Video & Transcript : 'voter dilution' :
Page 62 of 312
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Arizona voters deserve elections that are free...
- Arizona voters deserve elections that are free, fair, and transparent.
- This year we are continuing that work so that every legal voter, or that work for every legal voter better
- At the end of the day, we want to make sure actual voters get to vote.
- It will be voters in District 18 and yours that feel the impact voters in District 18 and yours that
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of Dr. Jimmy Sade as Doctor of the Day. Members also read a proclamation honoring law enforcement officers involved in rescuing an eight-year-old boy from a human trafficking situation, with several members praising interagency cooperation and the officers’ actions. The chamber then handled routine business, including committee substitutions, referral of HB 2245 to Appropriations, and first and second readings of numerous bills covering topics such as energy, taxes, education, health, public safety, commerce, and elections.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole and considered HB 2096, HB 2173, HB 2451, and HCR 2001. HB 2096, HB 2173, and HB 2451 were all recommended do pass. HCR 2001, a proposed constitutional amendment on election requirements, drew extensive debate over voter ID, citizenship verification, foreign funding restrictions, and changes affecting early voting and mail ballots. A sub-floor amendment to HCR 2001 passed 32-26, and the resolution then received a do-pass recommendation in Committee of the Whole. HB 2121 was retained on the calendar.
On third reading, HB 2010 passed 59-0 on digital consumer licensing disclosures; HB 2132 passed 59-0 on drug offenses; HB 2155 passed 57-2 on continuing the Arizona Beef Council; HB 2178 passed 51-9 on state agency medical credential requirements; HB 2310 passed 59-0 on employment relationships; and HB 2395 passed 59-0 on a Department of Education-related fitness/PE reporting measure. HCR 2001 then passed the House 32-27 and was sent to the Senate. The House also adopted the Committee of the Whole report, referred the passed measures to engrossing, and later adjourned until Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So how is that accurate to the voter?
- We have to ask voters to consider a proposal of this magnitude.
- And also, you are going to tell me this is going to the voters. We know our voters are educated.
- Using public dollars to sway a voter is disingenuous, and it doesn't trust the voter.
- This amendment does not prevent voters from receiving the required ballot language and voter information
Summary:
The House met in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and adopted the special order report setting the day’s calendar. The chamber then took up CS/House Joint Resolution 1F, the Governor’s property tax proposal, which would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and restrict county and municipal ad valorem revenue to public safety and certain other uses. Sponsor Rep. Overdorf said the measure would return money to homeowners and give local governments flexibility, while opponents repeatedly argued the ballot language was misleading and that the proposal could create large local revenue shortfalls, shift costs to other taxpayers, and threaten local services and debt obligations.
Members debated a series of amendments aimed at protecting specific programs from the bill’s effects. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to exempt Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was defeated 25-74 after supporters said those entities fund child care, mental health, aftercare, and family support, while opponents said local governments could still choose to fund them. Rep. Cross’s amendment to include water management districts in allowable uses of ad valorem taxes was also defeated, despite testimony that the districts are essential for flood control, water supply, Everglades restoration, and drought response. Rep. Eskamani’s amendment to require the Legislature to backfill public safety funding failed 25-71 after debate over whether the proposal could reduce police and fire budgets and response times.
The House then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other aging services, and opponents saying the state already funds senior programs. Finally, Rep. Gant’s amendment to protect veteran services was introduced and debated, with members emphasizing housing, mental health, transition assistance, and homelessness concerns for veterans; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment. Throughout the debate, sponsors and supporters of the main resolution maintained that local governments would retain spending discretion and could use other revenue sources, while critics argued the measure lacked clear backfill provisions and could force cuts or tax shifts at the local level.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:05.080><c> um</c> influence voters um influence voters um Well<00:03:06.320><c> done,</c><
- Voters deserve to understand how a voter-approved referendum impacts their pocketbooks.
