Transcript Highlights:

• Ballots by mail that appeared to have been counted but were still sealed in their carrier envelopes and
• as we went through the election to make sure that we didn't miss anything, that we didn't leave envelopes
• , you know... ...that we didn't leave envelopes stuck away here, that we didn't open, you know, where
• accounts off, where are those envelopes at, you know, type things.

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on several bills, with most measures left pending after public testimony closed. SB 801, by Sen. Menéndez, would require DSHS and local clerks to issue birth certificates at no cost to people experiencing homelessness. The author and Maria Benavides of SA Youth said the fee and mailing requirements are major barriers to obtaining ID, housing, and work, and Benavides described clients who were able to secure housing and employment after getting birth records and IDs through her program. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard a set of bills related to the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America naming issue: SB 1410 would require state agencies to use “Gulf of Mexico” in official documents, SB 1717 would conform state law to the federal renaming to “Gulf of America,” and SJR 63 would amend the Texas Constitution to match that change. Support testimony for the latter two emphasized alignment with federal action and the use of different geographic names by different countries. All three measures were left pending. Members then heard SB 1200, which would require plaintiffs suing defense contractors to disclose in discovery whether they are receiving litigation funding from adversarial nations such as China, Russia, or Cuba. The author and Texans for Lawsuit Reform said the bill targets third-party litigation funding and foreign influence on lawsuits, especially those affecting defense contractors; the committee substitute narrowed the definition of defense contractor and expanded applicability to actions involving defense contractors’ activities. SB 2626, which requires continuing medical education on pregnancy-related emergencies for OB-GYN physicians and nurses, drew support from witnesses who said it would reduce confusion about Texas abortion law and improve care in emergencies. SB 506, SB 2681, SB 1862, SB 1863, and SB 2216 all focused on elections, including ballot language standards, voter registration challenges, interstate voter-roll cleanup, procedural audits, and election equipment security; testimony split between supporters who said the bills improve transparency and integrity and opponents who warned of vague standards, added costs, and possible voter disenfranchisement. Each of those bills was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, they're mailing these in regular envelopes, paying probably your normal one-ounce, you know
• , standard envelope postage of 70 whatever cents.
• That is the last time that I looked at putting a tracking number on that type of envelope.

Bills: SB1220, SB1221, SB1239, SB1309, SB1349, SB1434, SB1516, SB1531, SB1538, SB1861

Keywords: memorial designation, interchange, Terry Walker, transportation, Oklahoma, driver license, tracking system, expedited delivery, Service Oklahoma, REAL ID, public safety, apportionment, state revenue, funding, vehicle registration, infrastructure, state roads, bridges, economic development, highway construction

Transcript Highlights:

• 12.080> urban uh be donated to the charitable urban uh be donated to the charitable urban envelope
• 13.760> And<00:12:13.920> so,<00:12:14.000> that<00:12:14.200> ensures envelope
• And so, that ensures envelope purpose.
• This is what the board looks like. >> [snorts] It's not a deck of cards that you put in an envelope or
• They picked card 19 just out of the blue.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• permitting in two phases, early site permitting, where, you know, under the NRC, using a plant parameter envelope
• , a proponent Where, you know, under the NRC, using a plant parameter envelope, a proponent or a developer
• technology but could work with the communities, do environmental reviews based on a plant parameter envelope
• So I share this to give a sense of the blue dots represent the government activities during the Manhattan

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is demonstrated in the light blue bars here.
• It represents a significant change from only about seven years ago, as shown in the dark blue lines,
• Now, this light blue area, which represents your severance tax permanent fund distributions, is getting
• Be sure to fill out your forms in the middle envelopes there and get those into Christine or any of the

Transcript Highlights:

• A roof is part of what's called a building envelope, and the building envelope also includes the roof
• And when you penetrate the roof or the building envelope, then you have a situation where water may seep
• or these racks or these standoffs do not understand how to properly flash or protect the building envelope
• people installing these things are properly trained and understand the critical nature of a building envelope
• . trained and understand the critical nature of a building envelope.

