Video & Transcript : 'Clerk' :
Page 50 of 469
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will call the roll. Senator King. Here. Senator Sparks. Here. Senator Alvarado. Here.
- The clerk will call the roll. Senator Alvarado? Aye. Senator Johnson? Aye. Senator Schwertner? Aye.
- The clerk will call the roll. The clerk will call the roll. Senator Alvarado? Aye. Senator Johnson?
- The clerk will call the roll. Senator Alvarado? Senator Johnson? Senator Schwertner? Aye.
- The clerk will call the roll. Senator Alvarado. Senator Johnson. Senator Schwertner. Aye.
Committee:
Senate Economic Development
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 4/28/25 - Part 1
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will close the role. The clerk will read the journal of the preceding day.
- Hearing no corrected by the chief clerk.
- A copy of clerk. Comparison reports.
- The chief clerk will report the House files and give them their first reading.
- </c> register be referred to the chief clerk register be referred to the chief clerk for<00:12:06.959
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Madame Clerk, please call the roll. Senator Awa here. Senator Chang. Senator DeCoite.
- Further introductions, if not, Madam Clerk, on page two introduction of measures. Senator Rhoads.
- Further introductions, if not, Madam Clerk, on page two introduction of measures. Aloha.
- on page two introduction not Madam clerk on page two introduction of<00:02:11.959><c> measures</c><00
- </c> committee so ordered Madam clerk committee so ordered Madam clerk referrals<00:02:22.000><c> and
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk call. Mr.
- >> Clerk<00:09:51.120><c> call.</c> >> Clerk call. >> Clerk call.
- Clerk.
- </c> the clerk of the house. the clerk of the house.
- Clerk call.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 4 February, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Open the machine, Madam Clerk. Is everyone voted? Close the machine, Madam Clerk.
- Madam clerk. By vote. Close the machine. Madam clerk.
- Madam clerk. In favor of the machine. Madam clerk.
- Madam clerk. In favor of the machine. Madam clerk.
- Madam<06:18:31.760><c> clerk,</c> Madam clerk, Madam clerk, favor<06:18:33.840><c> the</c><06:18:34.000
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 6th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That's AB 1944 by Assembly Member Lee; the clerk will read.
- AB 2004 by Assembly Member Al-Annees, the clerk will read.
- Clerk will read the resolution on the consent calendar.
- The clerk will close the roll. There are 57 co-authors.
- Seeing and hearing none, the clerk will read the second-day consent calendar.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk will call the roll.
- Clerk is distributing.
- Clerk: Yes, Mr. Chair.
- Clerk will read. Mr.
- Clerk will call the roll. Senator Boren. Clerk will call the roll.
Bills:
SB1450 , SB1458 , SB1232 , SB1238 , SB1325 , SB1209 , SB1362 , SB2072 , SB1451 , SB1540 , SB1581 , SB1535 , SB1266 , SB1927 , SB1460 , SB2084 , SB2182
Committee:
Senate Judiciary
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and considered a long series of bills, mostly on criminal justice, elections, civil procedure, and higher education liability. Early measures included SB 1450, allowing judges to waive certain fines and fees for people who have completed probation or incarceration, with an amendment requiring a request and a judicial order; SB 1458, repealing a statute that allowed disclosure of grand jury witnesses; SB 1232, increasing penalties for tower vandalism and copper theft; SB 1238, making domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor a felony on the first offense; and SB 1325, requiring GPS monitoring and victim-alert protections for certain domestic abuse defendants before release. All of those bills advanced, most on strong or unanimous votes, though SB 1458 and SB 1232 each had one nay.
The committee also advanced SB 1209, which adjusted eviction-related civil procedure timelines by replacing “weekends” with Sundays and holidays in the filing-to-summons period, and SB 1362, which standardized early voting hours across the state’s consolidated election schedule, with Thursdays through Saturdays set at 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays retained for general elections. Members asked about the effect on landlords, voters, rural counties, and staffing, and the authors said the changes were intended to improve consistency and give more time for payment or mediation. SB 2072, dealing with deed fraud and title theft, was amended to clarify that fee waivers apply to orders restoring title after a fraudulent conveyance, and then advanced unanimously.
