Transcript Highlights:

• Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. As everyone voted?
• Appreciate a good vote. Remember, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause.
• Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. If everyone voted.
• Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Is everyone voted?
• Members, your one vote is for the bill and the emergency clause. Is everyone voted?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jalen votes yes. Patricia D. Jalen votes yes. We vote?
• Fattman votes no.
• Lydia Edwards votes yes. Senator Collins. Nick Collins votes yes. Nick Collins votes yes.
• Friedman votes yes. Durant and Mike Rush having difficulty to vote yes.
• O'Connor votes yes.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two resolutions: one recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States and another congratulating Zachary Erich on earning Eagle Scout. The chamber then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 on multiple petitions and adopting extension orders giving the Committee on Financial Services additional time to report on credit union and mortgage financing bills, with members emphasizing the extensions were limited and needed to complete ongoing work. The Senate then took up House No. 4361, a bill relative to benefits for teachers, which was amended by Ways and Means and passed to be engrossed after extensive support from members. Senators described the measure as a long-delayed fix to the Retirement Plus program, creating a one-time window through June 30, 2027 for eligible teachers to buy in, with required back payments of missed contributions. The bill passed by a roll call of 39-0. The chamber also passed S. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and S. 3107 on advancing the profession of commercial interior design, both after supportive floor debate. The Senate later adopted a conference committee report on the FY26 supplemental budget, H. 5470, after debate over its major spending items. Supporters highlighted municipal winter relief, MBTA operating and capital support, education funding, housing incentives, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents criticized MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax-related provisions. The report was approved by roll call, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The Senate also enacted several local bills, including measures for Berkeley recall elections, a Milton school construction deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing. Near the end of the session, the Senate concurred in a House amendment to S. 2563, a broad bill revising laws affecting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by replacing outdated and offensive terminology in 346 sections of the General Laws. Members described it as a dignity and language modernization measure. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed the bill to be enacted. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday, and the day’s adjournment was dedicated to the memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I'd like to explain my vote, please. Proceed.
• And for those reasons, I vote aye.
• And that's why, in my opinion, all 60 of us should be voting for this, because what we're voting for
• For those reasons, members, I vote aye. And I vote aye. Chairman Olson.
• For those reasons, members, I vote aye. For those reasons, members, I vote aye.

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee first heard SCR 1028, a voter-referral constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds legislative vote for state fee and assessment increases set by agencies, closing what supporters described as a loophole that has allowed fee hikes without direct legislative approval. The sponsor argued the measure would restore accountability and prevent agencies from using fees as a workaround for tax increases, while opponents from business and economic groups warned it would make agencies less responsive, delay needed adjustments for inflation and program costs, and shift costs to taxpayers or reduce funding for services. After debate, the committee returned SCR 1028 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent. The committee then took up SB 1142, which would have Arizona opt into a federal tax credit program for donations to scholarship-granting organizations and set eligibility requirements for those organizations. Supporters said the program would bring in private dollars at no state cost, expand school choice, and help students with tutoring, special needs, transportation, and other educational expenses; they also argued that if Arizona does not opt in, donations could flow to other states. Opponents, including the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, said the federal program was not yet fully written, lacked guardrails, and could further strain public schools by diverting resources away from the majority of students who remain in district schools. The committee returned SB 1142 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I request a roll call vote, and I also request a roll call vote.” “Okay.
• Vote yes. Vice Chair Carter, Mr. Chair, may I explain my vote, please?
• aye. ...that I vote no.
• Chair, may I explain my vote, please? Mr. Chair, may I explain my vote? Please.
• I vote no. Representative Austin: Mr. Chair, I'd like to explain my vote, please.