Bills: SB1041, SB1363, SB1418, SB1419, SB1445, SB1447, SB1488, SB1519, SB1523, SB1560, SB1580

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, marijuana, rural opportunity, dispensary, economic development, licensing, social equity, unserved communities, Arizona, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use

Transcript Highlights:

• So this means every pen that anybody buys in the state of Minnesota, any pencil, any, you know, envelope
• So this means every pen that anybody buys in the state of Minnesota, any pencil, any, you know, envelope
• So this means every pen that anybody buys in the state of Minnesota, any pencil, any, you know, envelope
• So this means every pen that anybody buys in the state of Minnesota, any pencil, any, you know, envelope

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 331, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The bill would permanently exempt school supplies from the sales tax, which the author described as a pro-family, pro-affordability, and pro-education measure intended to put money back into families’ pockets and avoid the burden of a temporary sales tax holiday. A representative from We Make Minnesota testified in opposition, arguing the exemption would provide only modest savings to most families while reducing revenue for public services. He said Minnesota already offers more targeted relief through the K-12 education subtraction/credit, noted that similar exemptions in other states are usually temporary, and estimated the bill would cost tens of millions of dollars annually while saving the average family only a small amount per child. He also said the bill was broad enough to cover many office supplies and could benefit higher-spending purchasers disproportionately. Committee members debated the bill’s scope and cost. Supporters said the exemption would help families immediately and noted that many eligible families do not claim existing credits because they must save receipts and file for reimbursement. Opponents argued the same money could be better used for K-12 formula increases or expanded targeted credits, and one member said the bill would narrow the sales tax base and was not well targeted. The author said he was open to working on limits to make the bill more targeted, but emphasized that the goal was direct tax relief for families.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of my earliest memories is daintily putting a red envelope into the mouth of a lion dancer.
• Lion dancers accept red envelopes or money or wishes, and that brings you good luck.
• fortunate to have this visit in the Roundhouse today, and we ask that the Lion Dancers accept these red envelopes
• Accept these envelopes of good wishes for a productive legislative session.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the absentee ballot request and signature envelopes for voters 1 through 20.
• That's the absentee ballot request and signature envelopes for voters 1 through 20.
• That's the absentee ballot request and signature envelopes for voters 1 through 20.
• That's the absent tea ballot request and<00:37:42.720> signature<00:37:43.200> envelopes
• for voters 1 and signature envelopes for voters 1 through<00:37:44.880> 20.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Blue Earth County. I hope many of you have read the article: a 37-year-old lady...
• Just last week, that happened right here, Blue Earth County, Minnesota.
• Earth County last week didn't do in Blue Earth County last week didn't do a<03:31:25.600> thing.
• We can fold them into a constitutional envelope.
• . envelope. envelope.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if someone gets a white powder in an envelope, we have to make sure it's not anthrax or ricin or a
• So if someone gets a white powder in an envelope, we have to make sure it's not anthrax or ricin or a
• So if someone gets a white powder in an envelope, we have to make sure it's not anthrax or ricin or a
• So if someone gets a white powder in an envelope, we have to make sure it's not anthrax or ricin or a
• . envelope. envelope.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met for its first meeting of the year, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior year’s minutes, and welcomed new co-chairs and members. The board reviewed the capital planning timeline and a list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. Members were reminded to keep presentations brief because of a packed agenda. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure preservation, and preventive maintenance. Its requests included a $21 million maintenance pool, phase two funding for a new state public health laboratory, construction of an 18-bed children’s psychiatric hospital, and several projects at Western State Hospital and Western State Nursing Facility, including HVAC work, cooling tower repair or replacement, and chiller plant repiping. Additional projects covered elevator upgrades at Hazlewood and phased cottage renovations at Oakwood. Board members asked about vacant buildings, the cost per bed for the youth psychiatric facility, and the relationship between the CHFS youth facility and a separate DJJ facility; CHFS said the youth facility would serve DCBS-involved youth and be separate from the DJJ project. The Kentucky Department of Education then described its state-operated facilities, including the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. Its priorities included additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building, a rewrite of the SEEK education finance application system, renovation and repair of the FFA swimming pool, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size and cost of the swimming pool project, and construction cost assumptions; KDE said it tracks student outcomes through special education staff and that current estimates reflect higher post-COVID construction costs. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would connect job seekers and employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility faces safety and code concerns. The cabinet planned to continue through the remaining priorities and answer questions at the end of its presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to testify in strong support of this bill to foster a renewable blue business ecosystem focused
• economy is society's pathway to blue futures, sustainable futures, and renewable futures for us and
• I grew up here and came back to Hawaii after college to develop a technology in the blue economy.
• I stand by my support for this bill, and I am representing the organization Blue Startups.
• Why isn't the blue economy a core focus of the state?