Later, the committee considered SB 1451, which adds a checkbox for prior voter registration, codifies cancellation of prior registrations, and requires an annual statistical report on registration notices; it advanced on a 6-2 vote after questions about whether the bill could burden voters. SB 1540 created a new felony offense for “grooming” a minor, prompting debate over whether existing indecent-proposal statutes already cover similar conduct; it advanced 7-1. SB 1581 extended the time for county grand jury initiative petitions from 45 to 90 days and added a protest period, and SB 1535 would adjust charity-enforcement procedures for the Attorney General; both advanced. The committee also advanced SB 1266, increasing penalties for violations of the anti-notario law, SB 1927, elevating unauthorized boarding or refusal to leave a school bus to a felony, SB 1460, strengthening penalties for repeat peeping Tom and clandestine recording offenses, and SB 2182, creating civil remedies for nonconsensual sharing of intimate images. SB 1618 was laid over, and the meeting adjourned with notice of another meeting the following week.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 10th, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will open the roll.
- Clerk will read. Yes, please. Clerk will read.
- The clerk will read the amendment.
- Clerk will read.
- The clerk will open the roll. The clerk will open the roll.
Bills:
HB1427 , SB1403 , SB1448 , SB1489 , SB1546 , SB1557 , SB1614 , SB1377 , SB1990 , SB1439 , SB1630 , SB1632 , SB1696 , SB1796 , SB1824 , SB1362 , SB1849 , SB2066 , SB2071 , SB2104 , SB933 , SB1633 , SB1224 , SB1246 , SB1280 , SB1303 , SB1346
Summary:
The Senate took up a long series of bills, mostly on third reading, with several unanimous or near-unanimous votes and a few more contested measures. Early action included House Bill 1427, which was substituted to add the bank privilege tax section to an existing clean-burning motor vehicle fuel tax credit without changing the cap or creating a fiscal impact; it advanced 45-0. Senate Bill 1403, an IEC recommendation affecting Quality Jobs incentives by requiring rebate claims within one year and eliminating the statewide wage threshold, passed 32-15. Senate Bill 1448, narrowing exclusions under the Consumer Protection Act to improve enforcement, passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1489, codifying IDEA-related procedures in state law and adding principal training and parent participation provisions, was amended on the floor, debated at length about implementation and special education services, and then passed 47-0 as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1546 renamed and expanded the teacher scholarship program to Next Ed, increasing scholarship amounts while keeping the service commitment, and passed 37-10 as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1557 transferred behavior analyst licensure duties from DHS to the State Board of Psychologists and passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1614 closed a loophole allowing adjunct teachers to teach early elementary reading and math and passed 46-0 as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1377, requiring DHS to provide foster children with duffel bags and essentials, passed 46-0 as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1990 strengthened the incentive evaluation report by requiring analysis of whether incentives actually changed business behavior, and passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1439, with amendments, barred certain climate-change-related lawsuits against fossil fuel entities operating within the law, and passed 40-7. Senate Bill 1630 allowed limited virtual instruction days during statewide testing and passed 47-0 as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1632 moved career readiness assessment authority to the State Department of Education and clarified college-credit translation, passing 46-0 as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1696, a local recruitment grant program to attract new residents to Oklahoma, failed 17-30, with notice of possible reconsideration. Senate Bill 1796 shortened the time for informal foster care arrangements from seven days to 72 hours and added guardrails, passing 46-0. Senate Bill 1824 updated the corporation and LLC statutes and passed 46-0. Senate Bill 1362 standardized in-person early voting hours across election types and passed 36-9. Senate Bill 1849 allowed the Podiatric Medical Examiners Board to approve certain medical marijuana continuing education for credit and passed 44-0. Senate Bill 2066 relaxed recording margin requirements for documents filed in multiple counties and passed 45-0 as an emergency measure. The final major item, Senate Bill 2071, a Department of Agriculture request bill updating milk regulation to cover all hooved mammals and align with federal authority, drew extensive debate over an amendment to remove the fee increase and over concerns that the bill would harm a small donkey dairy’s ability to advertise; the fee amendment was laid over, a motion to suspend the rules for an untimely amendment failed, and the bill itself was then advanced for further consideration after lengthy questioning.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty Three - Thursday, March 5
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will ring the bell.
- The clerk will close the board and tally the vote.
- The clerk will close the board and tally the vote.
- The clerk will ring the bell and open the board. The clerk will ring the bell and open the board.
- The clerk will ring the bell.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (02/21/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- The chair then asked the clerk to call the roll on the motion.
- </c><00:23:47.799><c> votes</c><00:23:48.120><c> no</c> Murphy no the clerk votes no Murphy no the clerk
- Seeing no discussion, the clerk called the roll.
- The clerk voted yes. Representative Newell voted no.
- </c> representative Murphy yes the clerk representative Murphy yes the clerk votes<01:16:51.480><c> yes
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 35 (2-26-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk, that is your assuming, Mr. Clerk, that is your report. report. report.
