Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Rhonda, this sounds like it's for traditional candidates.
• Madam Chair, members, it doesn't impact any clean candidates.
• Candidates can receive money from individuals in a very limited basis from very specific individuals,
• but it wouldn't impact their participating candidates' contributions for the campaign.
• For the purposes of terminating a political committee, it provides that on the death of the candidate

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long calendar of bills spanning health care, education, tax, elections, firearms, and public safety. HB 283, as amended, would require diabetes-related supplies and monitoring equipment to be covered for people with diabetes. SB 1126 would require schools to provide records and information to Department of Child Safety caseworkers and allow school employees to speak with DCS investigators; it was on consent, though some members said they wanted to study it further. SB 1210 would require certain out-of-state private postsecondary institutions to register with the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education to protect students, especially those taking online courses. SCR 1006, which would create causes of action related to restroom, changing facility, and pronoun policies in schools, drew strong opposition and was requested to be pulled from consent. Several tax and property bills were discussed. HB 2308 would prohibit dental insurers from owning dental practices, and members noted the committee and Senate had not supported it. SB 1294 would clarify county assessors’ authority to prorate destroyed property for property tax purposes; members said they were still researching whether the bill was necessary. SB 1430, the Tax Corrections Act of 2026, would make technical tax changes and remove redundant language, but members said they wanted Department of Revenue-requested corrections restored. SB 1049 would cap spousal maintenance at four years and change the factors used in setting support; it was pulled from consent. SB 1053 would reduce concealed weapons permit fees for Arizona residents, and members raised concerns about state fee impacts and asked to pull it. The caucus also considered several election and public safety measures. SB 1006 would allow campaign committees to aggregate donations under $200 instead of $100, but members questioned the higher threshold and pulled it. SB 1029 would address committee termination after a candidate’s death. SB 1038 would make cast vote records public, and SB 1057 would add fraud countermeasures for paper ballots; both were noted as vetoed in the prior year. SB 1237 would require the Secretary of State to consult county recorders and legislative election leaders before issuing the elections procedures manual. Other measures included SB 1058, which would restrict government recordkeeping on firearms and merchant category codes and was pulled after members cited a prior veto, SB 1093 on riot, conspiracy, and racketeering definitions, SB 1160 limiting drone operations near ticketed entertainment events with public safety arguments offered in support, and SB 1211 expanding lifetime injunction eligibility for aggravated harassment involving domestic violence. The caucus ended by moving into closed session.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5286 , SB6002 , SB6178 , SB5892 , SB5177 , SB6039 , SB5874 , SB5863 , SB5972 , SB5941 , SB5203 , SB6014 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB5912 , SB5825 , SB5223 , SB6178 , SB5892 , SB5177 , SB6039 , SB5941 , SB5993 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB5912 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5185 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, policing costs, state hospitals, local funding, budget allocation, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, LPR, surveillance, driver privacy, vehicle tracking, location data, law enforcement technology, data retention, audit trail

Transcript Highlights:

• The third amendment is for write-in candidate requirements.
• The third amendment establishes a minimum vote threshold for write-in candidates.
• This amendment creates parity between ballot candidates and write-in candidates, requiring write-in candidates
• This proposal does not restrict write-in candidates or, in fact, the ballot counting.
• Just because we can't find qualified candidates to run does not mean that we should hastily abolish an

