Transcript Highlights:

• Those voters will be allowed to cast ballots only in federal elections.
• For a person who's just been receiving a ballot, and now they're being given a provisional ballot, and
• two days to submit evidence to go along with that provisional ballot.
• And keep in mind, you cannot say they have voted with a provisional ballot.
• That is a modern barrier to the ballot.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills. Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package. The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the voters to decide about a proposed constitutional amendment expressly protecting the rights of
• for the voters to decide about a proposed constitutional amendment expressly protecting the rights of
• It requires placement of the proposed amendment on a statewide ballot for voter consideration.
• The proposed constitutional amendment requires a daily moment of silence and so forth, and upon request
• Senator Simon, are you ready to be recognized to explain your proposed bill? I am ready.

Bills: S0824, S1170, S1620, S1738, S7036

Keywords: school district, real property, inventory, land use, education, video monitoring, safety, special education, parental rights, public education, school board rights, transparency, employment conditions, nondisclosure agreements, educational facilities, student safety, teacher accountability, physical plant, school design, construction standards

Summary: The Education Pre-K-12 Committee considered several K-12 bills and resolutions. SJR 1104, by Senator Massullo, would place on the ballot a proposed constitutional amendment protecting voluntary religious expression in public schools; supporters said it simply codifies existing law and protects student and employee rights, while opponents warned it could entrench religious pressure and exclusion. The resolution was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1738, by Senator Yarborough, on educational facilities; an amendment removed crime-prevention-through-environmental-design language and adjusted transparency/safe-space provisions, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. SB 824, by Senator Truenow, was amended into a transparency measure requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to DOE, and it was reported favorably. Appointments in tabs 7 and 8 were recommended for confirmation. The committee then took up SPB 7036, a comprehensive education package by Chair Simon. The bill would expand educational emergency triggers, adjust Title I withholding uses, align charter school rules with school improvement processes, update safety and early learning provisions, expand literacy and math interventions, and revise educator pipeline policies. Members raised concerns about a provision that could allow the state to develop instructional materials; Simon said that section was still being considered and would need guardrails. The committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably. SB 1620, by Senator Leak, proposed a “school board members’ bill of rights” giving board members direct access to district documents and staff, limiting district attorneys’ dual representation, strengthening nepotism rules, and prohibiting nondisclosure agreements. Volusia County school board members and others testified both for and against the bill, with supporters citing transparency and accountability and opponents warning about confidentiality, staff pressure, and undermining the superintendent’s authority. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1170, by Senator Calatayud, as amended, would allow parents of students in self-contained ESE classrooms to request cameras, with district policies governing review, notice, timelines, and appeals. Parents, advocates, and educators testified strongly in support, while one witness opposed it as an unfunded mandate. The committee reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• California Democrats, with Governor Gavin Newsom's support, are proposing to rip this power away from
• Thank you Madam Chair, I will be voting no on ACA8, which is a proposed constitutional amendment that
• The governor's proposal was to cut that funding.
• The proposed districts aren't perfect as the current ones aren't, but it certainly should not elicit
• as citizens ballot initiatives only required a majority vote.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is a great proposal to resolve some of that.
• </c> currently what is three mills proposed currently what is three mills proposed be<01:31:21.199><c
• give a perspective on my proposal of four mills.
• And when it's put on the ballot, does it say that it's going to sunset in the ballot?
• Um, and ballot would be in two years.

Bills: SF0082

Keywords: registered agents, corporate governance, entity ownership, business regulations, transparency, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> up and cast a ballot up and cast a ballot so<00:37:08.720><c> any</c><00:37:09.000><c> comments<
• </c> than casting two separate uh ballots than casting two separate uh ballots you're<00:48:50.440><c
• So the idea of an exhausted ballot, or an inactive ballot, happens when a voter marks a ballot, maybe
• would no longer count in the process. exhausted ballot concern so could you exhausted ballot concern
• </c> that's a voter's choice so if ballots that's a voter's choice so if ballots become<00:58:42.000>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• extend the amount of time that our service members can receive ballots who live overseas.
• Their family members are also eligible to receive ballots.
• Their family members are also eligible to receive ballots. Okay.
• I mean, you favor, yeah, the proposal vote. Name out of curable. Machines.
• Yeah, the proposal vote. Name out of curable machines. Members, vote to machines.

