Video & Transcript : 'disabled voter' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Feb 24th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- The next bill is engrossed second substitute House Bill 1750 relating to creating guidelines for voter
- The next bill before you is substitute House Bill 1916 relating to voter registration challenges.
- a person challenging another voter's registration must reside in the same county as the challenged voter
- This just clarifies really that if someone is going to challenge a voter registration, that person must
- registration language so that instead of saying 'may be removed,' it be made so the voter registration
Bills:
HB1759 , HB2417 , HB2632 , HB2249 , HB2574 , HB2309 , HB2235 , SGA9066 , SGA9246 , SGA9268 , SGA9267
Keywords:
designation, commemoration, December 12, local observance, cultural significance, military justice, victims' rights, militia, Washington code, legal protections, citizenship, immigration, terminology, rights, legal status, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It changed 'landowner' or 'land occupier' to 'registered voter.'
- But the eligibility for all registered voters to participate in elections has been maintained.
- voter participation rate under half a percent.
- A recent report found that turnout is less than 1% of voters in nearly all districts.
- However, even with those efforts, we receive just 1% of eligible voter participation.
Summary:
The committee first heard staff and sponsor testimony on House Joint Resolution 4210, which would remove constitutional limits on the length of regular legislative sessions and instead let the legislature set adjournment dates by statute. Rep. Breonna Thomas and supporters said the measure would give lawmakers flexibility to set a sustainable schedule and improve working conditions, while opponents argued it would concentrate more power in the legislature and could lead to a year-round session. No vote was taken on the resolution during the hearing.
Members then heard House Bill 2520, which would clarify that county governing bodies may hold emergency special meetings outside the county seat or remotely during true emergencies and may act at such meetings even if the public cannot first listen in. Rep. Deborah Lekanoff said the bill was prompted by the Skagit Valley flooding and was meant to help local governments respond quickly in disasters. Testimony was split: counties and some others supported the clarification, while open government advocates urged tighter language defining “emergency” and limiting the bill to state or federally declared emergencies. The hearing was closed without a vote.
The committee also took testimony on House Bill 2499, in proposed substitute form, concerning conservation district supervisors. The substitute would let conservation districts opt into the general election system under Title 29A, remove the landowner requirement, keep a farm-operator requirement for some seats, extend terms from three to four years, and require financial disclosure filings in some circumstances. Supporters argued the bill would modernize elections, increase transparency, and improve voter access; opponents warned it could be costly for small districts, reduce participation, and create unintended consequences. No final action was taken in the hearing portion shown.
In executive session, the committee voted 7-0 to report House Bill 2408, a cleanup bill removing obsolete references to the Office of Financial Management, with a due pass recommendation. It also voted 5-2 to report House Bill 2435, creating a legislative office of Indian affairs, with a due pass recommendation; some members supported the bill as improving government-to-government relations with tribes, while others wanted a fiscal note before fully supporting it.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Jan 19th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- A district can be formed by petition of voters or through a resolution adopted by the legislative authority
- of a city or town that is approved by its voters.
- a non-charter county with a population of 250,000 or more, the county legislative authority, with voter
- bill that would further disenfranchise our voters on any topic seems to be an interesting one.
- , and can be removed from office by the voters if desired.
Committee:
Senate Local Government
Keywords:
freight rail, rail corridor, short-line railroad, rail-dependent uses, industrial land use, growth management act, GMA, comprehensive plan, transportation element, land use planning, local government, county planning, city planning, critical areas, agricultural lands, forest lands, mineral resource lands, urban growth area, development regulations, notice on permits
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Jan 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- A district can be formed by petition of voters or through a resolution adopted by the legislative authority
- of a city or town that is approved by its voters.
- In a non-charter county with a population of 250,000 or more, the county legislative authority with voter
- bill that would further disenfranchise our voters on any topic seems to be an interesting one.
- They are responsible to the voters and can be removed from office by the voters if the voters desire.
