Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:53.680><c> so</c> potential spurless Party candidate so potential spurless Party candidate
• </c> enforcement or uh a political candidate enforcement or uh a political candidate but<00:19:23.919
• uh that might be a national candidate uh that might be a national candidate<00:26:45.399><c> and</c>
• <00:26:45.559><c> so</c> candidate and so candidate and so um<00:26:47.960><c> and</c><00:26:48.320><
• </c> supporting the candidate or the party supporting the candidate or the party okay<00:31:05.279><c

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• without the consent of the nonpartisan candidate.
• of the nonpartisan candidate.
• If a deceased candidate is the only candidate to have filed for the office during a regular or special
• When there's a disqualified candidate, there's often certain evidentiary hearings to make sure the candidate
• If someone is removed and there's just one candidate, you can still sign up for write-in candidate and

Bills: HB2356 , HB2574 , HB2572 , HB2460 , HJR4212 , HB2631 , HB2333 , HB2462 , HB2419 , HB2176 , HB2491

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: homicide, public records, transparency, law enforcement, victim rights, election, ballot, candidates, deceased, voting law, voting access, military voters, overseas voters, Native American voters, disabled voters, election reform, accessibility, ballot measures, vacancies, elected offices

Transcript Highlights:

• . candidates. candidates.
• This is the candidate. This office, this is the candidate.
• This is the candidate. This office, this is the candidate.
• This is the candidate. This office, this is the candidate.
• </c> a candidate. a candidate.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• How do EPPs decide what courses candidates have to take?
• requirements, so we talked about the teacher candidate-specific ones.
• Most teacher candidates complete two to three courses, six to nine credit hours, while teacher candidates
• , teacher candidates begin To gain classroom experience early in their studies, teacher candidates complete
• The candidate goes deeply into one content area.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there was no law saying that municipal candidates had to have one.
• But there was no law saying that municipal candidates had to have one.
• But there was no law saying that municipal candidates had to have one.
• But there was no law saying that municipal candidates had to have one.
• But there was no law saying that municipal candidates had to have one.

Bills: HB42 , SB246 , SB38 , SB194 , SB183 , SB253 , SB160

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: unclaimed vehicles, towing, Department of Revenue, notification requirements, abandoned vehicles, real estate, residential property, single-family home, homeowner protection, property solicitation, unsolicited offer, wholesaling, real estate wholesaling, assignment contract, equitable interest, investment property, house flipping, predatory real estate practices, title cloud, deceptive trade practices

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> entity has donated to a candidate entity has donated to a candidate running<00:10:51.160><c> for
• But the House version goes beyond that and applies to any candidate committee in any race.
• So, there's no reporting requirement burden placed on local candidates here.
• This is just local candidates here.
• </c> can fund local candidates and measures. can fund local candidates and measures.

Summary: The Committee of Conference on Senate Bill 534 met to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill dealing with foreign influence in elections and related election-law provisions. The House members explained that they had spent several hours revising the bill line by line to better fit existing statute, while preserving the substance of the Senate bill. Senator Lang reported that, after meeting with the Secretary of State, his concern about a foreign entity using a lobbyist for procurement matters was resolved, and he said the House language addressed election-law and warrant article issues rather than procurement issues. Senator Rosenwald raised concerns that the House version broadened the bill too far into local elections and could burden or discourage candidates for local offices such as select board, library trustee, or fire commission. In response, House members said the bill does not require local candidates to form committees or file new reports; instead, it prohibits foreign entities from donating to local campaigns and makes enforcement complaint-driven through the Attorney General’s public integrity unit. They said an earlier affirmation requirement had been removed and characterized the change as closing a loophole for foreign funding of local candidates and measures. After discussion, the Senate voted to accede to the House position, with the chair calling the vote and announcing that the ayes had it. The committee then discussed placing the measure on the consent calendar, but that plan was dropped because of an anticipated objection. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• pulled down candidate um addresses from pulled down candidate um addresses from places<00:02:29.520><
• So I way uh candidates are treated.
• </c> caucus candidates? caucus candidates?
• , but there's lots of candidates.
• , but there's lots of candidates.

