Video & Transcript Research : 'electronic voting machine'
Page 162 of 500
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Any no votes or amendments. Any no votes or reservations? Next up is SB 3077.
- Any no votes or reservations? Reservations. No vote for Senator Auwae.
- Any no votes or amendments. Any no votes or reservations? reservations? reservations?
- No vote for Senator Auwae. >> Reservations. No vote for Senator Auwae.
- Any no votes or reservations? No vote for Senator Dela Cruz. The measure is adopted.
Bills:
SB2057
Keywords:
immigration enforcement, sanctuary policy, detainer, ICE, federal immigration authorities, 8 U.S.C. 1357(g), 8 U.S.C. 1373, 8 U.S.C. 1644, deportation, undocumented immigrants, noncitizen, migrant rights, local police cooperation, law enforcement cooperation, hold request, judicial warrant, probable cause, civil immigration enforcement, county police, state police
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met on Thursday, March 5, for a series of decision-making agendas and considered a long list of Senate bills. Early measures included SB 2151, which clarifies state and local authority during emergencies and revises the definition of “emergency”; the committee agreed to restore the broader, long-used definition and add a sunset date, then passed the bill with amendments. SB 3055, concerning false impersonation of an employee organization representative, was amended to remove liquidated damages and passed. Several technical or conforming bills also advanced, including SB 3067, SB 3077, SB 3131, SB 3134, SB 3144, SB 3152, SB 3154, and SB 3249, with most passed with technical amendments or unamended; some members noted reservations on SB 3249.
The committee also took up bills affecting public safety, health, and education. SB 3083 was amended to narrow notice requirements for protective orders involving military-affiliated individuals to a designated military security force, and SB 3118 on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children passed as is. SB 3134 modernized emergency medical services statutes, while another SB 3134 item addressed dangerous intoxication and civil protective custody. SB 3262, requiring the Hawaii State Teachers Board to submit nominees to the Board of Education, was amended to include a defective effective date. SB 3315, allowing a one-time medical cannabis purchase while registration is pending, was also amended to a delayed effective date and passed.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on law enforcement and immigration-related proposals. SB 3322, which restricts facial coverings by law enforcement, requires visible identification, and sets agency policies on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, was amended to remove an affirmative defense, make the penalty a misdemeanor, and incorporate exceptions for undercover work and related preparation; it passed with one no vote. SB 3251, barring certain former ICE and Border Patrol personnel from employment in specified state agencies, was narrowed to apply to those with more than 90 cumulative days of such work during a defined period and passed with reservations. SB 2057, a reconsideration measure limiting use of state personnel and funds to assist federal immigration agents beyond their authority, was further amended to clarify definitions, protect First Amendment activity, and preserve cooperation required by federal law; it then passed without objection. The committee adjourned after adopting each measure considered.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Section of vote-by-mail election code to match vote-by-mail acceptance periods that were updated in AB
- Not voting. Lackey is not voting. We'll keep that bill on call for our absent members.
- Respectfully ask for an aye vote.
- Not voting. Macedo? Not voting. Berman? Very respectful.
- Not voting. Lackey, not voting. So that bill is out four to one, and thank you so much.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- respectfully urge the chairs to poll it soon so that it may come to the floor in our chambers for a vote
- So you can parlay that into how we maintain other things, whether there are vehicles or copy machines
- Software as a service does not get deployed or installed on a bunch of different machines or servers.
- Last year, in May 2024, at town meeting, we successfully voted this project down.
- for a budget resolution last year to not Councilors out of 24 who voted for a budget resolution last
Summary:
The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several procurement-related bills. Senator Lovely and steel industry witnesses supported S. 2167/H. 3411, which would require preference for U.S. manufacturers on public construction projects using steel and other materials. They argued that Canadian and other foreign fabricators underbid Massachusetts firms because of exchange rates, subsidies, and different labor-cost structures, causing local job losses and economic leakage. Committee members asked about tariffs, market share, and whether the bill should be folded into broader municipal legislation; the witnesses said public work should stay in Massachusetts and that the bill would help preserve local industry and jobs.
