Transcript Highlights:

• lists and voter registration system.
• An inactive voter is still a voter and can and is a legal voter, but It puts them on a path if they don't
• have any voter activity to eventually be removed.
• This is part of our standard voter list maintenance.
• There are certain voters, like those who haven't Had any voter activity in a while, if a first-class

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is slightly closer to maybe the voters' intention in Prop. 4. The year of withdrawal.
• This is slightly closer to maybe the voters' intent in Prop. 4.
• you make sure you convince voters that school funding is going to be protected.
• The coalition is the nonpartisan political home of 9.7 million common-sense voters.
• The coalition is the nonpartisan political home of 9.7 million common-sense voters.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on proposals to reform California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or rainy day fund, ahead of the May Revision. Members and witnesses reviewed how Proposition 2 (2014) changed reserve rules, including mandatory deposits, a 10% cap on the fund, and limits tied to the Governor’s declaration of a budget emergency. LAO staff explained that California’s revenues are highly volatile, that current reserve rules are complicated by interactions with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit, and that under current law reserves would cover only about one-third of funding shortfalls in a benchmark scenario over 50 years. The LAO presented its report recommending a larger reserve target, including raising the cap to 50% by 2055 and pairing that with either broader, more flexible deposit rules or a simpler approach that deposits all excess capital gains. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exempt BSA deposits from the state appropriations limit, while Assembly Member Valencia presented ACA 1, which would make similar changes and was described as an evolving proposal. Testimony generally supported saving more during boom years, but differed on how much to hardwire into the Constitution versus leave flexible, and on whether to broaden the deposit formulas beyond capital gains. Public witnesses and committee members raised additional issues, including whether reserve reforms should also address debt repayment, the treatment of unemployment insurance fund debt, and whether the Gann limit should be adjusted to better allow reserve growth. Supporters argued that stronger reserves would protect Californians from cuts during downturns and help the state weather volatility and federal funding threats. Some advocates warned that reforms should not come at the expense of current public needs, while taxpayer representatives cautioned against turning the BSA into a pass-through account that weakens constitutional spending limits. The hearing ended without a vote, with the committee chair noting the complexity of the issue and adjourning after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the voters is the part that I really struggle with.
• These aren't always like decisions of the voters.
• But the point is that subsequent... ...of the voters.
• The intention of the voter the first time and what was the intention of the voter the second time?
• That would be the way you find out and decipher real actual voter intent.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• DFL is here just to be absolutely clear that we will do what it takes to preserve the will of the voter
• Honoring the will of the voters means governing together under power sharing.
• voters are going to turn out.
• And that they heard from those voters. Well, she said she had some doubt.
• </c> and that they heard from those voters and that they heard from those voters well<00:19:34.559><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the voters would elect that position in 2028.
• Is it that same schedule starting in 2026 if passed by the voters?
• on, again, if the voters and the taxpayers are receiving, Again, if the voters and the taxpayers are
• You know, this is going to go to the voters for an up-or-down vote.
• That's what we're putting to the voters.

Summary: The committee heard and approved several measures. HB 735 expanded Florida’s boating improvement program to fund parking for boat trailers at public ramps and offered a 10% sovereign submerged land lease discount for manufacturers using environmental best management practices; it passed unanimously. HB 4021 expanded the North River Ranch Improvement Stewardship District in Manatee County by 640 acres and was reported favorably. CS for HB 371, which promotes nature-based methods and green/gray infrastructure for coastal resilience, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from resilience and environmental groups and committee members. The committee then took up HJR 1325, a proposed constitutional amendment to create an elected Commissioner of Government Efficiency (COGE) with authority to audit, investigate, and report on waste, fraud, and abuse in state and local government. The proposal would eliminate the lieutenant governor position, the Government Efficiency Task Force, and the legislature’s current auditor appointment, with many implementation details deferred to a future bill. Members debated the scope of the new office, its relationship to the Auditor General and inspectors general, whether it should cover the legislative and judicial branches, staffing, and the comparison to federal DOGE efforts. An amendment making a minor wording change was adopted, and the resolution passed 23-? with a favorable report after a split vote. The committee also approved two Gulf of America bills. HB 575 redesignated the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and CS for HB 549 required Florida’s academic standards and newly adopted instructional materials to reflect the federal designation for materials acquired on or after July 1, 2025. Both measures drew criticism from members who argued the renaming was politically motivated, historically insensitive, and potentially confusing for students, while supporters said Florida should align with federal action. HB 575 passed and CS for HB 549 passed 18-7. Finally, HB 4071, a local bill adjusting the boundary between Coral Springs and Parkland in Broward County by about 8.7 acres, was amended and reported favorably with support from both cities and the Broward delegation.