Bills: H5426 , H5434 , S3084 , S3087 , S3088 , S3092

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on several local bills and home rule petitions. The first major item was Senate Bill 3092, authorizing the city of Newton to issue pension obligation bonds or notes. Senator Cindy Cream and Mayor Mark Laredo’s chief of staff, Dana Hansen, testified in support, saying the measure would help Newton manage its unfunded pension liability, preserve its AAA bond rating, and create about $10 million in budget flexibility over five years. Senator John Keenan supported the bill but cautioned that pension obligation bonds depend heavily on market timing and assumptions about future funding and hiring. The committee then heard testimony on a Boylston bill, Senate Bill 3088, allowing the town to contract for a newly created police lieutenant position. Boylston officials said the town’s growth and public safety needs justify a second-in-command role with supervisory, internal affairs, and emergency command duties, and that a contract is needed because of the position’s management-level responsibilities. Representative Wells asked why a lieutenant position required a home rule petition, and the chief explained that town counsel advised the arrangement functioned more like an employment contract than a standard personnel-plan position. Next, the committee took up House Bill 5426 for North Attleboro, a charter amendment package. Town Manager Mike Borg said the bill makes limited local changes: correcting charter language, expanding the Board of Health from three to five members, and requiring write-in candidates to meet a minimum vote threshold comparable to ballot candidates. The committee then heard Senate Bill 3087 for Walpole, which would create a water and sewer advisory board and change the governance structure for the town’s water and sewer system. Town officials supported the bill as a way to improve planning and accountability, but several elected water and sewer commissioners and a town meeting member opposed it, arguing it would abolish an elected board, reduce voter representation, and concentrate power in appointed officials. After testimony concluded, the committee adjourned without taking a vote in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:18:57.360><c> for</c> elected official or by a candidate for elected official or by a candidate
• </c><01:39:30.560><c> who</c> exception of uh primary candidate who exception of uh primary candidate
• A give it to candidate B, or every 50 votes for candidate B, or every 50 votes for candidate A, give
• it to candidate B.
• </c> candidate A, give it to candidate B. candidate A, give it to candidate B.

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have several questions, and I will be candid.
• Appreciate that, and I appreciate your very candid answers.
• Once vote Cal officials and candidates identified in the voter registration module.
• Officials and candidates may opt out confidentially.
• Officials and candidates may opt out confidentially.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration heard a series of budget change proposals and trailer bill items, beginning with Housing and Community Development (HCD) requests. HCD sought permanent authority for seven existing temporary positions to support the HCD Connect IT system, and a separate proposal to fund implementation of eight 2025 housing-related laws with $4.2 million General Fund and 16 positions, plus $470,000 one-time General Fund. Members asked about how HCD Connect would interact with programs moving to the new Housing Development Finance Committee, and HCD also explained that the estimated cost to implement AB 1053 had been revised downward from about $6 million to $1.9 million because of shared implementation with CalHFA and the new committee structure. The committee also heard a Cal ICH proposal for $339,000 one-time General Fund to implement AB 678 on LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent homelessness services, with testimony emphasizing data gaps and the need for a contract-based approach because HMIS cannot be changed unilaterally. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented three continuation proposals: $15.34 million and 53 positions for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law program, $13.5 million and 51 positions for the Debt Collector Licensing Act program, and $49,000 ongoing for two positions in the broker-dealer/investment adviser education program. Members and the public raised concerns about the size and fairness of debt collector assessments and licensing fees, while DFPI explained the pro rata fee structure, the current license count, and how larger assessments fall on larger firms. Public testimony also supported retaining funding for the Student Loan Empowerment Network and requested funding for a franchise broker registration program. The committee also considered a mandate item involving suspension of a disclosure requirement related to property taxation, and trailer bill language from the Government Operations Agency to amend AB 91 on MENA demographic data collection, with the administration emphasizing data nondisclosure, protection of federal funding, and delayed implementation. The Secretary of State’s office then presented Help America Vote Act funding requests: $10.3 million for VoteCal maintenance and operations and $4.492 million for HAVA spending plans supporting voter education, training, accessibility, auditing, and county assistance. The office also requested $660,000 General Fund to implement AB 1392, which would make voter registration information for elected officials and candidates confidential, and explained the need to modify VoteCal and county election systems. The committee also heard requests to continue the Cal-Access Replacement System with $11.8 million General Fund and to continue the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project with $9.75 million from the Business Fees Fund. Members asked about total project costs, testing, data migration, and the expected November 2026 go-live date for Cal-Access replacement. Votes were taken on the vote-only items once quorum was established, and the committee approved the items considered. The final informational item was an overview from the California Arts Council, which highlighted the agency’s 50th anniversary, its statewide grantmaking, and the economic impact of arts funding. Council staff described Creative Corps, cultural districts, and the role of arts funding in local economies, while members and public witnesses urged increased support, including a request to raise local assistance grant funding to $50 million and to provide additional funding for cultural districts. Testimony emphasized the arts as economic infrastructure, community infrastructure, and a source of civic and cultural vitality across California.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it's split this close, we've got some really great candidates, some really great people that we're
• Is Representative Robbins a candidate?
• , some really great great candidates, some really great people<00:15:09.839><c> that</c><00:15:09.959
• Is Representative<00:15:15.400><c> Robbins</c><00:15:15.800><c> a</c><00:15:15.839><c> candidate?
• </c> Representative Robbins a candidate? Representative Robbins a candidate?