The committee also heard strong support for S. 2107, a bill to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in state and municipal contracting. Work Inc. testified that a preference for contractors employing people with disabilities would expand competitive employment, reduce reliance on public assistance, and generate net savings for taxpayers. Members asked about the estimated savings and whether recent federal changes to benefits would affect the numbers; the witness said the figures may need updating but that the underlying employment opportunity remains important. Another bill, H. 3339/S. 2187, would prohibit state and municipal contracts for new artificial turf fields containing zinc, plastic, or intentionally added PFAS. Sponsors and supporters cited health risks, heat retention, injuries, and PFAS contamination, while committee members discussed local bans, disposal problems, and whether indoor facilities or alternative materials could be used.
Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified in favor of H. 12 and H. 13, which would update Chapter 30B procurement thresholds and allow municipalities to bundle snow hauling and removal with plowing contracts. He said the changes would give local governments more flexibility, reduce confusion between school and municipal procurement rules, and make snow contracts more attractive to vendors. Members questioned whether quasi-public agencies and state entities should also be subject to 30B, and Shapiro said many public entities have their own procedures but that transparency and fairness should apply across the board. The committee also heard support for S. 2150, a software licensing bill aimed at preventing vendor lock-in by ensuring state agencies can run purchased software in the infrastructure that best fits their needs; the witness said restrictive licensing can drive up costs and create cybersecurity and modernization problems, and that similar laws have already passed in several other states.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 6, February 16, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- So computers and electronics are on the top of that list on both sides, and that is in billions, not
- The computer and electronic products make sense. Thank you.
- And I guess when I explain my vote, I'll kind of share more of my thoughts on it.
- I understand that people vote present now.
- So I vote aye. Vice Chairman Peña? Aye. Chairman Rivera? Aye.
Bills:
HB2754
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- automated services and electronic automated services and electronic approvals<00:10:57.079>
for - administer the test in that electronic administer the test in that electronic health<00:35:41.520
- Vice Chair, for the vote. Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator Hashimoto is excused.
- Vice Chair, for the vote. Members are present. Any reservations? Any nos?
- <00:59:11.920>
we sing none Vice chair for a vote we sing none Vice chair for a vote we members
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted.
HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same.
HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.
AZ
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This is for electronic meetings, electronic voting, and cumulative voting.
- This is for electronic meetings, electronic voting, cumulative voting on behalf of the house myself as
- May we vote on this measure? By all means, please. May I take the vote today? Yes. Okay.
- May I take the vote for the Senate? Senator Koole—oh, I'm sorry, this is the old vote sheet.
- Ready to vote? Yes. Okay.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Vice chair votes I. Senator Hashimoto. >> Vice chair votes I.
- Are there any no votes or present. Are there any no votes or reservations? reservations?
- votes or reservations?
- Are there any no votes or reservations? Are there any no votes or reservations?
- Any no votes or reservations? >> No. >> One no vote and one excused. The measure is adopted.
Bills:
SB2064, SB2312, SB2811, SB2662, SB2744, SB2809, SB2862, SB2343, SB2336, SB2075, SB2308, SB2601, SB2397, SB2219, SB2849, SB2449, SB2781
Keywords:
state architect, construction projects, design approvals, building codes, state agency oversight, government contracts, transparency, record retention, public oversight, Hawaii Revised Statutes, building permits, task force, state-owned lands, construction, regulatory process, government accountability, external consultants, procurement reform, cost efficiency, in-house expertise
Summary:
The committee met for decision-making on measures heard earlier in the week and took up a series of government operations, procurement, public records, public meetings, and related bills. Several measures were deferred one week to February 12, 2026, including bills on state construction projects, government accountability, gubernatorial appointments, the legislature, public procurement, and a bill on Hawaiian lei sales, largely so the committee could compare similar measures, address concerns, or integrate related reports. The committee also deferred SB 2449 on public meetings for the year, citing concerns that the proposed business-day definition was overly prescriptive and unnecessary.
