Transcript Highlights:

• God bless these elected members, their families, their staffs, and all constituents in a special way
• State and Local Committee as the primary State and Local Committee as the primary committee<00:16:55.040
• </c><00:18:46.919><c> jurisdiction</c> bill clearly has primary jurisdiction bill clearly has primary
• </c> President, to the Committee of primary President, to the Committee of primary jurisdiction.<00:24
• > jurisdiction</c><00:24:15.679><c> for</c> Committee of primary jurisdiction for Committee of primary

Transcript Highlights:

• Any primary or other folks in the room wish to express support?
• Are there any primary witnesses or others in support?
• Any primary witnesses in opposition? Any other opposition?
• Any primary witnesses in opposition? Any other opposition?
• Any primary witnesses in support or other folks in support? Any opposition primary or otherwise?

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 6, 2026, with a quorum present and began by approving a large consent calendar of bills on two unanimous-support motions. The committee then heard a series of individual bills, with authors and sponsors generally describing low or absorbable state costs and asking for aye votes. Topics included AI/digital safety education for students (AB 1792), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), retirement information for community college faculty (AB 2417), cannabis regulation changes including tribal commerce, drive-through sales, and beverage labeling (AB 2506, AB 2697, AB 2532), emergency equipment training for law enforcement volunteers (AB 1913), cannery law modernization (AB 2706), child care planning in local governments (AB 1914), EV charger permitting fees (AB 1820), election-record notice requirements (AB 1664), nursing home discharge notices (AB 2135), a San Diego energization-delay pilot (AB 2518), mental health training for school coaches (AB 1665), and education governance and oversight changes (AB 2117). Several bills were described as committee or sponsor measures with technical or clarifying changes, including AB 2780, AB 2615, AB 2121, and AB 2771. Testimony was largely supportive, often from sponsor groups, industry representatives, labor, or advocacy organizations. Notable support included TechNet for AB 1792, the California State Sheriffs’ Association for AB 1913, California Dairies and food manufacturers for AB 2706, the Low Income Investment Fund for AB 1914, EV and environmental groups for AB 1820, the Attorney General’s Office for AB 1664, long-term care ombudsman advocates for AB 2135, and the California State Association of Psychiatrists for the cannabis and mental-health-related bills. Some bills drew limited opposition or “opposed unless amended” positions, including AB 2350, AB 1820, and AB 2506, while AB 2697 and AB 2532 were presented as efforts to support the legal cannabis market and consumer safety. The committee also heard a presentation-only item, AB 2541, creating a lowrider specialty license plate, which drew enthusiastic bipartisan comments and co-author requests from members. Most bills were reported out with due pass recommendations, many on roll call and several with specific members not voting or voting no. AB 1664 was reported out as due pass as amended and placed on call before later being moved out on a B roll call. AB 2350 and AB 1914 were also later reported out from call on B roll calls, with AB 1914 noted as passing despite some Republican no votes. The suspense calendar was then deemed approved without individual action, and the meeting concluded after a brief public comment period in which members of the public voiced positions on unrelated bills, including support for AB 2497, AB 1729, AB 2189, AB 1575, AB 2170, and opposition to AB 1603, AB 2447, AB 2411, AB 2492, and AB 1952.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um it just has a special lower rate.
• guide under that party. if you if you win the Republican primary if you if you win the Republican primary
• guide under that under general election guide under that under that<00:19:33.679><c> party.
• </c><00:21:30.000><c> And</c> any point throughout the election.
• And any point throughout the election.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would love to have you all join us in this special recognition. So any member. Mr.
• Members, I want to recognize a special lady.
• or election officers is held.
• Referred to the committee on elections.
• the committee on elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• the election result, all conditions of this state election law must be deemed to have been complied
• published within two weeks of the election, and the second one published one week of the election.
• Being a poll worker is, or an election worker, election day is very tiresome.
• That they may not be in elections.
• Well, English is the primary language of our country, and I think most of our elections are doing...

Transcript Highlights:

• Any primary or other folks in the room wish to express support?
• Are there any primary witnesses or others in support?
• Any primary witnesses in opposition? Any other opposition?
• Any primary witnesses in opposition? Any other opposition?
• Any primary witnesses in support or other folks in support? Any opposition, primary or otherwise?