Summary: Senate Republicans discussed the governor’s supplemental budget and criticized proposed cuts to nursing homes, disability services, and counties, arguing the changes would hurt vulnerable Minnesotans and that the tax package would amount to roughly an $868 million increase. They said they were open to some family-focused tax provisions, such as an expanded child care or dependent credit, but opposed broader tax increases and several previously rejected ideas, including sales tax changes and a social media tax. A major topic was fraud prevention and the Office of Legislative Auditor report on kickbacks. Republicans said the report reinforced their push for a statewide independent Office of Inspector General with a law enforcement division and a broader fraud definition, and they argued the office would have handled the cases more effectively. They also said they support the concept of an OIG bill but want only modest amendments, while criticizing House Democrats for resisting the law enforcement division and for raising constitutional objections they called a drafting issue. The lawmakers also reacted skeptically to the governor’s proposed AI-related job development fund and $10 million in forgivable loans for businesses affected by Operation Metro Search, saying the aid would mainly benefit downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul rather than the broader state. They closed with broader comments that the session felt relatively normal and less intense than past years, noted ongoing work on a bonding bill, and joked about campaign politics, possible candidates, and even the idea of a Senate dog.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:05:18.559><c> and</c> I can understand why a candidate and I can understand why a candidate and
• <01:10:40.480><c> visiting</c> candidate visiting candidate visiting as<01:10:42.320><c> in</c><01:10
• :10.640><c> door-</c><01:15:10.960><c> knockocking,</c> candidate and we're door- knockocking, candidate
• </c> candidate trying to get their support. candidate trying to get their support.
• </c><01:20:51.199><c> to</c> this is important uh for candidates to this is important uh for candidates

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• It's very easy for me to be able to reach those candidates and engage with them.
• It's very easy for me to be able to reach those candidates and engage with them.
• they would want to be in favor of it, but they did talk about the stress of being able to find candidates
• amends Idaho Code Section 34-903 to revise ballot rotation requirements by applying the current candidate
• This would also apply significantly in legislative primaries where the pool of candidates doesn’t...”

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• [music] which may allow you... ...they have a sense of knowing a little bit more about the candidates
• [music] which may allow you... ...uh hold caucuses to identify, select, and nominate candidates.
• </c><00:22:46.880><c> So,</c><00:22:47.760><c> uh,</c> uh candidate in the ballot.
• So, uh, uh candidate in the ballot. So, uh, that's<00:22:48.480><c> it.
• </c> clearer view as to who that candidate clearer view as to who that candidate may<00:29:48.559><c>

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Melson: So what this bill does is it would start from scratch on the candidates.
• the deadline before you get re-evaluated, I'd like to get an independent group to re-evaluate the candidates
• Then you would have to prove that you were in the place and would have been an acceptable candidate and
• been the top acceptable candidate.
• years of going through this process, the commission had a complete record of who were the best candidates

Bills: SB185 , SB194 , SB72

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Keywords: veterinary medicine, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, prescription refills, animal care, regulatory compliance, agriculture authority, eminent domain, property rights, tax exemption, agriculture center, medical cannabis, cannabis license, integrated facility license, Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, AMCC, medical marijuana, dispensary, cultivation, processing, license appeal

Transcript Highlights:

• PARTY OR OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY STANDING MAY BRING A CLAIM THAT A PERSON SEEKING TO QUALIFY AS A CANDIDATE
• CARLA REQUIRES A PERSON SEEKING A QUALIFIED AS A CANDIDATE FOR PARTISAN OFFICE MUST AT THE TIME STATE
• ALTHOUGH THE CURRENT LAW REQUIRES CANDIDATES TO STATE SUCH INFORMATION, COURTS HAVE FOUND A MECHANISM
• IT MAKES A CHANGE TO THE LANGUAGE OF A WRITTEN STATEMENT A CANDIDATE MUST MAKE AND REVISES THE ENTITIES
• WHO MAY BRING A CLAIM TO INSTEAD SPECIFY POLITICAL PARTIES AND OTHER CANDIDATES FOR THE SAME OFFICE

Transcript Highlights:

• We elected the candidate of our choice.
• Y'all saw 68% of the voters voted for this candidate. This is who.
• Y'all saw 68% of the voters voted for this candidate. This is who.
• Y'all saw 68% of the voters voted for this candidate. This is who we want.
• My name is Nick Albaras, and I'm a resident of New Orleans and a Democratic candidate for the United

