Transcript Highlights:

• </c> election until 3:40 a.m. the next day. election until 3:40 a.m. the next day.
• He said elected officials are given an incredible level of trust to enact the laws, keep communities
• He said actions by elected officials that undermine public trust or violate the law can erode public
• officials place their trust in elected officials to<01:10:43.679><c> represent</c><01:10:44.159><c>
• So if we're going to talk about actions of elected officials, we do not just focus on one political party

Transcript Highlights:

• RS 33621 is about us looking ahead to the presidential election in 2028 and providing some clarification
• what's the best way in terms of in-person instruction and some of the other activities that happen on election
• Chairman and Representative Alfieri, elections and polling places are at the discretion of the county
• the governor, except for the Great Seal of the State of Idaho and the Idaho, or in the governor's official
• And I believe this will allow the state's official budget document to stay neutral, informational, and

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:48.560><c> of</c> joint convention on the election of joint convention on the election of
• So, is the deal imploded officially? Well, we are sticking by the deal.
• So, is the deal imploded officially? Well, we are sticking by the deal.
• So, is the deal imploded officially?
• Well, we are sticking by the officially?

Transcript Highlights:

• As a local elected official, I'm very sensitive to new mandates from the state and federal government
• As a local elected official, I'm very sensitive to new mandates from the state and federal government
• As a local elected official, I'm very sensitive to new mandates from the state and federal government
• </c><01:03:44.960><c> for</c><01:03:45.160><c> my</c> election election Choice works for my election
• <c> are</c> elections because local elections are elections because local elections are extremely<01:

Bills: HF72 , HF66 , HF69 , HF73

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• In my former life, I was an elected official for 22 years.
• The other example I always used as an elected official was, nobody comes to a board meeting and says
• When I was an elected official in Brentwood, that was one of our goals.
• not elective.
• You want to elect to go... ...said we wanted to elect to go to a different location, not elective.

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• So this section doesn't preclude an election official also from accessing the candidate's residential
• That happened before the election.
• seat they were elected to.
• So I remember thinking back to when I was elected.
• Do they support term limits on each elected office?

Summary: The Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then took up a draft bill to make legislators’ and candidates’ residential addresses confidential in public records. Legislative Council and the Secretary of State explained the proposal was prompted by security concerns and would protect residential addresses while still allowing election officials to verify residency and keep candidate names and offices public. Members raised concerns about unintended consequences, transparency, and how the change would affect rural districts and residency enforcement. The Secretary of State suggested an amendment to end the confidentiality when a candidate’s term ends, and the committee agreed to hold the bill over for further discussion at the next meeting. The committee also reviewed follow-up materials on legislator security and best practices, including advice on situational awareness, internet hygiene, varying routines, and reporting threats, along with NCSL materials comparing capitol security practices in other states. Members discussed a recent security incident and the need to keep alert contact information current, and staff said they would continue working with the Highway Patrol on legislative-specific notifications. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to Garrity Consulting’s final report on mitigating the effects of legislative term limits. The consultants summarized survey, focus group, and stakeholder input showing concerns about loss of institutional knowledge, leadership turnover, onboarding demands, and workload pressures, while also noting public support for term limits and annual sessions. Recommendations included considering annual sessions or shifting biennial sessions to even-numbered years, restructuring organizational session and interim committee work, creating office hours and more structured orientation and mentorship, expanding ongoing training and staff support, improving public communication and virtual testimony rules, and addressing barriers to service such as employer support and travel costs. Members discussed the tension between making the legislature more effective and preserving a citizen-legislature model, and the report was received as a roadmap for future implementation rather than immediate action.

