Video & Transcript : 'Fair Campaign Practices Act' :

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MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Formal House Session 63 Jul 1st, 2026

Massachusetts House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Second reading of the bill: An act improving campaign finance reporting for statewide ballot questions
  • Second reading of the bill: An act providing for fairness and equity for Massachusetts Water Resources
  • Second reading of the bill: An act providing for fairness and equity for Massachusetts Water Resources
  • Third reading of the bill: An Act Improving Campaign Finance Reporting.
  • Third reading of the bill: An Act Improving Campaign Finance Reporting for Statewide Ballot Questions
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Elections - 02/06/25

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> Reed uh what is it about the campaign Reed uh what is it about the campaign Finance<00:05:15.280
  • Voting Rights Act have been voided.
  • Voting Rights Act have been voided.
  • </c><00:26:49.520><c> and</c> it to be free fair and it to be free fair and equal<00:26:51.399><c> but
  • </c> shall have integrity and be free fair shall have integrity and be free fair and<00:43:55.680><c>
Committee: Senate Elections
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Elections Committee Jul 1st, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • They are tired of seeing all this money going to campaigns, campaign candidates bashing each other or
  • first state voting rights act.
  • first state voting rights act.
  • Supreme Court erode the Voting Rights Act protections against discriminatory voting practices.
  • acts to reauthorize it.
Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 1, 2026, heard a full agenda of election-related measures, and took final votes on several bills and one resolution. The committee also adopted two consent items, SB 1429 and SB 1430, without opposition. Members and the chair repeatedly noted committee membership changes and the final meeting of the session, and the chair emphasized the committee’s focus on protecting democracy and election integrity. Among the bills heard, SB 1369 would shorten the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls in larger counties and require paid gatherers to disclose they are compensated; supporters argued it would protect judicial independence, while the chair and some members noted the need to balance recall rights with county differences. SB 900 would reformat campaign disclosure language on large print ads and billboards to improve readability while preserving transparency, with broad support from outdoor advertising, clean money, and good-government groups. SJR 18, which condemns Citizens United and urges action against corporate spending in elections, drew support from reform advocates but also concerns about the resolution’s focus and scope; it was advanced on a party-line split with some members voting no. The committee also advanced SB 1164, a major voting-rights measure expanding California protections against vote dilution and voter suppression, adding preclearance-style review for some jurisdictions, and directing courts to interpret election laws in favor of voting access. Local government representatives opposed it unless amended, citing uncertainty, loss of safe-harbor protections, and implementation concerns, while civil-rights and labor groups strongly supported it. SB 1360, which expands language-access requirements for voters with limited English proficiency and lowers coverage thresholds, was supported by voting-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups but opposed by elections officials unless amended; the committee acknowledged the need for further work on county-level implementation and data standards. The committee also approved SB 1418, which extends protections against seizure of election records and voting systems beyond voted ballots, and SB 884, which creates a buffer zone around polling places and vote-by-mail drop locations to prevent interference with voting and ballot custody, though sheriffs and police groups opposed the arrest restrictions. SB 46, which would give the Secretary of State clearer authority to remove constitutionally ineligible presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the ballot, and SB 715, which moves candidate ballot-designation challenge deadlines earlier, also advanced. Most measures were sent to Appropriations or otherwise held on call for absent members, and the meeting ended with final roll calls and adjournment.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 80 Apr 1st, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • funds, ending the problematic practice of commingling campaign money with personal accounts.
  • Dollars must transfer those funds into their campaign account.
  • transfer those funds into your campaign account.
  • It outlines how I operate my campaign account perfectly.
  • And to be fair, they can make more money.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

House in Session Mar 10th, 2026

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Ryan Ryder, from commission aide to campaign photographer, Ryan made some of the best campaign ads the
  • run a campaign.
