Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, ballots ask voters to vote yes or no on whether the justice should be retained.
• retention elections appear on the ballot.
• If no petition is filed, the Justice would be retained without appearing on the ballot.
• We were actually proponents of it on the ballot.
• there will be a simple process that they can petition to put the office on the ballot.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• officer may make a home visit or contact the parent to investigate a student's behavior or living conditions
• political candidates, and I understand the electioneering part as it might pertain to something on the ballot
• I mean, it's a topic of public conversation, but there's not a candidate, there's not a... ...ballot

Bills: SB204, SB570, SB735, SB784, SB1207, SB1396, SB1447, SB2392, SB2540, SB747, SB875

Keywords: parental rights, education, school trustees, training, handbook, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district, open-enrollment charter school, student support services, school counselor, principal, administrator

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we don't have a ballot measure state.
• I know we don't have a ballot measure state.
• So condition you know foreign affairs.
• You have so many conditions which is it.
• <04:14:46.319> within set the terms and conditions within set the terms and conditions within

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that in mind, we ask for your no vote, because this needs to go on the ballot. Thank you.
• It's about looking at road conditions now and looking at what is going to be safer overall on the roads
• And I can tell you that taking care of potholes and road conditions over a program like this definitely
• we have very modest cost improvements that are going to save lives because we've got dangerous conditions
• ... ...improvements that are going to save lives because we've got dangerous conditions.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several transportation and climate-related bills. AB 954 would create a Caltrans pilot program for bike highways in two metropolitan areas and require a report to the Legislature; supporters said it would expand protected regional bike networks and help climate and equity goals, while some members objected that it would divert gas-tax-funded transportation dollars away from road repairs and rural needs. The bill passed on a 7-3 vote, with the roll held open for later additions. AB 289 would authorize automated speed enforcement in active highway construction zones to protect workers. The author and labor and contractor witnesses described repeated work-zone crashes and fatalities and argued the cameras would supplement, not replace, CHP enforcement. Some members raised concerns about civil penalties and enforcement policy, but the bill advanced on a 9-? initial vote and later was approved 15-1 after the roll was completed. AB 674 would update the Clean Cars for All program to prioritize pre-2004 high-polluting vehicles in disadvantaged and low-income communities and improve reporting and incentive rules. Supporters said older vehicles produce a disproportionate share of emissions and that the program has already retired thousands of cars; the committee approved the bill unanimously on the floor vote and sent it to the Committee on Natural Resources. AB 1237 would let LA Metro and VTA add a $5 fee to primary ticket sales for 2026 FIFA World Cup and NCAA championship events to fund transit service, with ticket holders able to use transit on event day. Supporters said the fee would help manage congestion and security needs, while the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association argued it was an unconstitutional tax requiring voter approval. The bill passed and was re-referred to the Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism. AB 891 would create a Caltrans quick-build pilot for temporary safety improvements on state highways for pedestrians and bicyclists; supporters emphasized rapid, low-cost safety fixes, while opponents said the program could divert gas-tax funds and was not appropriate for rural areas. It passed 11-4 and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also approved a six-bill consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• on the warrant, not the official ballot, and ballots will be requested for an hour, and replaces it
• on the warrant, not the official ballot, and ballots will be requested for an hour, and replaces it
• There is a um a 10% rule the ballot.
• In other words, before the ballot question, is that number that's determined to be put on the ballot
• <01:22:33.840> the determined to put on the ballot for the determined to put on the ballot for

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While there are names on the ballot paper, the names on the ballot do not cast the ballot.
• of ballots.
• of ballots.
• can't send our ballots in. can't send our ballots in.
• So I mean, if it's the full list, 40 pen-and-paper ballots, 49 ballot dropbox ban, 50 ballot harvesting