Transcript Highlights:

• officials and see their offices.
• c><00:18:08.880><c> to</c><00:18:09.000><c> visit</c><00:18:09.240><c> their</c><00:18:09.400><c> elected
• </c> they are excited to visit their elected they are excited to visit their elected officials<00:18:
• <c> see</c><00:18:10.400><c> their</c><00:18:10.720><c> offices</c><00:18:11.720><c> welcome</c> officials
• and see their offices welcome officials and see their offices welcome to<00:18:12.080><c> the</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• They also deserve government and elected officials that respect the constitutional structure, that protect
• They should demand it of every one of their elected officials that at a very, very baseline, whether
• They also deserve government and elected officials that respects the constitutional structure, that protects
• They should demand it of every one of their elected officials that at a very very it, they should demand
• it of every one of their elected officials, that at a very baseline, whether you are a city councilor

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• official in the state: these complaints cannot be anonymous because they can affect the careers of people
• They are not elected officials.
• official carve-out that we have for the complaints, we have... ...the elected official carve-out that
• When we passed the one bill to protect the elected officials, When we passed the one bill to protect
• the elected officials, there are folks in small counties that will not put a complaint because of the

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee heard three bills. HB 1479, by Rep. Baker, created a public records exemption for lethality assessment forms and the victims’ answers under the domestic violence lethality assessment law. The sponsor said the goal was to protect victims and keep the form consistent statewide; a question was raised about whether other agencies such as DCF could access the information. The only public testimony was in support, and the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then took up HB 317, by Rep. Fabricio, which would require complaints against law enforcement and correctional officers to be written and sworn, require officers to receive the complaint and supporting evidence before interrogation or discipline, and keep unfounded investigations out of personnel files and from being used for promotions or commendations. Supporters, including the Fraternal Order of Police and a state corrections PBA representative, argued the bill would protect officers from frivolous or retaliatory complaints. Opponents, including the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the Florida Sheriffs Association, warned it would undermine transparency, early warning systems, accreditation, and accountability, and could discourage legitimate anonymous complaints. Several members debated the balance between officer due process and victim protection; the bill passed 11-6 and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 961, a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles measure presented by Judge Maney. A strike-all amendment replaced the original language with a package aimed at improving customer service and efficiency in driver and vehicle services, including online title and registration requests, longer renewal periods for certain permanently handicapped persons, and a new misdemeanor offense for selling DHSMV appointment slots. The amendment and the bill as amended were supported by Florida tax collectors, adopted, and the committee passed HB 961 unanimously, 17-0, with a favorable report.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><05:06:03.520><c> official</c><05:06:03.840><c> or</c> American, whether elected official or American
• , whether elected official or private<05:06:04.480><c> citizen,</c><05:06:05.600><c> should</c><05:06
• Every elected official at every level must loudly call out and denounce these attacks because acts of
• ><c> every</c><05:08:57.280><c> level</c> Every elected official at every level Every elected official
• </c><05:25:38.160><c> All</c> Minnesota's elected officials. All Minnesota's elected officials.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we present it and vote on the bill, or we can pause the committee, officially at ease, and have an
• It simply gives local officials flexibility to focus on getting the base taxes paid instead of letting
• Of course, they elect us to make, you know, state decisions as well.
• And so I would like to see the smaller issues handled at a one-on-one with the other elected official
• Our plan and our board, who are made up of county elected officials, have done a great job of trying

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2388 in executive session, considering a substitute that would combine two bills, add counties to the measure, and impose a felony penalty with a $100,000 fine for certain false claims. After Representative Black objected to the size of the fine and members discussed possibly amending it, the sponsor withdrew both the substitute and the motion to do pass, and the bill was set aside for reconsideration later. The committee then heard House Bill 3381, which would allow counties and certain cities to waive penalties on delinquent property taxes in hardship cases. The sponsor and several supporters, including a Clay County commissioner and a state public advocate, argued the bill would give local officials flexibility to help taxpayers who were delayed by events beyond their control, such as illness, theft, postal delays, or banking errors, while still requiring the underlying taxes to be paid. Members raised questions about proof of hardship, how the bill should be drafted, and whether local retirement funding tied to late fees would be affected. A representative of the county employees’ retirement fund testified in informational opposition, explaining that a portion of county tax penalties—about $20 million to $25 million annually—helps fund the retirement system and that waiving penalties would reduce that revenue. He said the fund was not opposed to flexibility for difficult cases, but wanted the committee to understand the fiscal impact and suggested that counties could instead appropriate money directly if they wanted to preserve funding. No final vote was taken on House Bill 3381 before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The official general fund revenue estimate for fiscal year 2026.
• The official general fund revenue estimate for fiscal year 2027.
• The Official General Fund Revenue Estimate for Fiscal Year 2027.
• This is an election year. They always require a little bit of extra money.
• During a Department of Elections always requires a little extra money during election years.

