Transcript Highlights:

• All those in favor, vote aye. Aye. All opposed, vote nay. No. It appears the ayes have it.
• I would like to explain my vote. I would like to explain my vote. ...in and of itself.
• I would like to explain my vote. I would like to explain my vote. I would like to explain my vote.
• I vote no. Senator Benjamin, I would like to explain my vote. You may. Okay.
• And without a vote, aye.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations, Transportation and Technology heard HCR 2048, as amended by a strike-everything amendment. The amendment would constitutionally prohibit the state from confiscating scholarship account monies from children of military families who are eligible for education scholarship accounts (ESAs) and can use the funds for tuition and fees at eligible postsecondary institutions. It also would make any later bill or voter-approved measure that violates that prohibition void in its entirety, with no severability, for measures enacted or approved on or after November 1, 2026. Representative Way, the sponsor, said the measure was intended to protect military families from having education funds taken away and argued that military children face unique disruptions because of deployments and frequent moves. Supporters including Matt Beinberg of the Goldwater Institute, Kevin Beasty of the Arizona Christian Education Coalition, Peter Gentala of the Center for Arizona Policy, and Senator Rogers said the amendment was needed to safeguard military families and preserve their ability to use ESA funds flexibly, including for college savings. Opponents, including Senators Alston, Fernandez, Kuby, and Epstein, argued the proposal was unnecessary, overly broad, and an attempt to preempt or invalidate a pending ESA-related citizen initiative. They also raised concerns about ESA accountability, public school funding, and constitutional issues involving voter initiatives and judicial review. After debate, the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then voted on HCR 2048 as amended. The final committee vote was 6 ayes, 4 noes, and 1 not voting, giving the measure a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The vote is 30, and therefore the petition is sustained.
• The vote is 30, and therefore the petition is sustained.
• In 1994, I believe it was an actual vote.
• It was a vote.
• Do not know if he personally voted on it.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Braun votes aye. Senator Cleveland votes no. Senator Conway votes no.
• Senator Dhingra votes no. Senator Hansen votes no. Senator Hasegawa votes no.
• Senator Kaufman votes no. Senator Muzzall votes aye. Senator Pedersen votes no.
• Senator Riccelli votes no. Senator Saldaña votes no. Senator Wagoner votes aye.
• Senator Warnick votes aye. Senator Wellman votes no. Senator Wilson votes no.

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As I go on, there is a requirement of a simple majority to vote.
• vote is required.
• And it was a very close vote.
• You won't get my vote today, but I think if you want my vote, and I don't know that you want it, but
• I want to ask you one question just before I vote.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I vote aye. Thank you. Representative Contreras, I vote aye.
• So, I vote aye.
• So I will vote how I'm going to vote now, but if it's not changed up by floor, I will change my vote.
• But at the same time, it's one of the easiest votes for me: I vote aye.
• Explain my vote, please.

Committee: House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2763, which would require a joint resolution of the legislature before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission could close a state-run shooting range. The sponsor and several supporters, including a Prescott-area doctor, Arizona Citizens Defense League representatives, and Game and Fish staff, argued that closures can push shooters into unsafe public lands, create trash and safety problems, and that the legislature should have a voice in any closure decision. Game and Fish said its goal is to preserve Ben Avery and emphasized public safety. The bill was moved and received a do pass recommendation on an 8-1 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2417, allowing courts to order speed-inhibiting devices as an alternative to license suspension or revocation for certain traffic offenses. Supporters said it could help people keep working and reduce recidivism, while opponents and some members raised concerns about scope and implementation. An amendment removed eligibility for people convicted of reckless driving or racing and clarified manufacturers are not required to build compatible vehicles. The bill, as amended, passed 7-2. House Bill 2345 followed, creating a felony for unlawfully present persons who possess a falsified commercial driver’s license and authorizing vehicle forfeiture and penalties for employers who knowingly hire such drivers. The sponsor framed it as a narrow public-safety measure, but the Arizona Trucking Association opposed it, arguing it was preempted by federal law, unworkable, and could jeopardize federal funding. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted an amendment and gave the bill a 5-3-1 do pass recommendation. The committee also advanced House Bill 2666, increasing penalties for sexual extortion involving victims ages 15 to 17; testimony from prosecutors and anti-trafficking advocates supported the bill, while defense attorneys and some members urged caution about juvenile defendants and mandatory consecutive sentences. It passed 8-0 with members noting possible future amendments. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2175, which adds hate-crime-style sentencing enhancements for bias-motivated offenses and expands protected categories to include political expression and political affiliation. The ADL and Maricopa County Attorney’s Office supported the measure as a needed tool, while the ACLU and defense attorneys warned the political-expression language was too broad and could chill speech or invite selective prosecution. The bill passed 6-2 after adoption of an amendment. House Bill 2186, which lets a passenger satisfy identity requirements during a traffic stop by verbally providing information instead of showing physical ID, also received a do pass recommendation on a 7-0-1 vote after the sponsor said it was meant to fix an unconstitutional vagueness problem. The transcript then began discussion of House Bill 2364, concerning penalties for distribution or receipt of abortion-inducing drugs by courier or delivery service, but the exchange was cut off before testimony or action on that bill was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Closing Closing Closing vote<00:16:52.639><c> closed.</c> vote closed. vote closed.
• Voting.
• Voting.
• </c> if they vote yes. if they vote yes.
• </c> feel that a vote for this bill is a vote feel that a vote for this bill is a vote for<01:49:41.280

