Video & Transcript : 'ballot proposals' :
Page 58 of 500
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/03/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #3
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, members, HCR 2043, Congressional Term Limits Convention, calls for an Article V Convention to propose
- others who are not citizens of the United States from giving money to candidates does not apply to ballot
- So prior to that, everybody sort of assumed ballot measure committees were subject to that federal law
- Last year, an attempt to prohibit the use of contributions from foreign individuals for ballot measure
- This sends a ballot measure to the voters for this general election in November to limit the number of
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with members frequently asking to pull measures from consent and noting party-line or unanimous votes. Topics included medical and vaccination restrictions (HB 2248, HB 2086), state investment and conflict-of-interest rules for the treasurer (HB 2303), budget and reporting requirements (HB 2688, HB 2015), procurement limits involving China-linked companies (HB 2170, HB 2134), homelessness administration (HB 2533), traffic and transportation measures (HB 2109, HB 2574, HB 2210), school testing and education policy (HB 2032, HB 2033, HB 2075, HB 2266, HB 2395, HCR 2003), and several health-care bills involving lactation services, gender-transition care for minors, abortion-related restrictions, and hospital immigration-status reporting (HB 2072, HB 2085, HB 2364, HB 2689, HB 2796). Members also discussed water policy, including desalination, groundwater transport, and water-use limits (HB 2052, HB 2056, HB 2098, HB 2758, HB 2328), as well as food and agriculture measures such as SNAP restrictions, cultivated-cell food labeling and bans, and the Beef Council extension (HB 2396, HB 2762, HB 2791, HB 2155). Several members criticized bills as unconstitutional, costly, or harmful to affordability, while sponsors described them as clarifications, consumer protections, or administrative fixes.
The caucus also considered a number of bills affecting labor, property, and consumer issues, including unemployment eligibility changes, mobile home park submetering fees, appraisal management company rules, digital goods seller requirements, property tax clarifications, and protections for minors in online content creation (HB 2690, HB 2459, HB 2501, HB 2010, HB 2120, HB 2192, HB 2261, HB 2279). Other measures addressed sexual extortion penalties, name-change procedures for sex offenders, and restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs and gender-transition procedures for minors (HB 2666, HB 2223, HB 2364, HB 2085). Members repeatedly raised concerns about federal preemption, constitutional issues, implementation costs, and unintended consequences, and several sponsors or members indicated they were working on amendments or stakeholder discussions.
At the end of the meeting, the caucus also heard memorials and resolutions, including a proposal to limit voting centers and precinct voting, and memorials urging withdrawal from the United Nations and defunding the IMF (HCR 2016, HM 2001, HM 2004). The meeting concluded with caucus announcements, including an affordability-themed award recognizing Rep. Betty Villegas, a Black History Month sign-up request, and reminders about upcoming affordability and Latino Caucus events. No final floor votes were taken in the transcript, but multiple bills were pulled from consent or noted for opposition.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 4/3/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Sullivan. can there he is uh would propose a an can there he is uh would propose a an oral<00:02:34.760
- </c> opportunity to uh support the proposed opportunity to uh support the proposed Constitutional<01:
- We didn't take it to the ballot to let the people have a choice.
- We didn't take it to the ballot to let the people have a choice.
- We didn't take it to the ballot to let the people have a choice.
Committee:
House State Government Finance and Policy
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty Three - Thursday, March 5
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- this will provide much needed legislative oversight to the rulemaking process, ensuring that the proposed
- There's a part about the ballot language, though, as well.
- I just wanted to make sure that the body understood the revisions to the ballot language, too.
- The ballot language, at one time, it said that it was for the dissolving of your water district.
- This ballot language makes sure that it says there has to be another water district available to you.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- law was kind of fuzzy on whether they could vote at the old address. precinct or vote a provisional ballot
- literally you show up at the polls and say, "Hey, I'm Bob; I want to vote," and they say, "Sure, how many ballots
- , normally you go to your new place and show your information, and they'll let you vote a limited ballot
- So normally, the standard practice we believe is letting you vote a limited ballot that doesn’t have
- questions because the way I read the bill, it says the president shall mail notice of the budget and proposed
Bills:
SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 10 , SB 16 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB 19 , SB 54 , HB23 , HB17 , HB16 , SB19 , SB53 , SB54 , HB16 , HB17 , HB23 , HB27 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB2 , SB3 , SB10 , SB16 , SB5
Keywords:
flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 7, 2025 - 01:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- ESWCD and many other districts have reconstituted to comply with an array of recent legislative proposed
- Salzman was able to send an aide in the fall to express our similar concerns about past and proposed
- So five elected officials—it costs us more as supervisors of elections to print them on the ballot.