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So four ballots went there.
• Candidates on the ballot aren't recounting the ballot.
• the ballot aren't recounting the ballot. the ballot aren't recounting the ballot.
• The ballot warrant article term is used. So what is a ballot warrant article?
• The ballot warrant article term is used. So what is a ballot warrant article?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:40.800> question, by a ballot question, by a ballot question, not<00:21:42.480>
• background, that was done by ballot background, that was done by ballot initiative, initiative,
• , placement of the language on the ballot, placement of the language on the ballot, if<00:22:26.640
• That was done by ballot question, not by full text of the ballot.
• I may full ballot. I think that's right.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:10 Attendance Roll Call: 00:15 SB 133 Discussion: 00:52 SB 133 Vote: 05:01 SB 226 Discussion: 06:10 SB 226 Vote: 09:36 SJR 62 Discussion: 10:22 SJR 62 Vote: 12:55 SB 261 Discussion: 13:42 SB 261 Vote: 18:19 SB 262 Discussion: 19:10 SB 262 Vote: 26:36 Adjournment: 28:02, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 133, which would raise audit and reporting thresholds for certain special purpose governmental entities and allow entities with two consecutive clean audits to move to a less frequent audit cycle. Sponsor Matt Nunn said the bill was intended to reduce audit burdens and costs without reducing transparency, and the committee substitute was adopted. The bill passed the committee 8-0 with favorable expression. The committee then took up Senate Bill 226, sponsored by Senator Greg Elkins, which would allow funeral directors to take up to a 15% administrative fee once a pre-need funeral contract is fully funded. Elkins and a representative of the Funeral Directors Association explained that the bill applies to trust-funded pre-need burial contracts and does not affect insurance-funded arrangements. The bill passed 8-0 with favorable expression. Senate Joint Resolution 62 was next, a resolution by Senator Mayden asking the Division of Water to provide clearer guidance to local governments on cleaning out creeks and waterways, especially in light of flooding and debris concerns in Eastern Kentucky. The resolution passed with favorable expression, 8-0. The committee also approved Senate Bill 261, sponsored by President Stivers, which addresses ownership, responsibility, and maintenance authority for swinging bridges in Eastern Kentucky and would allow cities and counties to spend money on their upkeep; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed 9-0. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 262, also sponsored by President Stivers, which would allow constitutional amendments to be presented on the ballot by question rather than full text. Stivers argued this would make amendments more understandable and noted prior Kentucky constitutional changes had been made by ballot question. One senator explained a no vote, saying the bill did not clearly define who would determine a fair and accurate summary. The bill passed 7-1 with favorable expression and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• question on the ballot, too.
• question on the ballot, too.
• Well, Representative, I'm leading this ballot initiative now.
• I'll have him answer the ballot question: why this way?
• Could I draw you back to the ballot initiative at hand?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with committee chairs explaining the Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions’ role under Article 48 and outlining the process for initiative petition 25-14, H5-004, an act to improve access to public records. The first panel consisted of subject-matter experts. William Clark of the National Conference of State Legislatures gave an overview of public records laws across states, noting that all states have some form of open-records law but that exemptions for legislatures vary widely. He discussed common legislative exemptions, legislative privilege, and court cases showing that outcomes often turn on specific constitutional and statutory language. Rebecca Murray, General Counsel for the Secretary of the Commonwealth, described Massachusetts public records trends, saying state agency requests and appeals have risen sharply since the 2017 law update, with 2025 setting a record for appeals. She said the initiative would extend the public records law to the General Court and the Governor’s Office and add exemptions specific to those offices, while also noting resource concerns from the growing volume of requests and appeals.

Transcript Highlights:

• ballots. That's pretty funny though. ballots. That's pretty funny though.
• absentee ballot counting was moved up. absentee ballot counting was moved up.
• You use ballot images for that.
• Do I believe that 226130 allows us to conduct that on paper ballots as opposed to ballot images?
• work um even using those ballot images. work um even using those ballot images.

