Transcript Highlights:

• Again, the maximum allowed millage was already approved by the voters.
• Again, the maximum allowed millage was already approved by the voters.
• overtax the voters, again, courtesy of the Constitution.
• “So where do the voters get to decide?
• Voters voted it in. It's locked in for 10 years.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 26 and first reported favorably HB 287, which renews the Louisiana Tax Commission’s authority to levy certain fees used to fund its operations. The author and Tax Commission representatives said the fee supports the commission’s appeals and assessment work and is not a new charge. The committee then adopted a technical amendment and reported HB 553 favorably as amended; that bill expands the Assessor Certification Program Committee from 5 to 11 members and adjusts education and recertification requirements for assessors. The committee then took up HB 412, a constitutional amendment on property assessment and reappraisal. After an amendment in concept was adopted to remove the bill’s proposed 30-year homestead exemption, members questioned the remaining provisions, which would tie annual assessment growth to CPI and move the reassessment cycle from four years to five. The author, assessors, and local government representatives debated whether the proposal would create predictable tax growth or instead leave many properties assessed below market value and shift burdens to businesses and local services. The author ultimately voluntarily deferred HB 412 and its companion HB 340 for further work. Members next heard HB 514 and HB 961, both senior-property-tax measures, but both were voluntarily deferred after brief discussion and technical amendments. HB 514 would have created an optional additional homestead exemption for certain homeowners age 65 and older, phased in over time and tied to income and a surviving-spouse provision; HB 961 would have extended related eligibility to certain trusts. The committee also deferred HB 515, 543, and 540 to future meetings. Finally, the committee favorably reported HB 521 and HB 570, both dealing with millage and reassessment rules. Supporters, including local government and industry groups, argued the bills would give taxing authorities more flexibility to avoid being forced to levy the maximum millage simply to preserve future authority. Assessors and local officials explained current reassessment and roll-forward rules, while the author said the bills would reduce pressure to overtax residents and businesses. HB 521 was reported favorably, and HB 570 was reported favorably as amended after adoption of a six-part amendment set, mostly technical changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local voters retain full authority.
• </c> place a mechanism that allows the voters place a mechanism that allows the voters to<00:21:31.679
• </c> fall on the voters. fall on the voters.
• There's some appointment, but there's also an election that takes place that allows the voters to put
• And this would be unique in that it's recallable by the voters.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Taylor: Voter dilution.
• The underlying proposal deals a lot with what constitutes either voter suppression or voter dilution
• It sets clear guidelines for identifying voter suppression and voter dilution, and it puts impact over
• Voter suppression is not a concern here.
• dilution cases and voter abridgment cases.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB1795 , HB2107 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2253 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB1170 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2360 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2525 , HB2605 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1710 , HB1750 , HB1903 , HB1941 , HB1974 , HB1982 , HB1983 , HB2006 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2215 , HB2223 , HB2239 , HB2247 , HB2297 , HB2303 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2334 , HB2338 , HB2345 , HB2348 , HB2350 , HB2353 , HB2355 , HB2363 , HB2367 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2418 , HB2420 , HB2428 , HB2441 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2505 , HB2534 , HB2539 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2554 , HB2557 , HB2575 , HB2577 , HB2588 , HB2594 , HB2604 , HB2636 , HB2714