Bills: SB1032 , SB1055 , SB1107

Committee: House Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Keywords: corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, immigration enforcement, law enforcement, illegal aliens, state legislation, civil penalties, peace officer certification, police certification, law enforcement licensing, Arizona POST, peace officer standards and training, military police, veterans, honorably discharged, veteran hiring, abbreviated academy

Transcript Highlights:

• Rush votes no. Michael F. Rush votes no. Michael F. Rush votes no. Julian Cyr votes no.
• Robyn Kennedy votes no. Robyn Kennedy votes no. Robyn Kennedy votes no. Adam Gómez votes no.
• Jehlen votes no. Rebecca L. Rausch votes no. William J. Driscoll Jr. votes no. Thank you.
• Nick Collins votes no. Nick Collins votes no. Thank you. William J. Driscoll Jr. votes no.
• Rush votes yes. Michael F. Rush votes yes. Senator Collins. Nick Collins votes yes.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a comprehensive immigration-related bill, the Protect Act (House No. 5316), with extensive debate focused on limiting civil immigration enforcement in sensitive locations and protecting immigrants, victims, workers, and public institutions. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fear in schools, hospitals, courts, child care settings, and other community spaces, while preserving criminal law enforcement and public safety cooperation. Several senators also emphasized the economic and community contributions of immigrants, and some spoke from personal or district experience about fear, school enrollment declines, and impacts on health care and daily life. A number of amendments were debated. Amendment 6, offered by Senator Kennedy, was adopted to extend protections to DDS facilities and disability-related care settings, with supporters stressing the importance of protecting immigrant caregivers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Other adopted amendments included Amendment 7 on effective dates, Amendment 34 adding residential schools/programs as safe spaces, Amendment 10 on courthouse curtilage, Amendment 13 protecting health care workers from retaliation, Amendment 20 establishing an immigration commission with minority-party representation, and Amendment 69 as a corrective/technical amendment. Many other amendments, largely offered by Senator Tarr and others, were rejected, including proposals concerning 287G agreements, detainers, civil arrests, court authority, and legal defense funding; several amendments were also withdrawn. The chamber took multiple roll-call votes on contested amendments. Amendment 59 on 287G funds was defeated 5-34, Amendment 63 on status information tied to criminal offenses was defeated 7-32, Amendment 67 on felony detainers was defeated 10-29, and Amendment 75 on state-funded legal defense programs was defeated 5-34. After amendments were completed, the Senate adopted the Ways and Means recommendation, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed by a 37-3 vote. The Senate later rejected a House amendment, appointed a conference committee, and adjourned to meet again the following Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4311 having received seven aye votes and two nay votes.
• House Bill 4426 having received Seven aye votes and two nay votes.
• House Bill 4311 hasn't received any 'i' votes and three nay votes.
• Senate Bill 4191 had received six aye votes and four nay votes.
• Haven't received five 'aye' votes and five 'nay' votes. I've. The 'nay' votes are cleared.

Bills: HB3044 , HB3465 , HB3625 , HB3704 , HB3759 , HB3920 , HB3972 , HB4191 , HB4311 , HB4426

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: veterans, tax refund, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, capital improvement, donations, Oklahoma Emission Reduction, incentive, taxation, environment, revenue, investment, school funds, treasurer, education funding, financial policy, income tax, scholarship, tax credit, Oklahoma Tax Commission, school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• As every member voted, Harris, Dismanich, Chainser vote.
• Read the pair: Stone votes aye, Wheeler votes nay, McCann votes aye, Crane 12 votes nay. 35 ayes, 32
• Clerk will lock the machine and cast votes. As every member voted, does Ms. Chainser vote?
• Lealer votes aye, Hostetler votes nay, McCann votes aye, Crane 12 votes nay. 46 ayes, 21 nays, three
• Clerk will lock the machine and cast votes. Senator member voted. Does everyone change their vote?

