Video & Transcript : 'electoral votes' :

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AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/17/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate will now proceed to vote. Those in favor of the measure vote aye; those opposed vote no.
  • Senator Quang Nguyen votes no. Have you all voted?
  • The Senate will now proceed to vote. Those in favor of the measure vote aye; those opposed vote no.
  • Secretary, record the vote. By a vote of 16 ayes, 10 nays, and 4 not voting, ...
  • I vote yes. So, Kiva votes aye. System is closed. Secretary, record the vote.
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a proclamation declaring March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month. Guests recognized included ACLU of Arizona volunteers for Lobby Day, a student intern, a doctor of the day specializing in dementia care, and members of the Arizona chapter of the American Institute of Architects for Architecture Advocacy Day. The chamber also received several appointments to committees and a series of House messages and bills for introduction and first reading. The main floor action was third reading votes on multiple measures. The Senate passed SB 1011, SB 1017, SB 1170, SB 1173, SB 1234, SB 1275, SB 1332, SB 1544, SB 1557, SB 1585 on reconsideration, SCR 1022, SB 1273, and SB 1274, with most votes falling along a 17-9 or 16-10 split. Several senators explained their no votes, raising concerns about mandatory minimum drug penalties, juvenile court changes, diversion policy, and the light rail feasibility study; supporters argued for public safety, judicial discretion, or the need for updated studies and voter review. On SCR 1022, which would refer a constitutional amendment on legislative member districts, supporters argued Arizona’s House is too small for its population and should be expanded, while opponents said the idea needed more study before going to voters. The Senate also heard committee announcements for the next day, including meetings for Health and Human Services, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, Education, Judiciary and Elections, and Public Safety. The body then adjourned until Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

04/21/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Opposed, vote no. The ayes have it; so ordered. Those in favor, vote aye. Aye. Opposed, vote no.
  • For this reason, I vote no. Senator Kuby votes no. Senator Epstein. I rise to explain my vote.
  • I vote no. Any votes now? Senator Sunderation? Mr. President Pro Tem, rise to explain my vote.
  • And I vote no. Thank you. Senator Gonzalez votes no.
  • So with that, I vote no. Senator Diaz votes no.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the journal. The body then extended the session under Rule 27 and agreed to request House consent to adjourn until April 27, 2026. It moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House bills, including HB 2170 (procurement code-related), HB 2415 (kratom regulation), HB 2700 (housing technology study committee), and HB 2950 (special districts/tourism improvement areas). Amendments were adopted on HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2950, and the committee reported HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2700 do pass; HB 2950 was later defeated on third read. The Senate also heard a brief welcome for visiting students and a personal privilege statement on Earth Day and environmental issues. The Senate then entered an additional Committee of the Whole for HB 2035 (child welfare and placement), HB 2249 (parental bill of rights), and HB 2573 (DUI/local referendum-related language). HB 2035 received a Warner amendment expanding the definition of extended family to include adoptive family members; HB 2249 received a Mesnard amendment adding liability and technical changes; and HB 2573 received a Rogers technical amendment. All three were reported out do pass as amended. On third read, HB 2573 passed 20-9, with several senators explaining opposition based on referendum and emergency-clause concerns tied to a Marana data center dispute; HB 2170 passed 17-12; HB 2415 passed 22-7; HB 2035 passed 26-3; and HB 2249 passed 17-12. HB 2950 failed 10-19. The Senate also considered House Concurrent Resolution 2043, substituting it for the Senate version and sending it to third read. The resolution, which calls for a convention to propose a federal constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms, passed 16-13 after several senators warned about the risks of a constitutional convention and the lack of limits on its scope. The House’s message on adjournment was read, committee meetings for April 27 were announced, and members made personal privilege remarks, including birthday wishes and an announcement about the annual legislative charity softball game. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, April 27, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jan 15th, 2026