- </c> impacts for voters. impacts for voters.
- The voter is being misinformed.
- The voter is being misinformed.
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- The design of that is you're trying to gain signatures for potential voters.
- And that precedent was set because they don't register voters in their state.
- Well, it's not just a resident, a registered voter. That's correct.
- That we have a state in the union that doesn't register their voters, but North Dakota does not.
- To collect signatures, don't you have to be a registered voter yourself? No. Okay. Thank you.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- voters to confirm their selection before casting their vote.
- a new voter card.
- In terms of voter education, y'all appropriated $3.5 million to us last year for voter education, and
- The main message that we want to get to voters is to check your voter registration and make sure that
- And then about $1 million for implementation and inactive voter.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The committee heard a budget presentation for the Department of State. House Fiscal Division said the FY27 recommended budget is $128.6 million and 367 positions, with elections making up the largest share. Secretary of State Nancy Landry said the office is implementing Louisiana’s first closed party primary, continuing voter education efforts, and moving toward procurement of a new voting system that would produce a voter-verifiable paper ballot and support risk-limiting audits. Members asked about polling place confusion, machine replacement costs, election commissioner pay, and the cost of educating voters about the new primary system. Landry said polling places are not changing because of the new primary law, the new system is expected to cost about $100 million total, and a bill this session would raise election commissioner pay by $100 per day. Fiscal staff also estimated the closed primary law will add about $31.5 million in costs over five years, mostly from converting local elections to statewide elections and voter outreach.
The committee then reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs budget, which was presented at about $105.2 million with a mix of federal, state, self-generated, and interagency funds. The department said most costs are tied to personnel and veterans’ homes, and that the homes are funded largely by federal dollars plus self-generated revenue. Members focused heavily on delays in processing National Guard disability claims and payments to veterans. Representatives said constituents had waited about a year for claims to be resolved, while the department said it had increased staffing and was processing a backlog of more than 400 claims, but still had about $950,000 in approved claims awaiting funding. The department said the payout program is governed by statute and that additional supplemental funding has been requested.
Members also discussed veterans’ home care, including how service-connected disability status affects eligibility and costs, and whether chronic wound care and related complications could increase long-term costs. The department said veterans with higher service-connected ratings receive care with federal support, while others pay fees. Several members urged the department to provide clearer timelines and better communication to claimants, and one member suggested a separate oversight hearing to address the disability claim process and any needed statutory changes. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- voters to confirm their selection before casting their vote.
- a new voter card.
- Voter card. Like I said, this was last night I was noticing it.
- In terms of voter education, y'all appropriated $3.5 million to us last year for voter education, and
- The main message that we want to get to voters is to check your voter registration and make sure that
Committee:
House Appropriations
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Feb 19th, 2026
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- These aren't always, like, decisions of the voters.
- But the point is that subsequent... ...of the voters.
- The intention of the voter the first time and what was the intention of the voter the second time?
- and tell them you're going to raise the levy and let's see what the voters think.
- What I'm saying is they wouldn't have to go to the voters if they're, okay.
Summary:
The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met for an open discussion, with no public testimony, to reset its work after the prior combined bill was separated back into two standalone measures. The chair outlined the current direction: House Bill 2780 would include Murphy’s Hancock fix, levy-by-subclass, commercial protection language, the 275-to-150 levy adjustment, and abatement provisions; House Bill 2668 would carry clear ballot language, no-tax-increase ballot measures, clarification of SB 190, and the SB 3 fix. Members also discussed whether additional ideas, such as taxpayer appeal protections and electronic filing, might be added later if they can be worked out.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the Hancock-related “275 fix,” with members clarifying that the proposal would not move all districts to 275, but would prevent two known districts below that level from being forced down and losing significant revenue. Several members raised concerns about confusion in the field and the need to communicate clearly to school districts and superintendents what the proposal would and would not do. There was also discussion of new construction under Hancock, including whether certain redevelopment or replacement projects should count as new construction and how that affects school and other local taxing entities.