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Vote is Vote is 7-0. 7-0. 7-0.
• </c> All in favor vote aye. All in favor vote aye.
• The vote is 9-0. Chairman Meredith. Aye. The vote is 9-0.
• All in favor of consent, vote I. second. All in favor of consent, vote I.
• All those in favor, vote aye. All opposed, vote no. Becky, please call the roll.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a series of health-related measures. House Bill 178, on the psychiatric collaborative care model, was presented by Rep. Kim Mosher and psychiatrist Arthur Oliva. They said the bill would let primary care providers address mental health needs more quickly with psychiatrist consultation, reduce long wait times, and save money. Members voiced support, and the bill passed 7-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 387, presented by Speaker Pro Tem David Meade, would keep veterinarians excluded from KASPER reporting requirements and instead add two veterinarians to the Controlled Substance Council. Meade argued that veterinary prescribing is difficult to track by animal, that prior efforts created complications, and that rural Kentucky needs the flexibility. A senator asked about possible diversion of veterinary opioids to humans; Meade said there was no substantial evidence of widespread abuse. The bill passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 676, by Rep. Rebecca Raymer, was amended from creating a health data utility to directing LRC to study best practices for one during the interim, with a report due December 1, 2026. Members said the state needs a coordinated way to use health data. The amended bill passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. House Bill 689, presented by Rep. Amy Neighbors and Dr. Heidi Marley, would authorize a Medicaid state-directed payment program for qualifying hospital-affiliated physician and non-physician services, pending federal approval, with supporters saying it would improve access in underserved areas, support provider retention, and bring in about $29 million annually in federal funds without using state dollars. It also passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. Finally, House Joint Resolution 24, presented by Rep. Kim Fleming, would direct the administration to withdraw a previously required community engagement waiver request because it is no longer needed. The resolution passed 9-0 with favorable expression and consent. The chair noted the next meeting might be April 1, though no bills were currently scheduled, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Final passage of HB 485 requiring 63 votes. Clerk, unlock the machine. The members will vote.
• The members will vote.
• </c><00:20:21.200><c> The</c> votes. Clerk on lock machine. The votes. Clerk on lock machine.
• Clerk, unlock the machine, and the members will vote. Clerk, record the vote: 55 ayes, 0 nays.
• Clerk, unlock the machine, and the members will vote. Clerk, record the vote: 91 ayes, 0 nays.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Hasenbeck votes aye. Members wishing to vote or change your vote, declare the vote.
• Vice Chair Hasenbeck votes aye. Members wishing to vote or change your vote, declare the vote.
• Members wishing to vote or change your vote? Declare the vote.
• Members wishing to vote or change your vote? Ms. Beck votes aye.
• Members wishing to vote or change your vote? Declare the vote. Mr.

Bills: HB4491 , HB3240 , HB4146 , HB4158 , HB4159 , HB3718

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Keywords: extracurricular activities, charter schools, student eligibility, virtual education, Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, prayer, religious freedom, public schools, consent, First Amendment, school policy, paid maternity leave, school employees, public health, childcare, work-life balance, education, family leave, tuition, grant

Transcript Highlights:

• We are asking for a no vote. Thank you. No vote. Thank you. Thank you.
• Hoover voting no and Ms. Krell not voting. Thank you.
• The motion is due pass, and that is out with Republicans not voting, with Mr. Tangipa voting no.
• The motion is due pass, and that is out with Republicans not voting, with Mr. Tangapa voting no.
• I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you. Any primary witnesses in support? ...vote.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those in favor vote aye; opposed vote no. The ayes have it; so ordered.
• Seeing none, those in favor vote aye; opposed vote no.
• Those in favor vote aye; those opposed vote no.
• Those in favor vote aye; those opposed vote no.
• Those in favor vote aye; those opposed vote no.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized several guests and community groups, including Central Arizona Aging and visitors connected to the Santa Rosa Barrio/Washington Park community. Senator Bravo read a proclamation honoring the legacy of the Santa Rosa Barrio and celebrating the Washington Park community in Phoenix, recognizing its cultural history, labor heritage, military service, and the unveiling of a commemorative mural. The chamber also received introductions of other guests, including Ken Berger and John Elvis Taska. The body then moved through Committee of the Whole calendars. On the first calendar, the Senate considered and advanced House Bills 2050, 2176, 2189, 2195, and 2584, all receiving do-pass recommendations, with amendments adopted on HB 2050, HB 2176, HB 2189, and HB 2195. The discussion on these bills centered on health care and licensing issues, including radiologic technologies, health care institutions, licensed health aide rules, nursing facility records/timelines, and public money-related provisions. Several amendments were described as stakeholder-requested or clarifying supervision, timelines, or related requirements. On the second and third calendars, the Senate advanced additional measures including HB 2003, HB 2006, HB 2226, HB 2378, HB 2693, and HCM 2007, along with HB 2013, HB 2031, HB 2102, HB 213, HB 2117, HB 2262, and HB 2278. Topics included driver license destruction permits, elections and sample ballots/mail-in dates, arrest/processing and veteran status, school facilities oversight, accountable health plans, air pollution control and wildfire-related waivers, water rights and water improvement districts, natural resource conservation, geological survey matters, and a memorial urging a geographic name change for State Route 16. HB 2029 was retained on the calendar. The Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and properly assigned the bills, then adjourned until Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those opposed will vote no. The Senate will proceed to vote.
• Those opposed will vote no. The Senate will proceed to vote.
• The Senate will proceed to vote. The Senate will proceed to vote. Thank you. Mr.
• President, everyone else to vote. The Secretary, everyone else to vote? Mr.
• The Senate will proceed to vote. The Senate will proceed to vote.

