Transcript Highlights:

• Now, candidates is obviously defined as once somebody has filed for public office, they become a candidate
• or a family member of that candidate.
• It's different for political candidates.
• It's different for political candidates.
• It's different for political candidates. And we all know that.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, you have your contest period after the primary election, which candidates can file, and then
• So right now, you have your contest period after the primary election, which candidates can file, and
• When candidates file an application with the Office of Elections, they have to attest to complying with
• When candidates file an application with the Office of Elections, they have to attest to complying with
• When candidates file an application with the Office of Elections, they have to attest to complying with

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 114, which would create a presidential preference primary for the 2028 election. The Office of Elections said the bill would cost about $4.1 million. Supporters, including the Hawaii Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters, favored moving the process to a state-run primary, while several opponents, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women and multiple individual testifiers, argued it would be too expensive, would shift control away from the parties, and would replace volunteer-run caucuses with a mail-in system. Committee members questioned the chief election officer about election timing, certification, and how a primary might be scheduled with other elections. Testimony was recorded as 11 in support, 41 opposed, and 3 comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up SB 725, which would require judges to make findings about a defendant’s ability to afford bail. Judiciary and Attorney General witnesses asked that the bill be deferred or amended, saying the Judicial Council is already reviewing pretrial bail reform and that the bill’s language could create practical problems for police, sheriffs, and courts. Supporters, including the Correctional System Oversight Commission, the public defender, the Community Alliance on Prisons, the ACLU of Hawaii, and disability rights advocates, said cash bail disproportionately harms low-income defendants, increases pretrial detention costs, and should require clearer findings and records. Opponents included the Hawaii County prosecuting attorney. Members questioned how bail is initially set, what records exist, and whether the bill would change current practice; Judiciary witnesses said initial bail decisions are often made by police or judges and later reviewed on the record, while supporters argued the bill would strengthen front-end due process. The ACLU said it supported the bill with amendments, including clearer standards for ability to pay and written findings. The committee also began hearing SB 733, a proposed constitutional amendment to establish a continuous legislative session. Early testimony was strongly supportive, with advocates arguing that the current 60-day session limits public participation, makes it hard for working people to testify, and prevents lawmakers from collaborating effectively. Supporters said a year-round model could improve transparency, reduce duplicate bills, and better accommodate neighbor island legislators. The excerpt ends during the opening testimony on SB 733, before any committee action or vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• But a lot of times we just have to rely on what is filed by the candidate or the noncandidate committee
• your report, you're filing that it's true and accurate.
• your report, you're filing that it's true and accurate.
• So the state of mind, this should be more, you know, there's a report that was filed.
• the report, you mean, you don't file your report on time. - Right?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several nominations and bills. It first recommended advise and consent for Governor’s Message 573, confirming Luann Blake to the Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee after she described her experience as a blind voter and her goals of improving outreach and accessibility for voters with print disabilities. The committee then took up the judiciary supplemental budget bill, HB 2095, with testimony from the courts and several supportive organizations. The courts requested funding for security, cybersecurity, substance use treatment contracts, public guardian services, staffing, and capital projects; members questioned the lump-sum CIP request, the substance use contract funding, and the Kamanu Hale elevator project. The committee later voted to pass HB 2095 with amendments, including changes to cybersecurity funding, security-related report language, and other committee-report notes. The committee also heard HB 1520, which changes the five-year statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of campaign finance violations to begin upon discovery by the Campaign Spending Commission. The commission supported the bill, saying it would prevent delayed reporting from avoiding prosecution, while one senator raised concerns about due diligence, tolling, and the difference between administrative and criminal enforcement. The bill drew broad support from advocacy groups and was advanced with an amendment clarifying “criminal prosecution.” HB 1548, which reduces the maximum sentence for misdemeanors and other offenses punishable by up to one year to 364 days, received strong support from the Public Defender, immigrant-rights groups, OHA, and others, who said the change would reduce immigration consequences for noncitizens. The committee later amended and passed the bill, limiting it to non-violent offenses. HB 2050, increasing partial public financing limits and available public funds, was supported by the Campaign Spending Commission and good-government groups, while OHA asked for parity with lieutenant governor races. The committee passed it with amendments increasing the public-fund match and funding levels, and requested additional appropriations in the committee report. HB 2494, which would set factors for warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations and require documentation of the justification, drew strong support from the Public Defender and civil-liberties advocates but opposition from the Attorney General’s office, prosecutors, police, and some business groups, who warned it would restrict officer discretion and trigger litigation. The committee nevertheless passed it with amendments. In a final decision-making agenda, the committee also passed HB 2250 with amendments, adding blank appropriations and committee-report language related to claims against the state, including claims involving exonerees and a disputed USEPA-related claim.