Bills: SB256

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: court consolidation, judicial administrative, Orleans Parish, civil district court, criminal district court, court clerk, judicial funding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:56.520><c> that</c> did look at most of the candidates that did look at most of the candidates
• </c> saying may only appoint a candidate saying may only appoint a candidate recommended<00:20:50.080
• </c> candidate recommended by the ARCAK. candidate recommended by the ARCAK.
• </c> candidates screened by the ARCAK. candidates screened by the ARCAK.
• ><c> the</c><00:47:51.120><c> joint</c> recommends candidates to the joint recommends candidates to the

Bills: HF4252

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: higher education, student aid, financial aid, grant programs, scholarships, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, community college, technical college, postsecondary institution, college affordability, student fees, athletic facilities, competitive athletics, developmental education, remedial courses, pregnant students, parenting students, priority registration

Transcript Highlights:

• We field a wide variety of candidates, and people do vote.
• </c><00:07:57.280><c> and</c> field a wide variety of candidates and field a wide variety of candidates
• <00:16:09.279><c> are</c><00:16:09.759><c> so</c><00:16:10.000><c> they</c> candidates are so they candidates
• </c> in order to support a local candidate? in order to support a local candidate?
• </c> cost one dime to any of the candidates. cost one dime to any of the candidates.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, this isn't the fault of the candidates.
• House Bill 2 provides funding that flows directly to candidates as stipends, like we heard from some
• preparation program, again, contingent on the successful outcomes of that candidate.
• Candidate at the end of their experience.
• So, the candidate would get the money on the front end, right, kind of to signal...

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, again, strong candidates.
• :56.520><c> down</c><00:14:56.680><c> in</c> have strong candidates running down in have strong candidates
• c> both</c><00:15:12.320><c> those</c> Um strong candidates in both those Um strong candidates in both
• Um again, strong candidates. I Chaska. Um again, strong candidates.
• </c> know, could be the kind of candidate know, could be the kind of candidate that<00:15:54.240><c>

Summary: Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said the 2026 session ended with major accomplishments despite frustration over what did not pass. She highlighted a $1.2 billion bonding bill, housing and rental investments, property tax reductions, support for HCMC and distressed hospitals, public safety and crime victim funding, IT modernization, and fraud-prevention measures. She also said the Senate pushed a tab fee holiday, though she criticized Republicans for delaying its start until January, and described the session as focused on a “fair deal” for Minnesotans facing higher costs. Murphy said some of the most difficult work involved human services and fraud oversight. She said lawmakers created an independent inspector general office, funded the Attorney General’s Medicaid fraud unit, added training and electronic visit measures, and included payment-withholding language with due-process protections and continuity-of-care safeguards. She said the Senate tried to balance fraud enforcement with preserving access to Medicaid-funded services, and emphasized that legislators must continue oversight and follow audit recommendations. She also expressed deep disappointment that a comprehensive gun violence prevention package did not pass the House, saying it included prevention, intervention, harm reduction, school safety, and mental health provisions. She said the package was rejected by House Republicans and that she would keep fighting for it. On immigration enforcement, she said the Senate proposed protections against ICE actions but could not get them enacted. She also discussed campaign strategy, saying Democrats would defend frontline seats and emphasize health care, housing, jobs, and affordability, while continuing to support roads, bridges, and transit.

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes them four-year terms, allows a candidate to voluntarily declare their party affiliation if they
• As it pertains to the candidates that run, as it pertains to the bond indebtedness and the levies, if
• School board candidates have to file their candidacy within the month of December.
• So I can see where it could be utilized more, especially when you get some candidates... ...the candidates
• So I can see where it could be utilized more, especially when you get some candidates.