Summary:
The Senate Local Government Committee heard briefings and public testimony on several bills. SB 6064 would let qualifying regional fire protection districts or authorities take over administration and enforcement of the International Fire Code within their boundaries, with notice to counties and equivalent jobs for displaced workers; supporters said it would improve consistency and local control, while counties, fire marshals, and builders opposed it as unnecessary and likely to add permitting complexity and delay. SB 6101 would require county coroners to be appointed rather than elected, while preserving appointed medical examiners in larger counties; the sponsor cited the Yakima County coroner controversy as the reason for the bill, and opponents argued it would reduce voter accountability and could increase costs, though some supporters said appointment would professionalize death investigations and improve consistency. SB 6077 would extend from 21 to 28 business days the deadline for assessors and taxpayers to exchange valuation evidence before property tax appeal hearings, with supporters saying the change would give taxpayers a fairer chance to respond and opponents saying the bill should also address long delays in scheduling hearings themselves.
The committee also heard SB 5820, which would repeal Clark County-specific Growth Management Act authority allowing freight rail-dependent uses on certain resource lands adjacent to a short-line railroad. The sponsor and supporters said the 2017 law was a poorly written special exemption that threatens agricultural and resource lands and should be repealed; opponents, including the railroad operator, business groups, and local officials, argued the rail overlay supports economic development, jobs, and low-emission freight movement and that the county should retain local control. Testimony on SB 5820 also raised concerns about safety, land-use conflicts, and the meaning of “adjacent,” with some witnesses saying the land is currently underused and others saying it is needed for future industrial and rail-served development.
Finally, the committee heard SB 6013, an agency-request bill updating ski-area terminology and safety provisions to include aerial tramways, toes, and conveyors in the state’s ski lift regulations. State Parks supported the measure as a technical update to align safety inspections, insurance requirements, and rider conduct rules with current equipment terminology. The transcript ended before any vote or executive action was taken on these bills, and the chair noted some previously scheduled executive session items were moved to a later date.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 20, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Then we'll do a voter registration system next.
- Then we'll do a voter registration system next.
- Then we'll do a voter registration system next.
- and is the official list of registered voters in the state, which enables voter registration officials
- to provide access and update voter registration information.
Summary:
The subcommittee first heard a panel on state cloud modernization efforts after canceling an LBR on the Department of Corrections’ OBIS project because the presentation materials were not submitted on time. Florida Digital Service, the Northwest Regional Data Center, and several agencies described how the state is assessing and migrating applications to cloud environments under the cloud-first policy. Northwest explained its 2023 cloud readiness assessment of 890 applications from 24 agencies, the criteria used to rate readiness and risk, and its recommendation to tackle lower-risk applications first. Agency updates covered the Department of Corrections’ modernization of 98 legacy applications tied to OBIS and cloud-native infrastructure, the Department of Elder Affairs’ Microsoft Power Platform modernization, the Department of Health’s health management and child protection systems, and FDOT’s large cloud program for transportation systems. Members repeatedly asked about costs, data ownership, disaster recovery, single sign-on, security tools, and whether cloud migration actually saves money; presenters generally said the focus is more on modernization, resilience, and efficiency than immediate savings, and that cost analyses are often application-specific rather than enterprise-wide.
The discussion also covered governance and architecture questions. Florida Digital Service said agencies remain responsible for their own databases and cloud tenants, while FLDS provides advice and an enterprise architecture framework; it does not have statutory oversight over most projects, except for OBIS project oversight due to its size. Northwest said it is acting as a cloud broker for some agencies and is consolidating Azure and AWS payer tenants to seek better pricing, but agencies still make system-by-system decisions based on business needs, risk, latency, and total cost of ownership. Members raised concerns about fragmented data structures, the lack of a complete statewide application inventory, and the need for better interoperability and enterprise standards. Several agencies said disaster recovery is built into their cloud plans, and FDOT and Corrections described ongoing efforts to keep systems current through core platforms, training, and ongoing support.