Bills: HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, HR252, HR253, HR254, HR255, HR256, HCR103, HCR104, SB83, SB143, SB155, SB228, SB283, SB295, SB338, SB388, SB408, SB431, HR84, HR188, HR205, HB302, HB597, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SCR24, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB357, SB406, HR171, HCR49, HCR65, HCR72, HR37, HCR64, HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HR217, HCR11, HCR53, HCR60, HCR66, HCR68, HR9, HCR27, HCR28, HCR50, HCR62, HCR67, HCR71, HCR78, HCR81, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, HCR6, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB130, HB258, HB633, HB801, HB61, HB98, HB102, HB139, HB142, HB170, HB185, HB194, HB199, HB231, HB247, HB294, HB336, HB474, HB661, HB842, HB852, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB79, HB251, HB625, HB769, HB775, HB783, HB895, HB1011, HB1057, HB1155, HB1186, HB1224, HB1245, HB1247, HB1253, HB1254, HB1255, HB1256, SB41, SB44, SB64, SB84, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB107, SB118, SB142, SB192, SB195, SB199, SB219, SB222, SB234, SB241, SB255, SB275, SB277, SB292, SB294, SB306, SB314, SB482, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, HB646, HB824, HB341, HB682, HB766, HB926, HB998, HB1051, HB1080, HB1201, HB1223, HB603, HB940, HB1191, SB47, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, SB149, SB382

Keywords: condolences, memorial resolution, House Resolution, Shreveport, children, tragedy, sympathy, bereavement, tribute, mourning, schoolchildren, public charter school, elementary school, Head Start, family loss, Louisiana House of Representatives, condolence resolution, House resolution, victims, family support

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1927 proposes that should a private landowner wish to remove an ashtunipa tree from their land, for
• There is a proposed committee substitute, Senator Nicholson.
• But there was a ballot petition against it.
• So because of a ballot... where three or more of these members didn't want to support, it was always
• That being whenever a city council or a property owner proposes a zoning change to help combat that a

Bills: SB434, SB844, SB898, SB1177, SB1214, SB1454, SB1920, SB1927, SB1935, SB1965, SB2010, SB2046, SB2068, SB2073, SB2183, SB2260, SB3034, SB907

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the proposal to move forward with a bear hunt, as staff had put it together and recommended,
• We know that that ballot initiative passed, but But we've heard a lot of concerns from constituents and
• And so the ballot initiative of Yes on Two was to codify Hunting and fishing in the state of Florida
• It's still a proposed Springs Protection Zone that we are going to bring to the commission meeting.
• “Proposed Springs Protection Zone that we are going to bring to the Commission meeting.