The committee passed several bills with amendments. These included measures clarifying UIPA applicability to records created or maintained by agencies, with amendments changing “government function” to “agency function” and committee report language noting Attorney General concerns and exempting ERS for now; SB 2811 on state building projects with technical amendments and a delayed effective date; SB 2809 on budget-related reports; SB 2336 on trees, with a Senate draft and removal of “political subdivision”; SB 2308 on small purchase vendor compliance, setting the threshold at $5,000 and adding a delayed effective date; SB 2601 on procurement, reorganizing misdemeanor language and leaving funding/FTE issues to Ways and Means; SB 2219 on a capital visitor center working group; and SB 2849 on public meetings, with technical amendments and a delayed effective date. Bills on neighborhood board concerns and public notice were also adopted, with SB 2929 drawing testimony both for and against.
Testimony was generally supportive on procurement and small business measures, especially SB 2928 establishing permanent small business procurement coordinator positions, which drew strong support from the State Procurement Office, DBEDT, the Chamber of Commerce, DOT, the Ethics Commission, and others. On public notice, the County of Maui supported allowing website posting, while another witness raised concerns about accessibility, centralized notice locations, and impacts on kūpuna and people with disabilities. On search and rescue, the committee heard support for creating a statewide coordination structure, along with discussion of where such an office should reside; the Attorney General raised constitutional and placement concerns, while witnesses suggested law enforcement, DLNR, or DoD as possible homes. The committee also heard support for a bill protecting home addresses of covered public servants and candidates, though the Public First Law Center urged broader coverage and a better fit with existing law.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/16/26 - Part 3
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Vote green. zero cost to the taxpayer. Vote green.
- Burkel votes I. Mohamud Noor votes I. Burkel votes I. Mohamud Noor votes I. Mohamud Noor votes no.
- Courage a yes vote. the finish line. Courage a yes vote.
- . vote. vote.
- You should vote for it. bill. You should vote for it.
Summary:
The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 3900, a constitutional amendment related to state government and school trust lands. Members from both parties praised the work on the bill and said the conference committee returned a clean version of the House-passed measure. The report was adopted without opposition, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 134-0 roll call.
The chamber then took up Senate File 4282, a forecast-adjustments bill covering K-12 education, human services, children and families, and transportation. Representative Youakim explained that the conference report restored all four forecast articles plus several no-cost education items, including school fund transfers, utility-payment authority, a paraprofessional licensing clarification, a grant extension, and school trust lands language. Representative Mueller moved to refuse adoption, arguing the report had become a catchall and omitted agreed-upon literacy language; that motion failed 62-72. The House then adopted the conference report, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 94-37 vote.
Next, the House concurred in Senate amendments to House File 4138, the social media bill aimed at restricting addictive social media harms for minors. The Senate had removed House “threat alert” language, and the author said that was the only substantive difference. Supporters said the bill would protect kids online and require parental permission for social media accounts for children 15 and under. The House concurred and repassed the bill as amended by the Senate on a 131-2 vote.
The House then began consideration of Senate File 2373, a labor and industry bill exempting minor league baseball players from minimum wage and overtime requirements. Through a series of amendments, members added provisions on rural cancer research, disability services and employment access, unemployment insurance for certain laid-off Iron Range miners, and agricultural funding items such as depredation, local foods, down payment assistance, and meat processing grants. One proposed amendment to remove the double-fencing requirement for farmed cervidae was strongly opposed as a threat to deer health and was defeated 61-72. The transcript ends during debate on that amendment, before final disposition of the bill is shown.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It created a drive a clean machine program only for those counties that were struggling with ozone, right
- If you want to vote it out today, I will not, I will not fight you on that. It's a great bill.