Summary: The House took up second reading and final passage on several bills. House Bill 2575, relating to reducing certain environmental reporting obligations, was amended to direct savings from reduced utility reporting toward low-income electricity assistance, then passed 95-0. House Bill 2334, on cash transaction rounding for the loss of pennies, passed 89-6 after debate over common-sense rounding, tax treatment, and concerns about moving away from cash. House Bill 2714, updating caseload forecasting for food and nutrition assistance programs including SNAP, passed 95-0. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2557, concerning parental access to special education evaluation meetings and timelines, passed 95-0 after a technical amendment clarifying terminology and discussion about giving parents more time to prepare for meetings. The House also passed Substitute House Bill 2594, which codifies protections for unhoused students and aligns state law with federal McKinney-Vento protections; supporters described the bill as ensuring continued educational access for homeless youth, and it passed 94-1. House Bill 2348, updating timber sale process efficiencies, including electronic notice and appraisal/approval requirements for certain land sales, passed 95-0. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215, dealing with Climate Commitment Act compliance obligations for fuels, drew extensive debate over market fairness, fuel prices, rural impacts, and Ecology’s authority; after adopting a striking amendment and rejecting several others, it passed 57-38. The House then considered House Bill 1710, a Washington Voting Rights Act compliance bill creating a new chapter in Title 29A RCW. Members debated numerous amendments focused on preclearance standards, lookback periods, fee shifting, rulemaking authority, settlement treatment, and the use of citizen voting-age population. Some technical amendments were adopted, while many substantive amendments were rejected. The transcript ends during continued amendment debate on the bill, before final passage is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. amendment which is the stepping on voter amendment which is the stepping on voter Authority
• impact for your voters and that impact impact for your voters and that impact can<01:06:18.240><c> only
• </c> documentation that's mailed to voters documentation that's mailed to voters and<01:43:56.280><c>
• </c> municipalities that is not what voters municipalities that is not what voters sent<02:09:14.280>
• to vote, and the voters spoke at the time.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• The voters can decide. That is the bill. Chair: Questions? Public testimony?
• What is the value of the voters knowing this information? Rep.
• This is simply letting voters know more information about the candidate.
• I think the more information voters have the better.
• It makes sure that voters know who is asking to represent them.

Transcript Highlights:

• These consistent polling places reduce voter confusion and frustration.
• However, we understand that not every voter votes in every election, right?
• that next presidential election when we do see our highest voter turnout.
• A single voter who reads this posted notice is going to be one less voter who calls our elections office
• changed is sometimes left up to the voters to find out where they should vote.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> the um, the voters, the um, the voters, that<00:01:57.160><c> decision</c><00:01:57.640><c> can
• </c> to the voters. to the voters.
• </c> uh to the voters. uh to the voters.
• </c> voters at a general election. voters at a general election.
• </c> voters as required under current law. voters as required under current law.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there is a repealer. qualify a voter to to uh utilize agent qualify a voter to to uh utilize
• </c> processing in the statewide voter processing in the statewide voter registration<00:29:58.480><c
• <00:30:20.080><c> certificates</c> voter certificates voter certificates the<00:30:21.760><c> printed
• </c> officials and voters. officials and voters.
• Um, yeah, so there is a form called the national mail voter registration form.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• This debate is nibbling around the edges of voter suppression.
• Because those items inside a polling area can influence or intimidate voters.
• Inside a polling place, what one voter interprets as solidarity, another sees as menace.
• voter intimidation that we have worked so hard to prevent.
• voter intimidation that we have worked so hard to prevent.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> aisle we want to make sure that voters aisle we want to make sure that voters and<00:40:00.480><
• </c> ensuring that um only eligible voters ensuring that um only eligible voters are<01:03:09.079><c>
• </c><01:05:08.240><c> voter</c> addition to the automatic voter addition to the automatic voter registration
• I mean, the permanent absentee list has been kind of a boon to rural voters, to elderly voters, to campaign
• > to</c> rural voters to elderly voters to rural voters to elderly voters to campaign<01:13:16.880><c

Bills: HF484 , HF483 , HF1447 , HF1496 , HF554

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that one thing I very much appreciated about the extension of time that voters have with
• So I think that it's reasonable to ask voters to just as we are asked in this body to vote either yes
• or no on the measures before us, that we can have that same expectation for voters who have time now
• If this bill passes, Hawaii already has a very low voter engagement, always under 40 percent.
• And I would hope that the voters would take the time to research, and that would be a great goal.