Summary: The Senate convened with 30 members present, heard the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, and approved several temporary excusals. The chamber received gubernatorial appointments to multiple boards and commissions, then recessed and later took up resolutions and legislation. It adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, a tribute memorializing former Senator and Representative Robert Geake, after remarks honoring his long legislative career and public service; the resolution was adopted and all members and the Lieutenant Governor were added as co-sponsors. The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, which approved an extension of a state of emergency related to gasoline prices through Labor Day. Senator Camilleri argued the extension would help lower fuel costs for residents, while Senator McBroom later criticized the resolution as political theater and urged action on substantive energy legislation, including a pending Upper Peninsula-related bill. The resolution passed by roll call, 36-1. In floor action, the Senate introduced and referred several bills, including measures on the Income Tax Act, Michigan Trust Fund Act, road classification, the Food Law, Motor Fuels Quality Act, and automated decision tools in employment. The chamber then passed three bills on third reading: Senate Bill 480 on child care organization licensing and regulation, Senate Bill 517 amending the Revised School Code, and Senate Bill 278 amending the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966. The Senate adjourned after statements and a final motion to adjourn until June 25 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair votes: aye. Thank you. Vice Chair also votes aye.
• Chair votes. Aye. - Thank you.
• Chair votes aye. Thank you.
• Chair votes aye. Thank you. Have members present any voting with reservations or objections?
• Chair votes aye. Thank you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard House Bill 1481, which would require cemeteries, crematories, funeral establishments, HSI facilities, and mortuaries to dispose of human remains within 60 days after a burial transit permit or related affidavit is issued. The Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association and several funeral-related entities supported the bill, and the association said it had already implemented consistent cremation authorization language regarding notice and consent for recycling metal implants, effective January 1. The committee later recommended HB 1481 be passed with a defective effective date of July 1, 2050; the vice chair voted with reservations, saying the prior version with Department of Health rulemaking was stronger consumer protection. The committee also considered several resolutions. SCR 96 and SR 91, on a status update for implementation of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, were recommended for passage with amendments adopting the PUC’s requested changes. SCR 172 and SR 163, seeking a comprehensive analysis of ways to reduce costs and financial risks while meeting state goals, drew support from the PUC and Energy Office with comments, and the committee recommended passage with amendments removing a disputed whereas clause. SCR 109 and SR 102, on studying expanded mail-order pharmacy use, drew mixed testimony: the Insurance Division and HMSA supported a study, while the Hawaii Pharmacist Association and others raised concerns about patient outcomes, rural access, and community pharmacy sustainability; the committee amended the resolutions to require broader agency cooperation and evaluation of community pharmacy impacts, then recommended passage. In additional decision-making, the committee deferred SCR 193 and SR 1802 on trust transparency due to no testimony. It recommended passage with amendments on several bills, including HB 1782 after clarifying terminology with the Attorney General’s Office, HB 1514 on workers’ compensation, HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure, HB 1643 on pharmacy, HB 1721 on housing, HB 1864 on insurance, HB 1946 on timeshare registration, and HB 2475 on labeling requirements. HB 350 on energy was deferred for more work. The committee also reconsidered HB 2101 on commercial aquarium collection and recommended passage as amended after hearing from supporters and noting concerns about enforcement and statewide consistency.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did confirm that there were some people who were ineligible to vote who registered and voted, and
• </c> they're eligible to vote they're eligible to vote done<00:35:48.320><c> there</c><00:35:48.480><
• Say that, and they vote.
• c> vote and that vote gets vote and that vote gets cast<01:24:29.000><c> counted</c><01:24:29.800><c>
• cast than voters that cast votes.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Current vote 2-2, with Chair voting aye and Vice Chair voting no. So.
• Current vote 2-2 with Chair voting aye and Vice Chair voting no. Thank you.
• Current vote 3-2, with Chair voting aye and Vice Chair voting no.
• Current vote 3-2, with Chair voting aye and Vice Chair voting no.
• Current vote 3-2, with Chair voting aye and Vice Chair voting no. Senator Gonzales.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 2218, which would declare state policy to recognize and address water-related inequities affecting California Native American tribes and require several state agencies to incorporate that policy into water-related decisions. The author and tribal witnesses said the bill would codify a seat at the table for tribes and build on existing consultation and equity commitments, while supporters from environmental and tribal organizations backed the measure. Opponents from municipal utilities, water agencies, cities, counties, agriculture, and business groups argued the bill was too vague, could create uncertainty for water supply and project approvals, and might invite litigation. The chair signaled support, and the author said the bill was intended as a consultation measure rather than one that would usurp agency authority. The committee then took up AB 1795, a wildfire smoke-damage bill that would establish statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating smoke-damaged homes and create clearer insurance claim handling rules. The Department of Insurance supported the bill, saying it would bring consistency and accountability after major urban-interface fires, while wildfire survivors and advocates said current insurer practices leave families unable to safely return home. Insurance and local government groups opposed unless amended, warning about cost, implementation uncertainty, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed unresolved issues, including how the bill would interact with a separate wildfire health-and-safety bill, whether it would apply to existing policies, and how presumptions and testing standards should work. The committee voted AB 1795 out on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 1642, another wildfire-related bill, was also heard and focused on setting science-based testing and clearance standards for homes, schools, and businesses after urban and wildland-urban interface fires. The author and a Caltech scientist described contamination from lead and other heavy metals in fire-affected homes and argued for a presumption that certain contaminants found after a fire came from the wildfire, to reduce costly disputes. Survivors and many advocacy groups supported the bill, while insurers and other industry groups opposed, saying the testing regime was too broad, the geographic scope was unclear, and the presumptions could function like strict liability and raise insurance costs. Senators pressed both sides on how AB 1642 would overlap with the CDI smoke-claims task force and with AB 1795, and the author said the two bills were intended to be complementary and would continue to be reconciled. The committee also briefly heard AB 1976, which would create a CEQA exemption for pedestrian malls and limit certain local procedural delays for pedestrian and traffic-calming projects. Supporters said it would make it easier to create safer, more walkable, and more livable streets, and there was no opposition testimony. The chair described it as a narrow CEQA exemption for active transportation-related projects and indicated support. The committee then moved on to AB 2026, a groundwater recharge permitting bill, with the author explaining that it would streamline permitting so more recharge projects can capture floodwater and store it for drought years; testimony on that bill began as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I vote aye.
• I vote aye. Is there any member wishing to vote or change their vote? Okay, all right.
• I vote aye.
• "I'm going to vote aye." By your vote of 10 ayes, zero noes, and one not voting.
• You've given two not voting? Two not voting? Okay.