Bills: HB0022, HB0052, HB0076

Keywords: municipal officers, recall election, petition requirements, local governance, voter participation, elections, hand counting, recounts, vote auditing, Wyoming legislature, electoral process, annexation, landowner rights, municipal law, city planning, property, local government, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• relative to chain of custody for ballots relative to chain of custody for ballots and<00:22:24.760
• perfect container for our ballots perfect container for our ballots without<00:32:21.440> making
• programming uh for our ballot programming uh for our ballot machines<01:06:49.520> uh<01:
• and read it to pull out my ballot and read it amongst<03:28:21.040> other<03:28:21.319> ballots
• elect in towns using the partisan ballot elect in towns using the partisan ballot system<03:48:06.040

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• become a public mission to raise awareness and fight for those who are affected by this very rare condition
• Each of them is here today to shine a light on this condition.
• Senate Bill 705 relating to air-conditioning. ...and Refrigeration Contractors Advisory Board. Mr.
• Senate Bill 705 relating to the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors Advisory Board.
• cannot be hidden within the ballot language.

Bills: SB111, SB128, SB203, SB205, SB261, SB317, SB393, SB397, SB466, SB510, SB582, SB705, SB731, SB748, SB801, SB867, SB876, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1250, SB1285, SB1310, SB1400, SB1444, SB1483, SB1553, SB1556, SB1581, SB1608, SB1698, SB1723, SB1730, SB1835, SB1858, SB1903, SB1946, SB1950, SB1986, SB2017, SB2043, SB2056, SB2058, SB2063, SB2082, SB2105, SB2133, SB2137, SB2177, SB2203, SB2260, SB2311, SB2334, SB2344, SB2403, SB2417, SB2446, SB2519, SB2522, SB2532, SB2600, SB2611, SB2619, SB2637, SB2688, SB2717, SB2764, SB2785, SB2790, SB2794, SB2841, SB2847, SB2857, SB2878, SB2891, SB2943, SB2955, SB2972, SB2995, SB3037, SB3057, SB3059, HJR2, HB26, HB206, HB334, HB451, HB517, HB554, HB1109, HB2081, HB2756, HB3204, HB3809, SJR3, SB5, SB72, SB509, SB616, SB963, SB985, SB1025, SB1080, SB1143, SB1172, SB1245, SB1267, SB1271, SB1273, SB1355, SB1422, SB1759, SB1786, SB2361, SB17, SB314, SB455, SB761, SB1023, SB1968, SB2122, SB2371, SB2420, SB2544, SB1, SB260, SB1506, SB1637, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB261, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB511, SB2309, SB510, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1359, SB1234, SB2926, SB2972, SB2841, SB1528, SB2891, SB1854, SB317, SB2532, SB1250, SB2082, SB2203, SB1285, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB1723, SB1858, SB1946, SB2009, SB2177, SB2460, SB2785, SB867, SB1608, SB640, SB1698, SB705, SB748, SB2680, SB2994, SB2747, SB1950, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB3059, SB2637, SB2334, SB1861, SB2043, SB1367, SB2857, SB128, SB3058, SB2044, SB2363, SB2311, SB1986, SB2565, SB2943, SB1888, SB2417, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SB3036, SB3057, SB3056, SB3043, SB3037, SB3050, SB3063, SB3047, SB3035, SB2446, SB466, SB2611, SB2794, SB2105, SB2017, SB1790, SB1778, SB1730, SB2995, SB2847, SB205, SB2619, SB1903, SB203, SB3061, SB1581, SB2600, SB2799, SB2790, SB2688, SB2515, SB1230, SB876, SB2522, SB2639, SB2137, SB2519, SB2403, SB2459, SB3051, SB2655, SB2251, SB2764, SB2878, SB1884, SB111, SB582, SB2617, SB1835, SB2751, SB2063, SB1400, SB2058, SB2260, SB2928, SB1310, SB2566, SB2344, SB1897, SB1749, SB1361, SB2549, SB2553, HJR2, HJR1, HB1109, HB517, HB1130, HB1689, HB2884, HB1393, HB2559, HB26, HB2756, HB3204, HB3012, HB1327, HB451, HB109, HB206, HB1238, HB2890, HB9, HB2081, HB4215, HB2970, HB37, HB1899, HB3809, HB334, HB554, HB1593, HB2607, HB3526, HB3810, HB5092, HB388, HB2809, HB1151, HB913, SB2919, SB1782, SB1705, SB2696, SB1944, SB2215, SB644, HB3307, HB879, HB116, HB12, HB2703, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB30, HB21, HCR7, HCR75, HCR86, HCR92, HCR93, HCR126

