Transcript Highlights:

• Bypass on U.S. 377, connecting Hood and Johnson Counties, as the Bob Cornett Parkway in honor of the late
• The only other available option is a second degree felony aggravated... ...assault, which carries a penalty
• consideration, and I also thank you, Chair Nichols and Vice Chair West, for allowing me, even though I was late
• Senate Bill 2790 will name part of US Highway 67 South. of Interstate 20 in recognition of the late Congresswoman
• Thank you for coming and testifying on our bill that enhances all penalties on DWIs, and I wanted you

Bills: HB767 , HB1708 , HB2143 , HB2198 , HB2415 , HB2457 , HB2763 , SB876 , SB1230 , SB2515 , SB2688 , SB2790 , SB2799 , HB3012 , HB1672 , HB2523 , HB3135

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• became two months late, unbeknownst to me.
• AB 238, Section 3273.23G, states that no late fees shall be assessed, and no default rate of interest
• We filed complaints. We made calls. We sent letters. I researched the law.
• You can file a complaint online. You can also call us on the phone.
• We finally, after being turned down over and over or too late or...

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Corrected journal will be filed in the office of this secretary.
• That report will be filed in the Office of the Secretary.
• That correspondence will be filed in the office of the Secretary.
• That correspondence will be filed in the office of the Secretary.
• It's late, so thank you. To debate the bill—thank you, Mr. President. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• These sound like late decelerations, which means that the baby's not getting enough blood flow.
• These sound like late decelerations, which means that the baby's not getting enough blood flow.
• These sound like late decelerations, which means that the baby's not getting enough blood flow.
• </c><02:58:28.680><c> the</c> fines as well as criminal penalties the fines as well as criminal penalties
• </c> license and subject to criminal penalty license and subject to criminal penalty and<02:59:26.000

Summary: The joint House Committee on Health and Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard two midwifery bills, with testimony focused primarily on HB 1194. Committee chairs opened the hearing with rules for Zoom testimony and noted the bills relate to midwives. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs said it supported the intent of HB 1194 and offered comments. Supporters of the bill, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, argued that midwifery should remain subject to mandatory licensure to protect consumer safety, citing the state’s regulatory licensing standards and a 2025 state auditor sunset analysis. They said the bill would strengthen educational standards and public protection, and some offered clarifying amendments. Opponents argued HB 1194 would restrict access to care and fail to protect traditional, cultural, and community-based birth practices. Testifiers from the Hawaii Home Birth Task Force, the Hawaii Home Birth Collective, the Libertarian Party of Hawaii, the Center for Reproductive Rights, Pacific Birth Collective, and Papa Ola Lōkahi said the bill would limit licensure pathways, reduce access in rural and underserved areas, and burden Native Hawaiian and traditional practitioners. Several speakers said the measure could worsen Hawaii’s maternal health shortages, especially on Maui, and urged lawmakers to defer HB 1194 or instead advance HB 1328, which they said better protects practitioner access and cultural practices. The Hawaii affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives said it opposed HB 1194 because it did not align with national or state standards for certified midwives and could create conflicts with Medicaid reimbursement and prescriptive authority. The ACLU also opposed the measure, emphasizing reproductive rights, privacy, and the need to preserve apprenticeship pathways to licensure. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a late test, but actually one of the experts on the possibility of an Oahu sanctuary—would you
• </c><00:16:33.800><c> but</c><00:16:34.000><c> actually</c><00:16:34.600><c> one</c> else we had a late
• We thought we submitted testimony; it may have been late. We did submit written testimony.
• We do have it in that file.
• It also designates penalties for the taking, harming, or killing of an eel.

