Video & Transcript Research : 'election transparency'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
No NDAs for municipalities 3/11/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- c> in electeds when elected officials in electeds when elected officials in general<00:05:02.320>
- Uh hello, Elections Finance Committee. Uh hello, Elections Finance Committee.
- It also leads to lack of transparency. I'd like to read an actual transparency.
- elected official in the city of Dundas. elected official in the city of Dundas.
- 00:37:35.920>
be <00:37:36.160>100% Elected officials, there should be 100% transparency
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- If we're doing this for transparency purposes, then it should be transparent as to what they're asking
- where both elections say, right, one election for the rate and one election for the bond.
- What I'm hearing is, "Just have an election, just have an election."
- To hold elections, we have to hold elections.
- . ...all about transparency.
Keywords:
property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Elections and Constitutional Amendments
Transcript Highlights:
- Election administrators share the author's commitment to voter access and election security, but SB 884
- election date, the secretary shall verify and confirm the election results.
- or declare martial law and have no election?
- We've seen attempts to reduce election, poll, electronic ...attempts to reduce election, electronic poll
- to promote transparency, accuracy, and public confidence.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- in the five counties will need to start administering the elections.
- SB 830 provides important technical clarifications for county elections officials and improves transparency
- officials can administer the election effectively and to recognize the... ...can administer the election
- File item number nine, SB 1431 by the Committee on Elections and Constitutional...
- systems and public faith in the results of our elections.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 04/15/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:02:05.920>
It transparent with their residents. It transparent with their residents. - proper transparency. proper transparency.
- the terms, then that's all transparent. the terms, then that's all transparent.
- It was drafted as elected officials. It was drafted as elected officials.
- <00:25:47.960>
with elected officials who are elected with elected officials who are elected
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, it's the first time they've been elected, have been allowed to be elected. OK.
- Appraisal from three elected members to five elected members.
- I am always for transparency, accountability, secure elections, and a prosperous Texas.
- We do have elected boards of directors in populous counties. Now, we tracked these elections.
- There were 50 populous counties that qualified for an election. election board of directors.
Keywords:
county appraisal district, board of directors, governance, taxing units, public representation, penalty, property report, taxation, timely filing, chief appraiser, appraisal district, ad valorem tax, property appraisal, tax protests, unequal appraisal, property rights, property tax, public employees, protest leave, appraisal review board
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/24/26
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- to have a transparent conversation with their elected officials.
- I've also heard from local elected I've also heard from local elected officials<00:09:00.960>
- transparent deserve to have a transparent conversation<00:09:26.880>
with <00:09:27.040>their - <00:09:27.240>
elected conversation with their elected conversation with their elected officials - I think transparency is good I'm open. I think transparency is good for<00:32:44.040>
business.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- is a bill about financial transparency is a bill about financial transparency for<00:03:04.000><
- So, transparency is good.
- this bill and I think it's transparency this bill and I think it's transparency is<00:10:41.279>
- board elected races. Am I am I correct? board elected races. Am I am I correct?
- I'm a big Democratic guy elected.
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 3, which would expand financial transparency requirements for Kentucky school districts. Sponsor Senator Lindsey Tichenor said the bill would require public access to budgeting and spending information, including final working budgets, monthly credit card statements, superintendent contracts and compensation, audits, and related financial reports posted on district websites. A committee amendment correcting citations was adopted by voice vote. Supporters, including Laura O’Brien, described examples of district spending they viewed as excessive and argued that more detailed public disclosure would help taxpayers and school boards identify misuse of funds. Senator Higdon and others voiced support for transparency, while Senator Meredith said he supported the intent but wanted the bill to go further. The committee passed SB 3 with 11 aye votes and one no vote, with favorable expression.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Senator David Givens, which would restore and clarify governance changes for Jefferson County Public Schools by defining the roles of the school board and superintendent. Givens said the bill responds to a state Supreme Court ruling and includes 42 stated reasons for the governance changes. Opponents, including Jefferson County Teachers Association president Maddie Shepard, JCPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood, and board member James Craig, argued the bill would weaken local democratic control, concentrate authority in one administrator, and reduce community voice. Yearwood said he works collaboratively with the board and that the bill is about adults and governance rather than students, while Craig said the district needs stronger oversight, not less. Supporters of the bill argued that the current structure has not produced adequate results and that the changes are needed to improve outcomes and accountability. The transcript ends during the SB 1 testimony and discussion, before a final vote is taken.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Jan 28, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We urge you to support HB 772 and take another step toward fair, more transparent elections.
- We urge you to support HB 772 and take another step toward fair, more transparent elections.
- thank transparent elections thank you thank transparent elections thank you thank you<01:27:53.040
- trust the elections process.
- trust the elections process.