  • hosted at a cultural event or a job fair hosted at an HBCU or a job fair hosted maybe at an immigrant
  • fair hiring practices, equitable contracting opportunities, and accessible public service for all residents
  • This is about fairness.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum established. Members approved the journal and adopted the special order report setting the day’s calendar. The chamber also recognized Sheriff Mike Chitwood as law enforcement officer of the day and later held several introductions and farewell remarks, including lengthy closing speeches from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf reflecting on their service and legislative priorities. The House then took up and passed a series of Senate bills, often after adopting House strike-all or conforming amendments. CS/SB 590 on mandatory child abuse reporting was clarified to apply prospectively only and passed 111-0. SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism was amended to incorporate House language, including blue-envelope provisions, and passed 111-0. CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) was amended to preserve House provisions and passed 112-0. CS/SB 1246 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund was amended to expand eligible health science programs and allow certain non-health-care contributions, then passed 112-0. CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care passed 111-0. Later bills also advanced with broad support: CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences passed 168-0 after debate over medication-assisted treatment; CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools passed 112-0 after amendments allowing limited coach support for student-athletes with parental consent; CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts passed 108-2; and CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services passed 111-0 after an amendment on exclusive arrangements. The chamber then began debate on CS/CS/SB 1134, which would restrict counties and municipalities from official DEI-related actions and contracting practices. Members questioned its scope and exceptions, and Representative Gant offered an amendment to narrow the bill’s DEI definition; debate on that amendment was underway when the transcript ended.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Transcript Highlights:
  • If the court acts to overturn what is left of the Federal Voting Rights Act, state law will be insufficient
  • Trent Lang, President of California Clean Money Campaign.
  • This bill is part of the Civil Rights Act of 2026.
  • Trendline, California Clean Money Campaign, and strong support.
  • Trendline, California Clean Money Campaign and strong support.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related measures. SB 884 by Senator Umberg proposed expanding polling-place buffer zones, limiting certain law enforcement activity near polling sites, increasing ballot drop boxes and vote center access, and extending the vote-by-mail receipt deadline; supporters said it would protect voters from intimidation, while county election officials opposed it as operationally difficult and costly. The bill was amended in committee to allow county supervisors discretion over expanding the buffer zone and to permit law enforcement entry for crimes against persons or property. It was ultimately passed out of committee on a 4-1 vote after members’ roll calls were completed later in the day. SB 1164 by Senator Cervantes would expand California voting-rights protections by codifying and broadening anti-dilution and anti-suppression rules, adding preclearance for some jurisdictions, and directing courts to favor voting access; it drew strong support from civil rights and voting-rights groups, while one city raised concerns about effects on pending litigation. The committee advanced the bill to Judiciary on a 4-1 vote after later roll call completion. The committee also considered SB 900 by Senator McNerney, which would streamline political advertisement disclosures by shortening required disclaimer language, allowing standard abbreviations, and increasing the number of top funders disclosed on political mailers from three to five. Supporters from the outdoor advertising industry and campaign finance reform groups said the bill would preserve transparency while making disclosures more readable; it passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations. In contrast, SB 1225 and its companion SCA 3 by Senator Niello would transfer responsibility for drafting ballot titles and summaries for initiatives and referenda from the Attorney General to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Supporters argued this would improve neutrality and public trust, while opponents said the current elected Attorney General system is accountable and efficient; both measures were advanced on narrow votes after roll calls were completed later. Finally, SB 1360 by Senator Cervantes, part of the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 package, would expand language-access requirements for election materials by lowering the threshold for coverage, adding a petition process, and extending protections beyond current federal language categories. Voting-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups strongly supported the bill, while county election officials opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about the precinct-based determination model and implementation details. The committee passed SB 1360 to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote after the later roll call. The committee also approved a consent calendar of seven measures at the start of the hearing.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Yes, uh, Chairman, Chris Hartman, executive director of the Fairness Campaign.