Transcript Highlights:

• The official with whom the state representative candidates shall file shall be the secretary of state
• state representative candidate may file with the appropriate town clerk. >> Right.
• state representative candidate may file with the appropriate town clerk. >> Right.
• state representative candidate may file with the appropriate town clerk. >> Right.
• > shut's the filing of candidates for shut's the filing of candidates for shut's primaries<00:36:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• RCV also provides an incentive for candidates to find common ground because candidates are looking for
• couldn't get an extra candidate, you could get an extra delegate, making the case for their candidate
• It allows people to vote for the candidate they truly believe can win.
• Voters rank candidates in order of preference.
• based on next choices until one candidate has majority support.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on ranked choice voting, focusing primarily on Boston’s home rule petition (H. 4262) and Bedford’s petition (H. 4916). Committee chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Keenan opened the hearing, explained the three-minute testimony limit, and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. The hearing featured testimony from a wide range of supporters, including advocacy organizations, community leaders, Boston City Council members, and Bedford residents. Witnesses generally argued that ranked choice voting would produce majority-supported winners, reduce vote-splitting and negative campaigning, encourage coalition-building, and give voters more freedom to rank candidates without fear of wasting their vote. Several speakers emphasized local control and said Boston and Bedford should be allowed to decide for themselves whether to adopt the system. Others highlighted potential benefits for women, historically marginalized communities, and voter participation more broadly. Boston councilors and supporters also described the city’s local approval process and said the proposal would still require voter ratification if enacted by the legislature. No opposition testimony was presented in the excerpt. The committee took no substantive vote on the bills during the hearing; after testimony concluded, the chairs thanked participants and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, that doesn't take up or not candidate selection, but it's, it's right there along with those candidate
• Candidates to apply to, to be, to be libertarian candidates.
• They could have filed. So I'm asking, should we make the filing period longer?
• Always looking for candidates.
• OK The other two candidates, however, were fine, but it does send a message to the other two candidates

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is file item number 3 SB 280 by Cervantes.
• File item number 6 SB 651 by Grove.
• And the last one is file item number 8 SB 851.
• You know, candidates who aren't necessarily a part of the establishment, or candidates who don't have
• On consent, it's file item three, file item six, file item seven, and file item eight. Berman? Aye.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who file for state-level office.
• Um, next up we're going to have Senate File 9, uh, Senator Bahr, would you like to move Senate File 9
• file file 9<00:37:38.800> UM<00:37:39.040> Mr<00:37:39.240> chair<00:37:39.480>
• Sigerson mentioned 93% of candidates Sigerson mentioned 93% of candidates participated<00:56:03.680><
• <01:10:30.840> we<01:10:30.960> as candidates we as candidates we as candidates<01:10:32.679

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• considering a motion that was filed considering a motion that was filed today. today. today.
• So, but we've got some good candidates, and we're moving along.
• So, but we've got some good candidates, and we're moving along.
• So, but we've got some good candidates, and we're moving along.
• So, but we've got some good candidates, and we're moving along.

Keywords: This video was pulled from back ups and loaded into YouTube after the fact., 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a procedural motion to have the record reflect that the Government Contracts Review Committee had met earlier that morning, that the chairman had attended in person, and that the committee approved a retroactive contract for enforcement counsel in the case under consideration. The motion was seconded, clarified to include any future ratification or approval if needed, and then approved unanimously. The commission then took up a motion to deny a motion to dismiss in matters 24 LEC3 and 24 LEC6; after clarifying that it was denying the motion made on August 18 and not considering a new filing, the motion passed unanimously. Staff then reported that the commission office was busy with required forms and that the budget remained in good standing and within parameters. The commission approved the financial report by motion. It was also noted that informal advisory opinions issued since the last meeting were included in the materials for review, with any questions to be handled in closed session if needed. The chairman updated members on the search for a new executive director, saying Denita would serve as acting executive director in the interim. He reported that several strong applications had been received, that a committee was reviewing and ranking candidates, and that the formal application period had closed on August 15. Members were told they could forward recommendations to the personnel committee, but that the full commission would make the final hiring decision. In new business, a member offered a remembrance of Representative Jeff Greer, and the commission observed a moment of silence in his honor before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's not just candidate to candidate.
• So if a candidate, or a current candidate, or someone affiliated with that candidate, someone working
• So if a candidate or a current candidate or someone affiliated with that candidate, someone working for
• So technically, we're all candidates if you're filing a campaign finance report and continuing to raise
• , any candidate, which contains the image or likeness of a candidate, any candidate.

