Transcript Highlights:

• So anyways, Trying to remove this bias, trying to change the voters' views or affect the voters' views
• </c> operating levies that are voter operating levies that are voter approved.<00:13:30.480><c> Um,</
• Voters deserve to understand how a voter-approved referendum impacts their pocketbooks.
• ><c> how</c><00:15:04.320><c> a</c><00:15:04.480><c> voter</c> Voters deserve to understand how a voter
• distributed to voters?

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• And the problem, again, is the military voters, right?
• a requirement that voter ID be provided, government-issued voter ID be provided with any vote that a
• voter casts.
• There's only going to be four options for this weird category of voter—not weird category of voter, but
• not weird category of voter but for this cat for this like statistically abnormal category of voter

Summary: The meeting covered a long list of House bills, mostly on third-read consent calendars, spanning appropriations, elections, education, public safety, water, taxation, and criminal law. Early discussion focused on HB 2148, which would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal funds, described by the sponsor as a transparency measure. Other measures discussed included HB 2091 on insurance-related assessment limits, HB 2122 on reciprocity for BTR-related professions, HB 2138 clarifying firefighter workers’ compensation coverage, and HB 2008 barring public school libraries from using public money to pay library professional associations. HB 2110, removed from consent, would allow school governing body members to pray at meetings, with members noting Supreme Court precedent supporting such prayer. Several bills addressed school safety and parental rights. HB 2142 would create a School Safety Center at the Arizona Department of Education and allow up to 10% of school safety program funds for administration, with supporters citing an audit and lack of oversight. HB 2249 would expand the Parents’ Bill of Rights to require notice if a school employee facilitates social transitioning of a minor and to provide broader access to educational records, with penalties discussed for violations. HB 2074 would add mandatory reporting for anyone in a medical facility who knows a partial-birth abortion is occurring, and HB 2144 would allow child support calculations to begin during pregnancy based on a confirmed pregnancy test and related DNA testing provisions. The committee also took up election-related measures. HB 2022 would make permanent changes tied to the federal Electoral Count Act, including moving Arizona’s primary earlier to preserve military and overseas voting access, while keeping petition dates valid and preserving existing deadlines for candidates. HCM 2001 urged federal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, and HCM 2002 supported a separate congressional effort involving CARE and related federal review and designation processes; members debated the distinction between direct designation and a request for federal investigation. HCR 2001 proposed a constitutional amendment to limit voting to U.S. citizens, require government ID to register, prohibit foreign contributions, and end early voting by the Friday before an election. Water, land use, and tax bills were also reviewed. Measures included HB 2024 on snowpack augmentation as a water supply development project, HB 2029 and HB 2030 tightening how Water Conservation Grant Fund money is used, HB 2053 appropriating $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping, HB 2096 expanding revolving fund uses to address cesspools, HB 2097 capping groundwater withdrawal in irrigation non-expansion areas, and HB 2116 funding potential Colorado River litigation. On the tax side, HB 2016 would remove late-filing penalties when no tax is due, HB 2104 and HB 2105 would protect agricultural property owners from repeated reclassification and require notice of inspections, and HB 2289 would update truth-in-taxation examples to reflect higher home values. The committee also heard bills on criminal penalties and other matters, including HB 2043 on felony murder involving an unborn child, HB 2045 on discharging a weapon near a vehicle, HB 2131 and HB 2132 on weapons trafficking and fentanyl penalties, and HB 2062 authorizing a Buffalo Soldiers memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I want to talk about the voter rolls, keeping the voter rolls clean.
• run the voter master.
• </c> these voter you know local control. these voter you know local control.
• </c> voter roles. voter roles.
• </c> voter registrations. voter registrations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The voters of Marana collected signatures with an organization helping them.
• But what happens to all the voters who signed that petition? What happens to their rights?
• So to say that the voters of Marana, my voters, the voters who have put me in this chair, are left voiceless
• The Marana voters have had a chance to have their voice heard.