- So five elected officials—it costs us more as supervisors of elections to print them on the ballot, and
- And so, again, when you look at now 175 positions that are now going to be on your ballot, I would suggest
Summary:
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 973, a broad special districts bill focused heavily on soil and water conservation districts. The bill would dissolve 35 soil and water districts effective December 31, 2025, based on an OPAGA review that found widespread problems such as lack of revenue, inactive boards, poor notice practices, public records issues, and late financial reporting. It also would let special districts use state contracts, authorize FDLE background checks for district employees, preserve fire district taxing/service authority after annexation, extend liability protections for outdoor recreation on certain district lands, tighten eligibility for soil and water supervisors, and shift complaint review to the Commission on Ethics. Supporters argued the districts are often inactive, duplicative, and costly to review, while opponents said many districts provide local conservation, water quality, outreach, and volunteer services and should be given more time to remediate.
Public testimony on HB 973 was mixed. Several soil and water district chairs and related advocates opposed the bill, saying their districts provide local conservation, flood, invasive species, education, and coordination services at little or no taxpayer cost, and that abolishing them would remove local representation and collaboration. The bill’s proponent, the Florida Association of Special Districts, supported the measure as a limited-government and accountability reform, arguing that districts with no revenue or contracts should not continue. Members debated whether the bill was relying on the OPAGA report while also eliminating future performance reviews, whether the Department of Agriculture could absorb the added responsibilities, and whether the districts should have been given more time to correct deficiencies. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably, with one no vote from Representative Hinson.
The committee then considered CS/HB 995, which applies to Monroe County and the Florida Keys. The bill would exempt Habitat for Humanity in the Keys from construction performance bond requirements for affordable housing, extend the Florida Keys land acquisition/set-aside authority in Florida Forever for 10 more years, and extend the hurricane evacuation time frame from 24 hours to 24.5 hours to allow up to 825 additional residential permit allocations, phased in over 10 years and directed largely toward vacant buildable lots and workforce housing. An amendment was adopted to codify the 825-unit allocation and the distribution framework. With no opposition offered on the bill, the committee reported HB 995 favorably by unanimous vote.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> center or want to cast a ballot there. center or want to cast a ballot there.
- </c> ballot box. ballot box.
- </c><01:03:34.720><c> box</c> to grow as access to the ballot box to grow as access to the ballot box
- </c> The alternative is a mail-in ballot. The alternative is a mail-in ballot.
- Maryland is a ballots in person.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Which of these proposals do you want to start with?
- Which of these proposals do you want to Which of these proposals do you want to start<00:19:49.800><c
- </c> uh Madam Chair, uh what this proposal uh Madam Chair, uh what this proposal would<00:31:40.600><
- </c> community center and the proposed community center and the proposed construction<00:37:18.000><c
- </c> presented this proposal. presented this proposal. So. So. So.
Committee:
Senate Taxes
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Joint Legislative Audit
Transcript Highlights:
- Before we discuss the proposals for audit request today, I thought I'd provide a brief summary of my
- One of these audit requests is on the proposed consent calendar, so we will have four presentations.
- 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.
Committee:
Joint Joint Legislative Audit
Summary:
The committee met as a subcommittee because it initially lacked a quorum, heard a status update from State Auditor Grant Parks, and reviewed several new audit requests. Parks reported that 10 previously requested audits were underway, with most expected to be released in spring/summer and one pesticide audit still pending; he also noted ongoing litigation with Huntington Beach over a 2024 audit. He said the office had grown to just over 200 employees and could start about five new JALAC audits between April and July. The committee also noted that one Prop. 28 request was being held and one PUC-related request was moved off consent to the regular calendar.