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held its first hearing of the 33rd Legislature and heard several measures, beginning with HB 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain purposes and direct the Office of Information Practices to adopt uniform rules. OIP supported the bill, saying it would help researchers access government records, while DLNR questioned whether the bill was necessary, raised concerns about costs and exemptions, and suggested a definition change regarding media. The Public First Law Center and other supporters said the bill would not remove existing exemptions or create new disclosure requirements, but would simply authorize rulemaking to create a clearer process for research access. Common Cause Hawaiʻi raised concern about including news media in the measure. The chair emphasized that the rulemaking process would allow agencies and the public to work through details, and the committee moved on without a recorded vote in the transcript.
The committee then heard HB 411, which would create uniform administrative penalty procedures under the state ethics code and lobbyist law, and HB 412, which would expand lobbying definitions to cover certain communications with high-level executive officials about procurement and make some contracts voidable if awarded through unethical lobbying. The Ethics Commission supported HB 411 as an efficiency measure that would streamline the charge process without changing substantive rights, while HB 412 was described as a narrow transparency measure modeled on other states. The State Procurement Office warned that voiding contracts could cause delays, warranty issues, third-party complications, and higher reprocurement costs. The Ethics Commission responded that any contract revocation would be at the Attorney General’s discretion and likely reserved for egregious cases, and that the threat of voiding a contract would help deter noncompliance. The committee also heard HB 413, which clarifies that lobbyist campaign contribution prohibitions apply during periods when both houses of the Legislature are in session; the Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission both supported the bill and the Ethics Commission requested amendments to clarify jurisdiction between state and county lobbyist enforcement.
Finally, the committee took up HB 149, which would require domestic and foreign corporations to report independent expenditures and political contributions to shareholders. The only testimony noted in the transcript was written comments from Matson, which said the requirement would be expensive and cumbersome and that the information is already publicly available through existing campaign finance reporting websites. No votes or final committee actions on the bills were recorded in the provided transcript.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 2/26/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We have an election in 2026. 201 legislators will be up for election.
- We have an election in 2026. 201 legislators will be up for election.
- We have an election in 2026. 201 legislators will be up for election.
- We would probably be better off if we had true transparency in funding for our elections.
- We would probably be better off if we had true transparency in funding for our elections.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Elections and Constitutional Amendments
Transcript Highlights:
- around them say they're going to interfere in elections, I believe them.
- Election administrators share the author's commitment to voter access and election security, but SB 884
- The secretary shall verify and confirm the election results.
- or declare martial law and have no election?
- to promote transparency, accuracy, and public confidence.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related measures. SB 884 by Senator Umberg proposed expanding polling-place buffer zones, limiting certain law enforcement activity near polling sites, increasing ballot drop boxes and vote center access, and extending the vote-by-mail receipt deadline; supporters said it would protect voters from intimidation, while county election officials opposed it as operationally difficult and costly. The bill was amended in committee to allow county supervisors discretion over expanding the buffer zone and to permit law enforcement entry for crimes against persons or property. It was ultimately passed out of committee on a 4-1 vote after members’ roll calls were completed later in the day. SB 1164 by Senator Cervantes would expand California voting-rights protections by codifying and broadening anti-dilution and anti-suppression rules, adding preclearance for some jurisdictions, and directing courts to favor voting access; it drew strong support from civil rights and voting-rights groups, while one city raised concerns about effects on pending litigation. The committee advanced the bill to Judiciary on a 4-1 vote after later roll call completion.
The committee also considered SB 900 by Senator McNerney, which would streamline political advertisement disclosures by shortening required disclaimer language, allowing standard abbreviations, and increasing the number of top funders disclosed on political mailers from three to five. Supporters from the outdoor advertising industry and campaign finance reform groups said the bill would preserve transparency while making disclosures more readable; it passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations. In contrast, SB 1225 and its companion SCA 3 by Senator Niello would transfer responsibility for drafting ballot titles and summaries for initiatives and referenda from the Attorney General to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Supporters argued this would improve neutrality and public trust, while opponents said the current elected Attorney General system is accountable and efficient; both measures were advanced on narrow votes after roll calls were completed later.
Finally, SB 1360 by Senator Cervantes, part of the California Voting Rights Act of 2026 package, would expand language-access requirements for election materials by lowering the threshold for coverage, adding a petition process, and extending protections beyond current federal language categories. Voting-rights and immigrant-advocacy groups strongly supported the bill, while county election officials opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about the precinct-based determination model and implementation details. The committee passed SB 1360 to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote after the later roll call. The committee also approved a consent calendar of seven measures at the start of the hearing.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (02/04/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- just a regular election worker been involved<00:28:32.399>
in <00:28:32.559>elections < - 18,1 48 voters on Election 18,1 48 voters on Election Day<00:29:18.760>
we <00:29:18.960>< - have one elected moderator, and I was actually running a polling place in 2018 before I was elected
- Devices used in an election must be tested before the election begins, and the state provides sample
- “But not perform fine on Election Day, and that is one of the reasons for the after-election— is that
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Conference Committee - SF0028, March 5, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The actual election efforts. But, Mr.