- And once again, I won't fight y'all, Chairman, if you want to vote it out today on the spot.
- Well, thank you very much. uh, we, I'm sure that everybody would like to vote it out, but, uh, unless
Bills:
HB205
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/12/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- of all, social science, which don't require very complicated facilities, high-tech equipment and machines
- of all, social science, which don't require very complicated facilities, high-tech equipment and machines
- of all, social science, which don't require very complicated facilities, high-tech equipment and machines
- of all, social science, which don't require very complicated facilities, high-tech equipment and machines
- <00:47:25.559>
the <00:47:25.760>fanciest <00:47:26.240>lab fanciest MRI machine
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works May 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It clarifies that the department's electronic signatures or...
- record, electronic signature, or electronic transaction otherwise authorized by law or by policy of
- record, electronic signature, or electronic transaction otherwise authorized by law or by policy of
- record, electronic signature, or electronic transaction, otherwise authorized by law or by policy of
- I don't know if I have a vote in here, but I would second that motion, Mr. Chairman.
Summary:
The committee first adopted Amendment Set 527 without objection, then adopted Amendment Set 5327, which adds a compliance officer requirement and related qualifications for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority. Supporters of Senate Bill 56 argued that the Lafitte levee district lacks sufficient recurring revenue to maintain its system and that the West Bank flood authority could provide professional management, coordination, and financial support. Testimony also raised concerns about governance problems at SLFPA East and about unresolved landowner damage claims tied to prior levee work. The committee reported SB 56 favorably with amendments.
The Department of Transportation and Development secretary then gave an update on the agency’s transformation initiatives, including outsourcing, construction process improvements, faster contractor payments, quicker change-order approvals, and higher project delivery rates. The committee next reported Senate Bill 171 favorably, which cleans up language for the recreation, economy, navigation, and transportation authority board, and Senate Bill 252 favorably, which allows driver’s license records to reflect both acceptance and refusal of anatomical gift authorization.
Senate Bill 72, dealing with electronic vehicle titles and registration, was amended extensively to modernize OMV processes, require electronic lien and title functions for certain users, and set implementation timelines; it was then reported with amendments. House Bill 939, which would create a Louisiana Vehicle Commission by consolidating the motor vehicle commissions, was amended with a substitute but then voluntarily deferred to allow more stakeholder work. Senate Bill 129, creating a Master Combat Infantry Specialty license plate and adding a special plate provision for designated state officials tied to Supreme Court parking/security concerns, was reported with amendments. Finally, House Resolution 243, urging safety warning signage on the Tickfaw River after a fatal boating accident, was amended to shift responsibility to parish governing authorities and was reported with amendments.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, I explain my vote. Please.
- Hi, may I explain my vote? Yes, please.
- May explain my vote? Yes, please.
- Chairman, I explained my vote. Please.
- So with that I vote aye to keep the bill moving, but I reserve my right to change my vote on the floor
Keywords:
reentry programs, criminal justice, funding, grants, recidivism, attorney general, jury duty, election worker, Arizona Revised Statutes, temporary appointment, civic duty, family court, professional personnel, parenting time, legal decision-making, evidentiary hearings, child custody, ethical standards, capital punishment, death penalty
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 16th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
- All members vote who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll, tally the votes.
- All those vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote.
- Who desire to vote. Clerk will close the roll, tally the votes.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jul 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- respectfully ask for an I vote when the time comes. Thank you.
- I simply ask for an aye vote when the time comes.
- The votes, five to two, it passes. The vote is five to two. That bill gets out.
- So appreciate it, and I vote. Thank you very much.
- I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you very much.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard a series of tax-related bills, with several measures referred to suspense and a few advancing. SB 284 would clarify Proposition 19 rules for inherited family homes in probate, including when the one-year residency clock starts and whether title consolidation among siblings triggers reassessment; supporters included the California Association of Realtors, while county assessors opposed the sibling-transfer language as creating ambiguity. The bill was sent to suspense. SB 863 was taken up on the consent calendar and passed 6-0 to the Assembly floor.