In the second half of the meeting, the Department of State presented two new technology requests. Secretary Byrd described the SunBiz corporate registry system as a 34-year-old platform supporting more than 3.5 million business entities and generating over $575 million in annual general revenue. He said the department had already virtualized the legacy hardware after earlier modernization efforts failed and is now seeking $800,000 recurring for password protection and $5 million nonrecurring to continue procurement for a replacement system. The department also presented the Florida Voter Registration System modernization request, noting that the current system is outdated and requires manual workarounds for some statutory changes. The department requested $2.4948 million nonrecurring and $44,000 recurring to procure a modernized FVRS solution, and staff said the feasibility study recommended a hybrid approach. Members asked about the study’s findings and about creating a database for voter eligibility information for returning citizens; the department said that would require data sharing with all 67 clerks of court and other entities such as DOC.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, December 12, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Before 1975, this country locked up 200,000 disabled children in institutions.
- </c><02:11:38.079><c> children</c><02:11:38.719><c> in</c> locked up 200,000 disabled children in locked
- up 200,000 disabled children in institutions.<02:11:39.679><c> We</c><02:11:40.000><c> shut</c><02:11
- </c><03:33:06.399><c> of</c><03:33:06.560><c> 10</c><03:33:06.800><c> French</c><03:33:07.120><c> voters
- out of 10 French voters would back a<03:33:09.120><c> ban</c><03:33:09.840><c> on</c><03:33:10.080><
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Transportation (01/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- for</c><04:11:16.560><c> um</c><04:11:16.800><c> for</c><04:11:17.000><c> the</c><04:11:17.159><c> voters
- </c><04:11:17.640><c> and</c> moderators and for um for the voters and moderators and for um for the
- voters and for<04:11:18.080><c> that</c><04:11:18.279><c> reason</c><04:11:18.640><c> I</c><04:11:18.840
- </c><04:21:49.000><c> can</c> person with a walking disability can person with a walking disability can
- Persons with autism spectrum disabilities can have escalated encounters with somebody who doesn't know
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 119-FN, which would allow rental companies registering a rental fleet to choose New Hampshire as their base jurisdiction under the International Registration Plan. The DMV witness said the state already has this capability under the IRP and did not support the bill, adding that no additional staffing should be needed. Committee questions focused on whether the bill would change where registrations are done, what implementation would require, mileage tracking, decals, and inspection requirements. A representative of the Motor Transport Association also said the bill was unnecessary because the option already exists, while noting some related truck-registration and property-tax issues. The chair then closed the public hearing on HB 119-FN with no further speakers.
The committee next heard House Bill 612, which would let youth operators renew up to 30 days before turning 21 and receive a temporary license so they can transition to a standard horizontal license without an extra DMV trip. The sponsor and DMV director strongly supported the bill, describing a long-standing problem where early online renewals can trigger another vertical youth license, forcing a duplicate transaction and fee after the birthday. The DMV said the change would reduce confusion and workload, and estimated a one-time system update cost of $48,000. Members asked about whether the proposal was effectively a 30-day extension, how law enforcement would view the temporary status, and whether the system could handle printing and mailing the new horizontal license; the director said the DMV could manage it and that the bill was the best approach. The chair closed the hearing after no one else testified.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 209, which would exempt new vehicles from inspection in the second year after purchase, effectively allowing two years before the next inspection. The sponsor argued the bill would save taxpayers money and reduce unnecessary trips for owners of new vehicles. Supporters said newer vehicles are already maintained through warranties and routine service. Opponents, including the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association and a service manager from a dealership, argued the bill was not limited to truly new cars, would weaken safety by delaying inspections on vehicles that can still develop tire, brake, and other defects, and could raise costs for everyone else if inspection volume drops. The Motor Transport Association clarified that commercial motor vehicles remain subject to annual federal inspection requirements. No vote was taken in the transcript, and the hearing remained open with testimony continuing.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amend. and Intergovernmental Affairs (3-5-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:09:27.400><c> have</c> but at the same time, the voters have but at the same time, the voters
- </c><00:09:41.120><c> that</c> honor the the desires of the voters that honor the the desires of the
- voters that have<00:09:41.360><c> already</c><00:09:41.640><c> elected</c><00:09:42.000><c> him</c><00
- Again, I have tried to lean in the direction of trying to respect voters' desires at the same time as
- I mean, we voter rolls accidentally.