Senator Cervantes presented an audit request on California fusion centers, arguing they operate with little public oversight and may collect, share, and store sensitive information without adequate transparency or safeguards. Supporters, including former FBI agent Mike German and ACLU California Action, said fusion centers function as secretive intelligence-sharing hubs that can produce inaccurate or biased reports and may undermine privacy and civil liberties. Parks said the audit would examine the State Threat Assessment Center and two local fusion centers, focusing on oversight, legal authority, data quality, unauthorized disclosure controls, use of private vendors, funding, and performance metrics, while warning of likely access and public-disclosure limitations. The request drew sharp opposition from Assembly Member DeMaio, who called it a politicized “witch hunt,” but public comment included support from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Senator Allen then presented an audit of the Public Utilities Commission’s enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for customer-sited solar and storage projects. He and witnesses said utilities have repeatedly missed deadlines, causing long delays and added costs for schools, nonprofits, and other customers; CPUC staff responded that the commission adopted timelines and compliance benchmarks in 2020, publishes quarterly data, and is already pursuing the issue through workshops and an open proceeding. Parks said the audit would assess CPUC monitoring, enforcement tools, and reasons for utility noncompliance. Public comment was mixed, with solar advocates supporting the request and PG&E objecting on process grounds and arguing the commission’s ongoing proceeding should address the issue.
Senator Perez, with Senator Fong, requested an audit of Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 corridor property sales and affordable housing program. They described tenant complaints about mold, pests, deferred maintenance, inconsistent pricing and eligibility information, and possible failures to inform residents of purchase rights; Caltrans said it is working to complete sales and has already closed 59 properties since fiscal year 2024-25. Parks said the audit would examine compliance with the Roberti Act, pricing, appraisals, communications, rent accounting, property maintenance, and follow-up on prior recommendations. Finally, Senator Umberg requested an audit of the Orange County Board of Education, citing transparency, litigation spending, charter authorization, procurement, and whistleblower concerns; after quorum was established, Parks said the audit would review Brown Act and Public Records Act compliance, public resource use, contracting, litigation costs, charter oversight, and retaliation complaints.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 03:25 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- The Chairman mentioned a proposed strike-and-insert committee amendment.
- Chairman mentioned a proposed strike and insert committee amendment.
- The resolution would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
- The chairman's amendment proposes to strike and insert language.
- As mentioned, there is a proposed committee substitute.
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate.
Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection.
The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Jan 8th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Another, which the last legislative assembly has already put forward, is proposed adjustments to the
- The legislature referred a ballot measure in 2014 that removed the specific chamber limits and created
- Then, in 2020, another legislatively referred measure was proposed.
- Later, citizen initiatives failed to gather the necessary signatures to be put back on the ballot for
- I move the adoption of the proposed revisions in the policy and in the forms. Is there a second?
Summary:
The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and heard an update from Garty Consulting on the interim study of legislative term limits. The consultants outlined their research plan and preliminary themes, including loss of institutional knowledge, shifts in power toward executive agencies and lobbyists, reduced long-term policy capacity, faster leadership turnover, and recruitment/support challenges. They also described possible recommendation categories ranging from constitutional and statutory changes to procedural and cultural adjustments. Committee members asked about how other states repealed term limits, how the public survey would address perceptions of term limits, and how stakeholder focus groups would be selected. The committee also heard a presentation from NCSL on term limits in other states, including examples from Nevada, Montana, and Colorado, with discussion of training programs, staffing changes, annual-session debates, bill limits, and impacts on decorum and leadership continuity. Several members requested follow-up data on part-time versus full-time legislatures, taxpayer costs, and nonpartisan staff devoted to oversight.
The committee then considered revisions to the legislature’s workplace harassment policy and related forms. Legislative Council explained changes that clarified the definition of harassment, added captions for readability, extended several deadlines, allowed informal resolution before a review panel is appointed, clarified the role of Legislative Council in intake and documentation, and updated confidentiality/open-records language. Members, especially Senator Hogan, said the revisions better formalize the role of counsel and provide a less intimidating path for resolving complaints. The committee adopted the revised policy and forms by roll call vote.
Finally, the committee approved a motion to enter executive session at 1:00 p.m. to review the results of a capital threat assessment and discuss legislator security, citing the applicable open-meetings exemptions. Members were instructed to limit discussion to the stated purpose and not take final action until returning to open session.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (02/04/2026)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- The proposed proposal to the article has been submitted to the legislature before, only this time we
- The proposed proposal to the article has been submitted to the legislature before, only this time we
- The proposed proposal to the article has been submitted to the legislature before, only this time we
- proposed in 1966.