- </c><00:09:44.240><c> Clerk.</c> resolutions, Mr. Clerk. resolutions, Mr. Clerk.
- </c> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Madam Clerk.
- Clerk, please report.
- Clerk. The next order of Thank you, Mr. Clerk.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and excused absent members. The chamber received second readings of several bills and resolutions, including measures on ad valorem taxes, planning and zoning, tax-dollar restrictions, provisional medical licensing, Medicaid oversight, environmental regulations, municipal financial reporting, nuclear workforce development, and county law libraries. Committee reports advanced bills on economic development, education, judiciary, and veterans/public protection, and the body also received a list of newly filed bills and resolutions covering topics such as rural revitalization, athletics, SNAP eligibility, diaper tax exemption, domestic violence, middle school math, pedestrian bridges, constitutional amendments, education, and several honorary resolutions.
The Senate then took up House Bill 314, which would reorganize the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (Kentucky Wired) by moving it under the Commonwealth Office of Technology, restructuring its board, and adding members representing cities and counties. Supporters said the bill was an administrative change, not a funding measure, intended to focus the network on students, teachers, and public users while awaiting an audit. Critics argued the project has been a costly taxpayer burden and called for stronger oversight. The bill passed final passage 32-6.
The chamber also passed Senate Bill 157, which aligns Kentucky law with federal mortgage rules so that certain rate buy-down payments do not count against borrower fee caps, with supporters saying it would help housing affordability and reduce costs for borrowers. Senate Bill 214 also passed unanimously; it allows the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to accept non-federal funding for grants without routing those funds through the Department of Finance. The Senate later adopted several resolutions, including Senate Resolution 61 recognizing Links Incorporated Day, Senate Resolution 114 commemorating the 80th Southern Legislative Conference, and Senate Resolution 118 honoring Joseph H. Mattingly Jr. Additional remarks highlighted a Black History Celebration event and a lengthy floor speech criticizing the Kentucky Hospital Association’s reserves and urging investigation, followed by consideration of Senate Resolution 55 on Profound Autism Day in Kentucky.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-05 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will record their presence.
- The clerk will lock the machine and announce the presence of a quorum.
- The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will proceed to vote.
- The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote.
- The clerk will unlock the machine and members will proceed to vote.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two service members killed in the Middle East, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members adopted the special order report and then began taking up the special order calendar. The first major measure was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which included a hunting, fishing, and camping sales tax holiday, a back-to-school holiday moved earlier in the summer, property tax changes for mobile home parks and other exemptions, reductions in pari-mutuel taxes and fees, extensions and expansions of several tax credit programs, vacation-rental tax collection changes, and a full decoupling from federal tax changes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill drew questions about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution, housing and home-hardening provisions, and family tax relief, while opponents objected to the firearm-related tax break. HB 7031 passed 105-2.
The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations, which updates business development rules, board membership, and creates a strategic spaceport hub designation. CS/CS HB 639/CS SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened financial and nonprofit requirements for plate sponsors. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed after debate on pharmacy benefit manager reforms requiring equal reimbursement, prohibiting forced losses on drugs, and allowing consolidated appeals. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed with an amendment clarifying fingerprinting provisions, and CS/CS HB 527 passed with a human-review requirement for insurance claim denials so AI cannot be the sole basis for denying or reducing claims.
Additional bills approved included CS HB 1449, which limits use of the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program when a claim is already in the federal process and, by amendment, narrows the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims of $50,000 or less; CS HB 93, requiring surgical smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers, which passed overwhelmingly after emotional bipartisan praise for the sponsor’s multi-session effort; and CS HB 1217, which prohibits governmental entities from adopting net-zero greenhouse gas policies, after Democrats argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts and Republicans argued it protects energy reliability and affordability. The House also passed CS/CS HB 1461 establishing a framework for licensing and regulating advanced nuclear reactors, with supporters framing it as a step toward reliable, affordable, cleaner energy. Later, CS HB 1229 on residential homes for medically or technologically dependent children was explained as creating a licensure program for medically complex children’s homes and was rolled over for final passage as the transcript ended.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Clerk will take the roll.
- Clerk, >> Without objection. So ordered. Clerk, please<00:07:00.720><c> report.
- Clerk.
- Clerk, please report.