Summary: The committee took up House File 3363, a bill focused on protecting the privacy and safety of legislators and other candidates by limiting public access to home addresses and related information in campaign finance and election filings. The author said the bill was prompted by the events of June 14 and was intended to make temporary Campaign Finance Board changes permanent. No public testimony was offered, and the author explained that the bill had been narrowed and reorganized after a Senate delete-everything amendment expanded its scope. Members then considered a series of amendments. The A1 amendment, which added security devices and security services as allowable non-campaign disbursements, was adopted after questions about family relationships and whether payments to relatives could qualify. The A2 through A9 amendments were also adopted, covering data classification or redaction of street addresses in Campaign Finance Board reports, lobbyist gift reports, candidate affidavits of candidacy, nominating petitions, local government candidate reports, and retroactive redaction of existing reports. The A4 amendment was modified by A12 to apply city, state, and ZIP code reporting to political committees, political funds, and party units. The A13 amendment removed a proposed misdemeanor penalty tied to disclosure violations, and the A14 amendment was adopted to give caucus and chamber leaders access to actual candidate addresses, though members noted the language still needed refinement and that the intent was to continue working on it. There was discussion about whether the address-access language in A14 would apply to all candidates or only legislative candidates, and whether it would affect residency disputes; staff said it would not change complaint or court processes, but could be a data point. Several members said they had concerns about the breadth of the language but were willing to keep working on it. After the amendments were adopted, the committee moved to the bill as amended and recommended that House File 3363 be re-referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• , uh, candidates themselves.
• , uh, candidates themselves.
• , uh, candidates themselves.
• , uh, candidates themselves.
• , uh, candidates themselves.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:53.440><c> There's</c> candidates. It's not their role. There's candidates.
• </c> harbor for if your local if a candidate harbor for if your local if a candidate or<00:26:02.400>
• They have candidate forums that they do, invite candidates, have candidate introductory nights and the
• ><c> have</c><00:47:02.640><c> candidate</c> invite candidates, have candidate invite candidates, have
• I mean do we see candidate nights? that. I mean do we see candidate nights?

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Candidate committees must report their contributions and expenditures as a candidate committee.
• Section six removes reference to candidate to recognize it is now candidate committee.
• Uh, and candidate Association.
• Notify the candidate committee if a written complaint is filed by another candidate.
• It would be $1,000 per candidate.

Committee: Joint Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• This means candidates were able to complete their preparation.
• This means candidates were able to complete their preparation.
• candidates to kind of go around.
• This is clearly impacting candidates of color as well.
• to candidates to maintain their national board certification.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an extended discussion on state efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain teachers, with a focus on whether current programs are sustainable and well targeted. Testimony from the Learning Policy Institute, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Education, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described persistent shortages, especially in special education, math, science, bilingual education, and high-need schools. Speakers emphasized that residency programs, Golden State Teacher Grants, National Board incentives, classified employee pathways, and undergraduate teacher pipelines have helped increase preparation and retention, but many of these efforts rely on one-time funding and lack long-term certainty. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns about the “leaky pipeline,” working conditions, the burden of student debt, and whether the state should simplify and institutionalize support for aspiring teachers rather than rely on a patchwork of grants. The agencies presented data showing continuing shortages and uneven distribution of fully credentialed teachers. CTC reported projected hiring needs of roughly 20,000 to 25,000 teachers annually, with the highest needs in self-contained classrooms, special education, and certain regions of the state. It also noted that emergency permits, waivers, and intern credentials remain high, and that teachers entering through those routes have higher turnover. LPI cited research showing residency-prepared teachers are more effective and more likely to stay, and argued that Golden State Teacher Grants attract candidates who might not otherwise enter teaching and help them complete preparation. CDE stressed that most new demand comes from attrition and urged support for multiple entry points, tuition assistance, and campus-based coursework. Several members also discussed the role of community college pathways, dual credentialing, and support for school leaders as part of retention. The LAO recommended rejecting the educator pipeline proposals under discussion, citing limited evidence of effectiveness and suggesting that any new spending should be more narrowly targeted to the highest-need schools and long-standing shortage subjects. The LAO also said that if the Legislature funds new programs this year, Proposition 98 would be preferable given the state’s fiscal condition. Committee members pushed back on the idea that declining enrollment or layoffs would solve shortages, noting that shortages and layoffs can coexist in different subject areas and regions. The discussion ended with agreement that staff would continue working with agencies on how to make teacher pipeline investments more consistent, coherent, and easier for candidates to navigate. The committee then turned to the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. Finance proposed $50 million in one-time General Fund support to extend the program for one additional year, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal because the first CSAC evaluation is not due until later in the year and because the funding would be non-Proposition 98. CSAC supported the extension, saying demand has been strong, over 20,000 aspiring educators have been served since 2021, and the agency had to pause applications after receiving more than 9,200 this year; it also said more than 2,500 candidates had already expressed interest for next year. Members asked how many students the new funding would serve, and CSAC estimated just under 5,000 awards at $10,000 each. The discussion also covered whether the grant could be moved into Proposition 98 and how the one-time nature of the funding affects confidence among prospective teachers.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> recording of a political candidate recording of a political candidate saying<00:19:46.720><c> or
• Section 2032 consent of the candidate.
• The change from political candidate, it widens the definition.
• ,</c><00:23:58.320><c> to</c> not just a political candidate, to not just a political candidate, to include
• It candidate, it widens the definition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public financing programs create more opportunities for candidates who truly represent our communities
• So, as you are likely all aware, when candidates choose to participate in these programs, they agree
• </c> spending limits that apply to candidates spending limits that apply to candidates who<00:10:01.360
• who truly represent our candidates who truly represent our communities<00:10:28.000><c> regardless</
• </c><00:10:35.440><c> choose</c><00:10:35.680><c> to</c> aware when candidates choose to aware when candidates