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge a no vote on this amendment and a yes vote on the bill.
• We're voting<00:50:54.079><c> on</c> voting on voting on second<00:50:57.359><c> reading</c><00:50:57.680
• Vote closed. 58 I for Closing vote. Vote closed. 58 I for excused. excused. excused.
• He said, "I know I voted for you and my vote was not counted for you."
• for you and my vote was not voted for you and my vote was not counted<01:38:51.360><c> for</c><01:38

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The yes votes were 1,560 and the no votes were 727. This was voted at their town meeting in March.
• I'll be voting for this bill, and I'll be voting for many more.
• Those voting yes: 17. Those voting no: 13.
• So, I will be voting yes.
• Those voting yes, 29, those voting no Those voting yes, 29; those voting no, one.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Requires voting no.
• Court is voting no. President.
• She requires voting anyone object. Mr. She requires voting no.
• Wish to be voting<00:09:43.920><c> no.</c><00:09:45.359><c> Present.</c> voting no.
• </c><00:12:45.199><c> Voting</c><00:12:45.600><c> no.</c> Anyone object? Voting no. Anyone object?

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 19 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can do the—okay, so how do we move the roll call vote? So how do we move the roll call vote?
• And with that, I vote also.
• So with that, I'm going to go ahead and vote no. ...I'm going to go ahead and vote nay. Thank you.
• So it also fails by your vote, by your vote of three ayes, five nays.
• Her chair, we're voting. She's going to. I vote.