Keywords: special education, school districts, legal fees, reporting requirements, transparency, hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, student privacy, numerical class rank, education policy, academic programs, high school, fetal development, health curriculum, public schools, middle school health education

Transcript Highlights:

• if ballot images were displayed online. if ballot images were displayed online.
• > images In addition, making ballot images In addition, making ballot images publicly<00:14:23.040
• ,<00:14:58.399> probably after some absentee ballots, probably after some absentee ballots
• >> We're already preparing ballots. Absentee ballots will go out.
• We're already preparing ballots. Absentee ballots will go out.

Keywords: HB 534 (only one on the agenda) – 00:02:08, 958, all

Summary: The House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee met to consider House Bill 534, sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson, with a committee substitute. Johnson said the bill was the product of interim work with the Secretary of State’s office, the State Board of Elections, county clerks, KREF, and other stakeholders, and that the committee substitute folded in several election-administration changes. He highlighted provisions clarifying the timeline for felony voter-roll removals, allowing the Board of Elections to work with federal agencies to identify non-citizens on the voter rolls, creating a process for those individuals to prove citizenship and vote provisionally, and changing some KREF board appointments. He also described technical campaign-finance changes and said some provisions might still be adjusted through floor amendments. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, timing, and voter privacy. Rep. Bivens questioned the cost and whether the bill could affect voter records; Johnson responded that the bill itself did not require new equipment or broad new spending, though a special election in a local government failure scenario could create costs. Rep. Hancock and Rep. Marzian argued the bill could create unnecessary burdens on county clerks and questioned whether there was a demonstrated problem to justify the changes. The county clerks’ association, through Rockcastle County Clerk Danetta Ford Allen, opposed the bill as introduced, warning that citizenship checks could wrongly remove eligible voters, that online ballot images or cast vote records could threaten voter privacy and facilitate vote buying, and that the emergency clause would force major changes too close to the May primary. Johnson defended the bill as a targeted response to a real local election failure and said the citizenship data sharing would be limited to name, date of birth, and Social Security number. He also explained that the ballot-image language was permissive and intended to let counties explore emerging technology, but he was open to removing that section or changing the effective date in a floor amendment. He further said he would consider preserving gubernatorial appointments to KREF with Senate oversight instead of shifting appointments to legislative leaders. After discussion, the committee voted 9-2 with one pass to report the bill out, with several members explaining yes votes as support for moving the bill forward while expecting further cleanup, and no votes citing cost, timing, and voter-access concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• in counting ballots. in counting ballots.
• , how much the state the ballot, how much the state contributes<02:29:54.479> to<02:29:54.800>
• <02:31:47.520> The and concerns with casting a ballot.
• The and concerns with casting a ballot.
• Meanwhile, there's a bond on a ballot in November to replace the school's heating system.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It forces them to have all the different ballots.
• We touch on the provisional balloting law.
• can also appear on the ballot in other offices.
• on the ballot in other offices.
• , and they're not going to complete their ballot.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that what this ballot language says?
• initiative to be on the November ballot.
• And we're just going to put it on the ballot anyway.
• I do want to put it on the ballot.
• It was just admitted that the ballot language is a lie.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It took over a week for them to manually sort a bunch of ballots and And properly count those ballots
• That way you keep all the ballots secure and the pauses when the ballots come in, that's continually
• by ballots by mail.
• Uh, Chair calls Ed Johnson with the Harris County ballot with Harris County ballot security and yourself
• Chair calls Ed Johnson with the Harris County ballot with Harris County ballot security and himself.