Bills: HR115, HR116, HR117, HR118, HR112, HR113, HR114, HCR51, HCR52, SCR18, SCR20, SB14, SB76, SB118, SB142, SB156, SB170, SB197, SB234, SB258, SB287, SB288, SB313, SB315, SB393, SB396, SB426, SB427, HCR7, HB76, HB84, HB132, HB181, HB210, HB250, HB265, HB275, HB291, HB322, HB342, HB457, HB475, HB477, HB486, HB616, HB635, HB639, HB690, HB740, HB757, HB761, HB766, HB774, HB808, HB855, HB866, HB872, HB883, HB886, HB903, HB949, HB962, HB996, HB1003, HB1036, HB1054, HB1071, HB1076, HB1078, HB1113, HB1132, HB1146, HB1232, HB1233, HR15, HR20, HCR14, HCR6, HCR19, HCR10, HR74, HCR26, HCR35, HB98, HB108, HB131, HB151, HB161, HB288, HB294, HB305, HB310, HB320, HB336, HB380, HB392, HB403, HB420, HB459, HB476, HB540, HB615, HB631, HB637, HB648, HB665, HB682, HB789, HB813, HB815, HB835, HB870, HB905, HB915, HB933, HB938, HB987, HB1040, HB51, HB82, HB143, HB145, HB160, HB180, HB192, HB393, HB430, HB445, HB506, HB515, HB521, HB565, HB590, HB614, HB638, HB670, HB672, HB685, HB692, HB752, HB773, HB781, HB799, HB860, HB874, HB887, HB917, HB937, HB956, HB965, HB972, HB977, HB982, HB1006, HB1010, HB1044, HB1072, HB1088, HB1179, HB1200, HB81, HB400, HB154, HB410, HB463, HB827, HB868, HB952, HB953, HB140, HB750, HB911, HB52, HB961, HB399, HB401, HB901, HB9, HB58, HB193, HB284, HB570, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB733

Keywords: Kappa Alpha Psi, fraternity, Louisiana, commemoration, community engagement, recognition, state championship, basketball, sports achievement, school commendation, commendation, athletics, team sports, youth, community recognition, water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• When candidates file for office, they must submit proof of residency when they do so.
• When candidates file for office, they must submit proof of residency when they do so.
• to run for office, the candidate must present the filing officer with the candidate's valid driver's
• to run for office, the candidate must present the filing officer with the candidate's valid driver's
• . file. file.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what you wanted was what candidates had come in and filled out to, basically, to file as a candidate
• during the primary election candidate filing process.
• So some possibilities may include changing the date of the candidate filing deadline, moving it up to
• candidates, During this primary filing period, public requesters or other candidates wishing to review
• One of those you just heard about was the candidate filing deadlines and the short period of time that

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re going to start with your bill first, House File 846.
• regarding house file regarding house file 1538<00:57:29.720> my<00:57:29.839> name
• meller moves house file 1959 before the meller moves house file 1959 before the committee<01:18:
• These are ones that the teacher candidates themselves apply for, so programs don't apply; teacher candidates
• It’s a cohort-based model that places candidates for the full academic...

Bills: HF846, HF1538, HF1959

Keywords: education, special education, apprenticeship, funding, grants, intermediate school districts, teacher apprenticeship, registered apprenticeship, teacher licensure, teacher shortage, workforce development, education finance, K-12 education, higher education, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, Tier 3 license, teacher preparation, mentor teacher, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• She added that other offices take candidate filing information as the shell and then add information
• Freeman responded that they currently do publish it, both on the sample ballot and in the candidate filings
• done it is they take their candidate done it is they take their candidate filing<01:34:51.040>
• <01:37:36.000> filings<01:37:36.639> if<01:37:36.800> a well as in the candidate
• filings if a well as in the candidate filings if a candidate<01:37:37.360> provides<01:37:37.840

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

Keywords: HF4186, Minnesota local government finance, housing and redevelopment authority, HRA, public investment authority, qualifying government, State Board of Investment, SBI, index mutual fund, multifamily housing development, long-term equity investment, investment-grade fixed income, federally insured securities, government-sponsored entities, municipal investing, local government investments, housing finance, public funds, investment policy, risk of loss