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first took up the appointment of Joshua Kellum to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellum described his background in diversified land, agricultural, materials, and real estate operations and said he views himself as a conservationist. Senators questioned him closely about his development background, the balance of perspectives on the commission, his vote supporting the black bear hunt, and the use of Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds for the “Yes on 2” campaign. Supporters argued he is primarily a land steward and conservation-minded landowner, while opponents said the commission is already dominated by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kellum’s confirmation, with Senator Smith voting no and the rest of the voting members in favor. The committee then received a presentation from FWC on implementation of recently enacted boating and vessel laws. Bill Holcomb outlined changes under SB 1388 (the Boater Freedom Act), including limits on vessel stops and boarding, a new Florida Freedom Boater Safety Inspection decal, and revised rules for Springs Protection Zones. He also reviewed SB 164 on derelict and at-risk vessels, including new enforcement tools, a long-term anchoring permit, and updated penalties; HB 289, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties and education requirements; SB 830 on the disposition of migrant vessels; and HB 735 on water access facilities and boating infrastructure. Holcomb said FWC is in rulemaking, training officers, and updating forms and permitting systems to implement the laws. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and whether penalties go back to the state, and about the Springs Protection Zone standard. Holcomb said the state can recover removal costs from responsible owners and that the new springs standard requires “significant harm” and that vessel activity be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make those determinations. He said Silver Glen Springs remains a proposed zone but was paused pending the new criteria and rulemaking. The committee took no further action on the presentation and adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of other proposals, though, in fact, probably most other proposals are going to... ...though.
• So you could have multiple proposals addressing the same subject that go on the ballot.
• So their proposal, if that's what they end up doing—having multiple things on the ballot—would not be
• So... ...why has the Senate not rolled out a proposal?
• The proposals we've looked at so far do not address replacement.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax met to hear a presentation from Amy Baker on the state’s ad valorem property tax forecast and how the revenue estimating conference handles property-tax-related impact analyses. Baker explained that the conference process requires unanimous consensus, that the revenue estimating conference produces the state’s official forecast, and that her office recently overhauled the ad valorem model to use a bottom-up, county-by-county approach with separate modeling for county and school rolls, confidential parcels, and detailed categories such as homestead, non-homestead, residential, non-residential, and agricultural property. Baker walked through the current baseline numbers and the main components of taxable value, emphasizing the role of homestead differentials, especially Save Our Homes and portability, and homestead exemptions. She noted that differentials remove a large share of homestead value statewide, with especially large effects in South Florida and along the east coast, while exemptions are concentrated more heavily in northern and fiscally constrained counties. She also explained that many parcels have little or no remaining taxable value, while a smaller number of parcels hold a large share of taxable value, which makes exemption proposals highly uneven in their effects. The committee discussed how impact conferences evaluate proposed constitutional amendments or bills by measuring the change from the baseline forecast, converting taxable-value changes into tax-dollar losses using county millage rates, and then expressing results in cash and recurring terms. Baker stressed that impact analyses do not address broader budgetary effects or local government replacement decisions, and that each proposal is analyzed as a standalone measure rather than in combination with others. Senators asked about seven House property-tax proposals already analyzed, the availability of those reports online, possible interactions if multiple proposals passed, and whether property-tax relief could stimulate the economy enough to offset revenue losses. Baker said the economic effects would be highly proposal- and county-specific and that any budgetary analysis would require separate work beyond the conference process. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um there is ballot that you choose.
• I'm now affiliated with the ballot.
• One of y'all was on the ballot.
• We have a infects our ballots.
• , not who's on the what's on the ballot, not who's on the ballot,<00:45:41.520><c> and</c><00:45:41.760

Bills: HB541, SB194

Keywords: PFAS, drinking water, public health, environmental management, liability, agriculture authority, eminent domain, property rights, tax exemption, agriculture center, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know about you, but proposed.
• , which is going to contribute to ballot, which is going to contribute to overall<00:05:07.400><c> ballot
• It's also going overall ballot length.
• </c><00:06:53.400><c> the</c> the resolution proposing the the resolution proposing the constitutional
• So I'm here to I propose some year. So I'm here to I propose some amended<00:26:44.000><c> language.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we discussed the proposals for audit request today, I thought I'd provide a brief summary of my
• They couldn't beat my client at the ballot box.
• They couldn't beat my client at the ballot box.
• And, Senator, if someone disagrees with your proposal, it's not that they dislike you.
• They dislike the proposal that you brought forward.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are proposing the annual Labor We are proposing the annual Labor Code 62.5 employer assessment require
• Our proposals... Our proposal supports the state's Employee Assistance Program, or EAP.
• We recommend rejecting this proposal.
• Additionally, the proposal was reviewed by the Joint Rules Committee, which is aware of this proposal
• Well, I can say that this proposal wasn't tied to—we've had previous proposals in the past to kind of

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ACA 18 would put this measure before the voters and would ...propose to double the number of student
• In order to streamline the process to fix signature issues and get ballots processed faster, ...I rise
• To have people verify their identity via text message or to say, yes, I did cast that ballot, when you
• To have people verify their identity via text message or to say, yes, I did cast that ballot, when you
• 120,000 ballots were completely discarded because the individuals did not cure their ballots.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you want a Republican ballot or do you want a Democratic ballot? It is that cut and dried.
• Democratic ballot? It is that cut and Democratic ballot?
• In 2025 during municipals, we had three cities that came down to one ballot, five ballots, and 12 ballots
• In 2025 during municipals, we had three cities that came down to one ballot, five ballots, and 12 ballots
• In 2025 during municipals, we had three cities that came down to one ballot, five ballots, and 12 ballots

Bills: HB541

Keywords: PFAS, drinking water, public health, environmental management, liability, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have no concerns with this proposal.
• Issue number nine: Department of Human Resources, May Revision proposals.” “Proposals.” proposals.
• We recommend rejecting this proposal.
• Additionally, the proposal was reviewed by the Joint Rules Committee, which is aware of this proposal
• Well, I can say that this proposal wasn't tied to... ...we've had previous proposals in the past to kind