Bills: SB2613, SB2543, SB2398, SB2046, SB2800, SB2818, SB2973, SB2367, SB2907, SB3067, SB3053, SB2944, SB2074, SB2596

Keywords: public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Kauai, Maui, Honolulu, Kaimuki Middle School, Wilcox Elementary School, school property

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2613, SD1, HD1, relating to public school land transfer. The Attorney General’s office and the Department of Education supported the bill’s technical cleanup of Act 307, but strongly opposed a new provision that would convey school parcels containing public and school library facilities to the Hawaii State Public Library System. They argued the added transfer language conflicted with Act 307’s purpose of consolidating school land for more efficient school operations, and said existing law already allows co-located library use through rights of entry, licenses, or other agreements. The library system supported the bill and said it was trying to resolve longstanding operational conflicts on shared school-campus libraries, especially where public access, construction, and campus safety issues arise. Members questioned whether the Board of Education should simply mediate the dispute, whether the bill was the right solution, and whether a formal memorandum of agreement might be a better approach than a land transfer. The library system described years of difficulty coordinating with DOE on projects and said it needed a clearer process to complete work and spend CIP funds. Discussion also touched on a Kauai parcel in the bill, identified as a tennis court, and whether resurfacing could be completed before any transfer. The Attorney General indicated that if the goal is to preserve library uses while keeping title with the state, DLNR or another documented arrangement may be more appropriate than transferring fee title to the library system. The committee then heard SB 2543 SD2 HD1, relating to state construction projects. DAGS supported the measure, and the Hawaii Ironworkers Stabilization Fund and Hawaii Building Construction Trade Council strongly supported it, saying the bill would help spot-check high-cost projects and reduce waste from overruns and delays. One testifier opposed the bill, arguing the proposed construction manager role was too limited and that DAGS needed more training, decentralized authority, and better internal decision-making rather than a new layer of oversight. Supporters said the bill was intended as a pilot program to address repeated cost overruns and improve accountability on state construction projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appreciate your remarks there and just wanted to highlight how the sustainable blue economy is strongly

Bills: SB2908, SB2671, SB3085, SB2907, SB2353, SB2074, SB2360, SB2057, SB3251, SB2354, SB3001

Keywords: permit processing, permitting reform, county permits, development permits, building permits, land use, construction delays, housing development, infrastructure development, county workforce, differential pay, salary incentive, performance bonus, recruitment and retention, expedited hiring, vacancy rates, permit backlog, government modernization, county mayor, county council

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several Senate bills, with most measures drawing broad support and a few generating significant opposition or policy questions. SB 2908 SD1 and SB 2671 SD1 were taken up first; both appeared to have majority support, with SB 2908 receiving seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, and SB 2671 receiving five in support and two comments. SB 3085 SD2, related to film industry operations, drew 11 supporters and no opposition. Georgia Skinner explained that the bill would streamline the approval timeline for productions by reducing delays tied to Land Board review, and she said DLNR supported the effort. Committee members asked about the need for the change and the relationship between the film studio, DLNR, and the approval process. The committee then discussed SB 2907 SD1, which would create an Office of Marine Affairs. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, HTDC, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, ocean industry representatives, and others. The governor’s office supported the bill’s intent but objected to placing the office within the Office of the Governor, urging instead that it be housed at HTDC. HTDC said it was willing and excited to take on the work and described ongoing stakeholder engagement. Members asked about the rationale for the placement and the long-term structure of the office. SB 2353 SD2, concerning the Aloha Stadium district and billboard/naming-rights issues, drew strong opposition overall, with four in support, 23 in opposition, and one comment. Andrew Pereira of the Stadium Authority argued the measure could generate revenue to help maintain and operate the stadium and said the district would remain self-contained; he also emphasized that the development would respect the character of the area. The committee then heard SB 2074 SD1, which had five in support and 26 in opposition; only one support testimony from the Carpenters was heard before the discussion moved on. Finally, SB 2360 SD1, an enterprise zones measure, received 14 supportive testimonies and two comments. Testimony focused on updating the program for modern business models, especially e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales, while committee members questioned whether the program overlaps with higher tax burdens and whether businesses receiving subsidies should be monitored for job retention after graduation from the program.