Transcript Highlights:

• INVOLVED WITH THIS LEGISLATION THAT IS TAKING UP COMPONENTS OF LEGISLATION TO REDUCE FRAUD, PROTECT VOTER
• PETITION SPONSORS ON THE PETITION CIRCULATORS OUT A STATUTORY FIDUCIARY DUTY TO THE VOTERS WITH WHICH
• OVERALL THIS IS BEING PUT IN PLACE BECAUSE OF THE FIDUCIARY DUTY THAT THE SPONSOR OWES TO THE VOTERS
• BUT WHAT IS THE RATIONALE BEHIND 10 PERCENT OF THE COUNTY REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE DEPOSIT?
• IF THE VOTER RETURNED IT THAT WOULD BE A PROTECTION OF THE VOTER INFORMATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The voters spoke.
• This is a detriment to the voters.
• SCR 1023 favors urban voters to the detriment of rural voters.
• SCR 1023 favors urban voters to the detriment of rural voters.
• So the problem is that this legislation favors urban voters to the detriment of rural voters.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• three-page strike-everything amendment in your name, dated February 17, 2026 at 3:58 p.m., is subject to voter
• ... ...voters to increase teacher pay.
• Members, this body and the voters have made very clear their intent to increase pay for teachers.
• So SCR 1032 prioritizes teachers, increases transparency, and empowers voters to make that choice.
• This measure gives voters the ability to make it happen, and I think that's a good thing.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Committee on Government considered only SCR 1032, along with a strike-everything amendment. The amendment would require school districts, subject to voter approval, to dedicate at least 60% of operational spending to teacher pay, with a phased-in increase beginning in FY 2028 for districts below that threshold. It also ties compliance to Classroom Site Fund eligibility, requires unexpended CSF monies to revert if a district is found out of compliance, and allows limited waivers from the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The sponsor argued the measure would correct what he described as a long-term misallocation of education funding and give voters a chance to prioritize teachers. Supporters, including representatives from Heritage Action, the Goldwater Institute, and the Center for Arizona Policy, said district spending has risen while teacher pay has remained flat in real terms, and argued the measure would increase transparency and accountability and ensure more money reaches teachers. Opponents, including a representative of the Rural Arizona School Coalition, said the proposal would be difficult for rural districts to meet and would squeeze out other necessary costs such as fuel, insurance, facilities, and minimum wage increases. A committee member also raised concerns that the measure could harm special education and other student support services by forcing districts to shift funds away from those areas. During discussion, the sponsor said charter schools were not included because he viewed them as private businesses, despite a member noting state law defines them as public schools. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then approved SCR 1032 as amended. The final vote was 4 ayes, 3 nays, and 0 not voting, sending the measure out with a do pass as amended recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here in opposition to this one-size-fits-all proposal that Voters in my county.
• There are 14.2 million voters in the electorate in the state of Florida.
• There are six counties in the state that have more voters than our smaller counties.
• The voters know what they want.
• This is what the voters want. Let's just validate what the voters want.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed Senator Yarborough’s bill and Senate Bill 1170 at the sponsor’s request. The committee first considered Senate Bill 982 by Senator Bernard, which was amended to remove language the sponsor said had been declared unconstitutional in 2016. As amended, the bill addresses qualifying fee payment issues, allows qualifying fees to be paid by properly executed checks or debit cards linked to a candidate campaign account, creates a private right of action for qualifying challenges limited to candidates, and addresses campaign expenditures by debit card. Mark Heron testified in support, saying the bill would clarify recent qualifying disputes. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported SB 982 favorably. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 536, a proposed constitutional amendment to impose legislative term limits of eight years in the House and eight years in the Senate, with carve-outs for current officeholders and redistricting. An amendment to change the limits to 12 years in each chamber failed on a tie vote. Public testimony was mixed but largely opposed, with speakers from county and small-county groups arguing the proposal was a one-size-fits-all statewide mandate that would override local choice and reduce institutional knowledge. Several members debated whether the eight-year limit was the right number, with some supporting term limits in principle but questioning a lifetime ban on returning to office. The resolution was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also considered Senate Joint Resolution 802, which would place on the 2026 ballot an eight-year term limit for county commissioners and school board members, with school board limits applied retroactively and county commissioner limits prospectively. An amendment to change the limit to 12 years failed. The Florida Association of Counties, a county commissioner, and representatives of the Small County Coalition testified against the measure, arguing that counties should retain local control through county charters and local referenda. Some senators supported the concept of term limits but raised concerns about imposing a uniform statewide rule on counties and school boards. After debate, the joint resolution was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators who had missed votes were allowed to register their positions on SB 982 and SJR 536, and the committee moved to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of the voters. of the voters.
• </c> voters that they want this debt. Right? voters that they want this debt. Right?
• </c> by the voters in the legislative body. by the voters in the legislative body.
• the voters the opportunity. And I also the voters the opportunity.
• </c> to make sure it's right for the voters. to make sure it's right for the voters.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It protects the Arizona voter.
• The reclassification of voters and expanded labeling may also fuel misleading claims about voter role
• I think sending this to the voters, we'll see if the voters decide to pass this and we're constitutionally
• And if the voters don't think that's appropriate, then the voters will prohibit that from happening.
• But given the fact that this question is going to the voters and it gives the voters that opportunity