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1080 is a suspense-file candidate. Assembly Member Brian has waived presentation.
• Moving back to the file, AB 1235 is a suspense-file candidate.
• Moving back to file order, we have AB 1555, which is a suspense-file candidate.
• ACA 7 is a suspense-file candidate. Assembly Member Jackson has waived presentation.
• AB 2571 is a suspense-file candidate. AB 2571 is a suspense-file candidate.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard SCA 5, the Education Equalization Act, which would create an Equalization Reserve in the General Fund funded only in strong budget years with non-Prop 98 dollars. Senator Cortese and supporters argued it would provide a stable, ongoing stream of funding to reduce per-pupil disparities between basic-aid and non-basic-aid districts without reducing the Prop 98 minimum guarantee. Supporters included education foundation, school board, administrator, employee, and business representatives. Opponents, including the California Charter Schools Association, argued the measure unfairly excludes charter and county school students and could worsen inequities; some committee members also raised concerns about its fiscal effects and constitutional structure. The committee ultimately voted 4-0 to adopt SCA 5, with the measure kept on call for additional members. The committee then took up a series of Assembly bills, most of which were suspense-file candidates and were moved without objection after brief or waived presentations and no opposition testimony. AB 402, AB 708, AB 1080, AB 1126, AB 1235, AB 1555, AB 1641, ACA 7, AB 1672, AB 1943, AB 2565, and AB 2571 were all sent to suspense. AB 1204 drew testimony from school district leaders and coalition members who said it would worsen LCFF funding disparities by shifting future growth away from the base grant; the bill was opposed and moved to suspense. AB 1672 received support from CalPACE. The Department of Finance did not attend and had no comments on the measures. Finally, ACA 18 was presented as a constitutional amendment to double student voting seats on the UC Board of Regents, creating separate undergraduate and graduate student representation. The author and UC student witnesses said the change would strengthen student voice on issues such as tuition, housing, basic needs, and free speech, and would align UC with CSU and community college governance. There was no opposition testimony, but the committee treated ACA 18 as a suspense-file candidate and moved it to suspense without objection. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in law for unqualified candidates.
• If the deceased candidate is the only candidate to have filed for the office during a regular or special
• That candidate dies?
• If there's only one candidate and the candidate dies, there is a vacancy in candidacy for the office.
• The candidates are Samwise Gamgee and Sauron.

Bills: HB1759 , HB2632 , HB2574 , HB2235 , SGA9267

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: designation, commemoration, December 12, local observance, cultural significance, citizenship, immigration, terminology, rights, legal status, election, ballot, candidates, deceased, voting law, public records, concealed pistol licenses, firearm purchases, transfers, exemptions

Transcript Highlights:

• with candidates.
• with candidates.
• , but there's lots of candidates.
• </c><00:59:02.640><c> candidates.
• </c> there's lots of candidates candidates. there's lots of candidates candidates.