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The joint hearing covered SB 1023, which would create a spay-neuter special fund to reduce pet overpopulation and free-roaming cats, with funding sources including an income tax checkoff. The Department of Taxation had no substantive comment, while the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the measure but opposed any trap-neuter-release or re-release approach, saying spay-neuter is important but release does not reduce cats on the landscape. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about creating another special fund and tax checkoff, saying the fund may not meet statutory criteria and could create administrative burdens. The Hawaiian Humane Society strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently provides little funding for animal overpopulation control and that the measure would help nonprofits and align conservation and animal welfare goals. Several other supporters testified, including a cat sanctuary representative who described the need for a dedicated funding mechanism and a possible Oahu sanctuary to remove cats from sensitive areas. After questions about the effectiveness of trap-neuter-release and the need for alternative management tools, the committees voted to recommend passage with amendments, including blanking appropriation amounts, moving them into the committee report, setting the effective date to July 1, 2050, and noting Budget and Finance concerns; the recommendations were adopted in both committees, with some members voting with reservations. The hearing then moved to SB 1120, relating to transportation and a clean fuel standard. The Department of Transportation said it supported the intent but wanted more information on economic impacts. Electrify America and Neste supported the bill, saying a clean fuel standard would help finance EV charging, encourage investment, and expand lower-carbon fuel options such as renewable diesel. In response to questions from senators about rural and agricultural transportation needs, witnesses said the standard could support both electrification where feasible and cleaner liquid fuels in the interim for equipment that cannot yet be electrified. DOT also described county transit efforts and said it was working with Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island on assessments for zero-emission bus replacement and charging infrastructure. The committees also heard testimony on SB 586, relating to climate change and zero-emission buses by 2045, with the State Procurement Office supporting the intent but suggesting the language be moved to a different statute; DOT said it was providing pass-through funding to counties and had some zero-emission bus purchases and charging stations on order. The discussion emphasized infrastructure costs and implementation challenges, but no final vote on SB 1120 or SB 586 was described in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's too late to bring it because we're so far down the litigation path. We're past the deadlines.
• Plus, they want to have a commission on any of the penalty phases or any of the money received from a
• So, ...or even more harsh penalties.
• They keep giving them harsher penalties, but they keep seeing the person for the same thing over and
• over, not getting... ...penalties, but they keep seeing the person for the same thing over and over,

Committees: House Judiciary , House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Miller: There is no penalty. I'm not sure I understand.
• Will there be penalties for counties in other words? Chair Duggan: You are recognized.
• One of the things the legislature has been very prolific at lately is unfunded mandates to our local
• It's not too late.
• We worked up late. Our budget is 628 million. Our mandated expenses are 543 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Pérez Vega will move that House File 3415 be re-referred to the General Register.
• In January, Children's Defense Fund Minnesota filed an amicus brief in the ICE surge matter, on behalf
• I'm here today to express Think Small's strong support for House File 3415.
• I filed a habeas corpus petition.
• </c> Ellis Island of Minnesota in the late Ellis Island of Minnesota in the late 1800s. calling<00:53

Transcript Highlights:

• >> It came in very late, about two days ago, late last week.
• Um, sorry few days ago, late last week.
• </c> Vanconeia, New Hampshire location late Vanconeia, New Hampshire location late last<02:02:03.440>
• I did not see anything specific to the financial or penalty or anything like that.
• RSAs have a general um penalty for RSAs have a general um penalty for non-compliance non-compliance non-compliance

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It's actually a Senate file XXX.
• </c><01:44:12.880><c> file</c><01:44:13.240><c> 3861</c> Senate File 4121, Adrian and Suzanne Scheller
• Abeler will move Senate file 38 Abeler will move Senate file 38 should<01:44:31.320><c> be</c><01:44:
• </c> your bill is up, Senate file 4121. your bill is up, Senate file 4121.
• </c><01:45:29.240><c> 4121,</c><01:45:30.400><c> Adrian</c> Senate file 4121, Adrian Senate file 4121

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We had some late testimony committee.
• , what did HEO not meet, and what were the penalties for that behavior?
• ,</c> how did the sticks work, what penalties, how did the sticks work, what penalties, what<00:48:58.160
• And on the penalties for that behavior?
• on the companies, to my understanding, are the existing reliability penalties.