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, I guess I would say I'll take this more seriously when they come up with a proposal.
• If you think back just a few years ago, the people used to have the ability through advisory ballot to
• If you think back just a few years ago, the people used to have the ability through advisory ballot to
• with the bill the next year that removed the people's ability to provide feedback via the advisory ballots
• with a bill the next year that removed the people's ability to provide feedback via the advisory ballots

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders opened by criticizing several Democratic-backed measures they said would raise costs for Washington residents, including a utility surcharge in House Bill 2275, expanded producer responsibility for clothing, and a new tire fee in House Bill 2421. They framed the session around affordability concerns and argued that the majority was advancing taxes and fees that would make living and doing business in Washington more expensive. They also said the state should focus on transparency and accountability rather than new charges and restrictions. Much of the question period focused on immigration-related issues and public safety. The leaders condemned recent comments by Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown about events in Minnesota, saying the incidents should be investigated carefully without inflaming tensions. They opposed a Senate bill addressing face coverings for law enforcement and another proposal to fine the Northwest Detention Center if state inspectors are denied access, arguing both were attempts to regulate or pressure federal authorities. They also criticized a bill that would bar certain ICE agents from future law enforcement jobs in Washington, saying it would not improve public safety and would distract from the state’s shortage of officers. The leaders also discussed several other bills and policy ideas. They said a House bill limiting local anti-camping enforcement was delayed and expected back next week, with cities concerned about implementation and liability. They expressed general support for restoring College Bound funding for private universities, but said it should be handled through the budget without new taxes. They backed a bill to increase reporting and accountability for nonprofit and housing-related programs, citing concerns about fraud and misuse of public funds. They also strongly opposed a bill they said would make the initiative process harder, calling it undemocratic and a continued effort to reduce voter influence.

Transcript Highlights:

• The autonomy of proposed in this bill.
• Requires the notice to be in 32-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot.
• Requires the notice to be in 32-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot.
• Requires the notice to be in 32-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot.
• Requires the notice to be in 32-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot.

Bills: SB2444, SB2446, SB2450, SB2453, SB2461, SB2457, SB2462, SB2313, SB2528, SB2532, SB2571, SB2678, SB2529

Keywords: real property, exemption, attachment, execution, consumer protection, financial security, inflation adjustment, head of family, senior citizens, Intermediate Court of Appeals, judges, Hawaii judiciary, court membership, legal system, presidential preference primary, elections, political parties, Hawaii voting, 2028 election, voting

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor has proposed an income cap on ESAs. Do you agree with that proposal?
• It's exactly what most Arizonans, if we put this on the ballot... ...if we put this on the ballot, this
• The simple fact is that this ballot referral is not about sports.
• And to the ballot from last session, we're expecting about 14.
• And to the ballot from last session, we're expecting about 14.

Summary: The committee first heard Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horn’s annual State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, school choice, teacher pay, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools and teacher preparation. Horn said the department has expanded school police officers, promoted Project Momentum and tutoring, supported cell phone restrictions in classrooms, and pushed for more phonics-based reading instruction and stronger university teacher-prep programs. Members questioned him about DEI complaints, cell phone implementation, ESA oversight, school safety funding, reading proficiency, and teacher compensation; Horn said ESA spending is reviewed and recovered when inappropriate, and argued teacher raises should come directly to teachers, not through districts. No formal action was taken on his presentation. The committee then considered HB 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues to professional library associations. Sponsor Representative Cooper argued the bill would keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while saying membership itself would still be allowed if paid privately. Opponents, including a former librarian, a school board member, and the ACLU of Arizona, said the bill would undermine professional development, local control, literacy support, and constitutional rights of association and petition. Supporters said associations promote ideological content and that free professional-development alternatives exist. After public testimony and debate, the committee voted to return HB 2008 with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• By the way, in that example, voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposal put forward by city council
• courthouse and a juvenile detention facility several years after voters rejected again a similar proposal
• You have an opportunity to rejigger your proposal and then come back at them in the very next cycle,
• Bond proposal fails, then 2 years later, it passes, and for whatever reason, there's a big change order
• So you put the certificates of obligation on the ballot. No, they were not on the ballot.