- Clerk, please report.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jan 8th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All amendments shall be filed electronically in the Office of the Clerk of the Senate by 3:30 p.m. on
- The clerk shall further specify the procedure and format for filing all amendments consistent with this
- Rogers, has presented an order which the clerk will read: Order that, notwithstanding Senate Rule 7 or
- All amendments shall be filed electronically in the Office of the Clerk of the Senate by 3:30 p.m. on
- The same senator offers an order which the clerk will read: Ms.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-04 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will lock the machine. Have all members voted?
- The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote.
- The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote.
- The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote.
- The clerk will lock the machine. All members voted.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery recognitions. The chamber adopted the special order report and then took up a series of bills on the special order calendar. Early measures included CS/HB 967 on electronic payments to local governments, which passed 110-0, and HB 127 requiring cursive writing instruction in grades 2-5, which passed 111-0 after members spoke about literacy, signatures, and heritage. CS/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 111-0 and would allow certain students to use Special Olympics participation for PE credit and marching band for PE and arts credit. The House also passed CS/HB 237 on use of professional nursing titles, which requires APRNs using the title doctor to clarify they are APRNs, by 111-0.
The chamber then debated HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment on religious expression in public schools. Supporters said it would codify existing statutory protections for student and school personnel religious expression and let voters decide; opponents argued it was unnecessary, could create confusion, and risked constitutional problems involving school-sponsored prayer and the separation of church and state. After structured debate, the resolution passed 93-17. The House next passed CS/HB 363 on dental therapy, which creates a licensed mid-level dental provider and drew sharp debate over access to care versus patient safety; it passed 80-29. HB 375 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 78-28, and HB 301 on psychiatric mental health APRN autonomous practice passed 88-18.
Later, the House passed HB 863 on arbitration for Citizens Property Insurance disputes, giving policyholders a choice between arbitration and court, by 105-3, and HB 1399 on property insurance affiliates, which increases oversight of insurer-affiliate transactions, by 160-3. Members also heard and advanced a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief of Eribeito and Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg, describing severe injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport; the bill was rolled over for third reading at the end of the transcript. Throughout the day, members also paused for multiple recognitions of visiting students, local officials, professional groups, and community organizations.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 15 (1-28-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk.
- Clerk, if you would please report Mr.
- Clerk, please report.
- Clerk.
- clerk clerk to report Senate resolution 33<00:28:33.840><c> and</c><00:28:34.159><c> read</c><00:28:
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and approved the journal. The House clerk communicated that the House had passed House Bills 34 and 306 and requested concurrence. The State and Local Government Committee reported Senate Bills 20 and 68 favorably, and several new bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on Kentucky-grown agricultural procurement, an endowed research fund, unemployment insurance, postsecondary education, wrongful conviction compensation, massage therapy, local fiscal reporting, and a resolution honoring John and Debbie Rogers.
The main floor action was on Senate Joint Resolution 23, as amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state and directing state agencies to advance food-as-medicine initiatives. The sponsor described the resolution as a statewide framework to connect nutrition, health care, agriculture, and local food systems, emphasizing partnerships with the Kentucky Hospital Association and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, better health outcomes, and support for Kentucky farmers and rural communities. Senators from Taylor and Callaway spoke in support, citing local examples and the goal of building Kentucky-based solutions rather than importing them. The committee substitute was adopted by voice vote, and the resolution then passed 35-0.
The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 56 honoring Elder Nathan Craig and Sister Amy Craig, and Senate Resolution 33 honoring Robert E. “Bob” Pernell, Sr. Senate Resolution 22, honoring Brian J. Hat, was likewise adopted. After the day’s business, the Senate recessed for meetings of the Rules Committee and the Committee on Committees. Later, the Committee on Committees referred Senate Bills 1-4 to Education, Senate Bill 48 to Judiciary, and Senate Bills 84 and 102 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. Several members made announcements about upcoming committee meetings and events, including the VMAP committee, Judiciary, the Kentucky Japan Caucus, the Kentucky Israel Caucus, and an American Cancer Society action day.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will lock the machine and announce the presence of a quorum.
- The clerk will lock the machine and announce the vote.
- The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will proceed to vote.
- A clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will proceed to vote.
- The clerk will lock the machine.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for stopping the April campus shooter. The Speaker then outlined the final week of session, noting the House had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, but that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed this week. The chamber also adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day.
The House took up several Senate bills on special order, largely technical or open-government measures, and passed them with little or no opposition. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and revisor’s changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public-records and meeting exemptions for matters such as Public Service Commission proprietary information, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety records, cybersecurity, emergency shelter contact information, conviction integrity units, and trade secrets. Most passed overwhelmingly, though SB 7006 drew 99-8, SB 7022 on public records for exam integrity passed 101-8 after questions about testing materials and scoring rubrics, and SB 7026 on trade secrets passed 106-3.