Bills: SB2033 , SB2487 , SB2497 , SB2471 , SB2829

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The committee first reconvened on SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons. After discussion with the Attorney General’s office and a prior Q&A period, the chair said the committee would defer decision-making again, with the intent to return with amended versions of both bills that could gain support from the administration and its lawyers. The measures were deferred to Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Conference Room 229 at 9:30 a.m. The committee then took up SB 2180, relating to deposits of public funds. Members noted late testimony from the prior day’s joint hearing with the Housing Committee and moved to pass the bill out with amendments, including a defective effective date. The motion carried unanimously among those voting: the chair, vice chair, Senator Lamosao, and Senator Awa voted aye; Senator McKelvey was excused. The measure was adopted. A joint hearing followed on SB 2033, relating to renewable energy and a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. The PUC supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the time, resources, and stakeholder input needed to establish the proposed process, and asked for clarification of terms such as “grid-ready homes” and the role of HERA. Hawaiian Electric said it supported the intent but opposed the proposed process and HERA funding use. The Hawaii Solar Energy Association strongly supported the bill, arguing that faster interconnection is needed to meet rooftop solar goals and lower costs over time. Testimony totaled 27 in support, two in opposition, and four with comments. Members questioned costs, consumer protections, and whether the bill would burden low- and moderate-income households; the bill’s supporters said amendments could clarify the definition of grid-ready homes and add guardrails, while acknowledging that upfront costs and interconnection costs would still need to be addressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• and suffering, and mental anguish, we want to make sure their kids are paid what is owed to them in late
• payment on certain settlements, they're going to be required to contact DCFS to see if there are any late
• And maybe we do want to put a penalty in if they failed to do it.
• And maybe we do want to put a penalty in if they failed to do it.
• They then filed suit, which the court ruled against them, which basically now they're only going back

Bills: HB591 , HB765 , HB826 , HB870 , HB938 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1236 , HB1241

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: liability insurance, coverage defenses, direct action, judgment enforcement, legal procedures, insurance referrals, compensation, non-licensed agents, consumer protection, insurance products, HB 870, Act 907, Louisiana insurance, health insurance, prescription drugs, generic drugs, biosimilars, formulary placement, drug formulary, cost-sharing

Transcript Highlights:

• And members, I just want to let you know we're probably going to stay a little late to make sure we get
• Statutes say that they have to pay a 300% penalty. But that was never collected.
• It should not be up to members of the public, such as myself, to audit reports and file complaints for
• I'm on a school board, but I don't see the value of this as we go forward and you're so late in the session

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a penalty for that violation?
• I could do this, but this might be the penalty.
• The constitutional challenge comes from it is a pretrial penalty or it's perceived to be a pretrial penalty
• The constitutional challenge comes from it is a pretrial penalty or it's perceived to be a pretrial penalty
• And there's specific prohibitions. penalty or it's perceived to be a pretrial penalty.