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2266, which would change school release-time policy for religious instruction from permissive to mandatory for school districts and charter governing bodies. The sponsor and supporters said the bill protects parental choice, religious liberty, and constitutional release-time programs, while opponents argued it would reduce local control, pull students from instructional time, and expose schools to constitutional and social harms. After public testimony and debate over liability, indoctrination, and academic impact, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2266 a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 2193, a cleanup measure related to student directory information and parent organizations. The bill would allow parents of enrolled students or representatives of nonprofit organizations supporting a school to receive directory information unless a parent or eligible student opts out. Supporters from PTO/PTA groups said the change is needed so parent organizations can continue communicating with families and building school community, while members raised concerns about whether the language should be narrowed to avoid political or other misuse of student data. The sponsor said he was open to an amendment, and the committee approved HB 2193 on a 10-1 vote, with one member present. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2075, which would require public school districts to submit superintendent and other top administrator contracts or attestations to ADE and create a searchable online database of compensation details, including salary, benefits, and car allowances. The sponsor described it as a transparency measure, and the committee discussed an amendment to add more specific filing deadlines and the online database requirement. Opponents from school administrators and rural districts argued that superintendent salaries are already public, that the bill should also apply to charter and private schools receiving public funds, and that it could add burdens or distort comparisons across different public-sector labor markets. Supporters said the bill would make total compensation easier to access and reduce public records requests. The sponsor closed by saying the bill would centralize compensation information and simplify disclosure for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I vote aye. Is there any member wishing to vote or change their vote? Okay. All right.
• I vote aye.
• I vote aye.
• I'm going to vote aye. By your vote of 10 ayes, zero nos, and one not voting.
• I cannot vote on yes on this day so I will be a no hear from my other votes I I cannot vote on yes on

