoholic beverages districts, and House Bill 1422 on procurement and personnel liquidated damages all received concurrence in Senate amendments and were passed, with roll calls showing overwhelming support; HB 1422 drew nine negative votes, and HB 266 drew one negative vote. The House also received committee reports advancing several Senate bills, including measures on child care credential funding, speed monitoring systems, driver skills examinations, school bus fire safety, veterans cemeteries, IT investment fund uses, Baltimore City alcohol regulations, hospital immigration enforcement policies, and board of education compensation changes. Later, the House considered additional amended bills and adopted the committee amendments before advancing them to third reading. These included Senate Bill 212 on tuition exemptions for spouses and dependents of safety employees and the Maryland Fallen Heroes Death Benefits Act, House Bill 1599 and Senate Bill 558 creating a Chesapeake Bay Enhancement Program and Maryland Seafood Industry Financial Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 366 establishing an intelligent speed assistance pilot program, Senate Bill 431 on endangered and threatened species and migratory birds regulations, Senate Bill 947 on Maryland Transit Administration reform, Senate Bill 480 on physician licensure for foreign-trained doctors, Senate Bill 898 on Medicaid reimbursement for registered behavior technicians, Senate Bill 204 on the Maryland Civic Excellence Program, and Senate Bill 890 on captive insurer premium tax study. In several cases, amendments were described as technical or as clarifying reporting, deadlines, eligibility, or program structure. One member asked about SB 890 after amendments removed the proposed tax moratorium, and the floor leader explained that the bill was now only a study requiring a report back to the General Assembly. The session ended with a quorum call showing 133 members present and the House still in session.

Transcript Highlights:

• voting um to work with their absentee voting um to work with their county<00:28:49.800> and<00
• Um this 18 days of absentee voting.
• <00:29:02.520> for absentee voting close to home for absentee voting close to home for voters
• <00:29:40.120> voting to be used to administer absentee voting to be used to administer absentee
• <00:29:48.400> voting change is that online absentee voting change is that online absentee

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then moving ahead to row six, this is a section related to absentee ballot access to absentee ballot
• this is a section related to absentee this is a section related to absentee ball<00:24:48.880>
• > ballot ball um access to absentee ballot ball um access to absentee ballot application<00:24
• The absentee ballot, six?
• I really hope we can vote for it because I think it’s important that we’re not bribing people to vote

Keywords: 1183, house