Summary: The House convened with 46 members present and five excused, deferred reading of the journal, and noted there were no messages from the governor or Senate communications. Members then offered several introductions recognizing guests in the gallery, including LifeSmarts awardees, DCCA and LifeSmarts program officials, former Representative Pono Chong and his children, an intern from District 39, a landback advocate, and staff from the Education Committee office. The chamber also marked the close of Education Week 2025 with applause and recognition of the visiting students and supporters. The main floor presentation was House Resolution 211, which congratulated the first- and second-place teams at the 2025 Havi LifeSmarts State Competition and the 2025 U.S. Senate Youth Program delegate. Representative Tam presented the resolution, praising the Eolani Raiders for winning first place and wishing them well at the upcoming Chicago competition. Representative Hashimoto recognized Kalanianaole High School’s second-place team, and Representative Woodson honored Wilson Chow of Maui High School for his leadership and service. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the House recessed briefly to allow members to congratulate the honorees. After recess, the House took up a large block of standing committee reports, moving reports 1406 through 1504 with a series of member notations including no votes, reservations, and a few brief explanations. Several members raised concerns about specific measures involving emergency readiness centers, immigration-related legal access, blank votes on ballot questions, electricity costs and Hawaiian Electric, and gambling. Some members spoke in support of measures while noting reservations about cost, process, or policy effects. The full package of reports was ultimately adopted by voice vote. During announcements, Representative Garcia read a statement from Representative Jean Ward announcing her resignation effective at the end of the month due to ongoing health issues, including anemia, sciatica, and pneumonia, after nearly 27 years of service. The House then adjourned by voice vote until 12:00 noon on Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:23.320><c> should</c> election principle that voters should election principle that voters
• </c><00:27:31.600><c> Choice</c> determinations that limit voter Choice determinations that limit voter
• </c> which is based off of registered voters which is based off of registered voters in<01:22:48.840>
• </c> better suited to put it into the voter better suited to put it into the voter information<01:32:
• </c> information guide so that the voters information guide so that the voters would<01:32:52.520><c>