- proposed in 1966.
Committee:
House Education Policy and Administration
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- This legislation ensures the right to a secret or private ballot election on union representation for
- Without the protection of a private ballot vote on unionization, a union can be certified after turning
- The NLRB, the NLRA, allows recognition of a union by either secret ballot or card.
- , because we believe that gives the workers the most protection. ...through secret ballot because we
- ballot, and we would prefer those that have a secret ballot, because we believe those Would prefer those
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Tourism
Keywords:
virtual currency, kiosks, money services business, regulation, financial services, consumer protection, cryptocurrency, registration, ADS-B, automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, aviation, airports, airport fees, landing fees, departure fees, touch-and-go landing, general aviation, pilot privacy, airspace radius, aircraft tracking
Summary:
The committee first postponed SB 1456, then heard SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers using secret-ballot union elections and prohibit neutrality agreements. The sponsor argued the bill protects workers from coercion and applies only to companies receiving taxpayer-funded incentives; opponents said it was government interference, likely to hurt contractors, apprenticeships, and business growth, and raised concerns about federal preemption and Attorney General enforcement. After debate, the committee reported SB 1236 favorably on a recorded vote.
The committee then considered CS/SB 198, a measure to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks by requiring operator registration, fraud warnings, transaction limits, blockchain analytics, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions tied to fraud. Supporters from the banking industry, AARP, and others said the bill would help stop scams that are targeting seniors and vulnerable adults; one industry witness supported the bill but suggested narrowing the limits for existing users and shortening the new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably.
Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor said the bill is intended to curb puppy mills, improve animal welfare, and add consumer protections, while an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported much of the bill but objected to the three-day waiting period for financed purchases, expanded reimbursement, and unfair trade practice penalties; others argued the bill would add red tape and litigation. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably.
The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors, which would require age verification, parental consent for minors, app-content disclosures, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said the bill would help parents protect children online; opponents warned it could force collection of sensitive personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate existing parental tools. Members debated the balance between child safety and privacy, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 422 on ADS-B aviation data, which would bar use of ADS-B information to calculate certain landing or access fees; an amendment added departures to the restriction. Pilots supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport representatives opposed it as undermining airport finances and shifting costs. The amendment was adopted, and the hearing on the bill began with testimony from both sides.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 58-2 May 14th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All it takes is two of the three county commissioners to put it on a ballot and the people of the county
- options, saying that county commissioners have the ability to put in a vote of the people on a special ballot
- It'd be much more put it on the ballot up or down, yes or no. It wouldn't be a true zoning.
- overwhelming support of people that really want to setbacks, you could theoretically put it on the ballot
- This bill reduces the setback distances from a home that we had proposed and completely removes the language
Keywords:
legislative procedure, session calendar, deadline schedule, bill deadlines, joint resolution, Oklahoma Legislature, 61st Legislature, regular session, adjourn sine die, floor deadline, third reading, committee deadlines, bill drafting, appropriations, budget bills, ethics commission, agency rules, administrative procedures act, local and special laws, pension legislation
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Consumer and Public Affairs Jan 29th, 2026 at 02:04 pm
House Consumer & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- So what H.J.R. does is it proposes a constitutional amendment that allows a court to deny bail when the
- Because I know it goes on the ballot.
- So I'm sure that the Madam Secretary would be more than inclined to add it on the ballot because it's
- And so I do feel that even when I went to the ballot, as Representative Chavez had said, I told all my
- And I understand, in 2016, that was my first vote on a ballot, and I voted no on all the questions.
Committee:
House House Consumer & Public Affairs
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Community Affairs Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill proposes an amendment for the 2026 general election ballot to create an additional ad valorem
- The present proposal creates a very real risk that these dollars could go away entirely.
- The present proposal creates a very real risk that these dollars could go away entirely.
- So when we have to go back to the ballot every eight years, we can't plan past that. Thank you.
- I mean, they ask us to be reelected and we go on the ballot. Why not the same?