The committee spent substantial time debating tax abatements, especially TIFs and similar economic incentives. Supporters of the language said the intent is to prevent taxing jurisdictions from treating abated revenue as if it were still available and then shifting the cost to other taxpayers; opponents questioned whether the language would improperly reduce revenue that communities had already decided to collect. Members also discussed whether the language should apply only to the entity adopting the abatement, and whether some abatements are better handled through separate legislation. Several members urged that any new ideas be referred through committee so they can receive proper vetting and fiscal analysis, and there was broad agreement to keep the main bills relatively streamlined while continuing to work on additional concepts separately.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- this moment in our nation's history, there's almost nothing more important than making sure that voters
- As a Bay State voter, I would like to know that our state's presidential electors are insulated, protected
- This bill would strengthen your state's presidential post-election procedures, so the will of its voters
- So your voters can rest assured that Congress will never be given an excuse,... ...so your voters can
- We want our Electoral College voters to vote that way. But wait, we agreed to do this.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws
Summary:
The Committee on Election Laws held a hearing with House and Senate chairs and several members participating in person and online. The main bill discussed was House Bill 5086, the Electoral Count Reform/Uniform Faithful Presidential Electors Act, which would require presidential electors in Massachusetts to sign a faithfulness pledge, automatically replace any elector who casts a vote contrary to the state’s popular vote, and update state procedures to meet federal Electoral Count Act deadlines and paperwork requirements.
Testimony in support came from Public Citizen, the Uniform Law Commission, and Protect Democracy United. Witnesses argued the bill would protect against coercion, threats, and “faithless electors,” and said it would help ensure Massachusetts’ electoral votes reflect voters’ choices and cannot be rejected on technical grounds. One witness noted the bill is already enacted in many states and has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, and several organizations endorsed the model approach.
Members asked about how the bill would interact with Massachusetts’ participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The witness said the bill is compatible with the compact and suggested a minor clarifying amendment to avoid any implication that the state is stepping away from it. After testimony and questions, the chair noted that testimony had also been received on the other two bills from Representative Breguire, the governor’s office, and Representative Hogan, and the committee then adjourned without taking a vote in the hearing.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Administration Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026
Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Any increase above 2% still requires voter approval through referendum.
- And districts would still need voter approval for larger operating increases.
- We are indeed the only state without a voter referendum.
- had an election with very low voter turnout.
- Well, one, there's still voter recourse.
Committee:
House Administration
Summary:
The House Administration Committee met to consider a series of resolutions and bills covering arts districts, child care background checks, federal worker relief, health care reform, court transparency, school tax reassessment, municipal charter changes, constitutional amendment procedures, data center nondisclosure agreements, state employee benefits governance, and lieutenant governor vacancies. Members also noted that House Concurrent Resolution 12 had been removed from the agenda and that public comment would be limited to one minute per speaker.
The committee released SCR 167 to study arts, culture, and creative districts in Delaware; HB 438 to close a loophole in the child care service letter requirement; SB 268 to provide interest-free loans, free transit, and tax deferrals for federal workers during shutdowns; SS2 for SB 1 to expand and permanently strengthen primary care investment while also addressing hospital cost growth; HCR 147 to request a Court of Chancery report on audio recordings and automated case assignment; SB 322 to replace the current post-reassessment 10% school revenue increase authority with a 2% annual increase option under safeguards; SB 306 to amend the Rehoboth Beach charter; HB 440 to require voter approval for constitutional amendments after legislative approval; SB 312 to bar nondisclosure agreements for large data center projects; SS1 for SB 289 to change State Employee Benefits Committee governance; and SB 264 to require a special election to fill a lieutenant governor vacancy.