Summary:
The House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee met to consider House Bill 534, an elections bill sponsored by Representative D.J. Johnson. The committee first adopted a committee substitute, and Johnson explained that the substitute removed the emergency clause, deleted provisions on craft member appointments and cast vote records, changed language on memoranda of understanding with the Department of Justice from mandatory to permissive, and removed a section on election-day procedures for voters flagged as non-citizens. He said the changes were made in response to concerns from county clerks and to improve the bill before floor consideration.
Members asked about the bill’s purpose, cost, and effects. Johnson said the measure was not aimed at a widespread fraud problem but was intended to improve election security, accuracy, and fairness, and he said he had not been told it would create a significant cost increase. Questions also focused on a provision allowing certain federal officeholders to run for president or vice president while retaining their current office; Johnson said the language was meant to apply only to federal offices decided by the Electoral College and to avoid penalizing voters who elected those officials. Representative Roberts supported that provision, while Representative Gooch objected to it and said he would vote no if it remained.
The committee also discussed voter-roll maintenance and whether the bill would improperly remove people whose voting rights had been restored by pardon or other legal means. Johnson said the administrative process should account for restored rights through coordination with the governor’s office and the Administrative Office of the Courts. Several members praised the Secretary of State’s work but raised concerns about the clerks’ opposition, the bill’s cost, and whether it solved a real problem. After debate, the committee voted 12-4 to pass the bill as amended by the committee substitute, then adopted a title amendment, and reported House Bill 534 favorably to the House floor.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities And Communications Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- The voters who approved Prop 7 deserve a careful analysis before reversing their decision.
- The voters who approved Prop 7 deserve a careful analysis before reversing their decision.
- I will quote from the argument in favor of that proposition in the voter pamphlet at the time.
- I did see the legislative analyst's comments regarding having to take it back to the voters.
- So the point of my measure is that voters want to stop switching time two times a year.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
Summary:
The committee heard several energy, telecommunications, and regulatory bills. SB 929 by Senator Jones would require the California Energy Commission chair to appear annually and report to the Legislature on the commission’s activities, plans, and outreach; it was presented as a low-cost oversight measure and drew no opposition. SB 1138 by Senator Padilla would let load-serving entities trade hourly resource adequacy obligations under the CPUC’s slice-of-day framework to reduce overprocurement and lower ratepayer costs; supporters said it could save tens of millions of dollars, while questions focused on reliability and whether savings would reach customers. SB 913 by Senator Becker would create a clearer pathway for customer-sited distributed energy resources, such as home batteries and smart thermostats, to participate in resource adequacy markets; supporters said it would unlock existing clean capacity and reduce costs, and members asked about reliability, opt-in participation, and compensation for homeowners.
The committee also heard SB 1197 by Senator Niello, which would move California to permanent standard time if federal law allows, with testimony from a sleep medicine physician supporting the health and safety benefits of ending the time switch and opposition from golf industry representatives who urged a broader analysis of economic, recreational, and public safety impacts. Members debated whether the 2018 voter approval required another vote and whether Congress would need to act. SB 1265 by Senator Richardson would codify and expand the Go Green financing program by creating a new fund and allowing broader partnerships beyond current IOU service areas; supporters said it would expand access to clean energy financing statewide. SB 1337 by Senator Richardson would create a working group to coordinate fuel transition policy and refinery-related issues following SB 237, with supporters emphasizing the need for better interagency coordination and some members asking how it would avoid duplicative work.