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Very simply, this bill would allow 17-year-olds to vote in a primary election if their birthday is before
• the general election.
• But it's a lot of work for us in the elections office to have candidates that for us in the elections
• We just had an election on April 26th.
• We just had an election on April 26th.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Summary: The House Committee on Election Laws, chaired by Dan Hunt and co-chaired by Senator Keenan, held a hearing on 27 bills with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker. The main policy theme was expanding youth participation in elections. Senator O'Connor testified in support of Senate Bill 526 and House Bill 854, which would allow 17-year-olds to vote in a primary if they turn 18 before the general election. Lawan Allen of Vote 16 USA also supported bills to lower the voting age, arguing that youth voting becomes habitual, can increase turnout more broadly, and is already in place in several cities and states. Robin Chen, the lead petitioner for S. 508 and H. 814, gave extended testimony in favor of children's right to vote, saying children are affected by government decisions and should have a voice. Representative Sousa raised concerns about misinformation and the vulnerability of younger voters, but Chen responded that misinformation affects adults too and pointed to historical civil rights activism by children. Several local election-law measures were also discussed. Cynthia Hogan, Brockton’s elections director, supported a bill requiring candidates for local office to have lived in the city for a year, saying people have sometimes used business addresses or other questionable claims of residency to run for office. Representative Suzy testified in favor of H. 872, a Pembroke home-rule petition to reduce the signature threshold for a recall petition from 20% to 10% of registered voters, describing the change as a response to low-turnout local elections and not aimed at any current official. Representative Gallagher supported two Bridgewater home-rule petitions: one establishing a recall process for elected officials and another creating term limits for town councilors, both of which had been approved by the town council and would still require voter ratification in Bridgewater if adopted by the legislature. The hearing concluded without any bill votes or committee actions beyond accepting testimony. The chair noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted until action is taken on the bills, and the committee adjourned after no further witnesses came forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, through our Division of Elections, we protect our republic by overseeing fair and accurate elections
• From local races to federal elections, the Florida Department of State ensures compliance with election
• cybersecurity for their election systems.
• about how we prepare for the next election.
• The 2024 elections cemented Florida's status as the nation's leader in election integrity and administration

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• there's a set of rules now that's in place that will carry us through the election and in future elections
• They file for election in a district.
• It's important to have our elections run properly.
• Members from both parties, state, county, city elections officials, election administrators, and election
• ...consolidated election date?

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, journal approval, guest introductions, and recognition of doctors and other visitors. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills on topics including public schools and curricula, transportation, health care, child welfare, municipal and county governance, homeowners’ associations, speech, and election-related matters. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others were advanced with committee or floor amendments. Among the more notable debates, senators discussed SB 1094, which would impose civil liability related to gender reassignment surgery on minors; supporters said it would compensate minors harmed by such procedures, while opponents argued it would discriminate against transgender youth, raise malpractice costs, and chill access to care. SB 1813, concerning the state hospital governing board and Maricopa County bed limits, drew concern about litigation and the need to expand capacity for people with serious mental illness, while supporters said the bill would remove a legal cap and allow more beds to be used. SB 1496 on Department of Child Safety procedures was amended to clarify representative payee requirements and received generally favorable comments, though some members raised concerns about child safety and DCS discretion. The Senate also advanced SCR 1004, a photo radar ballot referral, after an amendment requiring voter approval in jurisdictions that use photo radar; Senator Leach thanked the sponsor for the change. Other bills moved forward included measures on school firearm safety instruction, civics instruction, chiropractic claims, behavioral health prior authorization, psychiatric evaluations, DCS procedures, AHCCCS procurement contracting, county recorder and HOA-related issues, and legislative qualifications. The chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and properly assigned the bills after each calendar was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• scheduled election and 30 days, or excuse me, between 14 and 30 days prior to other elections.
• district elections.
• Section 30 on page 27 extends the deadline for county special elections to be declared.
• lists a little sooner for primary elections and whatnot, but the deadline for getting the lists in makes
• election date.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• filings and even after primary elections to switch to an independent and then file for the general election
• trainees to be appointed as election officials.
• Providing for a program allowing election official trainees to be appointed as election officials.
• shortage in an aging election official population.
• special education students count as 1.3 students.