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Six members having voted in the affirmative and 31 members having voted in the negative, the amendment
  • Cronin votes yes.
  • Lewis votes yes.
  • Nick Collins votes yes. Senator from First Worcester. Robyn Kennedy votes yes. Thank you.
  • Robyn Kennedy votes yes.
Summary: The Senate took up Senate Bill 2898, a campaign finance transparency bill for state ballot question committees, and considered a series of amendments. Several amendments offered by Senator Tarr were rejected, including proposals on safety-based redactions, standardized reporting definitions, contribution limits, municipal ballot question reporting, post-election audits for all statewide elections, and tax-exempt entities in ballot campaigns. Amendments by Senators Rausch, DiDomenico, and Finegold were adopted, including late contribution reporting, retroactive reporting with an emergency preamble, regulations for preliminary costs, and a ban on pay-per-signature arrangements for signature gathering. One amendment by Senator Edwards on stronger penalties for violations was withdrawn. The Ways and Means amendment, as amended, was then adopted, the bill was ordered to third reading, and it ultimately passed to be engrossed by a 38-0 roll call vote. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 2903, an act honoring Blue Star families, which would provide specialty license plates at no charge to the parent, child, or spouse of a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. Senators spoke in strong support, citing the recent funeral of Officer Stephen LaPorteur of Uxbridge and the continuing grief of families of fallen officers. The bill was ordered to third reading and passed to be engrossed unanimously by a 38-0 roll call. Later, the Senate adopted several committee extension orders. These extended deadlines for the Committees on Aging and Independence, Education, Public Service, and Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, with members and committee chairs explaining the need for additional time to complete work on pending bills, review commission recommendations, and finish cost analyses. The Senate also adopted an order to adjourn to the following Tuesday at 11 a.m., and the chamber adjourned in memory of Stuart H. Altman.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Civil Law and Procedure Apr 13th, 2026

Civil Law and Procedure

Transcript Highlights:
  • Roll call vote. A vote yes sends the bill to the floor. A vote no keeps it in committee. Mr.
  • Think about what that vote means.
  • And this would give us a right to vote for him or not vote for him.
  • And this would give us a right to vote for him or not vote for him.
  • vote a person in and out.
Summary: The committee first considered HB 446 by Rep. Boyer, a constitutional amendment to set eligible dates for local bond and tax elections. Staff said it would amend Article 6, Section 22, could not be done statutorily, and was scheduled for November 3, 2026 to maximize turnout. The committee adopted the 6.8A report and reported the bill without amendments. Members then took up several constitutional amendments and civil law measures, including HB 244 on constitutional conventions, HB 214 on a property tax exemption for rehabilitated blighted or derelict property, HB 514 on an additional senior homestead-style ad valorem exemption, HB 27 on how non-recurring state monies may be applied to retirement system unfunded liabilities, and HB 225 on gubernatorial term limits. HB 244 and HB 225 were amended before being reported, while HB 214, HB 514, and HB 27 were reported favorably without amendments. The committee also adopted SB 127, which allows limited curator donations on behalf of interdicted persons and narrows forced heirship in certain disability-related estate planning situations. The committee approved HB 1043, as amended, to raise the civil jurisdictional amount for the First and Second Parish Courts of Jefferson Parish from $20,000 to $35,000. It also approved HB 473 by substitute on custody and child support, with the substitute preserving language that physical custody should be shared equally unless the court finds that infeasible or not in the child’s best interest. HB 71, which extends certain self-defense liability protections to registered armed private security officers, drew opposition over training and public safety concerns but was reported favorably after a roll call vote of 8 yeas and 1 nay. The committee also advanced HB 1082, which would require the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System to sue municipalities in the local parish rather than East Baton Rouge when it is the plaintiff. Supporters said the current venue rule burdens small towns with travel and litigation costs; opponents argued Article 84 provides a consistent statewide venue and that the litigation is largely about municipalities failing to enroll officers properly. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on HB 306, which concerns court costs and fees in domestic abuse cases; members worked through a concept amendment to restore “reasonable” attorney’s fees and add court-approved evaluation and expert witness fees, and the discussion continued with testimony about federal grant compliance and victim protections.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Six members having voted in the affirmative and 31 members having voted in the negative, the amendment
  • Cronin votes yes.
  • Lewis votes yes.
  • Nick Collins votes yes. Senator from First Worcester. Robyn Kennedy votes yes. Thank you. Robin K.
  • Kennedy votes yes.
Summary: The Senate considered a campaign finance and ballot question transparency bill, taking up a series of amendments. Several amendments offered by Senator Tarr were rejected, including proposals on safety-based redactions, standardized valuation/liability reporting, higher contribution limits, municipal ballot question reporting, tax-exempt entities in ballot campaigns, and post-election audits for all statewide elections. Amendments by Senators Rausch and DiDomenico were adopted, including late contribution reporting and retroactive reporting with an emergency preamble. Senator Feingold’s amendment to prohibit pay-per-signature arrangements for petition gathering was also adopted after a roll call vote. The bill, Senate No. 2898, An Act improving campaign finance reporting by state ballot question committees, was then passed to be engrossed by a 38-0 vote. The Senate next took up Senate No. 2903, An Act honoring Blue Star families, which would provide specialty license plates at no charge to the parent, child, or spouse of a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. Senators spoke in support, emphasizing the sacrifice of officers and their families, including the recent funeral of Officer Stephen LaPorteur. The bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a 38-0 vote. The chamber also approved several committee extension orders. These extended deadlines for the Committees on Aging and Independence, Education, Public Service, and Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, with members noting the limited number of bills and the need for additional time to complete review, cost analysis, or respond to commission reports. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Tuesday at 11 a.m., dispensed with printing a calendar, and adjourned in memory of Stuart H. Altman.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jan 15th, 2026