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several election-related and governance measures. On SB 176, relating to recounts, the Office of Elections supported clarifying that recount triggers should be based on the final Election Day report rather than the 6:00 a.m. next-day report, citing a 2022 recount example. The chair noted 3 testimonies in support, 42 in opposition, and 1 comment. On SB 1337, relating to the Stadium Authority, the authority supported changing quorum rules so only voting members count, explaining that the current interpretation makes it difficult to conduct business; written testimony from DBEDT was also received. On SB 289, relating to ethics administrative fines, the Ethics Commission supported uniform procedures to resolve uncontested enforcement matters more quickly while preserving due process; written support was also noted. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment on freedom of speech and money in elections. Supporters, including Community Alliance on Prisons, Our Revolution Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Common Cause Hawaii, and others, argued that money in politics distorts democracy and that the amendment would help prevent wealthy interests from buying influence. Opponents, including the Hawaii Christian Coalition and individual testifiers, argued that changing the constitution was too serious, that the proposal should be handled by ordinary legislation instead, and that the measure could create legal conflict. Deputy Attorney General Candace Park said the bill would only matter if key federal cases such as Buckley and Citizens United were overturned, and the chair thanked her for the legal input. The committee also heard SB 780, relating to election ballot disqualification, which would exclude candidates disqualified by constitutional or statutory provisions and create procedures for challenges. Opposition testimony said the bill would undermine voter choice, burden courts and election officials, and invite misuse; the Hawaii Christian Coalition echoed those concerns. Members raised questions about whether the measure would apply only to state and county offices, and the Attorney General’s office said it would follow up. Finally, on SB 1030, relating to election intimidation, supporters said firearms should not be brought near polling places or ballot drop boxes, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and could affect lawful possession; the committee received 12 testimonies, with 39 in support. The committee then began SB 1225, a proposed constitutional amendment changing the vote threshold for legislative amendments to a majority of votes tallied, excluding blanks, spoiled ballots, and overvotes; testimony in support was heard from the LGBTQ+ Commission and others, and the discussion was still underway when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to start my questions with a focus for the benefit of the voters on exactly why we need
• to go to the voters with this.
• So Proposition 2, which was put to the voters actually by the Legislature originally in 2014, also is
• Constitutional amendments can only be adopted through approval of the voters.
• Those changes must be approved by the voters.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight heard ACA 20, the Safe for California Futures Act, a constitutional amendment to strengthen the state’s Budget Stabilization Account (rainy day fund). The authors, Assembly Members Gabriel and Valencia, said the measure would raise the reserve cap from 10% to 20% of General Fund revenues, change how reserve deposits are treated under the Gann limit so deposits would not count against the spending cap until withdrawn, and update eligible debt repayments to include items such as budget loans, Proposition 98 settle-up obligations, and unemployment insurance debt. They emphasized that the proposal was intended to protect schools and core public services and to help California better withstand revenue volatility and future downturns. Committee discussion focused heavily on the technical effects of the measure, especially its interaction with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit. LAO and Department of Finance staff explained that Prop. 98 funding would not be changed directly, that the reserve deposits would be treated as exclusions from the appropriations limit, and that withdrawals would count when spent. Members asked about current reserve levels, mandatory deposits, and whether the measure would create more room for discretionary spending; supporters argued it would simply allow the state to save more in good years, while one member expressed concern that it could function as a slush fund and expand spending opportunities. Several members cited recent budget volatility, record revenues, and the need for stronger reserves, while others stressed that the measure should be understood as a future-oriented savings reform rather than a response to this year’s budget choices. Public testimony was uniformly supportive. California Forward, Elevate California, and the California Chamber of Commerce all backed the proposal, with the Chamber noting support for the policy and highlighting the importance of addressing unemployment insurance debt for small businesses. The chair concluded by thanking the authors, staff, and witnesses, and said ACA 20 was expected to move to the Assembly floor the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, S.J.R. 318, tangible personal property exemption, which will go before the voters, should it
• Senators, this bill simply requires local discretionary taxes that are put in place by the voters to
• be re-approved by those voters to continue to be levied.
• This amendment keeps the spirit of letting voters decide whether to continue local taxes.
• The amendment requires that local taxes be put before the voters whenever the tax is expiring.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee considered several tax-related measures. SB 674, allowing county property appraisers to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval, was supported by property appraisers and reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 318, as amended, would create a tangible personal property exemption for agricultural land used in agricultural production or agritourism; the amendment clarified the property’s location and allowed the Legislature to define conditions, and the resolution was reported favorably with support from Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber. The committee also advanced C.S. for SB 1664, as amended, which requires locally approved discretionary taxes to be reauthorized by voters when they expire and sets rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds. Local government and tourism-related groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, beach funding, transportation surtaxes, and long-term planning, while supporters argued voters should periodically reaffirm taxes; the bill was reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, were both amended to sharply narrow a proposed long-term lease property tax exemption to one qualifying property and to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominiums; counties and cities opposed the measures as tax shifts, but both were reported favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions for certain clothing and bullion, multiple tax holidays, a temporary motor vehicle fee reduction, a property tax study, corporate and insurance tax credit changes, a communications services tax freeze, and other tax provisions, with staff estimating $2.1 billion in total revenue reduction. Testimony included support for studying property taxes and strong opposition to the firearm and ammunition tax holiday from students and advocacy groups, who argued it was unsafe and inappropriate; others urged adding combined reporting or removing tourist development tax changes. After debate, the committee reported the package favorably and also approved a motion to submit it as a committee bill. The meeting ended after Senator Bernard recorded an affirmative vote on tab 5 and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This statute information from voters.
• Voters such wellestablished precedent.
• We are now notified through the state voter registration system within days of any voter death anywhere
• I'm a Durham voter and public Stradio.
• A group of 10 probably highly partisan voters in wards with thousands of registered voters is far from

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Holder, is there also a dormant Voter Protection Act concern here? Mr.
• or enacted by the voters, the legislature cannot amend or supersede it.
• The notion of a dormant voter protection is very much a novel legal idea or theory that simply doesn't
• Even absent the dormant voter protection clause there, there's still an entrenchment issue, is there
• This was added to the Constitution by the voters in the 1980 election.

Committee: House Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the federal cuts, the county wishes to go to the voters to decide to backfill some of the cuts,
• So when would Santa Cruz County want to go to the voters for this tax increase?
• Once again, we're not imposing the tax; we're just giving the voters the authorization to do so.
• Again, we're not imposing the tax; we're just giving the voters the authorization to consider this and
• I think it's up to the local voters to decide. Is this worthy of us with all the economy as it is?