  • Chris Hartman, executive director of the Fairness Campaign, said he did not relish being here two committee
  • </c><00:05:26.560><c> being</c> fairness campaign I don't relish being fairness campaign I don't relish
  • Okay, so you're not aware of any time that someone who's trying to, in my 16 years at the Fairness Campaign
  • You're not aware of any time that someone who's trying to, in my 16 years at the Fairness Campaign, we've
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 60, a Religious Freedom Restoration Act measure sponsored by Senator Steve Rawlings. Rawlings said the bill would strengthen protections for sincerely held religious exercise by requiring government burdens on religion to be justified by clear and convincing evidence of a compelling interest, expanding remedies including attorney’s fees, and waiving sovereign immunity so individuals could sue the government. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill drew testimony both in support and opposition. Supporters, including Greg Baylor of Alliance Defending Freedom, argued the bill would protect a fundamental right and that similar laws have existed federally and in many states without the feared consequences. Opponents, including Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign, Sam Markusen of the University of Louisville, and Rabbi Ben Fred, warned the bill was overly broad, could undermine local anti-discrimination laws, and might invite lawsuits or allow religious claims to be used to justify discrimination. Senator Thomas questioned whether the bill could affect vaccine requirements and public accommodations; Baylor said public health or other compelling interests could still prevail in court and that the bill would not predetermine outcomes. The committee then voted on SB 60, with several members explaining their votes, and reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 169, sponsored by Senator Danny Carroll, which would expand the Attorney General’s and Kentucky State Police’s administrative subpoena authority in child exploitation investigations to include social networking companies, mobile payment services, and cloud storage services. Attorney General’s office representatives Will Schroer and Matt Heden said the change would modernize investigative tools to help identify online child predators and obtain limited account-holder information such as usernames, IP addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. Senator Thomas asked about the bill’s use of the term “reasonable cause” instead of probable cause and about the scope of the information obtained; the witnesses said the term is already in statute and that the subpoenas would not authorize searches, only basic identifying information. A motion was made and seconded, and the committee began the roll call vote on SB 169 as the transcript ended.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Transcript Highlights:
  • If the court acts to overturn what is left of the Federal Voting Rights Act, state law will be insufficient
  • has undercut the VRA, LDF has prioritized state voting rights acts.
  • Trent Lang, President and Executive Director of California Clean Money Campaign.
  • This bill is part of the Civil Rights Act of 2026.
  • Trendline, California Clean Money Campaign, and strong support.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We also have decades of practical evidence from other states.
  • The practical question is how it would fit into the system.
  • I certainly understand your point, and I think it's a fair point.
  • This isn't a situation where the legislature has failed to act. We've acted.
  • I prefer that $50,000 is still in my campaign account, but it's not.
Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a hearing on Initiative Petition 25-01, H.5-001, an act relative to election day registration. The co-chairs explained the Article 48 initiative process and noted that the committee must report on the petition to the legislature. The hearing focused on how election day registration differs from same-day registration, how it is used in other states, and what implementation would require in Massachusetts. Three expert witnesses testified in support of the concept. A Northeastern University political science professor said the research shows election day registration would likely increase turnout, especially among younger voters, renters, recent movers, and other underrepresented groups, while requiring planning, training, and funding. A National Conference of State Legislatures policy analyst described how election day and same-day registration work in other states, including proof-of-residency and ID requirements, provisional ballot options in some states, and the need for updated voter systems and staffing. An MIT election administration professor said the proposal is mainstream, likely popular with Massachusetts voters, and administratively workable if the state addresses workload, wait times, and system integration. Committee members asked about costs, residency documentation, use of Real ID, provisional ballots, rural polling places, and whether election day registration could increase lines or discourage advance registration. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin and volunteer proponent Norma Shulman testified in favor of the petition. They argued that election day registration would help eligible voters who miss deadlines or move before an election, reduce reliance on provisional ballots, and improve participation. Galvin said the proposal includes a 10-day reconciliation period and would likely require additional staffing and possibly technology, but he viewed the reform as worth the cost and consistent with broader election reforms. Shulman said voters she encountered during the signature drive strongly supported the measure and viewed it as common sense. In questioning, Galvin said the measure would help voters who move within a community or arrive at the polls unregistered, and he said many provisional ballots are not counted because of eligibility or registration problems. Opponents from the Massachusetts Municipal Association and the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association argued that while expanding access is important, election day registration would add to already heavy workloads for local clerks, who are managing early voting, vote-by-mail processing, and election-day operations with limited staff and resources. They said any major election change should be developed through the traditional legislative process with direct input from local officials, and they urged caution until municipalities receive more administrative and financial relief. The hearing then moved into the public testimony section, beginning with a representative from Mass for Fair Elections.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • If the court acts to overturn what is left of the Federal Voting Rights Act, state law will be insufficient
  • The Court has undercut the VRA, LDF has prioritized state voting rights acts.