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Six members having voted in the affirmative and 31 members having voted in the negative, the amendment
  • Cronin votes yes.
  • Lewis votes yes.
  • Nick Collins votes yes. Senator from First Worcester. Robin K. Kennedy votes yes. Thank you.
  • Kennedy votes yes.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Feb 24th, 2026

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • We just voted on it. So I'd like to assure the committee that, yes—wait, Representative...
  • Appointees must meet basic qualifications, such as being a qualified elector, living in the district,
  • Appointees must meet basic qualifications, such as being a qualified elector, living in the district,
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Civil Law and Procedure Apr 13th, 2026

Civil Law and Procedure

Transcript Highlights:
  • Roll call vote. A vote yes sends the bill to the floor. A vote no keeps it in committee. Mr.
  • Think about what that vote means.
  • And this would give us a right to vote for him or not vote for him.
  • against them and voted them out.
  • vote a person in and out.
Bills: HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB244 , HB306 , HB366 , HB446 , HB473 , HB514 , HB1043 , HB1082 , SB127
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - 04/25/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> Her votes I. Senator Her votes I. Her votes I. Senator Her votes I.
  • </c> Bar votes I. Senator How votes I. Bar votes I. Senator How votes I.
  • </c> Utki votes I. Senator UTI votes I. Utki votes I. Senator UTI votes I.
  • </c> Bar votes I. Senator How votes I. Bar votes I. Senator How votes I.
  • </c> vote votes I. And Senator Lang votes I. vote votes I. And Senator Lang votes I.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Finance and Tax Feb 25th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • millages levied by school districts to apply to such levies authorized by a vote of the electors on or
  • By a vote of the electors on or after July 1, 2026.
  • , but use a two-thirds vote threshold.
  • And by your vote, SPB 7048 is favorably reported as a committee bill.
  • Are there any senators that wish to be recorded as voting?
Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. The first, SPB 7046, was the Senate tax package. It included changes to Live Local property tax opt-outs, charter school distributions from voter-approved property tax levies, RV park special assessments, fiscally constrained county funding, a permanent sales tax exemption for small propane tanks, a hunting/fishing/camping sales tax holiday, and provisions barring governmental net zero policies. An amendment made the charter-school distribution change prospective starting July 1, 2026. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the charter-school language would divert money from traditional public schools and on the fiscal-constrained county formula. The bill was reported favorably as a committee bill after a roll call vote, with Senators Bernard and Jones voting no. The committee also considered SPB 7048, which updates Florida’s conformity to the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and partially decouples from federal tax changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The bill addresses bonus depreciation, research and experimental expenses, business meal deductions, and the business interest deduction, with the Revenue Estimating Conference expected to review the fiscal impact later in the week. The Florida Chamber testified that the bill should better align with federal tax relief and reduce administrative burdens, while senators emphasized the need to balance business tax relief with state revenue constraints. SPB 7048 was also reported favorably as a committee bill by roll call vote.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Education Committee Mar 25th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • When a time is appropriate, I would love an aye vote. Thank you.
  • The bill vote is 7-0. It is out. We will leave the roll open for add-ons. The bill vote is 7-0.
  • They're just two votes.
  • It also reduces superintendents to one vote on large votes instead of an important statewide leadership
  • , and they're voting in different ways now.
Committee: House Education
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Election Law (03/07/2025)