The most substantive floor debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had become a “slush fund” and had been used for the Everglades detention facility rather than emergencies; several members supported her on fiscal and separation-of-powers grounds, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. The House rejected Eskamani’s amendment and then adopted a Griffiths strike-all amendment adding accountability measures, including spending limits, quarterly reporting, asset tracking, and a sunset/review provision. SB 7040 then passed 82-25. The chamber also passed CS/CS SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which prompted extended questions about vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and foreign passport/I-94 documentation; the bill was still under amendment and debate when the transcript ended.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Clerk, please read House Resolution 1052.
- Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Is everyone voted?
- Madam Clerk, please read. Senate Bill 3. Senate Bill 3.
- Madam Clerk, please read Senate Bill 4. Senate Bill 4.
- Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Everyone voted.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests in the galleries, including state officers, medical personnel, student groups, and former first ladies. Members adopted consent-calendar resolutions, and House Resolution 1052 concerning Arkansas Girl State was withdrawn after Rep. DeAnn Vaught explained that 150 girls had missed a registration deadline and that the House would instead host an alternative Girls State experience this summer.
The chamber then took up several fiscal-session appropriation bills. Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 15, 21, and 31, covering appropriations for Shared Services, Health licensing and regulation, Commerce/Insurance, Parks and Tourism, Human Services adult-aging-behavioral health, and administrative courts, all passed with large bipartisan margins. Senate Bill 75, an economic development appropriation for West Memphis, also passed after brief discussion. Senate Bill 77, an unfunded appropriation related to Arkansas Television Network/PBS matching funds, drew extended debate over whether it should support PBS programming, infrastructure, or private-donation matching; it failed on the first vote, was brought back for reconsideration because some members had not voted, and then failed again 73-24.
After the fiscal work concluded, Rep. Meeks moved to adjourn sine die, ending the House’s fiscal session. The House then convened as a caucus to elect the Speaker-designate for the 96th General Assembly. The body suspended the formal election process and unanimously elected Speaker Brian S. Evans as Speaker-designate. Evans thanked members, reflected on the prior session, and pledged continued leadership and accountability before the House adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair, so there were some concerns with our county clerks.
- A conversation would take place between the secretary and the county clerk or clerks who are impacted
- by that emergency. ...between the secretary and the county clerk or clerks who are impacted by that
- So a lot of this, again, to your point, with— ...working with clerks and getting feedback from clerks
- , this was run by the county clerks in the summer.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard a bill aimed at protecting New Mexico elections from outside interference and codifying emergency election procedures. The sponsor argued New Mexico already ranks first nationally in election administration, but said the bill was needed in response to threats of federal interference, including possible deployment of federal agents at polling places. The bill would create state prohibitions on stationing troops or armed federal personnel at polling places, interfering with election workers or voters, or changing voter qualifications or election rules contrary to state law. It would also create civil enforcement authority for the Attorney General, Secretary of State, county clerks, or affected voters, with injunctions and civil penalties, and make violations a fourth-degree felony.
A second major section would allow emergency changes to polling locations and voting procedures during declared disasters such as wildfires or floods without first obtaining a court order, including use of mobile voting units and secure online ballot return options for some voters. The Secretary of State’s office said these procedures were already largely in rule and that the fiscal impact would be minimal, with existing voter education materials and law enforcement guides covering implementation. The office also said the bill would extend who may request law enforcement assistance and strengthen existing election offenses by adding “under color of law” language and a new offense for intentionally obstructing access to a polling place.
Committee members raised concerns about definitions, possible effects on military personnel, police, federal officers, county clerks, tribal jurisdictions, and polling places on federal property, as well as the scope of civil penalties and how intent would be proven. Several members questioned whether the bill was rushed, whether all analyses had been received, and whether the emergency provisions could disadvantage rural communities if notice requirements could not be met during disasters. The sponsor and Secretary of State representative responded that the bill would not prevent qualified voters, including military members, from voting, that local police were treated differently from federal personnel, and that courts would determine intent and appropriate defendants. No vote was taken; the chair said the hearing was being held as a subcommittee and would reconvene later, likely the next day, for a vote.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk will lock the chain. Members will cast their presence. Thank you. Thank you.
- House Bill 605 will be filed in the Office of the Chief Clerk.
- Clerk will lock the machine, and members will cast their votes. Clerk will lock the machine.
- Clerk will lock the machine. Members will cast their votes.
- Clerk may read.