Summary: The Senate reconvened, read committee reports, and assigned House Bill 89 with House Amendment 1 and House Bill 393 with House Amendment 1 to the Senate Finance Committee. It then adopted Consent Calendar 64, which included resolutions recognizing Take Our Children to Work Day, Juneteenth, National Farmers Day, Invisible Disabilities Week, Stonewall Uprising Remembrance Day, National Nonprofit Day, and two property-assessment working group resolutions. The calendar passed by a unanimous roll call, and the chamber heard remarks supporting Juneteenth, Delaware agriculture, invisible disabilities awareness, and the nonprofit sector. The Senate passed the fiscal year 2026 and 2027 revenue estimates in Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, and approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget in Senate Bill 335 after extended debate on budget growth, recurring costs, health care, education, public safety, retiree obligations, and fiscal restraint. It also passed Senate Bill 336, the one-time supplemental appropriation bill, which includes one-time investments such as a $100 million transition toward a weighted education funding formula, election support, early childhood education, classroom projects, lead remediation, and campaign finance modernization. Several members praised the budget process and staff, while others cautioned against future spending growth. Among policy bills, the Senate passed House Bill 369 to codify the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, House Bill 268 to increase penalties for assaulting postal workers, House Bill 374 to require workforce reporting on large public works projects, Senate Bill 253 with House Amendment 1 to standardize school bullying parental-notification procedures, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 342 to modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission, House Bill 402 to extend Clean Air Act Title V permit fees, and Senate Bill 346 with Senate Amendment 1 to streamline Environmental Appeals Board timelines. The Senate also began consideration of House Bill 293, which would add hate crimes to the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program, but the transcript cuts off before its vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It aligns the state conflict of interest threshold with the municipal elected officials threshold of
• official in the state.
• official in the state.
• It assures their ability to participate in our elections.
• It assures their ability to participate in our elections.

Summary: The State Government and Tribal Relations Committee met in executive session on policy cutoff day and briefed eight bills: HB 2514 creating a work group for the Global War on Terror Memorial; HB 2352 aligning the state conflict-of-interest threshold with the 1% municipal threshold; HB 2475 on language access implementation; HB 2206 on uniformed and overseas voting; HJR 4211 to remove directional limits on regular legislative sessions; HB 2447 naming the bluntnose sixgill shark the state shark; HB 2661 creating a Public Records Act modernization task force/work group; and HB 2572 on voting services for tribal members, overseas and service voters, and voters with disabilities. Members also asked about missing fiscal notes, including on HB 2475, and the chair noted they would try to move those along. The committee then took action on the bills. HB 2514 and HB 2352 were reported out with due pass recommendations, with HB 2352 receiving a 6-1 vote. HB 2475 was amended with Representative Mena’s amendment to require agencies to report how they would implement Office of Equity guidelines, then reported out 4-3. HB 2206 saw several amendments withdrawn or adopted: amendments narrowing the covered voter definition and clarifying overseas voter language were debated, with some proposals rejected and others adopted, and the bill was ultimately reported out 4-3. HJR 4211, which would amend the constitution to eliminate directional limits on regular sessions, was reported out 5-2. The remaining bills also advanced. HB 2447, designating the bluntnose sixgill shark as the state shark, passed unanimously after lighthearted support from members. HB 2661 was amended by a striking amendment shifting the task force concept to JLARC review and a possible JLARC work group, with remote meetings and a 2027 report deadline, then reported out unanimously. HB 2572, which would expand voting access for tribal members, overseas and service voters, and voters with disabilities, was reported out 4-3; supporters emphasized improved participation and access, while opponents raised concerns about the electronic ballot portal and security. The chair closed by thanking members and staff and noted the committee would return for an 8 a.m. hearing the following Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Elected officials in the region could have played a valuable role by using their platforms to support
• SB 760 seeks to provide flexibility for elected officials to make broad public appeals on social media
• So this bill creates an expedited application process across all state institutions for elected officials
• Every elected official in America has to deal with it. And it is the worst part of this job.
• And, you know, I know that this has incredibly strong support from local elected officials in my district