Summary:
The committee took up several claims bills first and reported both favorably without debate. SB 20, relating to relief of J.N., a minor, would pay the remaining $400,000 of a $600,000 settlement after an 11-year-old was injured on a Hillsborough County sidewalk with a known defect; SB 14, relating to the estate of Pineal Januier, would authorize payment of the remaining $1.7 million of a $2 million settlement after a drowning at a Miami Beach youth center pool. Both bills were supported by the sponsors and the Senate Special Master’s favorable recommendations, and both passed on roll call votes.
The committee then considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, both by Senator Avila, which would create a new property tax benefit for owners who lease a non-homestead residential property for more than six months in order to encourage more affordable rental housing. Local governments, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties opposed the proposal, warning of major revenue losses, impacts on public safety and services, and uncertainty for local budgets; several senators also questioned whether landlords would pass savings on to renters and whether the measure would worsen density and parking issues. Despite the opposition, both measures were reported favorably after the sponsor said the bills would be refined and revised.
SB 674, by Senator Wright, was reported favorably with support from property appraisers who said it would let them budget and pay hiring or retention bonuses, similar to authority already given to tax collectors, to help compete for specialized staff. CS for CS SB 268, by Senator Jones, also passed after an amendment adding congressional members; the bill would create a public-records exemption for certain home-address information for elected officials, and debate centered on balancing transparency with safety after members described death threats and harassment. The committee then approved SB 100, by Senator Fine, which would bar government buildings from displaying flags representing political viewpoints and allow active or retired military or National Guard members to use reasonable force to stop desecration of the U.S. flag; the bill drew extensive opposition from transparency, civil rights, and LGBTQ advocates who argued it was vague, unconstitutional, and aimed at pride flags, while supporters said government should not endorse political messages.
Finally, CS for SB 1664, by Senator Trumbull, was reported favorably after a strike-all amendment. The bill would require voter reapproval every eight years for certain local discretionary taxes, including tourist development taxes and some local option taxes, unless pledged to revenue bonds. Cities, counties, tourism groups, and the lodging industry opposed it, saying the measure would create uncertainty, threaten tourism marketing and beach restoration funding, and make long-term infrastructure and debt planning difficult. Senator Trumbull argued the proposal simply gives voters a recurring chance to decide whether they still support the taxes and the projects they fund.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Fri Mar 21, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 37
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The extension of time that voters have with their ballots with our mail-in voting process is because
- In recent years the Supreme Court struck down a proposed conam from this The measures before us and the
- In recent years the Supreme Court struck down a proposed conam from this Yes or no on the measures before
- In recent years the Supreme Court struck down a proposed conam from this leave their conam questions
- In recent years, the Supreme Court struck down a proposed conam from this because the language wasn't
Summary:
The House convened with 46 members present and five excused, deferred reading of the journal, and noted there were no messages from the governor or Senate communications. Members then offered several introductions recognizing guests in the gallery, including LifeSmarts awardees, DCCA and LifeSmarts program officials, former Representative Pono Chong and his children, an intern from District 39, a landback advocate, and staff from the Education Committee office. The chamber also marked the close of Education Week 2025 with applause and recognition of the visiting students and supporters.
The main floor presentation was House Resolution 211, which congratulated the first- and second-place teams at the 2025 Havi LifeSmarts State Competition and the 2025 U.S. Senate Youth Program delegate. Representative Tam presented the resolution, praising the Eolani Raiders for winning first place and wishing them well at the upcoming Chicago competition. Representative Hashimoto recognized Kalanianaole High School’s second-place team, and Representative Woodson honored Wilson Chow of Maui High School for his leadership and service. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the House recessed briefly to allow members to congratulate the honorees.
After recess, the House took up a large block of standing committee reports, moving reports 1406 through 1504 with a series of member notations including no votes, reservations, and a few brief explanations. Several members raised concerns about specific measures involving emergency readiness centers, immigration-related legal access, blank votes on ballot questions, electricity costs and Hawaiian Electric, and gambling. Some members spoke in support of measures while noting reservations about cost, process, or policy effects. The full package of reports was ultimately adopted by voice vote.
During announcements, Representative Garcia read a statement from Representative Jean Ward announcing her resignation effective at the end of the month due to ongoing health issues, including anemia, sciatica, and pneumonia, after nearly 27 years of service. The House then adjourned by voice vote until 12:00 noon on Monday.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF3900 5/13/26
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Uh, the first section is the proposed constitutional amendment.