Committee: House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Summary: The Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee heard several measures focused largely on foreign land ownership, historic preservation administration, and limits on the Attorney General’s nuisance-enforcement authority. HCM 2005, which urges Congress to study restrictions on foreign governments from communist or authoritarian countries owning property, drew debate over a proposed amendment to add fascist governments; that amendment failed, and the memorial then received a do pass recommendation. HB 2171, a related bill prohibiting sales or leases of Arizona real property to persons acting for China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea and assigning enforcement duties to state and county agencies, also passed after members debated whether it duplicated existing law and raised constitutional concerns. HB 2790, which would change reporting and administrative structure for the State Historic Preservation Office and appropriate $1 million, received testimony from Arizona State Parks and Trails and the Arizona Preservation Foundation; supporters said it would improve autonomy and efficiency, while others warned about internal inconsistencies and federal funding implications. It was approved on a 5-3 vote. The committee then considered three bills aimed at curbing the Attorney General’s public nuisance actions. HB 2168 would require county board of supervisors consent before the AG could bring a nuisance case in Superior Court; supporters said it would add local control and protect rural industries, while opponents argued it would hinder statewide enforcement and protect large foreign corporations. HB 2169 would make the AG liable for defamation per se if a nuisance action lacks a reasonable basis and is publicized; HB 2167 went further, creating damages, attorney-fee, lost-profit, and treble-damages liability payable from the AG’s operating fund. In testimony, supporters said the bills were needed to check what they described as aggressive or unfair nuisance litigation against rural businesses and water users, while opponents said the measures would chill legitimate enforcement and accountability. All three bills passed on 5-3 votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> oppose will vote no. oppose will vote no.
• All those in favor vote I. All opposed vote no.
• All those in favor vote aye or post a will vote no.
• </c><00:51:58.559><c> Cler,</c> vote I or post a will vote no. Cler, vote I or post a will vote no.
• I vote aye.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed preferred administrative regulations and, hearing no concerns, considered them reviewed. It then took up House Bill 388, described as a Casper cleanup bill. The sponsor said it would exempt charitable health care providers from e-prescribing requirements, allow Casper data sharing with certain federal entities, update references to hydrocodone’s schedule status, clean up drafting errors, and clarify practitioner registration with Casper. The bill passed 9-0 and was then approved for consent. Next, House Bill 134 was presented as a follow-up to a prior study on shortages of sexual assault nurse examiners and SANE-ready hospitals. The sponsor and a representative from the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs said the bill would create a statewide SANE coordinator. The committee adopted a substitute, then passed the bill unanimously and sent it to consent. Senate Bill 147 was then heard as an administrative update to vital records, modernizing certified-copy requests, adjusting fees, and requiring the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to send the annual death report to the State Board of Elections by July 1 each year. It passed unanimously and was also moved to consent. House Bill 280, a Kentucky Board of Nursing cleanup bill, would let the board investigate out-of-state nurses applying for Kentucky licenses, clarify licensing language, and update school rescue medication provisions, including inhalers, nebulizers, glucagon, Solu-Cortef, and nasal epinephrine. A committee substitute narrowed the bill to glucagon updates, and one senator asked whether the bill also covered child care centers; the sponsor said it addressed school medications only but was open to further discussion. The bill passed 10-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, Senate Bill 77 drew extended testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued that ibogaine research and treatment could help address addiction, PTSD, and depression, citing studies, personal recovery stories, and a proposed public-private partnership funded through opioid settlement money. The committee substitute removed the bill’s appropriation request and emergency clause, and members asked questions about whether PTSD is an addiction, whether smoking was included, whether the bill was authorizing research rather than funding, and how the treatment works. The sponsor said the substitute was only creating a structure for research, not appropriating money, and supporters described ibogaine as a one-time, medically supervised treatment. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on Senate Bill 77 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator is excused. Senator Richards votes aye. Senator Fel?
• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator is excused. Senator Richards votes aye. Senator Fel?
• If not, Senator Richards, I vote yes, Chair. Chair votes I. Senator Chang’s vote yes.
• ><01:00:22.960><c> Senator</c><01:00:23.400><c> Chang's</c> vote Yes chair votes I Senator Chang's vote
• 46.200><c> I</c><01:01:46.480><c> vote</c> excused I vote excused I vote iella<01:01:48.359><c> I</c>

Committee: Senate Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused. The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments. Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• The vote will now occur. If you're in favor of the measure, vote 'aye.'
• Against the measure, vote 'nay.' Clerk, please open the roll. Those wishing to vote, change vote.
• Seeing none, the vote will now occur. If you're in favor of the measure, vote 'aye.'
• Seeing none, the vote will now occur. If you're in favor of the measure, vote 'aye.'
• The vote will now occur. If you're in favor of the measure, vote 'aye'.

Bills: SB683 , SB1579 , SB1389 , SB1387 , SB1390 , SB1391 , SB2063 , SB1829 , SB2060 , SB1842 , SB1398 , SB1212 , SB2158 , SB102 , SB1772 , SB1958 , SB2010 , SB1595 , SB1687 , SB1684 , SB2049 , SB1966 , SB1989 , SB1191 , SB1258 , SB1920 , SB1936 , SB2143 , SB2122 , SB330 , SB2071 , SB2169 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB2157 , SB1806 , SB1430 , SB206 , SB1547 , SB1849 , SB1428 , SB1653 , SB1984 , SB1644 , SB1561 , SB1813 , SB1570 , SB1796

Keywords: education, tax credit, student support, private school, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit, financial assistance, homeschooling, qualified expenses, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, school choice, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, sales tax, motor vehicles

