Video & Transcript Research : 'election transparency'

Page 74 of 500
WY
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.
Keywords: 916, all
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

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Election Law (01/20/2026)

Election Law

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.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
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
Keywords: 958, all
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.
Keywords: 1183, house
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Public Service

Transcript Highlights:
  • House 2890, relative to transparency in municipal health insurance...
  • or appointed through a more equitable and transparent process.
  • of their member agency, who will elect three members and approve bylaw changes.
  • Two are elected by all the system members, active employees and retirees.
  • board $10,000 a year for elections.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a range of public retirement and municipal health insurance bills. Mass Retirees and the American Federation of Teachers supported House 2890/Senate 1848 on transparency in municipal health insurance, arguing that broker and consultant roles should be clearly defined, commissions disclosed, and dual roles prohibited to reduce conflicts of interest and costs. They also supported House 2799/Senate 1848 on protecting municipal retirees from future premium contribution increases, House 2854 on voting rights for surviving spouses in retirement board elections, and Senate 1917 on updating the definition of veteran for retirement purposes. Committee members discussed whether the veteran definition should simply conform to the federal definition going forward. Educators testified in support of House 2769/Senate 1921, which would allow teachers with at least 20 years of service to buy back creditable service for periods when they worked part-time while raising children. Multiple teachers described the financial and retirement penalties they experienced after stepping down to part-time work for child care, calling the current system inequitable and a “mom tax.” Sponsors and supporters said the bill is intended to correct that disparity and help retain teachers, while one committee member noted it appeared neutral on an actuarial basis. The committee also heard strong support for Senate 1908, which would raise the cap on outside income for public pension recipients, from retired State Police troopers who said the current limit is outdated and unfair to those forced into disability retirement after line-of-duty injuries. Another State Police representative supported House 2910 on state police pensions, citing recruitment and retention problems under current pension rules. In contrast, Hampden County Regional Retirement System officials and the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems opposed House 2745, a bill to restructure the Hampden County system’s governance, arguing it would weaken PERAC oversight and create an unworkable local system. They instead supported House 2813, which would extend the time to fill a vacant fifth member seat on retirement boards. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted to adjourn the hearing.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • to spend in our elections.
  • spent in our elections nationally. spent in our elections nationally.
  • them to spend money in our elections. them to spend money in our elections.
  • upcoming election season? upcoming election season?
  • upcoming election season. upcoming election season.
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: The program focused heavily on election policy and campaign finance. Senator Liz Boldon discussed the federal SAVE Act, saying it would require in-person proof of citizenship to register, limit online and mail registration, and require qualifying photo ID to vote. She argued the measure would create barriers for eligible voters, especially people without passports, women who have changed names, and mail voters, and said there is little evidence of non-citizen voting to justify the bill. The segment also noted Minnesota’s high turnout in 2024 and framed the issue as one of access and disenfranchisement. Boldon also outlined her Minnesota bill, Senate File 4147, aimed at reducing dark money in elections by limiting corporate spending and increasing transparency. She cited the growth in outside spending since Citizens United, said Minnesotans want to know who is influencing elections, and described the bill as a novel approach that could face constitutional challenges. She said the measure had already moved through three committees and might not affect the upcoming election season even if enacted. The program then highlighted Senate File 5050, the Republican-backed Save Minnesota Act, which would require qualifying photo ID at the polls and during early and absentee voting, allow provisional ballots when voters cannot prove identity, citizenship, or residence, create free state-issued voter ID cards, and direct officials to remove non-citizens from voter rolls. It also covered Senate File 1851, a bipartisan bill by Senator Bonnie Westlin to ban scam PACs and allow victims, the Attorney General, and others to sue fraudsters; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill and could take effect in August if passed. The final portion introduced newly seated Senator Michael Holmstrom, who won a special election after the death of Senator Bruce Anderson. Holmstrom described his long involvement in Republican and pro-life politics, his work on campaigns and door-knocking, his small-business background, and the personal experiences that shaped his views. The segment also noted that all state Senate seats will be on the ballot in November, listed several senators not seeking reelection, and gave the candidate filing window as May 19 through June 2.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Elections Committee Jun 17th, 2026

