Transcript Highlights:

• we put them all on one ballot.
• That's kind of ballot overload.
• It's already going to be a long ballot.
• 4440 were to fail at the August ballot.
• But if 4440 passes at the ballot box in August, then this would not be on the November ballot.

Bills: HB4440, HJR1067, HJR1087, HJR1089

Keywords: Medicaid, low-income adults, healthcare, eligibility restrictions, constitutional amendment, Medicaid expansion, SoonerCare, health coverage, federal matching funds, FMAP, Article XXV-A, state question, special election, Title 63, public assistance, healthcare funding, federal-state match, Medicaid eligibility, Oklahoma Constitution, ad valorem

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of this bill addresses misleading ballot return envelopes.
• confused with an official ballot.
• fraudulent ballot return envelopes to this definition of a crime.
• Lastly, AB 331 will ensure that the unofficial ballot return envelopes are not used to mislead voters
• signature verification of vote-by-mail ballots.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Board of Education must approve such an assessment under certain conditions.
• The State Board of Education must approve such an assessment under certain conditions.
• Bill 597, which pushes for an open primary system that Nevadans explicitly rejected in 2024 at the ballot
• will create unnecessary confusion at the polls, increase the risk of errors with more provisional ballots
• Thank you. ...the risk of errors with more provisional ballots and delay the timely reporting of election

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the official ballot used to elect the official ballot used to elect officers.
• meeting it would be by a secret ballot. meeting it would be by a secret ballot.
• voted on on the official ballot. voted on on the official ballot.
• be done meeting and the balloting will be done by<01:34:42.239> secret<01:34:42.480> ballot
• <01:34:45.920> as meeting a secret uh yes no ballot as meeting a secret uh yes no ballot as

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk.
• Cast up the ballot.
• Cast up the ballot.
• Cast up the ballot.
• Cast up the ballot.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• arrest for an alleged criminal violation of any federal, state, or local law, for a violation of a condition
• of probation, parole, pre-trial release, conditional release, or supervised release for which arrest
• state, or local law for a violation<04:15:28.239> of<04:15:28.399> a<04:15:28.720> condition
• of a condition of probation, parole,<04:15:30.479> pre-trial<04:15:31.120> release,<04
• :15:31.600> conditional parole, pre-trial release, conditional parole, pre-trial release, conditional

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a ballot in May of '22 in Williamson County.
• The ballot style, which is 310.
• When you count by precinct on Election Day, you're pulling ballots from multiple different ballot boxes
• to be voted by mail and other balloting materials.
• That bill is about the text on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail and other balloting materials