Transcript Highlights:

• or vote a certain way and what this Vote or vote a certain way and what this language<01:07:52.720><
• </c> somebody to vote or refrain from voting somebody to vote or refrain from voting in<01:16:35.400>
• Co-Chair Freiberg voted yes. Vice Chair Altendorf voted no. Vice Chair Lee voted yes.
• Representative Acomb voted yes. Representative Coulter voted yes. Representative Davis voted no.
• Representative McDonald voted no. Representative Roach voted no. Representative Virnig voted yes.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Timmons votes aye. Turner votes aye. Stewart votes aye. Roeick Williams votes aye.
• Williams votes aye. Timmons votes aye. Turner votes aye. All present voted four, six aye, zero nay.
• Turner votes aye. Timmons votes aye. Williams votes aye. Humphrey votes aye. All present...
• Williams votes aye. Chairman votes aye. All present and counted four; you have five yeas, one nay.
• Williams votes aye. Timman votes aye. Humphrey votes aye. All present... Aye.

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met and considered several Senate bills, hearing brief presentations and mostly unanimous support. Senate Bill 1636 would require law enforcement to review cold cases in a timely manner and, if requested, provide updates to the victim’s family or designee; it passed with a 6-0 vote. Senate Bill 1772 clarified when vehicle lights must be used, changing the requirement to sunset-to-sunrise and during rain or low-visibility conditions; it also passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1221 would require tracking numbers for mailed driver’s licenses and allow optional expedited shipping at the requester’s expense; it passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1932 would let individuals represent themselves, or be represented by an officer of a business or entity, in certain Oklahoma Corporation Commission motor carrier safety and hazardous materials hearings; it passed 6-0. The committee then laid over one bill when the presenter was not available. After a brief pause, it heard Senate Bill 1687, which would extend the period for new drivers who do not complete driver’s education and extend intermediate licensing requirements to age 18, while also clarifying that professional driving schools may administer written tests at all locations; this bill passed 5-1. Finally, Senate Bill 1213, a Department of Corrections request modifying earned credit and time-served provisions for inmates, passed 6-0. The committee completed its agenda and adjourned, with the chair noting a possible meeting the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, please open the queue for a vote. Go ahead and close the vote and declare the vote.
• Go ahead and close the queue and clear the vote.
• Staff, please open the vote. Okay. Any member wishing to vote or change their vote? Yep, West aye.
• Okay, close the vote. Declare the vote. Okay, close the vote. Declare the vote.
• Anyone wishing to vote or change their vote? Please close the vote, declare the vote.

Bills: HB2293 , HB3176 , HB3545 , HB3546

Committee: House Government Modernization and Technology

Keywords: broadband, Oklahoma Broadband Office, broadband access, statewide broadband plan, internet connectivity, funding, grant programs, expansion council, termination plan, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, artificial intelligence, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development, state agencies, high-risk AI decisions, deepfakes