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to continue its study of charitable gaming, especially the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations and the relationship between charities, site owners, and gaming manufacturers/distributors. Legislative Council reviewed the background memo and Attorney General’s Gaming Division explained the legal framework, including site authorizations, rent limits, allowable expenses, and restrictions on distributors and manufacturers. Members focused heavily on electronic pull tabs, asking about the large gap between gross proceeds and adjusted proceeds, how much is paid out in winnings, how much is retained for expenses, and whether the 60% allowable-expense cap is being used as intended. The AG’s office said e-tabs account for most gaming volume, that winnings make up much of the difference, and that some organizations do not use the full 60% while others may exceed it, though only the capped amount counts as gaming expense. The committee also discussed the number of gaming organizations that appear to own or be affiliated with bars, the ways those ownership structures are formed, and whether some arrangements may create conflicts or site-selection pressure. The League of Cities and the Association of Counties described the local site-authorization process and recent model policies adopted after the 2025 session. Cities said they can require signed agreements, limit games and machines, set qualifications, and charge up to $100 for site authorization, but cannot require charities to donate net proceeds or force a specific charity or site. They said the new policies are meant to add transparency and local control, though the more controversial parts involve requiring a local nexus or community connection. County representatives said the issue is mostly a city matter and that counties generally take a lighter-touch approach. Committee members raised concerns about whether local rules could unfairly exclude larger regional charities or create inconsistent standards across cities. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance said it supports the study and provided information on charities that own or are affiliated with bars, emphasizing that most gaming organizations do not own alcoholic beverage establishments. Its representative said some charities may pursue bar ownership for site stability and diversification, while others decide against it because operating a bar is difficult. He also said a ban on charity-owned bars could raise federal tax-law issues depending on how it is written, and agreed to provide more detail. The committee asked Legislative Council and the Gaming Alliance for additional information on ownership structures and federal-law questions before the next meeting. Later, the Racing Commission gave a separate update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and related charitable partnerships, and the State Hospital superintendent reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, staffing, and wait lists; no votes were taken on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill, Chair, I just want to be very clear: do late felonies that is correct because that's the question
• So, I wouldn't necessarily say that you're out of compliance because there's no penalties for if you
• So, we had filed this bill to originally address the initial issue, stating that universities, publicly

Bills: HB3700 , HB3315 , HB3242 , HB3379 , HB3129 , HB3132 , HB2950

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Keywords: education policy, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, higher education, bachelor's degree, feasibility study, Oklahoma State Regents, accreditation, credit hours, emergency declaration, gender, privacy, public schools, sleeping quarters, restrooms, criminal history, admissions process

Transcript Highlights:

• After requiring the needed signatures and filing the signatures with the Secretary of the Commonwealth
• , the measures are filed with the legislature.
• They were initially passed in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and at the time, a lot of records were
• in the late 1800s, early 1900s, and at the time, a lot of records were pretty much all records were
• Timelines for complying can also vary quite a bit, as do penalties for noncompliance.

Bills: H5004

Committee: Joint Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-14, H 5-004, “an act to improve access to public records.” Chairs Cindy Friedman and Alice Peisch outlined the Article 48 process and explained that the committee was hearing expert testimony, then proponents, then opponents, before any public testimony. The first expert, Will Clark of the National Conference of State Legislatures, gave a general overview of public records laws across the states, emphasizing that all states have some form of open-records law but that exemptions, timelines, fees, and coverage of legislatures vary widely. He discussed legislative exemptions, legislative privilege, and court cases showing that outcomes often turn on the exact language of state constitutions, statutes, and chamber rules. Rebecca Murray, General Counsel for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, testified about Massachusetts public records administration, saying requests and appeals have risen sharply since the 2017 law update, with state agency requests increasing from 22,572 in 2017 to 47,776 in 2025 and appeals reaching a record 4,051 cases in 2025. She said the initiative would extend the law to the General Court and the Governor’s office and add exemptions for those branches, while warning that the volume and complexity of requests could require more resources. The proponents, led by Jesse Littlewood of the Coalition for Healthy Democracy, Scotia Hila of Act on Mass, and Auditor Diana DiZoglio, argued that Massachusetts is an outlier for exempting the legislature and governor from public records law and that the proposal would create needed accountability without exposing personal constituent communications or internal deliberations. They said the measure would make records such as committee votes, final bill drafts, amendments, expenditures, attendance records, minutes, and public testimony available, while preserving exemptions for constituent services, draft legislation, internal staff communications, and policy development discussions. DiZoglio emphasized that the initiative is aimed at basic administrative and financial records, citing her own difficulty obtaining receipts, contracts, and procurement documents, and said the public should be able to see how taxpayer dollars are spent. Committee members questioned the witnesses extensively about the scope of exemptions, constituent privacy, legislative privilege, and whether the measure could reach communications with nonprofits or lobbying-type interactions; proponents responded that privacy and constituent-service exemptions were intended to remain in place, though some members pressed for clearer statutory language. The hearing also included a contentious exchange over whether the initiative could affect legislative communications and whether the Senate had already taken a position against the measure. Some members raised concerns about separation of powers, legislative privilege, and the possibility of exposing constituent communications or internal deliberations, while proponents argued that the initiative was narrowly tailored and that any legal disputes could be resolved in court. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing. The committee concluded the testimony portion after hearing from the proponents and their questions, with the matter left pending for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the general reviser's bill filed each year to make.
• Enhances the penalties of petition sponsors subject to returning petitions late or never turning them
• If a circulator continues to serve late a petition and not be registered and is in violation of this
• While some may hold dual status and have that protection, just like when we are filing, I would say,
• It levies fines at $50-$100 a day for lateness.