- Section two is the ballot question that must be submitted to the voters.
- It's a yes-no ballot question. There's a title on the question.
- </c><00:02:49.959><c> question</c><00:02:50.480><c> that</c> Section two is the ballot question that
- So, with that, we'll move into member discussion on the proposed changes and differences.
Summary:
The conference committee on House File 3900 met with a quorum, introduced members and staff, and received a nonpartisan walkthrough of the bill. Staff explained that the proposal would change the permanent school fund’s distribution formula from interest and dividends to a statutory payout based on 4.5% of the fund’s average value over the previous three fiscal years, with the Commissioner of Management and Budget responsible for determining and transferring the distributable amount. The Senate version differed by adding language requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative house to change the distribution policy or apportionment.
Members then debated whether a future legislature could increase the payout and whether the constitutional language would sufficiently protect the fund’s purchasing power. Senator Farnsworth argued that a supermajority requirement would help prevent politicization and lock in the fund’s purpose, while Representative Long, Senator Kunesh, Representative Youakim, and Representative O’Driscoll opposed the supermajority as unnecessary and potentially politicizing, emphasizing existing constitutional protections, fiduciary duties, and the legislature’s track record of stewarding school trust lands for students. Staff indicated the language requiring preservation of purchasing power would be a strong safeguard, though the exact legal remedy was unclear.
Senator Kunesh moved to adopt the House File 3900 second engrossment as the conference committee report. The committee took a roll call vote and approved the motion 7-1, with Senator Farnsworth voting no. After the vote, Senator Swedzinski offered brief remarks about the historical importance of school trust funds and public education.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 58-2 May 14th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- All it takes is two of the three county commissioners to put it on a ballot, and the people of the county
- option, saying that county commissioners had the ability to put in a vote of the people on a special ballot
- Put it on the ballot, up or down, yes or no. It wouldn't be true zoning.
- Put it on the ballot, up or down, yes or no. It wouldn't be true zoning.
- an overwhelming support of people that really want setbacks, you could theoretically put it on the ballot
Keywords:
legislative procedure, session calendar, deadline schedule, bill deadlines, joint resolution, Oklahoma Legislature, 61st Legislature, regular session, adjourn sine die, floor deadline, third reading, committee deadlines, bill drafting, appropriations, budget bills, ethics commission, agency rules, administrative procedures act, local and special laws, pension legislation
Summary:
The House first took up Senate Bill 893, a conference committee report on property and critical infrastructure. The bill would bar foreign principals from countries designated as foreign adversaries from owning agricultural land or other land, especially within 10 miles of military installations or critical infrastructure, and also restrict certain state software purchases tied to adversarial countries. Members asked about how later-designated adversary countries would be covered and about the delayed effective date, which was explained as giving current owners time to divest. The conference report was adopted without objection, and the bill then passed the House 89-0.
The chamber then considered Senate Bill 2, another conference committee report on wind energy setbacks. The measure would establish statewide setback standards for industrial wind turbines, including 2.5 tip heights from occupied dwellings and 1.5 tip heights from nonparticipating property lines, with exceptions for projects that had already secured most site control or queue positions before the effective date and for small community-scale systems. Supporters said it was a compromise that at least put some protections into statute, while opponents argued it weakened earlier House language and eliminated county local-control options. After debate, the bill failed on a 20-67 vote.
Later, the House voted 60-19 to override the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 1589, allowing it to become law notwithstanding the governor’s objections. The session also included prayers and announcements, including updates about Representative Cantrell’s hospitalization and a note that the Senate had adjourned sine die. The House then adjourned sine die for the second regular session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 3836 by Curry relates to the requirement that certain rules proposed against state agencies in the
- H.J.R. 161 by Noble proposes a constitutional amendment adding individuals who are not United States
- H.J.R. 164 by Low proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a vehicle mileage
- H.J.R. 166 by Johnson proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the denial of bail to a person
- H.J.R. 168 by Hopper proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize...
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 03:25 pm
Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- The Chairman mentioned a proposed strike-and-insert committee amendment.
- The resolution would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
- As mentioned, there is a proposed committee substitute that just fixes technical errors.
- As mentioned, there is a proposed committee substitute that just fixes technical errors.
- As mentioned, there is a proposed committee substitute.
Committee:
Senate Finance