SB 333 would let San Luis Obispo County voters consider raising a local tax rate limit to fund transportation projects; supporters said it would help the county become self-help for major road needs, while opponents argued it would make it easier to raise regressive sales taxes. The committee approved the bill 5-2, as amended with a five-year sunset. SB 376, which clarifies that charitable remainder trusts are not treated as incomplete gift non-grantor trusts for California income tax purposes, drew support from the California Lawyers Association and no opposition, and passed 5-2 to Appropriations as amended.
The committee also heard SB 591, which would replace steep penalties for failing to use electronic funds transfer with fixed penalties of $100 for a first violation and $500 thereafter; supporters said current penalties can be excessive and out of proportion, and the bill was sent to suspense. SB 419 would partially exempt hydrogen fuel from the state sales and use tax while leaving the existing road fee in place; supporters said it would help hydrogen adoption and parity with other clean fuels, while one environmental group opposed unless amended, and the bill went to suspense. SB 587 proposed a state tax credit for local sales tax paid on manufacturing equipment to encourage investment and jobs; it had broad business support and no opposition, but was also sent to suspense. SB 710 would extend and update the property tax exclusion for solar installations, with broad support from clean energy and local government groups and some opposition from large energy consumers; it too was referred to suspense. Finally, SB 663 would extend deadlines and exemptions for wildfire victims and certain nonprofit and disabled veteran properties; it received support from assessors and committee members but was also sent to suspense for further work.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy (06/05/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- certain number of copies, it starts degrading a bit, and so then you know it's like the old Xerox machines
- certain number of copies, it starts degrading a bit, and so then you know it's like the old Xerox machines
- certain number of copies, it starts degrading a bit, and so then you know it's like the old Xerox machines
- certain number of copies, it starts degrading a bit, and so then you know it's like the old Xerox machines
- certain number of copies, it starts degrading a bit, and so then you know it's like the old Xerox machines
Summary:
The New Hampshire House Special Committee on the COVID Response Efficacy met to continue its fact-finding review of the state’s pandemic response, with the chair restating the committee’s mission and focus on federal guidance, federal funding, emergency use authorization vaccination efforts, long COVID, patient rights, and vaccination policies. The chair said the committee had previously reviewed materials about the U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear a COVID vaccine case and CDC internal emails about vaccine risks, and introduced additional research on CDC testing and communications failures.
A large portion of the meeting was devoted to summarizing articles and a recent U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations report titled *Unmasked: How Biden Health Officials Purposely Turned a Blind Eye Toward COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Signals*. The chair argued that CDC testing and guidance were flawed, citing delayed data publication, confusing guidance, a faulty early COVID test, missed opportunities to study silent spread, and alleged suppression of safety information. The Senate report was described as alleging that FDA and CDC officials knew their surveillance systems could mask vaccine safety signals, that officials discouraged internal analysis from being shared externally, and that newer analytical methods identified multiple statistically significant adverse-event signals. The chair also discussed the V-safe system, VAERS, and claims that federal officials downplayed or concealed adverse-event data.
Members and the chair connected these federal issues to New Hampshire, noting changes in the state’s health care landscape since the pandemic, including more urgent care facilities and satellite ERs. The chair suggested New Hampshire should develop independent scientific assessment resources to validate federal information in future emergencies. Representative Wheeler noted that the materials would be entered into the committee record and made available on the House website. No votes were taken; the committee discussed the materials, invited further questions, and indicated that a proposed committee communication would be revisited later after additional supporting information is gathered, with a goal of issuing a statement by the end of June.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there any no votes or reservations? Vice Chair votes with reservation chair.
- no votes or reservations? no votes or reservations?
- nomination papers, and electronic nomination papers, and electronic database<00:03:35.200>
for - votes or reservations? votes or reservations?