Testimony was mixed on several measures. Arts, child care, federal worker relief, primary care, court transparency, data center transparency, and the lieutenant governor vacancy bill drew mostly supportive testimony, while SB 322 and SB 306 drew both support and opposition, especially over tax impacts and the proposed spouse/partner restriction in Rehoboth Beach. HB 440 prompted debate over whether 55% voter approval was the right threshold for constitutional amendments, and SB 312 was supported as a transparency measure by residents affected by prior data center NDAs. All of the listed measures were released from committee by roll call vote, with some members voting no on HB 440, SB 306, SB 312, SS1 for SB 289, and SB 264.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Mar 5th, 2026 at 05:40 pm
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the voters, and the power is with the voters of every county.
- But the voters are the commission, Mr. Speaker.
- Speaker, it goes to the voters and the voters get to have the For the recall. But then, Mr.
- Speaker, it goes to the voters and the voters get to have the final say.
- The voters can do the election. The voters can undo the election.
Bills:
HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB5831 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002 , HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6137 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002
Keywords:
behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- into two pages and if there could be any voter confusion because of that?
- ...office about how we could potentially be splitting a constitutional amendment for the voters into
- two pages and if there could be any voter confusion because of that?
- And I really am concerned always about voters having a ballot that they can see everything on and they
- control. by making this change that could potentially lead to voter confusion.
Committee:
House State Affairs
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session May 28th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Not only do voters—should voters get that—they should expect it.
- Not only do voters, should voters get that, they should expect it.
- Not requested, but demanded by 72% of the voters of the Commonwealth.
- And resistance, further resistance, to complying with the will of voters.
- Seventy-two percent of the voters voted for this, and it's our job to uphold the law.
Summary:
The Senate took up several local and special bills on third reading and final passage. It amended and passed to be engrossed Senate 1831, a Rutland bill providing killed-in-the-line-of-duty benefits for Joanne Saundi as the surviving spouse of Detective John DeSongy, and also passed to be engrossed two Haverhill bills exempting Nick Santos and Anthony Morales from the maximum age requirement for police officer appointments. The chamber then enacted bills concerning police age requirements in Newton and Stonem, sending them to the Governor. It also adopted two congratulatory resolutions, including one for the Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary and another recognizing the Italian Consulate in Boston and Italian National Day.
The Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition from Rep. Carol Fiola to the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, proposing a temporary pilot to let municipalities extend liquor-license hours and allow public consumption in designated districts during summer 2026. The chamber also addressed House 5501, the fiscal year 2027 state budget, after the House nonconcurred in a Senate amendment; the Senate insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee, naming Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor.
A major floor debate centered on Senate 3104, a resolution responding to the Supreme Judicial Court’s May 7, 2026 order regarding the State Auditor’s request for Senate financial records. Supporters said the resolution would provide documents in four clarified categories—budgets, audits, balance-forward transactions, and monetary settlement agreements—while preserving constitutional separation-of-powers objections to broader requests. Opponents argued the Senate should have sought the court’s guidance earlier and that the documents should be produced without further delay. The resolution was adopted on a roll call vote, 33-6. The Senate then adjourned in memory of William F. Howard of Beverly and set its next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Rules 2nd REVISED Apr 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This simply asks the voters to move it from the Constitution into statute.
- Based on past voter turnout, approximately how many Oklahoma voters engage in a special election in August
- How many Oklahoma voters engage in a special election in August?
- And what is to create faith in the voters that if we move this into statute, Medicaid expansion Voters
- Oklahoma voters prioritized it. The Legislature has never prioritized it.
Summary:
The committee primarily considered House Bill 440, which would move Medicaid expansion language from the Oklahoma Constitution into state statute and send the change to voters in a special election. Supporters argued this would give the Legislature flexibility to manage the program, especially if federal Medicaid matching rates were reduced, and said it would help protect the state budget and allow future adjustments such as eligibility or work requirements. Opponents said the measure would weaken voter-approved constitutional protections, create uncertainty for more than 300,000 enrollees, rural hospitals, and providers, and could allow future cuts without another vote of the people.