  • The campaign, one individual, one company can donate. That's one question.
  • This bill is part of the Civil Rights Act of 2026.
  • Trendline, California Clean Money Campaign, and strong support.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related measures. SB 884 by Senator Umberg would expand electioneering buffer zones around polling places and ballot-processing sites, restrict law enforcement activity near voting locations except for crimes against persons or property, expand ballot drop box and vote center access, and extend the vote-by-mail receipt deadline. Supporters said it would protect voters from intimidation and interference; county election officials opposed it as operationally burdensome and difficult to enforce. The committee discussed amendments narrowing some provisions, and the bill was ultimately advanced on a 4-1 vote, with Senator Choi voting no. The committee also heard SB 1164 by Senator Cervantes, part of the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 package, which would codify and expand state voting-rights protections against vote dilution and voter suppression, add preclearance for certain jurisdictions with recent violations, and direct courts to interpret election laws in favor of voter access. Support came from civil rights and voting rights groups, while one city representative raised concerns about effects on pending litigation. Senator Choi questioned the bill’s concepts, but the measure was moved to Judiciary and later recorded as passing 4-1. SB 900 by Senator McNerney would shorten and streamline campaign-ad disclosure language, allow abbreviations, and increase the number of top funders listed on political mailers from three to five. Outdoor advertising and good-government groups supported the bill as improving readability while preserving transparency. It passed to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote. The committee also considered SB 1225 and SCA 3 by Senator Niello, which would shift responsibility for initiative titles and summaries from the Attorney General to the Legislative Analyst’s Office; supporters argued this would improve neutrality, while labor groups opposed the change as unnecessary and less accountable. Both measures were advanced to Appropriations after divided votes. Finally, SB 1360 by Senator Cervantes would expand election language-access requirements beyond current federal thresholds and add a petition process for undercounted language communities. It drew broad support from civil rights and advocacy organizations, with county election officials seeking amendments over implementation details; the bill passed 5-0 after the committee completed roll calls on the absent members.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 39 Feb 19th, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're practically neighbors. Practically neighbors. We live right next door. Screw the Pilgrims.
  • Your personal should not be your political campaign.
  • ...as it says all campaign contributions and any personal funds shall be deposited into a campaign account
  • Those are both my campaign accounts. It is all campaign.
  • It says a campaign account.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • That would be a fair statement. I may be unusual.
  • Is that fair? That's very fair. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Okay. All right.
  • against the use of public resources for political campaigns.
  • that the legislator currently holds, any campaign for any statewide elected position, campaigns for
  • Say, can I have a campaign yard sign from a previous campaign hanging in the back of my Zoom video, for
Summary: The committee began by waiving the five-day notice rule for Senate Bills 631 and 5046. It then held public hearings on several measures. Senate Bill 6215 would require the state auditor to compile an inventory of audited state programs and an annual statewide high-risk list focused on fraud prevention; the sponsor said it would improve transparency, while the State Auditor’s office raised concerns about cost, scope, record retention limits, and the bill’s timeline. Senate Bill 6160 would eliminate or modify dozens of agency reporting requirements across state government; OFM and the sponsor described it as a government-efficiency measure, while some senators noted they wanted to preserve certain reports. Senate Bill 6313 would create a Capitol Centennial Stewardship Account to support repairs, remodeling, interpretive facilities, and public engagement at the Capitol ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2028. Senate Bill 6049 would exempt certain employee engagement survey responses and Healthy Youth Survey records from public disclosure; OFM, students, and other supporters argued the bill would protect privacy and encourage honest participation, while the record showed substantial opposition sign-ins. Senate Bill 6164 would exempt information submitted to Washington Technology Solutions for digital experience platform services from disclosure; WOTEC and some media representatives supported it as a narrow privacy measure, while one coalition opposed it as overly broad. Senate Bill 5046 would designate November 22 as Kimchi Day, which the sponsor framed as a cultural recognition bill, with little opposition noted in testimony. In executive session, the committee considered Senate Bills 6035, 5853, and 5888. It adopted a proposed substitute for SB 6035, which concerns an electronic ballot portal and tribal voting access, and sent it to Rules. It also adopted a proposed substitute for SB 5853, which shifts administration of a statewide emergency notification system for elected officials from the Secretary of State to the Military Department, and sent it to Ways and Means. Finally, it passed SB 5888, which removes Senate confirmation for members of the Washington State Women’s Commission, and sent it to Rules. The committee then adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Elections Committee Jul 1st, 2026

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • They are tired of seeing all this money going to campaigns, campaign candidates bashing each other or
  • first state voting rights act.