Election Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:23:51.799><c> were</c> and so if my right to vote were and so if my right to vote were dependent
  • </c> parents a veto over whether you can vote parents a veto over whether you can vote in<00:24:22.640
  • Vice President shall be denied the right to vote for electors of the President and Vice President in
  • Vice President shall be denied the right to vote for electors of the President and Vice President in
  • Lastly here, voting rights—U.S.
Committee: House Election Law
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee, February 27, 2026

Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, typically, an election is not achieved with 100% of the voting electorate.
  • These percentages are, however, based on 100% of the voting electorate.
  • I'll be voting for it as well.
  • Election voting machine and voting system tests. The House basically stripped out our amendments.
  • Election voting machine and voting<01:51:30.000><c> system</c><01:51:30.400><c> tests.
Bills: HB0022 , HB0052 , HB0076
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Election Law (02/17/2026)

Election Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • The &gt;&gt; Chair votes. Yes. The vote carries.
  • The vote carries uh 15 &gt;&gt; Chair votes yes.
  • The vote of &gt;&gt; Chair votes yes.
  • You're a no vote. Well, in the majority. You're a no vote.
  • </c><02:00:19.040><c> on</c><02:00:19.119><c> the</c> vote on their officers, to vote on the vote on
Committee: House Election Law
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Mar 21st, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • The vote is now open. Speaker: Vote is about to close. Speaker: The vote is now closed.
  • The vote is now open. Sanchez votes no.
  • The vote is The vote is now open. The vote is about to close. The vote is now closed.
  • The vote is now open. The vote is about to close. The vote is now closed.
  • The vote is now open. Speaker: Vote was about to close. The vote is now closed.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House and Governmental Affairs Apr 1st, 2026