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:53.440> There's candidates. It's not their role. There's candidates.
• They have candidate forums that they do, invite candidates, have candidate introductory nights and the
• > have<00:47:02.640> candidate invite candidates, have candidate invite candidates, have
• I mean do we see candidate nights? that. I mean do we see candidate nights?
• The town's litigation was filed.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this requires officials that receive candidate filings to notify the officials that prepare the ballots
• And this requires officials that receive candidate filings to notify the officials that prepare the ballots
• And this requires officials that receive candidate filings to notify the officials that prepare the ballots
• And this requires officials that receive candidate filings to notify the officials that prepare the ballots
• <00:09:06.720> filings officials that receive candidate filings officials that receive candidate

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The State and Local Government and Elections Conference Committee met on May 13, 2025, to adopt agreed-upon provisions from the elections article. The chair noted they initially lacked a quorum on both sides, but later confirmed quorum was present. Members and staff walked through a grid of proposed sections, covering voter registration and student proof-of-residence rules, public voter information list deadlines, electronic rosters for combined polling places, absentee ballot procedures, candidate filing and ballot preparation notices, write-in candidate timelines, municipal boundary adjustments, emergency polling place signage, county election training, special election filing periods for legislative vacancies, school district election timing, voting system testing, town elections, hospital board elections, and repeal of the voting equipment grant account. Several items were described as technical or clarifying changes, including wording fixes, consistency edits, and updated effective dates, with many provisions set to take effect January 1, 2026. One item, line 15, involving a cannabis-related provision, was set aside because an amendment had not been posted and printed in time; members agreed to take it up later. The committee also discussed a mix of House-only and Senate-only provisions, including third-party presidential electors, phonetic spelling on affidavits of candidacy, notification of ballot preparers when candidate names change, emergency polling place procedures, training requirements, and rules for temporary polling places on tribal land. After the staff walkthrough and brief questions, Vice Chair Aldenorf moved to adopt the provisions in the document titled “Elections Provisions Proposed Sections for Adoptions, May 13, 2025,” excluding line 15, and include them in the conference committee report. The motion passed on a voice vote with no opposition recorded. The committee then adjourned, with members noting that work on remaining elections provisions could continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the candidate has filed the financial disclosure statement required for public officers for that year
• So basically, when I filed my disclosure, I had to file as a candidate, and then I had to file as an
• Candidates obviously still have to file in March as normal.
• Yes, so what's happening now is, as when we as candidates file, we file one time. That's it.
• If we are elected officials, and then we have to file another one because we're also a candidate.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1133, an emergency measure intended to streamline financial disclosure filings for certain candidates and officeholders. The bill would deem a candidate in compliance with nomination-paper disclosure requirements if they have already filed the annual financial disclosure statement required of public officers, eliminating the need for a duplicate filing for that year. Members discussed that the change would apply only for the relevant filing year, not for an entire term, and several members said the current process is repetitive and unnecessary. During discussion, staff clarified that the bill would not change the normal candidate filing requirements for all situations, but would reduce duplicative filings for officeholders who are also candidates. Members expressed support for simplifying the process. The vice chair moved Senate Bill 1133 be returned with a do pass recommendation, and the committee approved the motion by a vote of 5-0, with two members absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, the TEC tries to make the process of filing easier by offering a custom electronic filing application
• As these reports are filed on behalf of the candidate and and the PACs to see the interaction between
• A candidate can't take a contribution from a candidate.
• Well, as candidates, everyone on this dais, with the exception of the Senate, is a candidate, or has
• been a candidate, or will be a candidate, and we're frustrated.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Senate File 3703 is a very simple bill really aimed at just ensuring that all presidential candidates
• <00:03:33.360> meet that all presidential candidates meet that all presidential candidates
• just does that says that uh candidates just does that says that uh candidates uh<00:03:50.879>
• File uh 3703. File uh 3703.
• Senate File 3823 private finances.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill addresses two practical challenges in the election filing process for candidates that have
• candidates if they're supposed to file candidates if they're supposed to file receipts<03:55:10.120
• do not file percentage of candidates do not file Financial<03:56:27.880> reports<03:56:28.439
• did not file 313 house candidates did not file Financial<03:56:37.920> reports<03:56:38.359><
• Right now, we don’t know whether candidates didn’t file or didn’t report.

Keywords: 1189, house, all