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:12:28.639><c> members</c><00:12:28.959><c> voting</c> members voting yay, no members voting members
• c><00:18:34.799><c> members</c><00:18:35.039><c> voting</c> members voting yay, eight members voting
• Speaker, in explaining my vote, I vote yes.
• </c> Have all members voted? Have all members voted?
• <00:39:45.760><c> members</c><00:39:46.160><c> voting</c> members voting yay, six members voting members

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Calendar/2nd Readings 04:07 Orders of the Day 05:07 HB 144 05:15 HB 3 08:27 HB 290 12:34 HB 84 14:53 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 40:12 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 45:19 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 46:20 ConC/Rules Report 48:12 Floor Amendments 49:42 Adjournment 50:05, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or refrain from voting, have somebody register to vote, or have them sign a petition that's related
• or vote a certain way and what this Vote or vote a certain way and what this language<00:18:38.760><
• </c><00:19:14.320><c> um</c><00:19:14.760><c> have</c> vote or refrain from voting um have vote or refrain
• </c> doing that then this is an easy yes vote doing that then this is an easy yes vote I<00:27:05.480
• from voting in a particular way, to register to vote, or to register or be eligible to sign a petition

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1378, an elections administration bill, and first adopted the DE5 amendment. The author described DE5 as a negotiated package combining provisions from several bills on election administration, including notice of temporary polling locations, residence standards for people under civil commitment orders, polling place closure/change notices, absentee voting provisions, special election filing periods, and timelines for filing statements of economic interest. The committee then adopted two additional amendments, A6 and A8, both presented as technical or corrective changes; A8 restored language on off-reservation temporary polling that had been inadvertently left out. Testimony from county election officials and the Secretary of State’s office was generally supportive of the bill’s election-administration changes. Blue Earth County’s Michael Stalberger said the bill would streamline election-day work, improve absentee ballot deadlines, clarify ballot correction procedures, formalize chain-of-custody plans, and speed out-of-court remedies for ballot errors. He also raised concerns about implementation details, including the timing for first chain-of-custody plans, applying candidate filing changes to townships and school districts as well as cities, the short turnaround for college student housing lists, and whether the statewide system could handle new absentee-ballot data fields. Nicole Freeman of the Secretary of State’s office echoed support for the technical cleanup and several policy changes, including removing the permanent absentee application box from voter registration forms, clarifying ballot-board procedures, chain-of-custody planning, and the out-of-court remedy, while also flagging concerns about the absentee application cutoff, city opt-outs from absentee voting, and staffing requirements for absentee locations. Later in the hearing, members discussed a separate proposed amendment, A4/A3, dealing with prohibitions on inducements to vote or register, including lotteries or other chances to win money or goods. The author explained it was intended to clarify existing law and respond to recent examples of large-money election-related giveaways, but after discussion the chair declined to offer the amendment in committee, saying it would likely not have enough support and could be taken up later on the floor. The hearing ended with the technical amendments adopted and the bill advanced with the committee continuing broader discussions on the remaining issues.