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Transcript Highlights:

• name is mentioned, but many times—before I begin my remarks, I want to take a moment to remember the late
• I want to take a moment to remember the late Senator Bill Ramos, who also represented the 5th Legislative
• District, as well as our late Speaker Emeritus, Frank Chopp.
• The gentleman from the 35th District has bills to increase penalties for retail theft.
• The gentleman from the 35th District has bills to increase penalties for retail theft and copper theft

Summary: The House convened for the opening day of the 2026 regular session of the 69th Legislature, with 96 members present. The session included the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, a prayer, and a tribal welcome and blessing from Squaxin Island Tribe members, followed by the swearing-in of several representatives by retired Justice Mary Yu. The Speaker also recognized the deaths of Senator Bill Ramos, Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp, and Trooper Tara Marissa Gooding with a moment of silence. In opening remarks, the Speaker emphasized the impacts of federal actions on Washington, including tariffs, H.R. 1, health care costs, Medicaid and food assistance losses, climate and clean energy funding threats, immigration and civil rights concerns, and the need to protect food, health, shelter, and affordability. Representative Stokesbary responded for House Republicans, focusing on Washington’s high cost of living, opposing an income tax, and urging action on affordability, housing, and crime. Both sides framed the session as a difficult but important period for budget and policy decisions. The House adopted House Resolution 4665 to notify the governor that it was organized and ready for business, and adopted House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407 to receive the governor’s address and establish the session’s cutoff dates. The chamber also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407, adopted permanent House rules, and approved several committee reassignments and appointments. A House delegation then reported back from a visit with Governor Ferguson, and the House adjourned until the next day, when it was scheduled to meet in pro forma session before the joint session for the governor’s State of the State address.

Transcript Highlights:

• Barron is the 17-year-old son of Caroline Baker and the late Brandon Baker and the grandson of Richard
• Members, this bill strengthens penalties regarding negligent homicide.
• It raises the maximum penalty and requires more transparency from the court regarding sentencing.
• Amendment No. 3 raises the penalty from 15 to 20 years. Any questions on the amendment?
• They'll make filings with LDR, and LDR then will be responsible for oversight. Okay. Thank you.