The committee also considered SB 1191 by Senator Ochoa Bogh, which would extend the California High-Cost Fund A and B programs for rural telephone service through 2033; supporters said the surcharge-funded program is essential for affordable service and emergency connectivity in remote areas. After discussion, the committee adopted amendments where offered and voted all of the bills out of committee, generally on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, with SB 1265 receiving one no vote. Several bills were held on call briefly and then later passed when the committee reconvened, and the hearing adjourned after all listed measures were reported out.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities And Communications Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- The voters who approved Prop 7 deserve The voters who approved Prop 7 deserve a careful analysis before
- I will quote from the argument in favor of that proposition in the voter pamphlet at the time.
- I did see the legislative analyst's comments regarding having to take it back to the voters.
- That is a consistent confusion among a lot of voters also, but that was an advisory proposition.
- So the point of my measure is that voters want to stop switching time two times a year.
Committee:
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- There are many reasons why voters vote no, but in Northern Minnesota, the issue of seasonal property
- As the voters, they must be asked and vote yes.
- However, 61% of our voters rejected it back in '07. Now, 18 years later, House File 1161...
- That reduction would be a game-changer, transforming how our voters perceive school funding and making
- Our opportunity to present to the voters an even more solid reason to say yes to the future of students
Committee:
House Education Finance
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 23 Afternoon Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB4319 , HB4317 , HB1225 , HB3076 , HB3081 , HB4226 , SCR17 , HB4432 , HB3304 , HB3411 , HB3435 , HB4339 , HB4331 , HB4341 , HB4342 , HB1770 , HB1016 , HB4113 , HB2950 , HB4141 , HB3277 , HB2988 , HB3029 , HB3338 , HB1889 , HB3834 , HB3831 , HB2939 , HB3045 , HB3657 , HB1739 , HB3759 , HB3755 , HB4484 , HB4486 , HB4108 , HB1250 , HB2961 , HB1219 , HB3025 , HB1782 , HB1907 , HB3718 , HB4459 , HB2976 , HB3548 , HB3545 , HB2952 , HB2929 , HB2956 , HB2973 , HB3055 , HB3086 , HB3040 , HB3794 , HB4336 , HB3151 , HB1590 , HB3581 , HB3313 , HB3429 , HB3448 , HB1752 , HB2650 , HB3584 , HB4202 , HB3586 , HB4321 , HB4280 , HB3650 , HCR1020 , HB2116 , HB2206 , HB4301 , HB3625 , HB3147 , HB3403 , HB3498 , HB3970 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3980 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB3638 , HB3880 , HB3930 , HB3942 , HB3944 , HB4191 , HB3242 , HB3678
Keywords:
administrative procedures, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, vital records, birth certificate, birth registration, biological sex, sex designation, male, female, nonbinary, gender identity
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 23 Morning Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB4319 , HB4317 , HB1225 , HB3076 , HB3081 , HB4226 , SCR17 , HB4432 , HB3304 , HB3411 , HB3435 , HB4339 , HB4331 , HB4341 , HB4342 , HB1770 , HB1016 , HB4113 , HB2950 , HB4141 , HB3277 , HB2988 , HB3029 , HB3338 , HB1889 , HB3834 , HB3831 , HB2939 , HB3045 , HB3657 , HB1739 , HB3759 , HB3755 , HB4484 , HB4486 , HB4108 , HB1250 , HB2961 , HB1219 , HB3025 , HB1782 , HB1907 , HB3718 , HB4459 , HB2976 , HB3548 , HB3545 , HB2952 , HB2929 , HB2956 , HB2973 , HB3055 , HB3086 , HB3040 , HB3794 , HB4336 , HB3151 , HB1590 , HB3581 , HB3313 , HB3429 , HB3448 , HB1752 , HB2650 , HB3584 , HB4202 , HB3586 , HB4321 , HB4280 , HB3650 , HCR1020 , HB2116 , HB2206 , HB4301 , HB3625 , HB3147 , HB3403 , HB3498 , HB3970 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3980 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB3638 , HB3880 , HB3930 , HB3942 , HB3944 , HB4191 , HB3242 , HB3678
Keywords:
administrative procedures, rulemaking authority, specific authority, legislative review, agency rules, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, vital records, birth certificate, birth registration, biological sex, sex designation, male, female, nonbinary, gender identity
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/11/26
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- Voters deserve to understand how a voter-approved referendum impacts their pocketbooks.