  • Supreme Court erode the Voting Rights Act protections against discriminatory voting practices.
  • Supreme Court erode the Voting Rights Act protections against discriminatory voting practices.
  • acts to reauthorize it.
Committee: House Elections
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 1 - 04/17/26

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • Act.
  • Act.
  • So really what this bill Practices Act.
  • Fair<01:44:28.120><c> enough.</c> Fair enough. Fair enough.
  • We're at odds with Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Chapter 13.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 02/24/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and Voting Rights Act.
  • 1618, Senator Rivera, an act to amend the Public Health Law. >> Read the last section. >> This act shall
  • Section 2, this act shall take effect immediately. Call the roll.
  • Section 5, this act shall take effect January 1, 2026. Call the roll.
  • Section 5, this act shall take effect January 1, 2026. Call the roll.
Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior Journal, and began with ceremonial recognitions before moving to legislative business. Members honored the Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner football team for winning the Eastern Regional Championship and being a top-ranked national team, with Senators Parker and Tedisco praising the players, coaches, and volunteers. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 1636, mourning the death of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson and recognizing his lifetime of civil rights, labor, voting rights, and social justice advocacy. Multiple senators spoke in support, reflecting on his influence on politics, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and the message that “I am somebody.” After the resolution, the Senate took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, largely focused on health care, insurance, and public health. These included measures on municipal law, mental hygiene, correction law, executive law, and several insurance and public health bills addressing prescription drug pricing, pharmacy benefit managers, rebates, and anti-competitive drug practices. Senators Myrie, Borrello, Jackson, Fernandez, and others explained votes in support of transparency, patient access, and lowering drug costs; some members noted concerns about pharmacy deserts and corporate consolidation. Most bills passed with broad margins, though a few drew more opposition, including Calendar 304 on anti-competitive drug agreements. On Calendar 289, an amendment concerning domestic violence was ruled non-germane by the chair. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick appealed, arguing the amendment would create a public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders to help protect potential victims. The Senate voted on the appeal, the ruling of the chair stood, and the bill was then restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed. The Senate then completed the calendar, had no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JDC DEFER, JDC Public Hearings 04-22-2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • . practice. practice.
  • Compared to my private practice load, I would say the private practice was much heavier.
  • negative campaign.
  • The negative multi-million dollar<00:52:32.840><c> campaigns</c> dollar campaigns dollar campaigns has
  • Fair enough.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Summary: The Judiciary Committee first took up decision-making on two judicial nominations heard the previous day. Governor’s Message 796, naming Annalisa En Bernard Lee as Circuit Court Judge for the Second Circuit (Maui County), and Governor’s Message 797, naming Michael K. Soong as Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauai), were both recommended for consent and adopted by unanimous roll-call votes. The committee then heard testimony on Governor’s Message 801, the nomination of Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Support came from the Governor’s office, Honolulu Prosecutor Steve Alm, Honolulu Managing Director Michael Formby, the Hawaii Association for Justice, United Public Workers, HGEA/AFL-CIO, the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, labor and trade unions, retired Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, retired judges, bar and court officials, and many other individuals and organizations. Supporters emphasized Devens’ legal experience, work ethic, labor-law background, community ties, mentorship, and ability to manage the judiciary and address the appellate backlog. A few speakers opposed the nomination, including Chuck Freedman, who raised concerns about union influence and potential conflicts, and others who submitted opposition testimony. Devens also testified, describing his Honolulu upbringing, education at UC Berkeley, six years with the police department, and more than 30 years in private practice before joining the Supreme Court. He said the chief justice role is primarily an administrative one, highlighted his experience with bar and judicial administration committees, and identified reducing the appellate backlog as a major priority. No vote was taken on GM 801 during this portion of the hearing.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Elections - 03/25/25

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so, um, you know, this practice is really exploiting a loophole to skirt around campaign finance
  • And so, um, you know, this practice is really exploiting a loophole to skirt around campaign finance
  • And so, um, you know, this practice is really exploiting a loophole to skirt around campaign finance
  • And so, um, you know, this practice is really exploiting a loophole to skirt around campaign finance
  • And so, um, you know, this practice is really exploiting a loophole to skirt around campaign finance
Committee: Senate Elections
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • I was practicing. I'm glad that worked out. I was practicing. Good job. I'm glad that worked out.