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills, with most measures left pending after testimony and later taken up in a batch of votes. Early in the meeting, HB 5624 on liability protections for motocross/off-road vehicle tracks, HB 223 on requiring competitive procurement for municipal lobbying contracts, HB 3709 on post-election audit procedures, and HB 5081 on protecting personal information of judicial officers and court staff were all discussed and left pending after testimony. Witnesses on HB 223 supported greater transparency in municipal lobbying contracts. HB 3709 drew sharp opposition from an election integrity advocate who argued the bill would reduce precinct-level granularity and make it harder to detect ballot errors, while a Secretary of State resource witness said the bill would simplify and standardize the audit process by location. HB 5081 received strong support from court administration and a district judge who described prior threats and an attack tied to publicly available personal information. The committee also heard HB 3546 on allowing school districts to move elections to November, HB 493 on barring certain felony offenders from serving as poll watchers, HB 5115 on increasing penalties for election fraud and related conduct, HB 4081 on trade secret filing procedures, HB 3909 on limiting restrictions on wireless devices at polling places, HB 2702 on limiting gubernatorial closure authority for certain veterans organizations during pandemics, HB 119 on foreign adversary lobbying, and HB 5138 on the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes. Several of these bills were explained with committee substitutes and then left pending before final action. Testimony on HB 493 and HB 5115 came from an election integrity advocate who supported both bills, saying the poll watcher restriction was appropriately narrowed and that the election fraud bill would help address invalid votes and refusal to count valid votes. Later, the committee took up pending business and voted out a large number of bills, generally along party lines or with broad support. HB 186 on minors’ social media use, HB 229, HB 2885, HB 3909 as substituted, HB 4285, HB 1661, HB 2820, HB 3181, HB 4157, HB 223, HB 521, HB 640, HB 1234, HB 2253, HB 2294, HB 3053, HB 3697 as substituted, HB 4281, HB 4463, HB 4995, HB 5081 as substituted, HB 5624 as substituted, HB 119 as substituted, HB 3225, HB 5138 as substituted, HB 5115, HB 481 as substituted, HB 3546, HB 493, and HB 4145 were reported favorably to the full Senate, with several also placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted committee substitutes for multiple bills, including HB 3909, HB 5081, HB 5624, HB 119, HB 5138, and HB 481. At the end, the chair noted another committee meeting would likely be needed before deadlines, possibly on a weekend, and recessed the committee subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• > eliminates ballot primary really eliminates ballot primary really eliminates um<00:41:55.760
• also the idea that as a single ballot also the idea that as a single ballot primary<00:44:43.280
• So, though it's imperfect, a partisan ballot, or a ballot that reflects the party of the candidates,
• get down the ballot, less people vote. get down the ballot, less people vote.
• required to be at the end of the ballot. required to be at the end of the ballot.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on CACR 30, a constitutional amendment that would make Public Utilities Commission members elected rather than appointed. Representative Thomas Opel testified in support, arguing that rising energy costs and the utility rate-setting structure make the PUC too insulated from ratepayers, and that elected commissioners would be more accountable. He also said the proposal should ideally include a ban on contributions from regulated utilities to PUC campaigns, and acknowledged the draft had errors and needed work. Representative Lane questioned whether a contribution ban would be constitutional, and Opel said there may be ways to structure one to survive legal challenge. The hearing closed with five online supporters and two opponents reported, and no one else testified. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of voters’ citizenship qualifications. Representative Newsome offered an amendment to clarify how voters with no evidence either way would be treated and to require a public report on audit results, including referrals, costs, and databases used. Representative Aqua opposed the amendment, saying the bill should pass as written. The amendment failed 9-7, and after further debate over privacy and the purpose of audits, the committee voted 9-7 to recommend ought to pass on HB 1062. Representative Barry was assigned the majority report and Representative Newsome the minority report. The committee next considered House Bill 1388, which would clarify the form of ballots for constitutional amendments. Representative Weary said the bill simply provides clarity for voters and imposes no hardship on the Secretary of State’s office. The committee unanimously voted 17-0 to recommend ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 1125, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections. Representative Weary said partisan labels would help voters understand candidate positions and address low turnout in local elections. He emphasized the bill is enabling, not mandatory. Members questioned why the change was needed if few municipalities have used existing authority, and whether it would increase divisiveness. Weary said many voters are unaware of the option and that partisan labels would give them more information. The hearing closed with five online supporters and 184 opponents. The committee then began executive session on House Bill 1187, concerning the filing deadline for special-election candidates for state representative, but discussion was still ongoing in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most and what offices are on the ballot.
• Um this bill uh individual's ballot.
• about what offices might appear on someone's ballot.
• <00:14:55.279> that in an election, there were ballots that in an election, there were ballots
• ,<00:16:09.360> I you look at uh websites like ballot, I you look at uh websites like ballot

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ALSO THE BALLOT.
• Grall: THAT WAS A BALLOT INITIATIVE PETITION, NOT CANDIDATE PETITIONS. >> Sen.
• AFTER IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN CERTIFIED TO BE PUT ON THE BALLOT.
• THIS IS A CITIZEN LED BALLOT INITIATIVE PROCESS. CITIZENS.
• THE LEGISLATURE HAS MADE IT HARDER FOR FLORIDIANS TO PUT AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Income derived from DPRIT will be deposited into the General Revenue Fund and will be on the ballot in
• Because of her early diagnosis, before visible signs or symptoms of her condition, we were able to start
• We cannot afford to study these conditions in silos.
• The public health impact of... ...how conditions like diabetes and hypertension intersect with dementia
• And we're really only at the tip of the iceberg of understanding how some conditions can exacerbate or