- </c> those impacts voters differently those impacts voters differently depending<00:51:36.079><c> upon
- </c><00:52:38.319><c> It's</c> persuading voters how to vote. It's persuading voters how to vote.
- ><c> not</c><00:52:40.480><c> presented</c> making sure voters are not presented making sure voters are
- </c> steward public trust to ensure voters steward public trust to ensure voters have<00:53:31.760><c
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill does not give school boards additional levy authority; voters must be asked and vote yes.
- That levy would generate $720,000; however, 61% of our voters rejected it back in '07.
- </c><00:08:03.240><c> approved</c> 31.4% reduction in voter approved 31.4% reduction in voter approved
- </c><00:08:19.520><c> perceive</c> transforming how our voters perceive transforming how our voters perceive
- </c> this decision in the hands of our voters this decision in the hands of our voters while<00:08:39.120
Committee:
House Education Finance
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Democratic Leaders Media Availability Jan 13th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- That phrase is actually in the Constitution and sending it to the voters, right?
- Sending it to the voters, right?
- No, they'll go to the voters, and both of the, however many campaigns that are out there on these, will
- have the chance to make their case to voters.
- Turned to the vast majority of voters and help with affordability and reducing the tax burden for the
Summary:
State legislative leaders held a press availability focused on the upcoming session’s priorities, framing the federal government as the main source of pressure on Washington residents’ access to health care, food assistance, housing, and other services. They said the session would center on defending Washingtonians from federal overreach while also addressing affordability, with emphasis on a balanced 2025-27 budget, possible spending cuts, and longer-term tax reform. Leaders also said they expect to pursue measures on housing costs, transportation, child care, preventive health care, and energy/data-center impacts.
A major topic was a proposed “millionaire tax” or income tax on adjusted gross income over $1 million. Leaders said the basic mechanics are largely agreed upon between House and Senate sponsors, though a draft is still pending and stakeholder outreach remains ahead. They described the proposal as part of a broader effort to rebalance the tax code, with some revenue potentially used to reduce more regressive taxes such as property taxes or to support credits for working families and small businesses. They also said any major new revenue would likely not arrive in time to solve the current biennial budget gap, though smaller tax changes and loophole closures could contribute.
The leaders also discussed the House and Senate response to two citizen initiatives, saying the legislature will not hold hearings on them and that they will instead go to voters if certified. They rejected claims that the state constitution requires hearings or floor votes on such initiatives, and questioned the signature-gathering process described by the Secretary of State’s office. Another issue was a public records exemption bill related to child care providers; leaders said they were not tracking it closely but defended broader privacy and safety concerns for child care businesses and families.
The press availability included a lengthy exchange about allegations of fraud and reports of journalists or others knocking on child care doors. Leaders said concerns should be reported to DCYF, the state auditor, or legislative auditors rather than handled by ad hoc visits, and they tied those concerns to broader fears about masked individuals, ICE activity, and public safety. On the budget, they said the rainy day fund is likely to be considered this year, especially if it helps avoid cuts to education, child care, and health care, and noted that federal policy changes could impose significant state implementation costs.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Democratic Leaders Media Availability Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- That phrase is actually in the Constitution and sending it to the voters, right?
- Sending it to the voters, right?
- No, they'll go to the voters, and both of the—however many campaigns that are out there on these—will
- have the chance to make their case to voters.
- Turned to the vast majority of voters and help with affordability and reducing the tax burden for the
Summary:
State legislative leaders held a press availability to preview a difficult session focused on responding to federal policy changes they said were threatening Washingtonians’ access to health care, food assistance, housing, and energy stability. They said the House and Senate would prioritize affordability, budget balancing, and protecting residents from federal overreach, while also advancing bills on issues such as preventive health care, housing costs, child care, transportation, and energy/data center impacts.