  • Okay, fair enough.
  • We have fair elections.
  • The reporting of a campaign donor's name, address, occupation, employer, and amount is a balancing act
  • The repetitive practice of any malfeasance does not legitimize the perpetrator or the acts.
Summary: The committee first took up SB 1066, which would allow the Attorney General or a county attorney to sue researchers for knowingly or recklessly publishing fraudulent scientific research, and would let injured parties recover damages. The sponsor and a supporting witness argued the bill would create personal accountability for deliberate research fraud and cited examples of retracted or manipulated studies; opponents warned that peer review and existing scientific processes already address bad research and that the bill could chill research and speech. The committee later passed SB 1066 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then heard SB 1015, which would impose strict personal liability on providers who perform gender transition procedures on minors for later detransition costs and related injuries. Supporters, including the sponsor, a doctor, a detransitioner, and a parent, said the bill would protect children, create accountability, and help families seek redress for irreversible harm. Opponents from the ACLU and others argued the measure discriminates against transgender patients, would likely chill care by making providers uninsurable, and could function as a backdoor ban; the committee nevertheless advanced the bill on a 4-3 vote. SB 1049, as amended, limited spousal maintenance to four years and adjusted eligibility and guideline factors. The sponsor and a family law attorney said the bill would curb overly long awards and better account for assets and income, while the Judicial Council explained the existing guideline work and noted the new calculator was intended to add uniformity; one senator objected that the cap was arbitrary and ignored case-specific context. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 4-2. The committee also unanimously passed SB 1189, allowing campaign funds to be used for candidate and family security, and SB 1133, eliminating a duplicate financial disclosure filing for candidates who already filed an annual statement. Finally, the committee heard SB 1081, which would bar a DCS attorney from appearing before a judge after appearing before that judge in any of the attorney’s previous five DCS cases, and advanced it 4-3 after debate over judicial familiarity and rural-court impacts. The committee also heard SCR 1001, a proposed constitutional referral to end early voting the Friday before the election, require proof of citizenship and government ID, and restrict mail ballots to voters who affirmatively request them; supporters framed it as an election-integrity measure, while ADOT testified neutrally but warned that free IDs could cost tens of millions in lost revenue and affect road funding. The transcript ends during testimony on SCR 1001, before any vote on that measure.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Apr 1st, 2026

Finance and Taxation Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • c><00:13:30.240><c> and</c><00:13:30.440><c> the</c><00:13:30.520><c> Literacy</c><00:13:31.160><c> Act
  • And and the Literacy Act encouragement.
  • And and the Literacy Act and<00:13:31.760><c> hopefully,</c><00:13:32.160><c> you</c><00:13:32.200><c
  • ,</c><00:13:36.680><c> but</c><00:13:37.480><c> you</c> years with the Numeracy Act, but you years with
  • the Numeracy Act, but you know,<00:13:37.680><c> we</c><00:13:38.320><c> we</c><00:13:39.200><c> all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education May 12th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • We can only buy ourselves for fair market value or better, or on terms more advantageous to LSU than
  • the fair market value.
  • I've spoken with the president over at Southern, or the acting president, and we're, I think, all on
  • I’m sure he would like it, but it’s also not fair to all the other vendors out there.
  • I'm sure he would like it, but it's also not fair to all the other vendors out there.
Bills: HCR97 , HR168 , SCR33 , SB112 , SB346 , SB347 , SB353 , SB488 , SB504 , SB507 , SB518
Committee: House Education