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long floor session focused largely on concurrence votes on Senate amendments and a few budget-related motions. Early procedural actions included a failed motion to send AB 1207 to the inactive file, approval of motions to take up Senate amendments without reference to file, and recesses for dinner and committee meetings. The chamber also heard several guest introductions and brief ceremonial remarks, including birthday acknowledgments and recognition of interns and visitors. Members then considered and passed a series of measures on topics including armory property transfers (SB 855), data center electricity impacts (SB 57), carbon capture pipeline transport (SB 614), health budget trailer bills (AB 144 and AB 149), and a Black Caucus higher-education bill allowing institutions to consider descendants of enslaved people in admissions (AB 7). The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on bills covering community college nursing programs (AB 1400), public health, signage for the Los Angeles Convention Center, gambling, social media warning labels for children, housing plan-check timelines, small business disaster recovery, wildfire mental health services, antitrust enforcement, foster care kinship placements, housing stability, AI cybersecurity, emergency services, and school nutrition standards. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though a few drew dissenting votes or brief debate over policy details. The most extended debate came on SB 274, which would limit retention of automated license plate reader data to 60 days unless tied to an investigation. Supporters argued it was needed to protect privacy and prevent misuse of sensitive location data, while opponents said it would hinder law enforcement and crime-solving. The transcript cuts off during that debate, so no final vote is shown for SB 274 in the provided text. Earlier and later votes recorded in the session showed broad support for many bills, with several measures passing unanimously and others receiving modest no votes, and some urgency measures being sent immediately to the Governor or the Senate after concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• Make sure it's known that when it comes to elected officials, we all come with expiration dates that
• And I would never propose something like this for elected officials.
• Make sure it's known that when it comes to elected officials, we all come with expiration dates that
• And I would never but. to elected officials, we all come with expiration dates that don't last that long
• And I would never propose something like this for elected officials.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first took up House Bill 2709, including a substitute that combined language from HB 2709 and HB 2671. Members debated an amendment that would have separated the Hancock-by-subclass portion from a personal property tax provision; supporters said it would make the bill cleaner and preserve a separate property tax issue already addressed elsewhere, while opponents argued it would create inconsistency. The amendment failed, the substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for HB 2709 and HB 2671 was voted do pass by a roll call of 14 yes and 5 no. The committee then passed HB 1759 do pass by a vote of 12 yes and 7 no, with one member noting that additional tweaks were expected on the floor. Next, the committee considered HB 2925, where Representative Fowler offered Amendment 04H to remove the requirement that property tax elections be held in November and replace it with an affirmative-consent standard requiring both a majority of votes cast and at least 25% of registered voters voting yes. Supporters said the change would avoid forcing local tax elections into a narrow election window and would require broader voter buy-in for long-term tax obligations; opponents argued it would be a major change that should receive more public review and could distort local election participation. The amendment failed 5 yes to 14 no, and HB 2925 was then voted do pass 11 yes to 8 no. In public testimony, Representative Van Schoiack presented HB 2415, which would require assessors to use a cost approach rather than a market approach for valuing buildings, while still valuing land through the market approach. He said the bill was intended to address over-assessment in larger counties and under-assessment in rural counties, and to make valuations more objective. Testimony was mixed: a public advocate supported the idea as a way to address rising taxes and tax sales, while county assessors and other witnesses said assessors already use multiple approaches, that cost approach works best for new or rural properties but can be subjective for older buildings, and that forcing one method statewide could create inaccuracies and large valuation swings. No action was taken on HB 2415 during the hearing. The committee also heard HJR 148 and HJR 111, presented by Representatives Coleman and Taylor, to bring Kansas City Public Schools under Hancock limits like other districts. Sponsors said KCPS is the only district still operating under a special court-imposed arrangement from desegregation-era orders and that the proposal would keep the district at its current levy while requiring voter approval for future increases. KCPS Superintendent Jennifer Collier opposed the measure as written, saying the district does want to come under Hancock but needs to do so on its own timeline and with a planned April 2027 levy proposal that would maintain the current rate; she said the district is now fiscally stronger and has community support, including passage of an 85% bond issue. Committee members questioned the legal basis, the effect on KCPS and charter schools, and whether the proposal would interfere with the district’s planned ballot strategy.