• In our state law, when it comes to city referenda, the voters have no other option.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and announced that several House messages and Senate bills had been transmitted to the governor. Members also noted a planned recess to recognize the University of Arizona men’s basketball team later in the morning. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on multiple calendars. On Calendar 4, House Bill 2812, dealing with accumulated sick leave payments and compensation/insurance issues, received a do-pass recommendation after an amendment, but it later failed on third reading by a vote of 15-11. House Bill 2032, on school assessment accountability and testing, was amended with a floor change extending a timeline from four to six weeks and then passed 26-0 on third reading. House Bill 2033, also on school assessment accountability and written versus digital testing, drew debate over a Diaz floor amendment limiting written-test authority to grades 3-8; the amendment failed on a 15-10 division vote, and the bill then received a do-pass recommendation and passed the Senate. House Bill 293, relating to school curricula and mental health instruction requirements, prompted extended floor debate, with supporters arguing it preserved evidence-based mental health and social-emotional learning instruction for students; it passed 16-10. House Bill 4033, concerning education bond elections, also passed 16-10. In a second Committee of the Whole, members considered House Bill 2016 on tax administration and late filing penalties, House Bill 2140 on depository state money and financial institutions, House Bill 2308 on the State Board of Dental Examiners, House Bill 2320 on school district bonds and financial advisors, House Bill 2439 on public health and exempting certain submissions, and House Bill 2873 on competitive bidding. HB 2320 was retained on the calendar, while the others received do-pass recommendations, with HB 2439 and HB 2873 amended. HB 2873 generated the most debate: a Bullock floor amendment added an emergency clause, and supporters said the measure was needed to allow withdrawal of referendum petitions before ballot qualification, while opponents argued it would undercut the referendum process and voter rights, especially in the Marana data center dispute. The amended bill ultimately received a do-pass recommendation. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports, including a failed attempt by Senator Diaz to add her HB 2033 amendment back into the report by roll call (10-16). After third readings, HB 2032 and HB 293 passed, while HB 2812 failed. The chamber then recessed to honor the University of Arizona men’s basketball team with a proclamation recognizing its 2026 Final Four appearance and Big 12 championships. The Senate later reconvened briefly, received committee announcements, and adjourned until Monday, April 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is the feature that we're most concerned about, is that voters were not apprised that they were
• So it doesn't tell voters that they're voting on a new tax.
• So it doesn't tell voters that they're voting on a new tax.
• So it doesn't tell voters that they're voting on a new tax.
• So it doesn't tell voters that they're voting on a new tax.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1790 HD1, which would require law enforcement and oversight agencies to collect and report data on stops, use of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab, which would publish incident-level information and annual reports. Supporters, including the Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Justice Rising, and the Policing Project, said the bill would improve transparency, help identify disparities, and support better policy and accountability. OHA requested amendments to ensure Hawaiians are identified as a distinct category in the data, and the University of Hawaii’s Ashley Rubin said the Crime Lab would work with agencies to make implementation as seamless as possible. The Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill’s intent but asked for a longer timeline and culturally appropriate methodology, while HPD opposed the bill as written, saying it would require too many new data points, create a significant administrative burden, and rely on subjective perceptions of race and ethnicity; HPD also noted it is piloting an e-citation system that could help with data collection. Committee members questioned HPD about current manual processes and technology options. The chair reported 18 testimonies total: 15 in support, one in opposition, and two with comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1611 HD1, which would phase down the general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs until a full exemption takes effect in 2034. The Department of Taxation offered technical recommendations, including clearer definitions for groceries and nonprescription drugs and a technical change regarding the county surcharge exemption. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, argued the GET on groceries is regressive and worsens food insecurity, especially for low-income households, and said the bill would provide needed relief. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical concerns, including a possible wholesale-tax enforcement issue once the exemption is fully phased in. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1611, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank goodness all the voters across the state say.
• The supporter of this bill said, 'Let the voters decide.'
• The board is required to submit the measure to the voters and allow the voters to weigh in on the merits
• It is a vote to let the voters decide. That is true democracy.
• It is a vote to let the voters decide. That is true democracy.