- about security versing transparency. about security versing transparency.
- <00:07:52.880>
Uh <00:07:53.240>transparency, the job. Uh transparency, the job. - We've we have visited transparency.
- <00:09:43.920>
Uh as their elections chair. Uh as their elections chair.
Summary:
The conference committee met on Senate File 2028, an elections-related bill concerning public logic and accuracy testing of voting equipment. The House explained its changes: extending notice from two to four days, removing language that limited the number of people in the room so the testing could be more open to the public, and adding language about resealing equipment after testing. The Senate side said the bill was largely technical but focused on balancing transparency with security and suggested a middle-ground notice period and a minimum number of people in the room rather than an open-ended crowd size.
County clerks Mary Langford and Julie Freeze testified in support of maintaining strong security and discretion during testing. They said clerks already notify party chairs and candidates through email, social media, and other means, and argued that two days’ notice is workable because election logistics can change at the last minute due to weather, missing materials, or equipment issues. They emphasized that testing should remain public, but that clerks need flexibility to manage room size and protect equipment and chain of custody, especially in smaller or more secure spaces.
Other members discussed whether the bill should be delayed, but witnesses said clerks would continue to make testing publicly available even without the bill and that the Senate version better preserved the balance between visibility and security. The committee ultimately moved to the Senate position, and the conference committee report passed on a roll call vote with all members voting aye, including Representatives Lock, Lucas, and Yen, and Senators Dockter and Erlandson; Senator Keiser was recorded as no.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 3/10/25
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- to elect its members.
- <00:13:47.360>
its the election process we use to elect its the election process we use to - executive director of clean elections executive director of clean elections Minnesota<00:26:16.440
- current federal state and local elected current federal state and local elected officials<00:41:
- Maps turn out and who wins the elections Maps turn out and who wins the elections as<00:43:26.800
Bills:
HF550
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- How is that not opaque and not transparent? transparent? transparent?
- election ballot, it went to election election ballot, it went to election law. law. law.
- the general election versus the right the general election versus the town<01:24:20.080>
election - House Bill 1342 is about election transparency and equal treatment under the law.
- election officials. election officials. Yes. Yes. Yes.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (1-20-26)
Postsecondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- So it's very transparent and very open.
- something other than an elective. something other than an elective.
- other than an elective when they do so. other than an elective when they do so. followup<00:41:49.599
- >
that <00:48:09.040>students transparency piece there that students transparency piece - So a lot of times when we hear transfer courses are only transferring as an elective, that term 'elective
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education opened its first meeting with roll call, member introductions, and introductions of numerous interns from Kentucky colleges and universities. The chair reviewed committee rules for the 2026 session, including witness oaths, sign-up procedures, limits on testimony, and the deadline for submitting committee substitutes and amendments.
The committee then took up House Bill 96, sponsored by Chair Tipton, which would revise the membership and timing of the performance-based funding work group. Tipton said the bill would expand legislative participation from one House and one Senate member to five from each chamber, keep university and KCTCS presidents on the group, make the CPE president a nonvoting chair, and change the work group’s schedule from a fiscal year to a calendar year. He argued the changes would build institutional knowledge, allow university leaders to meet without creating quorum/open-meeting issues, and help the group develop recommendations for the next General Assembly. Members raised concerns about politicization and the even-numbered membership, while Tipton said he wanted consensus rather than a tied vote. The committee approved HB 96 on a roll call vote, with most members voting yes and Representative Willner voting no but saying she might change her vote later on the House floor.
The committee also heard House Bill 94 for discussion only, so no vote was taken. Representative Vanessa Gracel and CPE counsel Travis Pal described the bill as a transfer-pathways measure aimed at making two-year-to-four-year and four-year-to-four-year transfers more seamless in high-demand programs. They said the proposal would require CPE, public universities, and KCTCS to collaborate on statewide transfer pathways based on student and workforce demand, with institutions able to opt in or out of specific pathways but required to disclose nontransferable courses for transparency. Gracel argued the bill would reduce credit loss, lower time and cost to degree, improve completion rates, and help students and families understand transfer options; she also criticized some universities for not engaging in the process. No action was taken on HB 94 at this meeting.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 8, 2025 - 08:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Our elections are open and transparent.
- Our elections are open and transparent.
- 2024 elections.
- Voter trust is vital to the process, and that trust is earned through transparency, ensuring election
- election cycle?