Transcript Highlights:

• either just move forward as we present it and vote on the bill, or we can pause the committee, officially
• As we present it and vote on the bill, or we can pause the committee, that's officially at ease, and
• Of course, they elect us to make, you know, state decisions as well.
• And so I would like to see the smaller issues handled at a one-on-one with the other elected official
• Our plan and our board, who are made up of county elected officials, have done a great job of trying

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• To ensure that our elected officials are safe and that the most qualified and dedicated individuals are
• officials, property appraisers, supervisors of elections, school superintendents, school board members
• , or is it just current elected officials?
• And very quickly, to answer your question, Senator Boyd, not former elected officials.
• And I'll save the longer debate. ...more elected officials. I won't qualify for this.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with CS/SB 678, which would allow pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; it drew support from a business representative and was reported favorably. Members then heard several bills by Senator Leak, including SB 466 to designate St. Johns County as the site of the Florida Museum of Black History and create a board to work with the museum foundation and Florida Memorial University; the bill drew supportive testimony about preserving accurate Black history and the significance of the site, and it passed favorably. Leak’s CS/SB 578 would let Florida wineries use recyclable inserts and other alternative containers for larger wine sales, and it also passed favorably. SB 582 would increase penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and structures, limiting the higher penalties to certain nationally or internationally recognized historic properties; it was supported by preservation advocates and reported favorably. CS/SB 1168 would create an aggravated offense for installing or using tracking devices or apps in furtherance of crimes such as murder, domestic violence, or robbery, and it passed favorably after a brief discussion about stalking and violent crimes. CS/SB 806 would make the Florida Attorney General the exclusive public official with standing to enforce Florida charitable trusts, limiting out-of-state attorneys general from suing over Florida-administered trusts; members debated whether this would burden out-of-state beneficiaries, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 1228 would advance spring restoration efforts for Ichetucknee Springs and Santa Fe spring flows and allow a utility compliance plan amendment to deliver reclaimed water to replenish the aquifer; it passed favorably. CS/CS/SB 304 would require a qualified medical opinion in child protective investigations involving infants and young children with possible genetic or medical conditions that can mimic abuse, and it drew emotional support from parents and advocates before passing favorably. SB 1286 would clarify that ordinary unsupervised childhood activities like biking or playing outside do not constitute neglect absent reckless endangerment, and it was reported favorably. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated the most extensive debate: it renames the texting-while-driving law, expands the prohibition to handheld device use, and adds penalties in work zones and school zones; supporters cited fatal crash statistics and personal loss, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, civil liberties, racial disparities in traffic stops, and the need for broader distracted-driving and insurance reforms. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably after amendments. The committee also approved two claims bills, SB 14 for the estate of Penao-Hanvier against Miami Beach and SB 20 for J.N. against Hillsborough County, both settled claims recommended favorably by the special master. Finally, CS/SB 68 would modernize health facilities authority financing for private not-for-profit health systems, and CS/SB 172 would restrict misuse of health care specialty titles while preserving titles authorized under existing practice acts; both were discussed with questions about doctors, optometrists, and CRNAs, and both were reported favorably after amendment and debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• We secured a large package also for public official safety here at the Capitol, the judicial branch,
• And as we go into the 2026 election, Minnesotans are going to have a big choice in front of them.
• officials, never even brought up gun control or any type of changes.
• </c> plan for legislators and elected plan for legislators and elected officials,<00:15:57.000><c> never
• </c> for public officials, and they got that. for public officials, and they got that.