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding is, in the city of to ask the voters for this to ask the voters for this levying<00:
• Um voters in every of Cheyenne.
• </c> Restore the power of your vote voters Restore the power of your vote voters given<01:10:31.840><
• </c><01:13:04.560><c> It</c> in a way that the voters approve. It in a way that the voters approve.
• </c> voters in a balloted initiative. voters in a balloted initiative.

Bills: SF0099 , SF0116 , SJ0006

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• The voters spoke.
• The voters spoke.
• Voters returned... election. It increases voter confidence and speeds up the counting of votes.
• SCR 1023 favors urban voters to the detriment of rural voters.
• SCR 1023 favors urban voters to the detriment of rural voters.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a series of personal privilege introductions recognizing guests including the Doctor of the Day, realtors visiting for Realtor Day, and the family of former Senator Barbara Leff. The chamber also adopted House Concurrent Resolution 264 honoring Barbara Leff, followed by a moment of silence in her memory. The Senate then moved through a large number of bill introductions and first readings, as well as Committee of the Whole consideration of several measures. In Committee of the Whole, senators considered and advanced multiple bills, often with technical or negotiated floor amendments. Among those reported out as do pass or do pass as amended were SB 1494, SB 1497, SB 1503, SB 1535, SB 1544, SB 1580, SB 1582, SB 1584, SB 1585, SB 1602, SB 1632, SB 1723, and SB 1798. The amendments addressed topics such as technical corrections to mining and pension language, classical learning tests, sex trafficking record sealing, probation reporting, school safety funding, kinship foster care stipends, DES credentialing, domestic violence release conditions, and a school safety/threat identification pilot program that was revised into a FAFSA awareness recognition program. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted. The Senate then took up third-reading votes on several bills. HB 4115, SB 1012, SB 1213, SB 1416, SB 1474, SB 1511, SB 1549, SB 1573, SB 1634, SB 1647, SB 1649, SB 1664, and SB 1725 were considered, with most passing on party-line or near-party-line votes; SB 1416 and SB 1664 passed unanimously, while SB 1549 passed with broader support. Several members explained votes on immigration enforcement, concealed carry in establishments serving alcohol, commercial driver licensing, campaign finance, and a digital asset reserve fund. HB 2993, dealing with DPS legal representation funding, passed 16-13 after debate over constitutional concerns, funding sources, and the use of the Attorney General’s consumer fraud fund. The session ended with the Senate adopting the Committee of the Whole report and transmitting the passed bills to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• You are saying we're going to have to track voters or identify voters who presented an ID so I don't
• You are saying we're going to have to track voters or identify voters who presented an ID so I don't
• </c> the voter registration. the voter registration.
• </c> Granite sters utilize same day voter Granite sters utilize same day voter registration.<01:11:52.080
• Voters.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The other required notice can now be a direct mailing to voters.
• The other required notice can now be a direct mailing to voters.
• So we hear voters all the time.
• I mean, at the end of the day, the voters have that ability.
• Voter participation helping with school staff.

Committees: House Elections , House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:

• , uh, overseas and military voters, uh, emergency response voters.
• , uh, overseas and military voters, uh, emergency response voters.
• </c> applications under current law the voter applications under current law the voter provides<00:15
• absentee voter list.
• Section 25 modifies the voter certificate that is signed by voters to attest to their eligibility to

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> supported by a super majority of Voters supported by a super majority of Voters we<00:14:10.720>
• </c><00:19:57.240><c> adoption</c> have some kind of voter adoption have some kind of voter adoption
• </c><00:20:23.000><c> have</c> statutes that um that the voters have statutes that um that the voters
• That's what the voters can do.
• or the first registered voter?

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• By requiring candidates to disclose these holdings, we ensure that voters have a complete picture of
• </c> about um from the experience of Voters about um from the experience of Voters um<00:09:22.600><c
• My department is responsible for administering elections for about 40,000 registered voters.
• we know not every voter communication we know not every voter votes<00:16:28.600><c> in</c><00:16:28.720
• The way we see it is one voter who reads that posted sign is going to be one less voter who calls the

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• roles, the master list, County uh, voter roles, the master list, the<00:15:55.920><c> active</c><00:
• It's one thing to say our voter rolls are clean, and another thing for the Secretary of State, in his
• </c><00:18:02.720><c> roles,</c> opportunity to see our voter roles, opportunity to see our voter roles
• </c> Secretary of State shares our voter Secretary of State shares our voter information<00:18:14.799
• in the voter roles like 503 that's in the voter roles like 503 people<00:19:34.640><c> that</c><00:19

Summary: Representative Nolan West and Representative Pam Oldenorf introduced and defended a bill aimed at tightening Minnesota SNAP eligibility rules. They said the measure would move the net income test to the front of the application process, add asset testing similar to other state programs, and exclude vehicles over $100,000. They argued these changes would reduce overpayments, improve “good governance,” and help the state avoid future financial penalties tied to SNAP error rates. Oldenorf said Minnesota’s SNAP error rate has risen from about 4% in 2013 to about 9% now, and warned that if it stays above 6% the state could owe about $86 million in 2027. She cited a GAO report saying broad-based categorical eligibility is a major driver of payment errors, and pointed to examples she described as fraud or improper enrollment, including a millionaire receiving benefits and a recent Minneapolis SNAP fraud conviction. West and Oldenorf said the bill would not significantly increase county workloads, because counties already do similar eligibility and asset checks in other programs. In response to questions, the sponsors said they had not yet formally consulted many stakeholders because the bill had just been drafted, but they expected bipartisan support and said they had reached out to counties for input. They also said counties would retain some administrative costs, but the bill should not add major new burdens. The discussion then shifted to a separate topic when West raised concerns about access to Hennepin County voter rolls and alleged irregularities in voter data; he said he had obtained some county records and believed the Secretary of State was improperly limiting access, though no bill action or vote was taken on that issue in this transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal law prohibits intimidating voters.
• crisis and launched an initiative to mobilize voters.
• We believe this bill protects voters from intimidation.
• So it’s a voter, Mr.
• We've had voter intimidation. There's kind of been a thing.