Members also discussed the possible fiscal impact of a federal match change from 90-10 to 60-40, with supporters saying the state could face roughly a billion-dollar annual cost and would need flexibility to avoid cuts to other services. Questions also focused on the choice of an August special election rather than the November general election, and on whether tribal governments and other stakeholders had been consulted. After debate, the committee tabled an amendment and passed House Bill 440 on a 14-2 vote.
The committee then took up House Joint Resolution 1087, which would change the Avalon reimbursement program so the Legislature could manage funding levels and methodologies rather than being bound to the current structure. It passed 14-2. The committee also considered House Joint Resolution 1067, a trigger measure that would only appear on the November ballot if House Bill 440 failed in August; it would relieve the state of any obligation to fund Medicaid expansion for working adults if the federal match dropped below 90%. After adopting a committee substitute and tabling an amendment, the resolution also passed 14-2. The committee then laid over H.J.R. 1089 and adjourned.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, JDC-TRS Public Hearings 02-03-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Voters, on Zoom. Good morning. Voters, on Zoom. Good morning.
- So, um, no, I agree with you that basically you need voter education, but don't you think we need voter
- </c> amendment is accompanied by robust voter amendment is accompanied by robust voter education.<00:
- </c> uh League of Women Voters uh League of Women Voters >> Yes.
- </c> amended to change the standard for voter amended to change the standard for voter approval<01:20
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard several Senate bills. SB 2149 would exempt paternity proceedings involving allegations of domestic abuse from mediation and clarify the domestic abuse mediation exemption in divorce cases. The Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the measure but recommended technical and conforming changes, including updating references from HRS Chapter 584 to 584A and aligning the language more closely with the Uniform Mediation Act. Members discussed whether the bill’s wording could limit who may bring a support person to mediation, and the chair suggested the intent was to preserve survivor choice while avoiding ambiguity. No vote was taken in the portion heard.
SB 2203 would create an offense for law enforcement officers using masks or personal disguises. The Office of the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaii, Legal Clinic, and many other supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, while still allowing safety exceptions. Law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, raised concerns about operational needs, undercover and auxiliary units, body cameras, and possible supremacy clause issues if the bill is aimed at federal officers. The chair noted the bill appeared likely to move forward and asked agencies and advocates to work on possible amendments; testimony count was reported as 114 in support, 3 opposed, and 2 comments.
SB 2251 would appropriate funds for the victim witness assistance program in the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying it would replace shortfalls from declining federal funding and help maintain victim services and rights information. A former program director also testified in support. When asked, the office said it would not object to a simple reporting requirement. The committee then moved on to SB 2311, which would address claims against the state and add reporting and timing requirements; the Department of the Attorney General testified with concerns and recommendations, and members began questioning current practices for handling claims and settlements.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 4/2/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- We worry that it could cause significant gaps in voter access for voters, um, and the change doesn't
- </c><01:01:58.559><c> and</c><01:01:58.680><c> the</c> voter access for voters um and the voter access
- </c><01:10:49.280><c> said</c> and really say what I think voters said and really say what I think voters
- </c><01:13:38.800><c> who</c> standing up for Minnesota voters who standing up for Minnesota voters who
- </c><01:25:27.600><c> to</c> our tax dollars to encourage voters to our tax dollars to encourage voters
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- We are sending it to the voters for their final decision, and this is transparency. And, Mr.
- But you can't mush them together and put that combined change before the voters.
- And so, again, it goes to the voters. The voters can say no, but let the voters decide.
- And so, again, it goes to the voters.
- The voters can say no, but let the voters decide. to the voters. The voters can say no.