Transcript Highlights:

• While elected officials often receive public recognition, the reality is that none of us accomplish work
• And yet he's still elected. Why?
• As a new elected official, we don't know how to navigate this building, how to run bills, when to vote
• As a new elected official, we don't know how to navigate this building, how to run bills, when to vote
• the governor issue a writ of election within 10 days of a vacancy to hold a special election.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, opened with a moment of silence for Ted Williams, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then accepted the previous day’s minutes and moved into a series of recognitions, beginning with House Resolution 27 designating June 24, 2026 as Staff Appreciation Day. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the chamber spent much of the meeting honoring legislative staff across both caucuses, with members and staff introducing themselves and being recognized for years of service and behind-the-scenes work. The House also recognized staff member Justin, who is leaving for a position with the Delaware State Board of Education, and later gave farewell remarks for Representative Kevin Hensley and Representative Charles Postles, both of whom are retiring. Numerous members spoke in tribute to their service, constituent work, and personal character, and both Hensley and Postles offered remarks thanking colleagues, staff, and family. The House then received communications from the Senate, including several bills and resolutions passed and returned, and a notice of Senate concurrence on other measures. Representative Wilson-Anton made a brief statement explaining her vote on Senate Bill 100 and reaffirming support for marriage equality and related civil rights issues. The chamber also took up Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, which set the official revenue estimates for fiscal years 2026 and 2027; both were read, called to roll, and passed by constitutional majority votes of 37-4 and 40-1, respectively. Finally, the House considered Senate Bill 335, the operating budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Representative Williams presented the budget on behalf of the Joint Finance Committee, describing major funding items including raises for state and education employees, health insurance and retiree benefit funding, developmental disability services, Medicaid growth, purchase of care, and maintenance of reserve funds. Several members praised the committee’s work, while Representative Shupe said he would vote no, citing concerns about the budget’s 6.3% growth despite appreciating the committee’s effort. After the budget presentation and comments, Leader Harris moved that the House recess for party caucuses, and the House stood in recess until the call of the bell.

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite having the best elections in the nation, our President has said that New Mexico's elections are
• About conducting election contrary to law or interfere with the conduct of the election, then they could
• Anyone immunity to violate our election law.
• Madam Chair, through our election— Madam Chair, through our election code, if there is an emergency,
• So I'll go back to my own experience in Moda County, and during that emergency all elected officials

Summary: The subcommittee heard a bill aimed at protecting New Mexico elections from outside interference and codifying emergency election procedures. The sponsor argued New Mexico already ranks first nationally in election administration, but said the bill was needed in response to threats of federal interference, including possible deployment of federal agents at polling places. The bill would create state prohibitions on stationing troops or armed federal personnel at polling places, interfering with election workers or voters, or changing voter qualifications or election rules contrary to state law. It would also create civil enforcement authority for the Attorney General, Secretary of State, county clerks, or affected voters, with injunctions and civil penalties, and make violations a fourth-degree felony. A second major section would allow emergency changes to polling locations and voting procedures during declared disasters such as wildfires or floods without first obtaining a court order, including use of mobile voting units and secure online ballot return options for some voters. The Secretary of State’s office said these procedures were already largely in rule and that the fiscal impact would be minimal, with existing voter education materials and law enforcement guides covering implementation. The office also said the bill would extend who may request law enforcement assistance and strengthen existing election offenses by adding “under color of law” language and a new offense for intentionally obstructing access to a polling place. Committee members raised concerns about definitions, possible effects on military personnel, police, federal officers, county clerks, tribal jurisdictions, and polling places on federal property, as well as the scope of civil penalties and how intent would be proven. Several members questioned whether the bill was rushed, whether all analyses had been received, and whether the emergency provisions could disadvantage rural communities if notice requirements could not be met during disasters. The sponsor and Secretary of State representative responded that the bill would not prevent qualified voters, including military members, from voting, that local police were treated differently from federal personnel, and that courts would determine intent and appropriate defendants. No vote was taken; the chair said the hearing was being held as a subcommittee and would reconvene later, likely the next day, for a vote.