Bills: HB195 , HB279 , SB30 , HB234 , HB292 , SB100 , SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first heard SB 264, which would create state criminal and civil penalties for election interference, including stationing armed personnel at polling places or drop boxes, changing voter qualifications or election procedures contrary to state law, and obstructing or intimidating voters, poll workers, or election administrators. The sponsor and Secretary of State staff said the bill was a response to concerns about possible federal interference in New Mexico elections and was modeled largely on existing federal law, while also adding emergency-related provisions for counties affected by disasters. Support came from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and the Center for Public Policy; there was no opposition testimony. After questions about enforcement, federal conflict, and the role of local law enforcement, the committee passed SB 264 on a due-pass motion. The committee then took up SB 261, a related bill revising firearm restrictions at polling places. The sponsor said the bill would remove most exemptions that had allowed firearms in or around polling locations, while preserving limited exceptions for election administrators to request law enforcement assistance and for certain rural or co-located law enforcement offices. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and the Center for Public Policy, argued that firearms at polls can intimidate voters and poll workers and that the bill would create clearer, safer rules. Opponents, including representatives of a rifle and pistol club, a county sheriff’s office, and the New Mexico Business Coalition, argued that concealed carry holders and officers should not be treated as threats, that the bill could create confusion or criminalize lawful conduct, and that law enforcement needs to remain armed to respond to emergencies and protect polling sites. Committee members debated constitutional tailoring, rural enforcement issues, and how the bill would interact with the earlier election-interference bill. The committee ultimately passed the Judiciary Committee substitute for SB 261 on a due-pass vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 221, which would add a new crime and racketeering predicate for theft and misappropriation of petroleum products and oil and gas equipment. The sponsor, the Attorney General’s office, and industry and law enforcement witnesses said oilfield theft has become more organized and dangerous, causing environmental damage, safety hazards, lost production, and revenue losses, and that existing laws are not sufficient to address the conduct. An opponent questioned whether the conduct was already illegal and argued that the bill singled out one industry and could overcriminalize conduct already covered by other laws and regulations. After discussion about proportionality and whether the bill was necessary, the committee voted on the Judiciary Committee substitute and the motion failed on a tie vote, so SB 221 did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:34.000><c> participation</c> the bill encourages voter participation the bill encourages voter
• </c> candidates to be engaged with our voters candidates to be engaged with our voters and<00:04:48.720
• Um, you know, I’ve got a town with six voters in it. I’ve got another town with six voters in it.
• Um, you know, I’ve got a town with six voters in it. I’ve got another town with six voters in it.
• Um, you know, I’ve got a town with six voters in it. I’ve got another town with six voters in it.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:03.359><c> said</c> January 2026 poll, 68% of voters said January 2026 poll, 68% of voters
• Um, I believe I have some voters.
• </c> states offer some form of a voter states offer some form of a voter information<01:18:39.440><c>
• </c> plethora of information to voters plethora of information to voters online,<01:19:14.960><c> we<
• </c> practices, costs, and voter preferences. practices, costs, and voter preferences.

Bills: HF4348 , HF4186 , HF4202 , HF4455 , HF3884 , HF3883 , HF3882 , HF3881 , HF2688 , HF3295 , HF3862 , HF3362 , HF4242 , HF3798

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't target certain parts of the levy to try to pit voters against each other or residential voters
• voters approved this 20 years ago, so we can do it without going back to the voters now.
• Well, the voters would, if the voters approve a levy increase, that levy increase should be approved
• Certain time to when the voters actually approve it.
• This is when the voters, specifically only when the voters approve a levy increase, they have that reassessment