Summary:
The Senate debated House Joint Resolution 5, a proposed constitutional amendment to allow legislative compensation tied to median household income. Supporters argued that paying legislators would broaden access, improve representation, and help people who cannot afford to serve without outside income, while opponents said lawmakers should not raise their own pay given the legislature’s performance and the state’s budget and job losses. Three floor amendments were offered and all failed: one to change the ballot language to more directly say it would pay legislators a salary, one to add 16-year term limits, and one to deny per diem and mileage for meetings within 50 miles of a member’s home.
After extended debate, the Senate adopted the resolution on a roll call vote of 23-19, sending H.J.R. 5, as amended, forward. The chamber then passed Senate Memorial 31, which creates a work group to study the 2020 suspension of COLAs for retired state employees and possible retirement-fund recommendations, by a 42-0 vote. Senate Memorial 17 also passed unanimously, calling for a task force to study the status and backlog of sexual assault examination kits in New Mexico.
The Senate also received several House messages on bills returned or amended by the House, and adopted a committee report covering multiple House bills, including HB 20, HB 38, HB 108, HB 200, HB 270, HB 291, HB 306, and HB 309. The meeting ended with announcements about committee schedules and a recess until 10:30 a.m. the next day.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appr-Sub-General Government and Transportation 2ND REVISED Afternoon Session Jan 12th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- lists and voter registration system.
- An inactive voter is still a voter and can and is a legal voter, but It puts them on a path if they don't
- have any voter activity to eventually be removed.
- This is part of our standard voter list maintenance.
- There are certain voters, like those who haven't Had any voter activity in a while, if a first-class
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight May 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This is slightly closer to maybe the voters' intention in Prop. 4. The year of withdrawal.
- This is slightly closer to maybe the voters' intent in Prop. 4.
- you make sure you convince voters that school funding is going to be protected.
- The coalition is the nonpartisan political home of 9.7 million common-sense voters.
- The coalition is the nonpartisan political home of 9.7 million common-sense voters.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on proposals to reform California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or rainy day fund, ahead of the May Revision. Members and witnesses reviewed how Proposition 2 (2014) changed reserve rules, including mandatory deposits, a 10% cap on the fund, and limits tied to the Governor’s declaration of a budget emergency. LAO staff explained that California’s revenues are highly volatile, that current reserve rules are complicated by interactions with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit, and that under current law reserves would cover only about one-third of funding shortfalls in a benchmark scenario over 50 years.
The LAO presented its report recommending a larger reserve target, including raising the cap to 50% by 2055 and pairing that with either broader, more flexible deposit rules or a simpler approach that deposits all excess capital gains. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exempt BSA deposits from the state appropriations limit, while Assembly Member Valencia presented ACA 1, which would make similar changes and was described as an evolving proposal. Testimony generally supported saving more during boom years, but differed on how much to hardwire into the Constitution versus leave flexible, and on whether to broaden the deposit formulas beyond capital gains.
Public witnesses and committee members raised additional issues, including whether reserve reforms should also address debt repayment, the treatment of unemployment insurance fund debt, and whether the Gann limit should be adjusted to better allow reserve growth. Supporters argued that stronger reserves would protect Californians from cuts during downturns and help the state weather volatility and federal funding threats. Some advocates warned that reforms should not come at the expense of current public needs, while taxpayer representatives cautioned against turning the BSA into a pass-through account that weakens constitutional spending limits. The hearing ended without a vote, with the committee chair noting the complexity of the issue and adjourning after public comment.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Feb 19th, 2026
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- of the voters is the part that I really struggle with.
- These aren't always like decisions of the voters.
- But the point is that subsequent... ...of the voters.
- The intention of the voter the first time and what was the intention of the voter the second time?
- That would be the way you find out and decipher real actual voter intent.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House DFL Media Availability 1/6/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- DFL is here just to be absolutely clear that we will do what it takes to preserve the will of the voter
- Honoring the will of the voters means governing together under power sharing.
- voters are going to turn out.
- And that they heard from those voters. Well, she said she had some doubt.
- </c> and that they heard from those voters and that they heard from those voters well<00:19:34.559><c