Bills: SB5, SJR3, SB 5, SJR 3

Keywords: dementia, research institute, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, funding, grants, state health initiatives, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, district apportionment, legislative rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Other structural property tax relief has to be done through the ballot in November of 2026, which would
• We cannot, as a legislature, mandate property tax relief that has to go on the ballot, either through
• As I mentioned yesterday, my son, like thousands of others, has a heart condition. Even my son.
• . health conditions.
• The bill offers no clear answer, leaving children exposed to unsafe working conditions.

Bills: HB 118, HB 388, HB 114, HB 205, HB 2789, HB 2791, HB 499, HB 2960, HB 3163, HB 3135, HB 2427, HB 1618, HB 1672, HB 1722, HB 1338, HB 787, HB 2618, HB 879, HB 1126, HB 4134, HB 3513, HB 718, HB 1536, HB 1445, HB 1640, HB 1893, HB 1734, HB 3229, HB 3306, HB 1276, HB 3272, HB 3276, HB 3516, HB 4145, HB 1585, HB 4810, HB 2989, HB 2558, HB 3014, HB 2742, HB 1695, HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2798, HB 107, HB 1587, HB 3684, HB 118, HB 388, HB 114, HB 205, HB 2789, HB 2791, HB 499, HB 2960, HB 3163, HB 3135, HB 2427, HB 1618, HB 1672, HB 1722, HB 1338, HB 787, HB 2618, HB 879, HB 1126, HB 4134, HB 3513, HB 718, HB 1536, HB 1445, HB 1640, HB 1893, HB 1734, HB 3229, HB 3306, HB 1276, HB 3272, HB 3276, HB 3516, HB 4145, HB 1585, HB 4810, HB 2989, HB 2558, HB 3014, HB 2742, HB 1695, HB 609, HB 630, HB 420, HB 767, HB 1708, HB 1404, HB 2457, HB 140, HB 227, HB 913, HB 2198, HB 2763, HB 1261, HB 1135, HB 1318, HB 2358, HB 2765, HB 2735, HB 3307, HB 1242, HB 2842, HB 333, HB 201, HB 694, HB 2415, HB 155, HB 272, HB 405, HB 519, HB 1136, HB 1275, HB 1437, HB 1532, HB 1675, HB 1868, HB 1888, HB 1990, HB 2286, HB 2523, HB 3129, HB 3251, HB 3354, HB 3479, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 3887, HB 4163, HB 4238, HB 1240, HB 1842, HB 2029, HB 2622, HB 3255, HB 654, HB 4643, HB 4945, HB 3611, HB 3724, HB 3623, HB 3810, HB 4127, HCR 78, HCR 12, SB 767

Keywords: HB 388, HB388, coordination of benefits, COB questionnaire, health benefit plan, health insurance, insurance commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance, uniform form, primary payer, secondary payer, multiple coverage, dual coverage, Medicaid, CHIP, managed care, HMO, small employer health plan, school district health coverage, self-funded plan

Transcript Highlights:

• The second box is the ballot box, where you make yourself heard.
• They're putting Democrats on the Republican ballot and Republicans on the Democrat ballot.
• We still have to put everybody on the ballot and go through the process. Is that right?
• Excuse me, just so they can get on the ballot.
• And asked for our nomination, which would have put him on the general ballot twice.