House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • A vote of yes means involuntary deferral; a vote of no means no deferral.
  • to vote, even if I tried to vote.
  • I registered to vote.
  • And I don't ...office around voting rights and access to voting.
  • They vote going to have equal vote.
Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public access, transparency, and campaign finance. HB 648, as amended, would allow early childhood providers and parents of children under five to participate virtually in certain boards and commissions when in-person attendance is not feasible; supporters said it would help short-staffed providers and busy parents, while an opponent argued participation is different from observation. The bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 615 would require certain public bodies with taxing, rulemaking, or fee-setting authority to broadcast meetings live and keep an online archive; supporters emphasized low-cost technology and broader access, while local government representatives warned of unfunded mandates, confusion over which bodies are covered, and concerns about archiving and platform dependence. The committee adopted amendments clarifying the recording/broadcast language and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 627, a similar live-streaming bill by Rep. Knox, was voluntarily deferred in favor of HB 615. The committee also considered HB 996, which would allow campaign funds to be used for clothing required for holding office and related cleaning/maintenance. The author said the bill was meant to offset required professional attire costs for legislators with modest salaries, but members raised concerns about public perception, possible abuse, and whether a cap should be added. The bill was voluntarily deferred so the author could work with members on a cap and narrower language. HB 540, dealing with disclosures for certain digital political communications and influencer-style campaign advertising, was discussed as a way to require disclosure when third parties are paid from campaign funds to promote or attack candidates online; members sought clarification that it would apply to paid campaign content rather than ordinary self-posted material. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 270, which would allow qualified incarcerated voters who have not been convicted of a felony to vote absentee by mail if they are first-time mail registrants and cannot vote in person. The author said the bill was intended to resolve a conflict between existing voting statutes and preserve already-existing voting rights for pretrial detainees and others not convicted of felonies. Supporters said incarcerated voters are highly verifiable and the bill would reduce confusion, while opponents raised concerns about administration. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to involuntarily defer the bill by a recorded vote.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Feb 2nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Rood votes, nay, do not pass. Riu. Riu votes aye. Rue votes aye. Springer votes aye.
  • Springer votes aye. Stonyer. Stonyer votes aye. Stonyer votes aye. Street votes aye.
  • Wirt votes aye. Burquist votes aye. Burquist votes aye. Bernders votes aye. Berndt votes aye.
  • Cortez votes aye. Cortez votes aye. I. Dolio votes aye. Aye. Diio votes aye. Aye. Do not pass.
  • Rew votes aye. Aye. Springer votes aye. Aye. Springer votes aye. Aye. Stoner votes aye. Street.
Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2073, which would require nonprofit health carriers with surplus above 600% of risk-based capital to pay 3% of the excess to support the Cascade Care Savings premium assistance program. Committee staff said the bill could generate about $80 million in FY 2027 based on 2024 surplus data, while carriers and business groups argued their reserves are needed to pay claims, manage risk, and avoid premium increases. Supporters said the bill would redirect consumer-funded surplus to help Washingtonians afford coverage, especially as federal subsidies expire. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2132, which limits disclosure and retention of personally identifying and financial information in WASFA applications. Staff explained the bill would exempt WASFA records from public disclosure, restrict sharing to narrow purposes, and shorten retention periods, with significant fiscal impacts tied to purging records and updating data-sharing practices. Student and advocacy testimony strongly supported the bill as a privacy and safety measure for immigrant and mixed-status students. The committee also heard House Bill 2403, which lowers the penalty for failure to register as a sex offender and adds community custody and DOC supervision; public defense supported it as a cost-saving, consensus reform, and staff projected DOC savings. House Bill 2587 was also heard, creating a Commerce pilot to provide limited advance grant funding to eligible nonprofits; supporters said it would help smaller nonprofits manage reimbursement-based contracts, while staff estimated indeterminate but potentially significant administrative costs. The committee heard House Bill 2607, which would require DCYF to periodically rebase child care subsidy rate regions to better reflect local cost differences. Supporters from Benton and Franklin counties said current regional rates are outdated and unfairly low in fast-growing areas; staff said the fiscal impact was indeterminate. The committee then moved into possible executive session on several bills. Second Substitute House Bill 1170, dealing with generative AI disclosures and provenance tools, was amended and ultimately passed out of committee on an 18-9 vote after all proposed amendments were rejected. Substitute House Bill 1570 was amended to narrow its scope to Western Washington University and then passed out of committee on a 17-9 vote. The committee also began action on proposed Third Substitute House Bill 1710, which would create a state pre-clearance requirement under the Washington Voting Rights Act, but the transcript cuts off during consideration of amendments to that bill.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/28/2026 - House Judiciary