Bills: HF3884 , HF3881 , HF3882 , HF3883 , HF3363 , HF3362

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: tribal governments, Metropolitan Council, grant programs, funding, local government, small business, contracting, veteran-owned businesses, compliance, government contracts, housing finance, reporting requirements, regional development, city programs, elected officials, campaign access, multiple unit dwellings, residential access, voter registration

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...committees to start reporting monthly, just like candidates.
• By contrast, candidates running for office must report monthly.
• Speaking as a candidate and as a campaigner for local candidates, I would much prefer to complete the
• are on the ballot would also include our local candidates.
• Tax returns provide voters with important information: whether a candidate has paid taxes, what a candidate

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Summary: The House and Senate Election Laws committees held a hearing focused on campaign finance and several local election-related bills. Office of Campaign and Political Finance Director William Campbell testified in support of H. 848 and S. 515, saying the campaign finance law needs modernization and highlighting proposals for stronger Super PAC disclosure, more timely reporting, improved security for campaign participants, and other reforms. He said the bills would help update a 50-year-old system to reflect legal, economic, and cultural changes. A major portion of the hearing concerned H. 868/S. 507, which would require earlier and more frequent reporting by ballot question committees. Witnesses from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and others argued that ballot campaigns now involve tens of millions of dollars, much of it raised during periods with no real-time disclosure, and that moving these committees into the depository system would improve transparency without burdening grassroots signature-gathering. The committee also heard support for H. 811 and H. 812, which would allow municipalities to create citizen-funded election programs and require identifying information on political text messages, as well as S. 525/H. 875, which would bar political spending by foreign-influenced corporations. The committee also heard testimony on S. 2605, a Canton home rule petition to move town elections from April to November. Canton residents, a select board member, and a poll worker said the change would increase turnout, better align local elections with the November voting cycle, and give newly elected officials more time to prepare for town meeting. Senator Rausch also testified in support of S. 530, requiring presidential primary candidates to disclose recent tax returns. The hearing ended with no votes taken and the committee adjourning, with a note that the next hearing was tentatively scheduled for January 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• So then if we move on to 16.108.203, this is going to be the provision of law in which candidates, candidate
• of a candidate, multi-candidate committee, or non-statewide political party to disclose the balance
• So that was the reporting section for candidates.
• , candidate committee, political committee, or political party. ...where it says a candidate, candidate
• And the candidate says, 'I owe $575.75.

Bills: SB2156

Committee: House Government and Veterans Affairs

Summary: The subcommittee met to review HB 2156, which reorganizes North Dakota campaign finance disclosure law by repealing Chapter 16.1 and moving the provisions into a new Chapter 16.2 with mostly technical cross-reference updates. Legislative Council and the Secretary of State’s office walked through the bill section by section, explaining that most language is carried over from current law, with some cleanup to definitions, reporting requirements, public access rules, and filing procedures. The committee discussed how the new chapter would apply to candidates, candidate committees, political committees, political parties, ballot measure groups, and conduits. Several substantive issues were raised and adjusted during the discussion. Members questioned the open-records language for expenditures and contributions over $250, the use of “deposit” versus “receipt” as the reporting trigger, and whether the 48-hour supplemental reporting deadline should be changed to three calendar days; the group ultimately favored keeping 48 hours and using “deposit” consistently. They also clarified reporting dates, including changing one special-election deadline from 40 days to 39 days, and confirmed that balances of campaign funds would be reported but not made publicly available. The Secretary of State’s office also explained that the bill would make late fees public and that the chapter-wide penalty for willful violations remains a Class A misdemeanor. The main policy change debated at length was the late-filing fee schedule. Members expressed concern that the existing penalties were too low to deter intentional non-filers, and after discussion the committee agreed to increase the final late fee from $100 to $500 while keeping the new public posting of delinquent filers. The committee also reviewed an inflation-adjustment provision for reporting thresholds and the “ultimate true source of funds” language, which was described as existing law being carried into the new chapter. The meeting ended with the understanding that additional drafting changes would be made and that the bill would be ready for further committee action later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the section also is requiring that for candidates who must prove residence in their district
• who are filing for office using the absent candidates section of statute.
• </c><00:04:12.439><c> who</c> um requiring that for candidates who um requiring that for candidates who
• using the uh absent candidates um using the uh absent candidates um section<00:04:41.720><c> of</c><
• Garing.” probably 9% of the cases the candidates probably 9% of the cases the candidates would<00:46:

Transcript Highlights:

• The two candidates presented to us and answered questions from both committees.
• contact candidates with their contact information. information. information.
• the two candidates that as well. the two candidates presented<00:08:55.279><c> to</c><00:08:55.519><c
• ,</c> already questioned the candidates, already questioned the candidates, including<00:12:48.560><c
• c> make</c> the candidates candidates to come make the candidates candidates to come make their<00:15