Summary: The Government Modernization and Technology Committee met with a quorum and announced that House Bill 3523 was laid over and not heard. The committee first considered House Bill 2293, which extends the sunset date of the Oklahoma Broadband Office to December 31, 2030 so it can continue administering the final and largest round of federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment grant funds. The bill was adopted and passed 6-1. The committee then heard House Bill 3176, described as creating an ecosystem of research and innovation around Oklahoma’s largest industries, especially in response to recent oil and gas company departures from the state. After brief presentation and no questions, the bill passed 5-2. Next, the committee took up House Bill 3545, which sets standards for state agency use of artificial intelligence, including human oversight for high-risk decisions, transparency for AI-generated content, and annual reporting on AI use. The committee adopted a PCS and passed the bill 7-0. Finally, House Bill 3546 was considered to prohibit AI systems and other non-human inanimate objects from being granted legal personhood in Oklahoma; it also passed 7-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have all senators voted? If all senators voted.
• Have all senators voted? If all senators voted. Senators voted.
• Senators will proceed to vote. Have all senators voted? Wave and close.
• Senators will proceed to vote. Have all senators voted? All senators voted.
• Secretary, unlock the board, and senators proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for state employees and 5% raises for law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/economic development, and environmental/agricultural programs. Major items discussed included school funding increases, workforce and university investments, Medicaid and child welfare funding, corrections operating deficits, housing and hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and state employee compensation. Members asked detailed questions about several budget items. In education, senators discussed teacher salaries, declining enrollment supplements, scholarship funding growth, and charter school capital outlay. In higher education, they asked about Bright Futures, New College funding, and the EASE grant program. In health and human services, senators focused on the iBudget waiver, Medicaid hospital rate reductions, the ADAP HIV drug program, and the use of opioid settlement funds. In criminal justice, questions centered on DOC deficits, inmate health care and food service costs, public defender and state attorney funding, and whether the budget would prevent the need for National Guard support. In environmental and state agency budgets, senators discussed Florida Forever land acquisition, conservation easements, cultural grants, the Emergency Management Trust Fund, and election security funding. After the budget presentations and questions, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments to place Senate language onto the House vehicles for conference. The chamber passed HB 5001, the appropriations bill, by a 36-0 vote and agreed to conference. It also passed the implementing bill, collective bargaining and state employee bills, retirement legislation, fuel tax and SLERS bills, the court trust fund bill, judicial certification bill, K-12 and higher education conforming bills, and other related measures, generally by unanimous votes. Several motions were adopted to request the House to pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary, unlock the board and senators proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?
• Secretary, unlock the board and senators proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?
• Secretary, unlock the board and senators proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?
• Secretary, unlock the board and senators proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?
• Secretary, unlock the board and senators proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, with 14 yes votes and no no votes and five pass votes, House Bill 4 does pass favorably and should
• /c> So, with 14 yes votes and no no votes So, with 14 yes votes and no no votes and<00:14:39.920><c>
• May I explain my vote? vote? vote? &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes.
• </c> >> So with 15 yes votes and one no vote. >> Oh, I'm sorry.
• &gt;&gt; I With 18 yes votes, zero no votes, zero pass votes, House Bill 143 passes with favorable expression

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or update a voting address in person.
• Nick Federici, here representing Verified Voting.
• That's not how we do voting in Washington State.
• I think we should vote no on this.
• Opposed, no vote to 5973. Thank you. Thank you.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on six bills. SB 6081 would protect sex designation information and related records from public disclosure, limit sharing of such information by the Department of Licensing and Department of Health, and allow denial of records requests when disclosure could cause harm or disenfranchisement. The sponsor and many supporters, including transgender Washingtonians, privacy advocates, and allied organizations, said the bill would close a privacy gap and reduce doxing, harassment, and targeting; one witness opposed it on grounds of record accuracy, law enforcement, and concerns about sports and public safety. No vote was taken. SB 5902 would update voter notification and address-change procedures by allowing more flexible forms of voter registration updates, reducing mailed notices in some automatic registration situations, and expanding electronic communication options. The sponsor and county auditors said it would improve efficiency, reduce confusion, and save counties money; testimony was generally supportive. The hearing then moved to SB 6034, which would codify the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet-level agency and require ongoing training and reporting on government-to-government relations with tribes. The sponsor and tribal representatives supported the bill as a technical fix and a commitment to tribal sovereignty, and no action was taken. SB 6035 would require regular county and state meetings with tribes on election access and authorize an electronic ballot return portal for certain voters, including military, overseas, disabled, and some tribal voters. Supporters said it would improve access and collaboration, while the Secretary of State, Verified Voting, and others raised cybersecurity and secret-ballot concerns about the electronic portal; several witnesses also opposed that portion while supporting tribal outreach and drop boxes. SB 5892 would centralize requests for voter registration database records through the Secretary of State and make unauthorized disclosure of protected voter data a felony; supporters framed it as protecting voter privacy and resisting federal overreach, while opponents argued it would hinder voter-roll maintenance and transparency. Finally, SB 5973 would ban pay-per-signature compensation for initiative and referendum signature gathering and require 1,000 supporting signatures before a ballot title is issued; supporters said it would reduce fraud, misleading tactics, and ballot-title shopping, while opponents called it an added barrier to direct democracy. The committee heard extensive testimony on all bills, but the transcript does not show any votes or executive action taken during this meeting.