Bills: HR275 , HR276 , HR277 , HR278 , HR279 , HR280 , HR281 , HR282 , HR283 , HR284 , HCR112 , HCR113 , HR265 , HR266 , HR267 , HR268 , HR269 , HR270 , HR271 , HR272 , HR273 , HCR107 , HCR108 , HCR109 , HCR110 , HCR111 , SCR63 , SCR66 , SCR67 , SB414 , SB484 , SB513 , HR168 , HR174 , HR194 , HR216 , HR264 , HCR54 , HCR74 , HCR79 , HCR85 , HCR87 , HCR94 , HCR95 , HCR97 , HCR98 , HCR104 , SCR23 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR38 , HB75 , HB705 , SB54 , SB56 , SB72 , SB79 , SB97 , SB105 , SB123 , SB125 , SB129 , SB163 , SB171 , SB252 , SB287 , SB375 , SB386 , SB461 , SB466 , HR84 , HR188 , HR205 , HR3 , HR197 , HR243 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SCR11 , SCR22 , SCR2 , SCR20 , SCR24 , SCR35 , HCR6 , HB301 , HB359 , HB657 , HB675 , HB680 , HB727 , HB39 , HB58 , HB112 , HB134 , HB155 , HB187 , HB287 , HB462 , HB782 , HB825 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB1200 , HB4 , HB623 , HB944 , HB986 , HB1098 , HB1222 , SB45 , SB58 , SB71 , SB81 , SB92 , SB100 , SB109 , SB141 , SB156 , SB181 , SB203 , SB204 , SB205 , SB207 , SB213 , SB214 , SB216 , SB229 , SB257 , SB274 , SB290 , SB304 , SB374 , SB379 , SB396 , SB410 , SB425 , SB427 , SB429 , SB479 , SB522 , SB34 , SB164 , SB172 , SB198 , SB208 , SB232 , SB281 , SB286 , SB317 , SB322 , SB334 , SB380 , SB385 , SB409 , SB417 , SB421 , SB430 , SB439 , SB447 , SB458 , SB510 , HB842 , HB633 , HB1191 , HB625 , HB1255 , HB251 , HB582 , HB646 , HB819 , HB998 , HB1257 , SB197 , SB436 , SB78 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , HB258 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441

Summary: The House met with a quorum and began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several personal privileges recognizing National Police Week, fallen law enforcement officers, a young Olympic weightlifter, a community sports agent, a deceased coach, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Day, the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, aviation professionals, and a birthday tribute. The chamber also received Senate messages, committee reports, and a long series of resolutions and bills, many of which were adopted or concurred in without objection. Several measures were returned to the calendar, while others were advanced with technical or clarifying amendments. A major portion of the meeting focused on resolutions honoring or commemorating people and groups, including National Police Week, Barron Baker, Paul T. Derezel II, Coach Emilio Tese, Alpha Phi Alpha, Louisiana Realtors Day, Special Olympics Louisiana, and various memorial highway designations. The House also adopted or concurred in resolutions on topics such as DOTD signage, shrimp procurement, geothermal energy, opioid settlement reporting, hospital design standards, Medicaid redetermination flexibility, chronic wasting disease management, remote online notarization, and a task force on intestate succession. Testimony on these items was generally supportive and brief, with sponsors explaining that most were technical, commemorative, or requests for study. The chamber also took up several substantive bills and Senate amendments. Among the measures concurred in were bills on peace officer citizenship requirements, post-conviction bail limits, portable benefits for independent contractors, workforce development, construction debris burning, license plate coverings, insurance and captive insurers, oil field indemnification, and rural infrastructure financing. One notable bill, HB 39 on peace officer citizenship, drew questions about National Guard members and legal permanent residents before the House concurred in the Senate amendments by a 74-22 vote. HB 134 on harmful material and interactive computer services had its Senate amendments rejected, while HB 359 on nonaffiliated candidates was temporarily returned to the calendar. The most extended debate came on the conference committee report for HB 842, which addressed Louisiana election law in response to the federal Callais decision. Members questioned how the report would affect the current congressional election cycle, absentee ballots, qualifying dates, signature requirements, and whether the closed party primary for U.S. House races had been canceled in favor of an open primary in the fall. The sponsor explained that the report cancels the current closed party primary for congressional races, voids ballots cast in that canceled election, returns qualifying fees, lowers petition-signature requirements, and sets new dates for the open primary and runoff. The House suspended the rules to consider the report the same day it was received, and the discussion highlighted concerns about election administration, district maps, and the scope of the changes before the chamber moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the conference committee on House File the conference committee on House File number<00:00:53.600
• <00:02:50.640><c> 3426</c> File 3426 File 3426 say<00:02:52.480><c> I.
• I recognize the member from House file number 4239, House file number 4239, an<00:06:48.639><c> act</
• </c> Kagan, and the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Kagan, and the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
• Senate file is still missing.