Bills: SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's actually 7:00 p.m. for the ballots too.
• their car and running up to the ballot their car and running up to the ballot box<00:13:52.240><
• has to arrive by mail-in ballot has to arrive by uh,<00:14:44.400> by<00:14:44.600> the
• So, if it came if for the ballots too.
• <00:15:41.520> was leave in question if that ballot was leave in question if that ballot was

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 572, the nomination of Kirsten Walker to the Commission on the Status of Women, and received testimony in strong support from representatives of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, and others. Walker described nearly a decade of community advocacy focused on women, gender-diverse people, homelessness, domestic violence, substance use, reproductive and gender-diverse health care, and support for criminalized communities. Members asked about the commission’s past work and future priorities, and Walker said it should continue supporting community initiatives, studies on violence, and women-led efforts. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent, with the measure adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee then considered Governor’s Message 685, the nomination of Arielle Castillo to the Board of Registration of the Island of Oahu. Testimony from supporters emphasized her civic engagement, volunteer work, and willingness to serve in uncompensated state work. Castillo said she had worked in local politics and voter engagement, including with Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and explained her background in voter registration, election rules, and good-government efforts. Members questioned her on how she would handle close voting issues and whether her activism could affect her service; she said she would apply the law fairly, protect voting rights, and that her organization is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The committee again recommended advise and consent, and the nomination was adopted. Finally, the committee heard Governor’s Message 686, the nomination of Jonathan Simons to the Board of Registration of the Island of Hawaii. Supporters described him as thoughtful and analytical, and Simons said he is a Hilo civil engineer with a strong interest in civics and good governance. He said his role on the board would be to protect the franchise by preventing improper disenfranchisement and ensuring votes are counted appropriately, citing his mother’s work enforcing the Voting Rights Act. Members asked whether he would apply election laws fairly and without partisan bias; he said he would. The committee voted advise and consent on GM 686 as well, and all three nominations were adopted before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, at the time of registration, as well as at the time of submitting a ballot, every voter
• Attesting to and certifying at the time that they're registering and when they are casting a ballot.
• So in any of these cases where someone were to cast a ballot, if they were ineligible to vote.
• Do you know what other ballot?
• But the ballot that they cast still counted, correct?

Transcript Highlights:

• > eliminates ballot primary really eliminates ballot primary really eliminates um<00:41:55.760
• So voters roll off of these local elections. partisan ballot or a ballot that partisan ballot or a ballot
• is a controversial issue on the ballot is a controversial issue on the ballot that<01:59:37.440>
• get down the ballot, less people vote. get down the ballot, less people vote.
• required to be at the end of the ballot. required to be at the end of the ballot.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It shouldn't take weeks to count ballots.
• We're making sure there's an actual voter where this ballot is going to go.
• That is a method by which 80% of Arizonans cast their ballots and make their voice heard.
• It is a method by which 80% of Arizonans cast their ballots and make their voice heard.
• mail-in ballot went on Election Day, and they don't want somebody else's ballot in their mailbox.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Jimmy Sade as Doctor of the Day. Members also read a proclamation commending law enforcement and Border Patrol personnel involved in rescuing an eight-year-old boy from a human trafficking situation, with several members praising the interagency cooperation and the officers’ actions. The chamber then handled routine desk business, committee substitutions, first and second readings of numerous bills, and reported attendance at 56 present, three absent, and one excused. The Committee of the Whole considered HB 2096, HB 2173, HB 2451, and HCR 2001. HB 2096, HB 2173, and HB 2451 each received do-pass recommendations, while HB 2121 was retained on the calendar. HCR 2001, a proposed constitutional amendment on election requirements, drew extended debate over voter ID, mail ballots, ballot deadlines, and election security. A subfloor amendment was adopted by a 32-26 vote, and the amended resolution then received a do-pass recommendation. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the measures were assigned accordingly. On third reading, the House passed HB 2010 on digital consumer licensing disclosures by 59-0, HB 2132 on drug offenses by 59-0, HB 2155 on the Arizona Beef Council by 57-2, HB 2178 on state agency licensure requirements by 51-9, HB 2310 on employment relationships by 59-0, and HB 2395 on a Department of Education fitness-related measure by 59-0. HCR 2001 also passed on third reading by 32-27 and was sent to the Senate. Several members explained their votes, with supporters emphasizing election integrity and consumer or public-safety benefits, and opponents criticizing the election measure as restrictive and unnecessary. The House then heard multiple personal privilege remarks and announcements, including a proclamation for Cary Elwes Day, birthday and community notices, and a request for JLBC to review election-related funding. Committee meeting announcements followed, additional bill referrals and withdrawals were announced, and the House adjourned until 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd cast an affidavit ballot, I'd show my ID, and the ballot would be counted.
• I'd cast an affidavit ballot, I'd show my ID, and the ballot would be counted.
• I'd cast an affidavit ballot, I'd show my ID, and the ballot would be counted.
• I'd cast an affidavit ballot, I'd show my ID, and the ballot would be counted.
• <00:27:51.040> to<00:27:51.200> everybody ballots to everybody ballots to everybody on<