- Vice chair votes with reservation chair. Vice chair votes with reservation chair.
Keywords:
sentencing, nonviolent offenses, misdemeanor, prison reform, criminal justice, public servant, misconduct, statute of limitations, fraud, abuse of authority, breach of trust, lawmaker safety, political violence, confidentiality, personal information, Hawaii Revised Statutes, theft, mandatory sentencing, felony, prison
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met on a decision-making agenda and considered four Senate bills. SB 2731 would cap misdemeanor jail terms at 364 days and allow people previously sentenced to one year to seek modification; the chair recommended passage with amendments limiting the change to nonviolent offenses, and the measure was adopted with one no vote. SB 2830 would extend the statute of limitations for misconduct-in-office offenses by public servants to allow prosecution during service and for 10 years afterward; members discussed tightening the definition of misconduct in office while leaving the public servant definition unchanged, and it was adopted with amendments.
SB 2914, which would prohibit public disclosure of legislators’ personal contact information and certain voter and campaign records, was deferred because the chair believed existing law already covered much of the issue and wanted to see how that law works over time. SB 3072 would require a mandatory 12-month minimum sentence for first-degree theft involving property or services valued over $250,000; the committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the sentence could be imposed as a condition of probation or before parole, and it was adopted with the vice chair voting with reservation.
The committee then adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 16, 2026 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- >>Vice Chair Koster: By your vote, the PCB is reported favorably.
- By your vote, the PCB is reported favorably. You can have the gavel back, I suppose.
- I'm working on an amendment for counties that do not do electronic monitoring or have the capabilities
- Electronic monitoring is an equalizer, it's an objective truth teller.
- And I just urge all members to vote upon this really good bill. >> Chair Maney: Thank you, Rep.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House and Governmental Affairs Apr 29th, 2026
House and Governmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It would have to be voted upon by both the House and the Senate by a two-thirds vote.
- And so in that bill that a number of you voted for and did pass a vote of the people, That a number of
- you voted for and did pass a vote of the people provides for the additional five members, as I just
- Vote as a human being. Please, I beg you, vote for SB 1, 2, 3. Thank you. Thank you.
- And my vote yesterday was to vote for the official journal as well as.
Keywords:
tax credits, higher education, workforce development, brain drain, economic incentives, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, SB49, Louisiana elections, party primary, primary elections, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, school board elections, election law, candidate qualification, ballot access
Summary:
The House and Governmental Affairs Committee heard Senate Bill 123 by Sen. Morris, a proposed constitutional amendment to create a legislative-address process for removing certain judges for cause, with the governor certifying removal after a legislative vote and Senate trial. The bill was presented as a way to address perceived gaps and ambiguity in the current Constitution between impeachment provisions and the Judiciary Commission’s authority over judicial discipline. The committee also adopted a technical amendment (Amendment Set 4708) that renumbered paragraphs for clarity.
Sen. Morris and supporters argued the measure is needed because current mechanisms have not adequately held judges accountable in serious cases. They cited several criminal cases, especially involving juveniles and electronic monitoring failures, and said the bill would provide a last-resort remedy for gross misconduct, incompetence, or malfeasance. Multiple family members of murder victims testified in support, including Anna Carter, James Carter, and Tracy Carter, who described the death of Jacob Carter and said the case showed a failure of oversight and accountability. Reverend Rodney Wood also spoke in support, describing another case he believed reflected a grave injustice.
Committee members raised concerns about separation of powers, due process, political misuse, and whether the bill would reach beyond judges to district attorneys. Some questioned the mechanics of the proposed process, the role of the governor, the Senate trial, and whether the Judiciary Commission and existing impeachment provisions should instead be strengthened or clarified. The ACLU testified in opposition, saying the bill had technical inconsistencies in its vote threshold language, could be addressed by testing existing impeachment authority first, and should not single out judicial discretion while excluding DA discretion. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.