House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • And with that, I vote aye. Thank you. Representative Contreras, I vote aye.
  • So, I vote aye.
  • So I will vote how I'm going to vote now, but if it's not changed up by floor, I will change my vote.
  • But at the same time, it's one of the easiest votes for me: I vote aye.
  • Explain my vote, please.
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2763, which would require a joint resolution of the legislature before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission could close a state-run shooting range. The sponsor and several supporters, including a Prescott-area doctor, Arizona Citizens Defense League representatives, and Game and Fish staff, argued that closures can push shooters into unsafe public lands, create trash and safety problems, and that the legislature should have a voice in any closure decision. Game and Fish said its goal is to preserve Ben Avery and emphasized public safety. The bill was moved and received a do pass recommendation on an 8-1 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2417, allowing courts to order speed-inhibiting devices as an alternative to license suspension or revocation for certain traffic offenses. Supporters said it could help people keep working and reduce recidivism, while opponents and some members raised concerns about scope and implementation. An amendment removed eligibility for people convicted of reckless driving or racing and clarified manufacturers are not required to build compatible vehicles. The bill, as amended, passed 7-2. House Bill 2345 followed, creating a felony for unlawfully present persons who possess a falsified commercial driver’s license and authorizing vehicle forfeiture and penalties for employers who knowingly hire such drivers. The sponsor framed it as a narrow public-safety measure, but the Arizona Trucking Association opposed it, arguing it was preempted by federal law, unworkable, and could jeopardize federal funding. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted an amendment and gave the bill a 5-3-1 do pass recommendation. The committee also advanced House Bill 2666, increasing penalties for sexual extortion involving victims ages 15 to 17; testimony from prosecutors and anti-trafficking advocates supported the bill, while defense attorneys and some members urged caution about juvenile defendants and mandatory consecutive sentences. It passed 8-0 with members noting possible future amendments. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2175, which adds hate-crime-style sentencing enhancements for bias-motivated offenses and expands protected categories to include political expression and political affiliation. The ADL and Maricopa County Attorney’s Office supported the measure as a needed tool, while the ACLU and defense attorneys warned the political-expression language was too broad and could chill speech or invite selective prosecution. The bill passed 6-2 after adoption of an amendment. House Bill 2186, which lets a passenger satisfy identity requirements during a traffic stop by verbally providing information instead of showing physical ID, also received a do pass recommendation on a 7-0-1 vote after the sponsor said it was meant to fix an unconstitutional vagueness problem. The transcript then began discussion of House Bill 2364, concerning penalties for distribution or receipt of abortion-inducing drugs by courier or delivery service, but the exchange was cut off before testimony or action on that bill was completed.
NV

Nevada 2025 Regular Session

Assembly Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections May 29th, 2025 at 01:00 pm

Legislative Operations and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • We want people to vote, but we want people to be competent when they vote.
  • Please vote no.
  • A lot of people voted no.
  • A lot of people voted no.
  • Please vote no on this. Thank you. Thank you. Next caller. Vote no on this. Thank you. Thank you.
Bills: AB534 , AB562 , AB595 , AB597 , AB600 , SB74 , SB226 , SB422 , SB488
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • or update a voting address in person.
  • We want to continue the partnership and outreach between the state and our voting electorate.
  • That's not how we do voting in Washington State.
  • I think we should vote no on this.
  • Opposed, no vote to 5973. Thank you. Thank you.
Summary: The committee held public hearings on six bills. SB 6081 would protect sex designation information and related records from public disclosure, limit sharing of such information by the Department of Licensing and Department of Health, and allow denial of records requests when disclosure could cause harm or disenfranchisement. The sponsor and many supporters, including transgender Washingtonians, privacy advocates, and allied organizations, said the bill would close a privacy gap and reduce doxing, harassment, and targeting; one witness opposed it on grounds of record accuracy, law enforcement, and concerns about sports and public safety. No vote was taken. SB 5902 would update voter notification and address-change procedures by allowing more flexible forms of voter registration updates, reducing mailed notices in some automatic registration situations, and expanding electronic communication options. The sponsor and county auditors said it would improve efficiency, reduce confusion, and save counties money; testimony was generally supportive. The hearing then moved to SB 6034, which would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency and require ongoing training and reporting on government-to-government relations with tribes. The sponsor and tribal representatives supported the bill as a technical fix and a commitment to tribal sovereignty, and no action was taken. SB 6035 would require regular county and state meetings with tribes on election access and authorize an electronic ballot return portal for certain voters, including military, overseas, disabled, and some tribal voters. Supporters said it would improve access and collaboration, while the Secretary of State, Verified Voting, and others raised cybersecurity and secret-ballot concerns about the electronic portal; several witnesses also opposed that portion while supporting tribal outreach and drop boxes. SB 5892 would centralize requests for voter registration database records through the Secretary of State and make unauthorized disclosure of protected voter data a felony; supporters framed it as protecting voter privacy and resisting federal overreach, while opponents argued it would hinder voter-roll maintenance and transparency. Finally, SB 5973 would ban pay-per-signature compensation for initiative and referendum signature gathering and require 1,000 supporting signatures before a ballot title is issued; supporters said it would reduce fraud, misleading tactics, and ballot-title shopping, while opponents called it an added barrier to direct democracy. The committee heard extensive testimony on all bills, but the transcript does not show any votes or executive action taken during this meeting.