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 23 March, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, an invocation by Brother Marvin Curtis, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Routine business followed, including dispensing with the reading of the journal and committee reports, and several items on the calendar were passed and retained without debate. The chamber then moved to nominations and concurrence items. The main debate centered on Senate Bill 2588, the “Safeguard Honesty, Integrity and Elections for Lasting Democracy Shield Act.” Senator England moved to concur with House changes, explaining the bill would require voter-registration checks against DPS records and the federal SAVE database to verify citizenship, with the House amendment triggering SAVE review when no driver’s license or DPS information is available. Senator Blount opposed concurrence and moved to invite conference, arguing the bill could wrongly flag or burden lawful voters—especially elderly or inactive voters without current DPS records—and that the SAVE database was not designed to verify all state voter rolls. Senators Sparks and Dupree questioned Blount about whether the database would help prevent illegal voting and whether the bill’s process was similar to existing voter-roll maintenance procedures. England responded that the bill was narrowly tailored, not intended to disenfranchise anyone, and that even one non-citizen vote could undermine election integrity. The Senate rejected Blount’s motion to invite conference and then adopted England’s motion to concur, passing the bill by a recorded vote of 20-31-16 as reported in the transcript. Earlier, the Senate also considered a nomination for the Emergency Communications Authority Advisory Board, with McClendon speaking against the nominee and Williams defending the appointment before the motion to table reconsideration prevailed. In other action, Senate Bill 2477, concerning Rural Health Transformation Fund monies and competitive bidding requirements, was explained by Senator Bryan as adding guardrails and prioritizing rural providers; it passed by use of the afternoon roll call. At the end of the session, senators made announcements about upcoming committee meetings, including Judiciary, Forestry, Public Health and Welfare, and Gaming, and several members offered adjournments in memory of local residents and public figures. Senator England also thanked Elections Committee staff and noted that the committee’s work for the year was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to know how many people have requested early ballots.
• Chairman, how many people have requested early ballots?
• Are those ballots being preserved somewhere? Are those ballots being counted? Can you tell me, Mr.
• Can you tell me whether or not those ballots that have already been cast, whether or not those ballots
• Can you tell me whether or not those ballots are going to be discarded? No, I cannot.

Summary: The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 8, 2026, with eight members present and a quorum established. The chair reviewed public testimony procedures, emphasized that no votes would be taken that day, and explained witness card and media rules. The meeting was intended primarily for public testimony on filed maps and related matters. Before testimony began, Senator Carter raised concerns about the governor’s suspension of Louisiana’s congressional elections and asked for a representative from the Secretary of State’s office. No one from that office was present. Carter repeatedly asked about the status of early ballots and ballots already cast—whether they would be counted, preserved, or discarded—but the chair said he could not answer those questions and had not contacted the Secretary of State. The exchange centered on uncertainty over the handling of votes in the suspended congressional election, but no substantive answers were provided. The chair reiterated that the committee was there for public testimony on the maps and not to vote on any bills. No bills were presented or acted on in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Constitution by ballot question. Constitution by ballot question.
• . ballot. ballot.
• Except she teaches torts. ballot. ballot.
• The way the ballot has always been done when it's been a ballot question is, and when it's been a ballot
• The way the ballot has always been done when it's been a ballot question is, and when it's been a ballot

Keywords: 958, all