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills on third reading, with several title amendments and a few effective-date motions adopted. Early in the session, members passed HB 4452 removing acreage limits on land owned by church or religious trustees, HB 4577 creating reciprocal driver’s license recognition agreements with Ireland and Japan, HB 4588 authorizing West Virginia participation in a federal tax credit scholarship program, and HB 4592 requiring higher education institutions to create coordinated campus safety maps. HB 4602 was amended to align with a prior Senate child welfare pilot program, and members discussed its projected cost and implementation timeline before passing it. HB 4603 created a pre-adjudicatory alternative disposition process in abuse and neglect cases, and HB 4606 narrowed bail rules by requiring consideration of residency and community ties while prohibiting personal recognizance bonds for violent felony offenses after an adopted amendment. The Senate also passed HB 4710 changing the party-registration deadline for candidates from 60 to 180 days before an election, with debate over its impact on independents, and made it effective January 1, 2027. HB 4712, known as Bailey’s Law, increased penalties for DUI causing death and related conduct, with emotional testimony from members about the victim and similar tragedies. HB 4765 established a pay raise for teachers, school personnel, and state police and added a market-pay enhancement system based on county cost-of-living differences; an amendment to the amendment capped county differentials and guaranteed at least a 1% increase in every county. HB 4865 created an optional program for high school and homeschool students to serve as election official trainees, and HB 4869 established narrow guaranteed-issue rights for Medicare supplement policies. Later bills included HB 4995, which strengthened video/audio recording rules in special education classrooms and was passed, then reconsidered and passed again; HB 4996 creating a new crime for making threats of violence against schools or children; HB 5048 guaranteeing virtual instruction for foster children in temporary placement; HB 5065 adding recordkeeping and geolocation requirements for hotel marketplace facilitators to ensure proper hotel tax remittance; and HB 5074 reallocating medical cannabis fund revenues to child protection, homeless services, research, law enforcement, and other purposes. The Senate also passed HB 5101, the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, which increased penalties for domestic violence offenses and adjusted bail provisions, after amending it to conform with the earlier bail bill. Additional measures passed included HB 5166 requiring notice before political committees are fined for filing violations and allowing limited extensions, HB 5168 directing $12 million in lottery funds to EMS first responders and county EMS support, HB 5182 authorizing certain state treasurer security personnel to carry concealed firearms, HB 5212 streamlining higher-education financial aid rules, HB 5214 allowing court-ordered drug testing of parents before reunification in abuse and neglect cases, HB 5353 regulating virtual currency kiosks with licensing, disclosures, and transaction limits, and HB 5366 exempting J-LAP records from FOIA to protect confidentiality for lawyers and judges seeking assistance. Most bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 5074 and HB 5353 drew some dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• that happen all year round, between municipal elections, school board elections, presidential primary
• primary State primary um uh presidential primary State primary general<00:54:13.200><c> elections</c
• I'm</c> primary election ballots and I'm primary election ballots and I'm recognize<01:42:45.760><c>
• As an election worker through several election cycles, it has been my experience that primaries caused
• Primary elections don't have to be by party nominees.

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• Not just when we're trying to ban books or opt kids out of special ed. But special, thank you.
• for purposes of banning foreign money in elections to only mean candidate elections.
• And that can certainly change the trajectory of city council elections, of mayoral elections, and that
• And that can certainly change the trajectory of city council elections, of mayoral elections, and that
• Of city council elections, of mayoral elections, and they, again, those offices have so much more authority

Bills: LB815A , LB838A , LB912A , LB972A , LB1126A , LB962A , LB1114 , LB921 , LB937 , LB803 , LB803A , LB1032 , LB1032A , LB1075 , LB1075A , LB889 , LB878 , LB933 , LB304 , LB304A , LB1096 , LB1096A , LB1165 , LB1165A , LB958 , LB958A , LB762 , LB1187 , LB966 , LB929 , LB962 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB743 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LB787

Transcript Highlights:

• before I got elected.
• It was only about a month before the election.
• I got elected in a special election and actually didn't know I was supposed to report to session in a
• on the special order calendar.
• on the special order calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:30.400><c> Section</c><00:21:30.799><c> 44</c> elections without a primary.
• Section 44 elections without a primary.
• Section 51 is from the OSS bill and is about a timeline calling for special county elections.
• Those are for special elections or standalone elections where it is a nonpartisan contest only.
• special elections or standalone elections<00:40:43.520><c> where</c><00:40:43.760><c> it</c><00:40:44.000