Transcript Highlights:

• the things that are in those Postal Service draft rules, as they've been issued, include defined envelope
• rules would mandate adherence to Postal Service-defined standards for outbound and return ballot envelopes
• recommended by USPS include the use of intelligent mail barcodes for processing and tracking mail ballot envelopes
• , and also the election mail logo on envelopes.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be pushing the envelope more than we would want to, particularly since it's only, as Senator
• If it's successful, we're going to want to continue it, so we're not pushing the envelope on that.
• That would be pushing the envelope more than we would want to, particularly since it's only, as Senator
• pilot program, and if it's successful, we're going to want to continue it, so we're not pushing the envelope

Bills: HCR97, HR168, SCR33, SB112, SB346, SB347, SB353, SB488, SB504, SB507, SB518

Keywords: hunting education, firearm safety, outdoor recreation, curriculum, youth education, conservation, collegiate athletics, funding, name image likeness, revenue sharing, NCAA compliance, student-athlete support, financial sustainability, work-based learning, task force, internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, cooperative education, co-op

Summary: The House Education Committee met on May 12, 2026, and first approved SB 518, which gives LSU a two-year pilot authority to buy and sell certain real estate within one mile of campus to support redevelopment and student needs. Senator Foyle and LSU representatives said the bill is intended to help the university act more quickly on deteriorating nearby properties and some Greek housing transactions, with safeguards such as appraisal and fair-market-value requirements. Members asked about whether the authority would affect mostly commercial property and whether the pilot could later be expanded to other universities; the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then reported SCR 33, creating a one-year Work-Based Learning Coordination Task Force to study and better coordinate internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, and related programs across state agencies and employers. Support testimony emphasized that Louisiana’s education and workforce systems are too siloed and that the task force would map existing efforts, identify gaps, and recommend a statewide structure. HR 168 also passed, directing the Board of Regents to study collegiate athletic program funding after concerns raised by athletic directors about deficits and accounting practices. Members next approved SB 488, a school safety drone response pilot program, after testimony described drones as a supplemental security tool that could respond faster than police and work with law enforcement; an amendment required coordination with the Department of Education, State Police, and the Sheriffs’ Association. HCR 97 was reported favorably to ask BESE and Wildlife and Fisheries to study age- and grade-appropriate hunting, conservation, and shooting sports education for grades 5-12. The committee also approved SB 112, allowing local school boards to adopt parental-consent release-time policies for religious instruction, with amendments on instructor qualifications, grade reporting, and constitutional safeguards; SB 504, expanding individual graduation plans to include vocational options and charter schools; SB 346 and SB 347, addressing harmful deepfakes involving K-12 and college students; and SB 353, authorizing postsecondary systems to digitize student IDs for LA Wallet, though members raised concerns about naming a specific vendor. The meeting adjourned after SB 353 was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• six has to come out also because you don't want to repeal it, because now you do have the outer envelopes
• do<00:12:13.279> have<00:12:13.440> the<00:12:13.600> outer<00:12:13.920> envelopes
• <00:12:14.959> and<00:12:15.200> there do have the outer envelopes and there do have
• the outer envelopes and there are<00:12:15.920> provisions<00:12:16.399> in<00:12:16.639

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:

• decision, when the Bruin decision came down against New York State and Massachusetts, a lot of the blue
• I mean, some committees used to actually hold up the blue sheet. Member: Yeah, the blue sheet.
• not the pink sheet the the blue yeah the not the pink sheet the the blue yeah the yeah<03:31:29.359><
• c> the<03:31:29.479> blue<03:31:29.680> sheet<03:31:30.560> yeah<03:31:30.760
• yeah the blue sheet yeah and and you're exactly<03:31:31.680> right<03:31:31.920> the<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 135, introduced by Representative Michael Harrington. He said the bill would codify a portion of the New Hampshire Constitution to bar New Hampshire businesses from being required to collect sales or use taxes for other states unless Congress mandates it, arguing that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Wayfair decision created an onerous compliance burden for businesses. He described the patchwork of state and local sales tax rules, thresholds, and product exemptions as extremely complex and said the bill was intended to push the issue back toward Congress and the courts. Members questioned whether the bill’s reference to a “foreign government” would apply to other U.S. states, whether the proposal would conflict with the Supremacy Clause, and whether it would create standing for businesses to challenge Wayfair. Harrington responded that “foreign government” meant any government other than New Hampshire, that he believed the state could challenge the decision in court by passing a law contrary to Wayfair, and that businesses were already being harmed by compliance costs. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill was an unfunded mandate or simply a private compliance burden, and Harrington argued that the state itself would not be collecting the taxes, but businesses would still face recordkeeping and administrative costs. Sam Garland of the Department of Justice then testified. He said the department was not taking a formal position on the bill, but offered technical comments. Garland acknowledged that Wayfair created significant compliance burdens and noted that states have become somewhat more uniform, with all states now having a $100,000 economic nexus threshold, though not all use the 200-transaction threshold and local tax variation remains substantial. He said the department’s concerns were legal, describing the issue as uncharted constitutional territory involving both vertical and horizontal federalism. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , swears under oath signature envelope, swears under oath that<02:05:15.040> they<02:05:15.280
• <02:05:21.280> Uh<02:05:21.599> these envelope and ballot box.
• Uh these envelope and ballot box.
• the absentee ballot envelope. the absentee ballot envelope.
• . requires paper backup systems envelopes. requires paper backup systems and<02:07:14.400> directs