Summary:
The Government Operations Subcommittee met to hear a lengthy presentation from Secretary of State Cord Byrd on Florida election administration, with a focus on how elections are handled during natural disasters, election security, and preparations for the 2026 cycle. Byrd described Florida’s response to hurricanes in 2022 and 2024, saying the state works directly with county supervisors of elections to tailor executive orders to local conditions, add or relocate polling sites, extend deadlines, and help displaced voters and emergency workers cast ballots. Members from affected areas echoed that local supervisors had managed storm disruptions well and that turnout remained strong despite major damage.
A large portion of the meeting covered election integrity and security. Byrd emphasized Florida’s use of paper ballots, pre-election logic and accuracy testing, post-election audits, public canvassing, standardized voter-intent rules, and strict vote-by-mail request and signature-match requirements. He said the Department of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security investigates complaints and refers matters to law enforcement, and that Florida has expanded access to the federal SAVE database to verify citizenship. Members asked about threats to election workers, staffing vacancies, cybersecurity, ballot design, vote-by-mail address changes, and how the state coordinates with county supervisors, emergency management, and other agencies.
Several members raised questions about voter eligibility and returning citizens, and Byrd said the department provides free information to help people determine whether their rights have been restored, while noting that court and clerk reporting practices still create challenges. He also said the department is considering additional legislative proposals, including more safeguards tied to driver’s license and citizenship verification and a possible statewide 100% audit of races before certification. The meeting ended with the chair encouraging members to visit supervisors of elections offices and submit specific ideas for future elections legislation; no votes were taken and the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 22nd, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- trust in elections depends on one fundamental principle: ballots, voting systems, and election materials
- legal tools to respond quickly when election interference threatens voter confidence or election administration
- SB 73 helps ensure that California elections remain secure, transparent, and administered according to
- It's not about transparency or accountability.
- Their solution is to decrease the transparency in our elections.
Summary:
The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, then completed the roll call and prayer, adopted routine procedural motions, and moved through the daily file with many bills passed and retained or passed outright. Early measures included AB 2417 on community college faculty retirement information, AB 1579 expanding the Children’s Crisis Pilot Program, AB 2041 on emergency medical services reporting, AB 1547 on a UC medical school feasibility study in Kern County, and AB 1552 directing higher education segments to report on civic engagement and democracy education. The body also took up SB 73, an urgency elections-security bill, where supporters argued it would protect ballots, voting systems, and election workers from interference, while opponents said it could be unconstitutional, partisan, and overly restrictive of local and federal investigations. SB 73 passed with urgency and immediate transmittal to the Senate.
The Assembly then approved a long series of policy bills, many with unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including AB 1554 on California Earthquake Authority transparency, AB 1584 on civil rights duties at the Air Resources Board, AB 1592 on the California Indian Cultural Center, AB 1629 on direct payment to dentists, AB 1645 on prison visitation physical-contact rules, AB 1688 on foster care notice and accountability, AB 1699 on prescribed and cultural burns, AB 1738 on virtual final inspections for single-family homes, AB 1741 on charging sexual battery during a residential break-in as a wobbler, AB 1802 on mitigation lands endowments, AB 1813 on community renewable energy program changes, AB 1899 creating a youth homelessness prevention office, AB 1904 on a credentialing apprenticeship program, AB 1941 on organized metal theft, AB 2043 on drone-attack prevention for mass gatherings and critical infrastructure, AB 2054 on paid family leave for military relatives, AB 2081 on home-based Medi-Cal care, AB 2116 on predatory lending, AB 2122 limiting bench warrants for vehicle-code infractions, AB 2176 on student housing coordination, AB 2187 on tribal public-contract exemptions, AB 2221 on charitable fundraising processing deadlines, AB 2232 on advance parole hearing reporting, AB 2235 on confidentiality of judges’ home addresses, AB 2250 on cannabis/hemp enforcement cleanup, and AB 2266 on electricity. Most measures were described as support or bipartisan bills and passed with little or no opposition.
A few bills drew notable debate or recorded opposition, including AB 1813, AB 2122, and SB 73, though all ultimately passed. After finishing 35 items, the Assembly announced it would return the following week with a much larger file, noted upcoming floor amendment deadlines, and adjourned until Tuesday, May 26 at 1 p.m. A post-adjournment vote change was also recorded, changing Assembly Member Dixon’s vote on AB 2041 from aye to no.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/12/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:08:33.000>
without ensures transparency without ensures transparency without discouraging - <00:09:31.399>
the fully supports transparency the fully supports transparency the expansion - , as well as the week of the election when election officials come to that facility.
- , as well as the week of the election when election officials come to that facility.
- , as well as the week of the election when election officials come to that facility.