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 56th day by roll call vote, 131-2. The Speaker also signed several enrolled measures, including HB 1768, HB 1866, HB 1870, HB 2180, and HJR 173 and 174, suspending business for those signings. Members then offered multiple points of personal privilege and introduced numerous student groups, family members, interns, and former Representative Richard Brown as special guests. The main floor business focused on budget conference motions for HB 2002 through HB 2013. The budget chair moved to refuse Senate substitutes and send the bills to conference, and the House approved each motion. In discussion, members highlighted major budget differences, including child care subsidies, transportation funding, higher education funding, and the movement of about $1.76 billion in broadband-related funds into HB 2017, which was noted as affecting how the operating budget totals appear. The House also received Senate messages on several budget bills and other measures, including HB 2002-2013, HB 2637, and HB 3155. The House then took up SB 975, an ambulance district and emergency medical services bill. A House substitute was adopted, along with Amendment 1 adding a compromise community paramedic provision and a minor first-responder mental health change. Members described the bill as helping struggling ambulance districts, improving emergency response, and allowing community paramedics to provide in-home services to reduce unnecessary ER use. The bill passed 136-7. Later, the House considered the combined property tax reform bill on SB 1066 and 1086, adopting three amendments addressing technical cleanup, uniform levy increases and timing of voter-approved tax increases, and assessor training, electronic notices, and changes to payment-under-protest procedures. Supporters said the bill improved transparency and reform; opponents warned it could reduce local control and strain funding for schools, libraries, and other local services. The bill ultimately passed 83-61. The House adjourned until 4 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is Black Voters Matter. We often call it BVM.
• What is the voter registration breakdown, for example, by race?
• That was the question in Black Voters Matter.
• We would also look at voter registration data, election data, voter turnout data.
• So it includes voter turnout data, voter registration data, and election results through the 2020 election

Summary: The Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting met for an informational presentation from outside counsel Andy Bartos on the legal standards governing congressional redistricting. He reviewed federal Equal Protection principles, Florida’s non-diminishment provision, and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, explaining how race can be considered in redistricting but generally cannot be the predominant factor. He also discussed the Florida Constitution’s tiered standards, including the prohibition on intentional political favoritism, compactness, and the requirement to use existing political and geographical boundaries where feasible. Bartos focused on two recent or pending cases: the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision, which upheld the legislature’s 2022 congressional map and held that the non-diminishment clause does not justify making race predominant absent specific identifiable discrimination, and Louisiana v. Callais, pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, which may further clarify whether race may be used predominantly to comply with the Voting Rights Act or whether Section 2 remains constitutional as applied. He also explained how courts assess compactness and intent, and how data such as the 2020 census, voter registration, turnout, and election results are used for voting-rights analysis. Members asked about what triggers redistricting, whether the legislature must redraw maps now, what data is available in the mapping tool, how intent is measured, and whether public input opportunities will be provided. Bartos said redistricting timing is largely a legislative judgment unless a court requires changes, that the committee can consider whether BVM or the eventual Callais decision warrants revisions, and that the Callais ruling will bind Louisiana directly but serve as precedent for other courts. No votes or legislative actions were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, you know, there are lots of other issues that voters use to decide, you know, what's important to
• Uh, we need the issue to be highlighted enough, top of mind for voters in these other uh more purple
• Uh, you know, there are lots of other issues that voters use to decide, you know, what's important to
• The voters understand what position their legislators are taking on this issue.
• </c><00:15:08.000><c> are</c> start thinking that their voters are start thinking that their voters are

Summary: The program covered three main topics: Minnesota’s February economic forecast, gun violence prevention efforts, and the growing debate over data centers. Minnesota Management and Budget reported a stronger-than-expected outlook, replacing a projected deficit with a $3.7 billion surplus for FY 2026-27 and a projected positive balance for FY 2028-29, though officials warned the state still faces a structural imbalance and possible federal funding losses tied to Medicaid reimbursements and fraud-related federal actions. Lawmakers also discussed affordability concerns, with Senate Republicans promoting a tax-relief package focused on property taxes, vehicle tab fees, and ending taxes on tips and overtime. A lengthy segment focused on gun violence prevention, including a Capitol rally by Annunciation Catholic Church families, students, and advocates. Senator Ron Latz said an interim working group he co-led with Senator Zeinab Mohamed gathered public and expert input and helped shape ideas for the session. He said there is no single solution, but cited measures such as red flag laws, universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, high-capacity magazine limits, safe-storage requirements, ghost gun and binary trigger bans, and more school counseling and wraparound mental health supports. Latz emphasized that he sees these as compatible with the Second Amendment and said he hopes to build bipartisan support, especially around school counseling and other “common-sense” measures. Latz said the short session and narrow margins mean compromise will be necessary, and that if a package does not pass this year, lawmakers will return to the issue next session while voters should hold legislators accountable in future elections. The final segment introduced the data center discussion, with Senator Bill Liske describing how data centers have grown from small server rooms into large industrial facilities and noting that some communities are considering moratoriums or restrictions because of neighborhood impacts.