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• situation was the church said that we could hold the primary special election, but then it said we could
• </c><02:09:55.119><c> special</c> that we could hold the primary special that we could hold the primary
• Uh, we had a special election and we had a primary which we held in our middle school, and then we were
• We had a special election and we had a primary which we held in our middle school, and then we were unable
• </c> declare a special election uh in the declare a special election uh in the event<02:42:37.520><c>

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• filing deadline or, if the request is made too close to the deadline, no later than the primary election
• The WSP may wait until after the primary election for candidates who advanced to the general election
• filing deadline, or if the request is made too close to the deadline no later than the primary election
• The WSP may wait until after the primary election for candidates who advanced to the general election
• Elected prosecutors.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on February 23, 2026, with a compressed schedule and limited testimony time. Members first heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974, which would set eligibility standards for sheriffs, police chiefs, and marshals, require background checks for sheriff candidates through the Washington State Patrol, regulate volunteers and youth cadets, and create a vacancy in office if an elected law enforcement official is finally decertified or fails statutory eligibility requirements. Supporters, including Senator Lovick and several advocacy groups, said the bill promotes accountability and professionalism. Opponents, including the sheriffs of Walla Walla and Spokane counties, argued it imposes unfunded mandates, conflicts with voter sovereignty and recall procedures, and could create problems for rural counties and volunteer use. The committee later took executive action and reported the bill out with a do pass as amended recommendation, 6-2 with one excused. In executive session, the committee also acted on Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, which expands law enforcement hiring eligibility to people legally authorized to work in the United States. A striking amendment clarified that agencies are not liable for employment discrimination claims if hiring is impracticable, allowed applicants who cannot yet possess weapons to apply if they can possess them when hired, and made technical changes. Representative Burnett raised concerns about background investigations, foreign-country vetting, oath of office, and firearm issues, but the committee adopted the striker and then reported the bill out as amended on a 6-2 vote with one excused. The committee also considered Substitute Senate Bill 5855, which prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while interacting with the public except in specified circumstances and creates a civil cause of action. Amendments added an intent section, expanded exceptions for health and safety equipment under OSHA/WISHA, and proposed stronger prosecutorial language, though two amendments were rejected. The bill was then reported out as amended on a 6-2 vote with one excused. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. Engrossed Senate Bill 5890 would expand reckless driving to include driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, and 20 miles per hour over in active construction zones when workers are present; law enforcement, prosecutors, traffic safety officials, and construction industry representatives testified in support. Substitute Senate Bill 5936, a Uniform Law Commission proposal on human trafficking, would allow prosecution of businesses that knowingly engage in or profit from trafficking, strengthen victim confidentiality, and improve U and T visa certification procedures; testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with one witness urging caution about unintended consequences for businesses that report trafficking. Finally, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6070 would expand missing-person response tools by allowing certain surveillance devices to be used for community caretaking to locate missing endangered persons, create Ebony and Purple Alerts, transfer the missing persons website to the State Patrol, and add a public records exemption. Testimony strongly supported the alert provisions, especially for people with disabilities, while one privacy advocate objected to the surveillance provisions as an overreach.

Transcript Highlights:

• security and the elections program.
• That is not what the election fund is for. The election fund is for direct election costs.
• that election this year.'
• , so 15 million for the election fund, and then there's 15 million in a special for FY27 for the general
• That I mentioned in the special.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• election for the presidential primary only is really misspending of funds in a time when we should be
• election for the presidential primary only is really misspending of funds in a time when we should be
• with the regular primary election held in May for all candidates.
• This is not exclusively a Republican primary. This is an open primary.
• This is not exclusively a Republican primary.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1493 would require school board special elections to be consolidated with the next primary or general
• Well, it's not really the special elections.
• No one was excluded from the election, right? They chose not to vote in the special election.
• The alternative is either a special election where maybe 500 to 4,000 participate or an... ...special
• Specifically around elections, I share your concerns that special elections cost money, and they come

Committee: House Education