Committee: House Children and Families

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank the candidates.
• I also want to thank the candidates.
• I'd also like to thank all the candidates that filed to run and serve.
• And I just want to congratulate all the candidates that won yesterday.
• And I just want to congratulate all the candidates. candidates that filed to run and serve.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is time to empower candidates to speak directly to voters with the resources they need and reduce
• Supporters claim that this bill helps grassroots candidates, but the data actually says otherwise.
• Supporters claim that this bill helps grassroots candidates, but the data actually says otherwise.
• Supporters claim that this bill helps grassroots candidates, but the data actually says otherwise.
• As a result, countless candidates have emerged from historically disenfranchised communities, many of

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on April 30, 2025, beginning as a subcommittee until a quorum was established. The committee first approved six bills on consent, including AB 950, AB 953, AB 1214, and three committee bills. It then heard several measures dealing with election administration, ballot transparency, and campaign finance, with most authors accepting committee amendments and several bills being held on call for absent members. AB 930 by Assembly Member Ward would extend the deadline for counting timely postmarked vote-by-mail ballots from three to seven days after Election Day and update recount procedures, including online posting of recount results and clearer rules for recount requests. The bill was supported by county election officials and passed out of committee with a due-pass recommendation, though it was initially held on call. AB 459 by Assembly Member DeMaio proposed allowing electronic signatures for initiatives, referenda, and recalls; the Secretary of State and labor groups opposed it over security, implementation, and cost concerns, and the committee ultimately rejected the bill after reconsideration. AB 699 by Assembly Member Stephanie would change how local tiered tax and bond measures are described on ballots by allowing more detail to be placed in the voter guide; housing, school, and local government groups supported it, while taxpayer and realtor groups opposed it as reducing ballot transparency. AB 1188, presented on behalf of Assembly Member Ortega, would list the top three funders supporting and opposing statewide initiatives and referenda directly on the ballot; transparency advocates and labor supported it, while county election officials and business groups raised concerns about ballot length and processing costs. Both AB 699 and AB 1188 passed out of committee with amendments and were held on call. The committee also heard AB 827 by Assembly Member Berman, which would standardize and extend the deadline for curing vote-by-mail signature problems, add a link to cure forms in ballot-tracking notifications, and make other changes to improve ballot curing. It drew no opposition in the hearing and passed with a due-pass recommendation. AB 351 by Assembly Member McKenna would raise the Levine Act contribution threshold for local officials to $1,500 and add CPI adjustments; supporters said it would reduce administrative burdens and reflect modern campaign finance realities, while good-government groups and the League of Women Voters opposed it as weakening anti-corruption protections. The committee initially failed AB 351, then granted reconsideration, but the transcript ends before a final disposition is clearly completed. Finally, AB 1079 by Assembly Member Farías would eliminate the automatic appellate stay in California Voting Rights Act and Fair Maps Act cases; it was supported as a way to prevent delayed remedies in voting rights cases, opposed by the City of Santa Monica over impacts on ongoing litigation, and passed with amendments. After taking up the held items, the committee recorded final votes on the bills, including passage of AB 930, AB 699, AB 1188, AB 827, and AB 1079, and rejection of AB 459.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we're going to take up Tab 4, CS for SB 280 on candidate qualification by Senator Arrington.
• Our current law requires a person seeking to qualify for a nomination as a candidate for partisan office
• Although current law requires candidates to state such information and affirm in writing, courts have
• The bill also creates a private right of action by which a political party or another candidate with
• standing may bring a claim that a person seeking to qualify as a candidate did not comply with the party

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met and considered a series of bills, beginning with CS/CS/SB 282 on home and service warranty association financial requirements. The bill would allow more than one collateral liability insurance policy to back a warranty license and make related financial requirement changes; an amendment clarifying policy options was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 280 on candidate qualification, which creates an enforceable requirement and private right of action for party-affiliation qualification rules, and SB 7004, an open government sunset review bill that continues a public records exemption related to housing assistance program applicants or participants after disasters. The committee then took up several member bills. CS/CS/CS/SB 88 would create an opt-in framework for local governments to allow utility terrain vehicles on certain roads, with safety requirements and insurance clarification added by amendment; supporters emphasized local transportation benefits and law enforcement tools, while several senators raised concerns about misuse in urban areas, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 106 would allow substitute service through the same electronic platform used by scammers in vulnerable adult exploitation cases, with a 30-day hold clarified by amendment; it received support from elder law and advocacy groups and was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 262 made technical changes to the Florida Trust Code, including decanting, trustee actions, ademption by satisfaction, and homestead/community property trust treatment, and was also reported favorably. Additional bills approved included SB 402, which updates the unlawful use of uniforms, medals, or insignia statute by referring to armed forces as defined elsewhere in law; SB 700, which continues the public records exemption for site-specific location information for threatened and endangered species; and SB 7006, which preserves public records and meeting exemptions for building plans and related documents depicting 911, E911, and public safety radio communication infrastructure, including next-generation 911 systems. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on certain bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.