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of times, property taxes have been changed through voter initiatives.
• And if the voters approve it, then that is done. But there's no correspondence.
• This gives the voter the chance to do up or down.
• “They can go to the voters, by the way, and raise it if they choose.
• Voters can have some say on that new construction.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we said before was a voter may request his or her ballot be counted by hand at the time the voter
• So what we said before was a voter may request his or her ballot be counted by hand at the time the voter
• </c><01:10:46.320><c> roles</c> that we're purging the voter roles that we're purging the voter roles
• They're not a voter anymore.
• </c> when you're removing less than 10 voters when you're removing less than 10 voters and<01:16:37.280

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be implemented legally if it is approved by the voters in June.
• This is about allowing the voters of L.A. County and Contra Costa County to make that decision.
• And the voters, you know, it just reminds me of our metro system.
• Our voters decided several times because they saw the results, they saw that it was working.
• And however this potential tax increase gets handled, it's up to the voters.

Summary: The Senate committee heard AB 1768, which would authorize Los Angeles County and Contra Costa County to place local sales tax measures before voters to help offset federal funding cuts affecting Medi-Cal, nutrition assistance, and related health and safety-net services. Assembly Member Brian and supporters argued the bill would preserve local control and allow voters to decide whether to raise revenue to prevent clinic closures, layoffs, and service reductions. Testimony in support came from the California Primary Care Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, labor organizations, Contra Costa County, and others, while the cities of Glendale and Burbank opposed the measure. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was an appropriate response to federal cuts or an unnecessary tax increase. Supporters said the measure did not impose a tax directly but simply let county voters decide how to respond to the funding losses. Opponents argued California and local governments should address spending and affordability concerns without additional taxes, and questioned whether the federal cuts were the sole cause of the budget pressure. Several members also raised broader concerns about cost of living, health care financing, and local versus state responsibility. Senator Arreguín moved the bill for a due pass recommendation. The committee voted 5-2 to send AB 1768 to the Senate floor, with Senators Choi and Seyarto voting no. The bill was briefly held on call before the final tally was announced and the measure was reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Voter engagement is a whole other thing, right?
• , for their elderly voters who want to get out.
• Initially, I thought that was including any voter.
• C, an overseas voter.
• So you're now talking about the interstate voters.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:39.760><c> House</c> voter turnout and voter turnout House voter turnout and voter turnout
• Hopefully, it will restore voter confidence and deter voter fraud.
• </c> hopefully it will restore voter hopefully it will restore voter confidence<00:23:16.400><c> and<
• four</c> confidence and deter voter fraud four confidence and deter voter fraud four main<00:23:19.760
• </c> that um from my experience the voter that um from my experience the voter fraud<00:26:28.640><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:01 Attendance Roll Call: 00:04 HB 684 (Rep. Decker): 00:49 HB 71 (Rep. Duvall): 06:55 HB 290 (Rep. Wilson): 09:20 HB 555 (Rep. Freeland): 15:21 HB 160 (Rep. Witten): 16:30 HB 455 (Rep. Flannery): 22:04 Adjournment: 27:21, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government considered several bills. House Bill 684, an elections “continuous improvement” measure, drew the most discussion. Rep. Jennifer Decker said it was based on issues identified during the 2024 election cycle and included changes to absentee voting for primary caregivers and other election administration updates. Senators focused on a committee substitute removing credit and debit cards as a second form of ID for provisional ballots; Decker said local election workers had reported people trying to use cards with no photo ID, and she did not want financial institutions determining voter eligibility. The bill also clarified that certain ballots could be issued by hand or by mail. It passed 9-1, with some members voting no or passing because they wanted more time to consider the ID change. House Bill 71, requested by the Kentucky Public Pension Authority, would reorganize KPPA by creating an Office of Financial Management and moving the CFO into an executive director-level role. Testimony said the change was structural only, with no impact on system funding and minimal short-term costs. It passed unanimously, 11-0. House Bill 290, by Rep. Nick Wilson, would allow county law libraries to use funds for online legal research resources, computers, and internet-related equipment. Supporters said libraries had money but were limited to buying books; the bill passed unanimously, with the chair noting it