A major topic was a proposed state income tax on high earners. Leaders said the basic mechanics were agreed to between the House and Senate prime sponsors, including a 9.9% tax on adjusted gross income over $1 million, though drafting and stakeholder outreach were still ahead. They said any new revenue would not solve the current 2025-27 budget gap in time, so the immediate budget would rely mainly on cuts and transfers, with some discussion of smaller revenue measures and possible use of the rainy day fund. They also said the tax proposal would be paired with reductions in more regressive taxes, though details were not yet set.
The press conference also focused heavily on a school face-covering bill and related public safety concerns. Leaders defended the bill as a response to fears about masked individuals, impersonation of law enforcement, and recent ICE activity, citing testimony from law enforcement and advocacy groups. They also discussed a public records exemption bill for child care providers, saying concerns about privacy and safety justified limits on public access and emphasizing existing oversight through DCYF, the state auditor, and legislative audits. On initiatives and other bills, leaders said two initiatives would go to voters rather than receive hearings, and they indicated Senate Bill 5926 was not moving forward in the Senate committee process. No votes were taken during the availability.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session (Part 2 of September 12, 2025 Legislative day)
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Voters want accountability for these crimes.
- I said, if you really value the will of the voters, the voice of the voters, then hear them on Prop.
- With AB 1231, it is an absolute slap in the face to the voters.
- I said, if you really value the will of the voters, the voice of the voters, then hear them on Prop.
- This is not to undermine the will of the voters.
Summary:
The meeting began with procedural announcements, a vote change on SB 414, and adoption of the consent calendar, including ACR 107 on the Diablo Range. Members also agreed to take several Senate messages up without reference to file. A point of order was raised urging members to respect staff by arriving on time after a late-night session.
The main floor debate centered on SB 237, a major oil and gas measure. Supporters said it would help stabilize fuel supply and prices, address refinery closures, strengthen offshore pipeline safety, clarify Kern County oil permitting, and allow possible suspension of the summer gasoline blend. Opponents argued it was a giveaway to big oil and a setback for climate goals. The bill passed 59-0. The Assembly then passed SB 254, an energy affordability and wildfire package that would reduce ratepayer costs, strengthen the wildfire fund, and speed utility infrastructure and clean energy permitting; it passed 58-0. SB 840, the cap-and-invest reauthorization and spending framework, drew the most divided debate, with supporters emphasizing climate policy, transit, housing, and community investments, and opponents calling it a tax increase and slush fund; it passed 54-15 on the urgency and 54-15 on the measure. AB 1207, the Assembly’s cap-and-invest reauthorization bill, also passed, 55-10 on both urgency and the measure.
Members also approved SB 352 to make the Bureau of Environmental Justice permanent and require more reporting on air quality and AB 825 to create a Westwide electricity market, which supporters said would lower costs, improve reliability, and reduce emissions; AB 825 passed 67-2. AB 8, a cannabinoids bill with Senate amendments, was concurred in 66-0, and AB 383, a firearms cleanup bill, was concurred in 66-0. The session ended with immediate transmittals of the major measures to the Senate or Governor as applicable.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Special Session 2026 May 8th, 2026
Alabama House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In the state of Alabama, black voters make up approximately one-third of the electorate.
- First, the cost is to the voters that have already started to do their absentee voting.
- In the state of Alabama, black voters make up approximately 1/3 of the electorate.
- First, the cost is to the voters that have already started to the voters that have already started to
- for an equal protection violation, but then cause in question about due process or candidates and voters
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventy One - Friday, May 15 - Morning Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it going to be 66% of voters or maybe a lower threshold of 60%?
- We think the choice is good. ...of voters or maybe a lower threshold of 60%.
- This legislation, if approved by the voters, would establish the Show Me Prosperity Fund in the state
- Not just the voters, but all the constituents of St.
- Charles County had scarce voter turnout. Mr.