Bills: HB304

Keywords: franchise tax credit, food desert, grocery store, healthy corner store, nutrition assistance, economic development, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• Hampshire from using absentee ballots? Hampshire from using absentee ballots?
• influencing some of our our ballot influencing some of our our ballot initiatives.
• So I I guess I on the ballot.
• <01:32:21.120> So, their ballot questions, right? So, their ballot questions, right?
• I think we need to define measure. the state ballot. So, I do think the state ballot.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe over a year ago, defending a candidate that was on the ballot or was trying to be removed from
• the ballot.
• that you just mentioned defended his right to stay on the ballot.
• or was trying to be removed from Ballot or was trying to be removed from the<00:02:26.760> ballot
• is it Am his right to stay on the ballot is it Am I<00:02:36.920> Wrong<00:02:37.360> Mr

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee met to approve the prior day’s minutes and then considered 2025 R11, a resolution to retain outside counsel for the House in connection with pending legal matters. The chair explained that the resolution followed the general format of a prior LCC resolution and was needed so the House could defend itself in lawsuits challenging its legislative business after members were sworn in. The resolution was amended to insert the names Nicholas Nelson, Samuel Deal, and Ryan Wilson. Representative Niska stated that the named attorneys are colleagues from his outside law practice and that he had no private interest in the resolution; he said he was not participating in the matter and that nonpartisan staff were documenting that fact. Representative Nash asked about the attorneys’ prior work in a ballot-access case involving Donald Trump, and the chair confirmed that the same lawyers had represented Hortman, Long, and Holland in that litigation and had prevailed in the case. There was no public testimony and no further discussion. The committee adopted the 2025 R11 resolution by voice vote, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, like, so for example, let’s say someone files a ballot statement or ballot title worksheet, claiming
• But doing a Prop. 218 vote, you could do basically a mail ballot election.
• Now, there's also... ...get their ballots sent to their houses.
• of those voters have their ballot rejected.
• Voters miss the notice informing them of the issue with their ballot.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met as a subcommittee until quorum was established, then heard a series of election- and public-trust-related bills. Early items included AB 2592, which would move lobbyist training from legislative ethics committees to the FPPC starting in 2029 and make it available online on demand; it drew support from the FPPC and an oppose-unless-amended request to make the training public and ensure lobbyists pay fees. AB 2573 would refine California’s confidential voter registration protections for candidates and elected officials, with support from the Secretary of State and county election officials after amendments narrowed some family-member coverage. AB 2753 would bar registered sex offenders from running for or holding local or state office; it prompted extended debate about public trust, second chances, and where to draw the line, but was ultimately advanced on a 5-0 vote with one member not voting. AB 2691 similarly would expand disqualifying felony convictions to include sexual assault and human trafficking, and it also passed 5-0 after testimony from victim advocates and discussion about survivors, restorative justice, and the power dynamics involved in public office. The committee also advanced AB 2413, which would prohibit public funds from being used for large-format ads featuring elected officials, and AB 2281, which would direct the Office of Election Cybersecurity to assess replacement resources after federal cybersecurity support cuts and allow consultation with academic researchers. AB 1664 would require local election officials to notify the Secretary of State and Attorney General within one business day of warrants, subpoenas, or investigations involving election records or voting systems; supporters said it would help the state respond quickly to improper seizure of election materials, and it passed 5-0. AB 2484, concerning San Diego MTS, would let voters authorize a local sales tax initiative for transit funding and exempt it from an existing cap; it drew support from transit leaders and labor, opposition from the Realtors, and a lengthy exchange over Prop. 13, Prop. 218, and whether the measure created a special deal, before passing 6-1. The committee then heard AB 2230, which would create buffer zones around voting centers and child care facilities to keep immigration enforcement away from those locations. The author said the bill was meant to reduce fear and intimidation for voters and families, while the opposition argued it was unenforceable, lacked evidence of a problem, and would interfere with federal officers doing their jobs. Members supporting the bill cited reported ICE profiling and intimidation in California communities, while others raised jurisdictional and practical concerns. The transcript ends during this debate, with no final vote shown for AB 2230.