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 4240, an elections administration bill, was introduced as a package of updates to absentee voting, statewide voter registration system use, early voting procedures, recordkeeping, removal of outdated statutory language, and reimbursement for municipalities and counties that administer certain special elections. The author, Rep. Freiberg, described the bill as a modernization and efficiency measure that would clarify procedures while maintaining election security. Several amendments were adopted. The A4 amendment, offered by Rep. Freiberg, was described as aligning language with the Senate and passed without objection. The A6 amendment, offered by Rep. Cosnik, would give school districts more direction on polling locations for special elections in multi-county districts; Rep. Lee raised concerns that it could affect many districts statewide and questioned whether it applied to early voting, while Rep. Cosnik said it was narrowly tailored and intended to prevent disenfranchisement. Rep. Freiberg and Rep. Lee both said they would support it as a voter-access measure despite possible costs, and it was adopted. The A5 amendment, offered by Rep. Schultz, would require the Secretary of State to provide voter information to the U.S. Department of Justice upon request for civil-rights and federal voting-law enforcement; it was debated at length, with supporters framing it as election integrity and opponents arguing it would jeopardize voter privacy and could be used by the Trump administration to pressure Minnesota. The amendment was adopted after a roll call request. The debate on A5 was especially contentious, with Republicans arguing the state should cooperate with federal efforts to clean voter rolls and Democrats arguing the DOJ had overreached, mishandled civil-rights investigations, and sought voter data without a lawful need. Members on both sides cited voter fraud, privacy, and federal-state election authority, and several speakers referenced recent DOJ actions and court disputes. The transcript ends during further discussion of the federal role in elections, with no final disposition on the underlying bill shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I returned it and said, you know, "No, no longer here," whatever I put on the envelope and stuck it back
• Most states, including red and blue states, have said the same as us: that we don't think, as a matter

Transcript Highlights:

• the things that are in those Postal Service draft rules, as they've been issued, include defined envelope
• rules would mandate adherence to Postal Service-defined standards for outbound and return ballot envelopes
• USPS, which includes the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes for processing and tracking mail ballot envelopes
• and also the election mail logo on envelopes.

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee held a virtual work session focused first on federal actions affecting elections. A representative from NCSL reviewed recent U.S. Supreme Court and pending cases, including a redistricting/Voting Rights Act case and a case on whether mailed ballots received after Election Day can be counted. She also discussed a Trump executive order directing USPS to draft mail-ballot rules, the federal SAVE system’s expanded use for voter list maintenance, DOJ requests for unredacted voter rolls, and reduced federal election-security support. Committee members asked about proof of citizenship requirements, whether DOJ requests are compulsory, and how federal election funding and grants may be changing. The Attorney General’s Office then described Washington’s litigation challenging two election-related executive orders and DOJ’s lawsuit seeking unredacted voter registration lists. State lawyers said courts have already enjoined parts of the executive orders, including documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements and voting-system changes, and have upheld Washington’s ballot-receipt deadlines so far. They said DOJ’s voter-roll demands have been rejected by multiple courts and that Washington’s position is that state law limits disclosure of sensitive voter data. Members asked about the legal basis for DOJ’s requests, the risk of immigration-enforcement use, and whether attestation on registration forms counts as proof of citizenship; the office said it does under state law and that no evidence of mass voter-fraud problems in Washington has been shown. Deputy Attorney General Todd Bowers then gave a broader overview of the Attorney General’s federal litigation, saying Washington has filed 61 cases since January 2025, often with other states, and has had notable success obtaining preliminary injunctions and favorable summary judgments. He highlighted cases involving election rules, environmental and energy disputes, public health funding, student loans, housing, and data privacy, and said many challenges involve executive-branch conditions added to congressionally appropriated funds. He also described a growing number of federal audits and inquiries directed at state agencies. Finally, Office of Equity Director Megan Matthews discussed how federal actions are affecting state and local equity work, community organizations, and public confidence. She said the office is coordinating more closely with the Attorney General, governor’s office, other agencies, and local governments through the immigration subcabinet, while also working on data privacy, Keep Washington Working compliance, and community outreach. Committee members asked about the office’s human-trafficking work and how it is encouraging agency compliance; Matthews said the focus is on clearer guidance, technical support, and consistent expectations across agencies. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.