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met and first adopted a consent calendar covering SB 1005, SB 1080, SB 935, and S.J.R. 11 by a 4-0 vote, with those items remaining on call until later in the hearing. SB 992 was pulled at the author’s request. The committee then heard SB 922, which would clarify that local governments may recover street maintenance and repair costs caused by public service operations, such as waste hauling, through rates, fees, or franchise agreements. Supporters included the League of California Cities, county groups, cities, waste haulers, and legal counsel who argued the bill restores a long-standing practice and reduces litigation risk after a recent court decision; the California Building Industry Association opposed unless amended, warning the bill could affect construction impact fees. The bill passed the committee 7-0 to the Senate floor. The committee also heard SB 1078, which would allow Santa Cruz County voters to consider raising the county’s local tax cap to help fund health care, food assistance, and other safety-net services in response to federal cuts. The County of Santa Cruz and the Central California Alliance for Health supported the measure, emphasizing Medi-Cal enrollment, CalFresh needs, and potential impacts on hospitals and clinics. Senator Choi raised concerns that the bill effectively authorizes a tax increase and questioned the fairness of county-by-county exceptions, while other members supported giving local voters the choice. The bill passed 5-2 and was sent to the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. After those actions, the committee returned to and approved the consent calendar items 7-0. The meeting concluded with thanks to the public and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• to their ballot, but it explicitly states to not release the voters' information.
• These databases... ...change as voters move, and this makes vote history data degrade as time passes.
• We also require daily reconciliation of ballots to voters during early voting, as some counties only
• So the idea is to allow a way for that voter to make corrections so that their vote does count.
• ballots and provide those voters a corrective action form.

Bills: SB1065 , SB2117 , SB2217 , SB2363 , SB2533 , SB2742 , SB2743 , SB2881 , SB2964 , SB3013 , SB3014

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• of State, Michael Adams, has done a fabulous job and they can leave him to watch over any kind of voter
• or have their party stand in front of the voters to decide if the voters' opinions of those actions
• </c> or she can stand in front of the voters or she can stand in front of the voters or<00:15:12.079>
• to decide if decide the the voters to decide if decide the voters<00:15:16.519><c> opinions</c><00:15
• opinions of those actions there voters opinions of those actions there will<00:15:18.880><c> be</c><

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs met with a quorum, recognized a student page from Covington Catholic High School, and then took up House Concurrent Resolution 67, sponsored by Representative Emily Callaway. The resolution would create a Kentucky Restoration of Voting Rights Act task force to study restoration of civil and voting rights for people who have served their sentences and shown rehabilitation. Callaway said the task force would include legislators and representatives from state offices and advocacy groups, and she noted the issue should receive serious attention as part of civic participation and reentry. Members asked about differences between the House resolution and a similar Senate measure. Callaway explained that her version was more specific about membership and included state agency representatives and advocacy organizations. Representative Blacket said he preferred the House version and noted expungement had also been discussed. Representative Marzian said she would vote no, arguing the Secretary of State already handles election integrity and that the proposal was unnecessary and costly. Representative Roberts supported the resolution, saying the current process for restoring voting rights can be expensive and lengthy. The resolution passed with favorable consideration. The committee then heard discussion-only testimony on Senate Bill 126 from Senator Chris McDaniel, a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the governor’s pardon power. McDaniel argued the power has been abused and said the amendment would not eliminate pardons, but would restrict them to the 60 days before an election and the period between the gubernatorial election and inauguration so voters could weigh in. He cited high-profile pardons and commutations as examples and said the measure had previously been supported by law enforcement groups. Representative Lockard and another member expressed support, saying pardon power can be undemocratic and that the timing of mass pardons after elections is troubling. McDaniel said the 60-day window was chosen as a practical period for information to reach voters. No vote was taken on the bill, and the meeting adjourned after a visiting district judge was recognized.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:04:42.919><c> the</c><00:04:43.039><c> desire</c><00:04:43.600><c> for</c><00:04:43.800><c> voters
• </c><00:04:44.240><c> to</c> committee in the desire for voters to committee in the desire for voters
• And one of the things, one of my core values, is I'd love to, before I pass, have 100% voter turnout
• But anyways, again, thank you for bringing a bill forward that might increase voter turnout.
• </c> a bill forward that might increase voter a bill forward that might increase voter turnout<00:27:

Committee: Senate Elections