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, to recognize the... ...can administer the election
  • systems and public faith in the results of our elections.
  • We are election... Ignacio Hernandez on behalf of Verified Voting.
Summary: The committee met on June 17, 2026, beginning without a quorum and initially proceeding as a subcommittee. Members heard several Senate bills, with testimony focused mainly on redistricting, Bay Area transit funding, and military/overseas voting access. The chair also announced committee membership changes and that SB 1369 had been pulled by the author. Written testimony was accepted through the committee portal, and public testimony was limited by the chair’s rules. SB 1414 by Senator Reyes would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County. Supporters, including Inland Empire United, Common Cause, and the League of Women Voters, argued the bill would improve transparency and reduce political influence in map drawing. Opponents, including San Bernardino County and several local government/election groups, said the county’s existing advisory commission already provided substantial public input and raised concerns about cost. The bill was moved do pass as amended and re-referred to Local Government, with one no vote from Assembly Member Lackey; it was later taken off call and passed 6-1. SB 830 by Senator Wiener made technical changes to the administration of the Bay Area regional transit sales tax measure authorized by SB 63, including uniform ballot naming and county-specific ballot arguments. Support came from labor, transit, business, and advocacy groups, who said the bill would help voters understand the measure and protect transit funding. Members emphasized the Bay Area’s transit funding crisis and the need for local action. The bill passed do pass as amended, 5-1, and was later recorded as out 6-0 on call. The committee also approved a consent calendar containing six bills. SB 970 by Senator Cervantes addressed military and overseas voting after the federal discontinuation of the Department of Defense fax service used for ballot return. Supporters, including county election officials and local government organizations, said California needed a secure replacement to avoid disenfranchising service members and overseas voters. The Secretary of State’s office and Verified Voting raised security concerns and suggested a task force or more detailed standards, but the author and supporters argued the bill was urgent and should direct the Secretary of State to develop secure regulations. The bill passed do pass and was re-referred to Military and Veteran Affairs, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Elections Committee Jul 1st, 2026

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Against racial vote dilution beyond at-large elections to include district maps and election systems
  • custody of election officials.
  • misconduct, resolve election contests, or preserve evidence during criminal prosecution of an election
  • and electronic data, and any other election material or equipment necessary to conduct an election.
  • But in the election this year, it is critically important that In the election this year, it is critically
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

State Affairs (Part II) Aug 4th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • It provides the shielding of elected officials.
  • This also undermines transparency.
  • Transparency is essential.
  • We need greater transparency, not less.
  • We need greater transparency, not less.
Bills: SB7, SB14
Summary: The Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 14, which would create a confidential department file for law enforcement officers and jailers and limit public access to records involving unsubstantiated misconduct, while preserving access for hiring agencies, TCOLE, and certain criminal justice uses. TCOLE’s Gretchen Grigsby explained the current rollout of law enforcement recordkeeping reforms, including the distinction between the public personnel file and the confidential G-file, and answered questions about when TCOLE would request files during investigations. Senator Perry and other members focused on how the bill would interact with existing personnel-file rules, public transparency, and criminal discovery obligations. Public testimony was largely opposed. Critics argued the bill was drafted too broadly, could sweep in records beyond misconduct files, and would reduce transparency for the public, journalists, oversight bodies, and families seeking answers in cases such as Uvalde and jail deaths in Tarrant County. Several witnesses said the bill could allow small or single-officer agencies, including elected constables, to shield their own records, and some warned it could chill reporting and oversight. Supporters, including law enforcement representatives, said the bill would protect officers from false or unsubstantiated allegations, align agencies without civil-service protections with those that already have G-files, and preserve confidentiality for records that should not be public. Dallas County prosecutors and Harris County deputies supported the general policy but asked for clarifying amendments, especially to separate language they said could affect the Michael Morton Act and to preserve existing protections through in-camera review or protective orders. Committee members spent significant time questioning witnesses about how substantiated versus unsubstantiated allegations would be handled, whether body camera footage and case files would remain public, and how the bill would affect discovery in criminal cases. After hearing all registered witnesses, the chair closed public testimony. Senate Bill 14 was left pending, and the committee recessed.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 229 Conference PM - 05-01-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • consideration regarding ensuring that there's open and equitable access to such providers, you know, having transparent
  • you equitable access to such providers, you know,<00:28:56.280> having<00:28:56.640> transparent
  • <00:28:57.240> eligibility know, having transparent eligibility know, having transparent eligibility
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 016 Conference PM - 05-01-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 05-01-2026 06:30pm

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Committee Report No. 26, final reading of Senate Bill 2143, Conference Draft 1, relating to the Chief Election
  • Committee Report No. 26, final reading of Senate Bill 2143, Conference Draft 1, relating to the Chief Election
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 224 Conference PM - 05-01-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • does make me uncomfortable that a foreign pack can come into Hawaii to spend money to influence our elections
  • Hawaii to spend money to<00:11:36.640> influence<00:11:37.000> our<00:11:37.080> elections
  • ,<00:11:37.560> influence to influence our elections, influence to influence our elections
  • exempt from this bill and would allow foreign packs and super PACs to come in and influence our elections
  • exempt from this bill and would allow foreign packs and super PACs to come in and influence our elections
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 224 Conference AM - 05-01-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it's really just disclosure and transparency and making sure that we're not suppressing multi-family
  • So it's really just disclosure and<00:22:36.520> transparency<00:22:37.200> and<00:22:37.280
  • > making<00:22:37.520> sure<00:22:37.640> that and transparency and making sure
  • that and transparency and making sure that we're<00:22:37.880> not<00:22:38.080> suppressing
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 016 Conference AM - 05-01-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 229 Conference AM - 04-30-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Room 229 Conference PM - 04-30-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • to dashboard with program-level data to further<00:35:32.640> improve<00:35:32.880> transparency
  • ,<00:35:33.640> identify further improve transparency, identify further improve transparency