would let libraries use existing funds more effectively. House Bill 555, as amended by committee substitute, addressed audit and reporting requirements for small cities. Supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the Auditor’s Office said many small cities struggle to find certified CPAs, and the bill would raise the threshold for less frequent audits, expand the exemption threshold, allow the Auditor’s Office to contract to perform audits, and clarify that state-fund withholding for noncompliance would not apply to contractual or utility payments. It passed 10-1, and the title amendment was adopted. House Bill 160, with a committee substitute, would regulate manufactured housing and local zoning by establishing standards that supporters said were needed to prevent discrimination against modern manufactured homes. Several senators expressed concern about state interference in local zoning, while others supported the bill as a housing access measure; it passed 10-1. Finally, House Bill 455 would create a Unit of Election Investigations and Security in the Attorney General’s Office to handle election-crime allegation review, the voter fraud hotline, prosecutorial referrals, and legislative oversight. Supporters said it codified existing practices and would not require new funding, but opponents objected to placing the hotline in a partisan office. The bill passed 9-1 with one pass, and the committee adjourned after reporting favorable action on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Built into the amendment language and in the spirit of this work, voters will have the opportunity to
• hands Decides to put into the voters' hands, it won't reach the voters' hands.
• And then at that point, it would be on the ballot for the voters to decide.
• point it would be on the ballot for the voters to decide.
• If you trust the wisdom and judgment of the voters, I ask you to put it to them.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee heard several measures focused on government structure, oversight, and public policy designations. The most debated bill was HJR 1325, which proposed a constitutional amendment to create a statewide Commissioner of Government Efficiency, abolish the lieutenant governor office and the Government Efficiency Task Force, and eliminate the constitutional requirement for an Auditor General appointment. Sponsors said the new commissioner would be a watchdog over waste, fraud, and abuse across state and local government, while opponents raised concerns about cost, single-subject issues, lack of implementation details, and whether existing oversight structures were sufficient. After extensive debate, the resolution was reported favorably by a recorded vote. The committee also approved HB 575, which redesignates the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in Florida statute, and HB 1445, which requires certain state officials and agency heads to have stronger ties to Florida and, for some positions, to live in the county where their agency headquarters is located. HB 1445 drew questions about practicality and whether a proximity standard would be better than a strict county requirement, but the sponsor said he would continue working on that issue. Both bills were reported favorably, with HB 1445 passing unanimously. In addition, the committee unanimously approved HB 259, designating August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day, with supporters emphasizing the need for public education about fentanyl overdoses. The committee also passed CS/HB 29, the public records and meetings bill linked to the social work licensure compact, which creates confidentiality and meeting exemptions needed for the compact to operate. Public testimony on that measure was supportive, and it too was reported favorably without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any voter in the county is eligible.
• And this does need voter approval, so it's not like we're doing anything outrageous.
• We had to go back to our city voters.
• We had to go back to our city voters.
• It was approved by voters in 2021.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Committee on Local Government met in executive session and first adopted a substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 975, which replaced Senator Black’s version with Representative Farnan’s bill. Members discussed that the controversial community-agreement language had been removed and that related community paramedic language had been moved to another bill. The committee then voted 16-0 to do pass the substituted bill. The committee next considered House Bill 3496, dealing with county officials’ salary schedules and county classification issues. Representative Reedy explained the substitute added election authorities language, incorporated another bill on sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys, and changed the title and substance to address county valuation rules for certain fourth-class counties. Members discussed the impact on county classifications and the inclusion of abated and tax-exempt property in valuation calculations. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted 15-1 to do pass the bill. In public hearing, Representative Sharp presented House Bill 3028 as a Lewis County fix to allow more at-large members on a county board instead of requiring one from each township; a retired Lewis County commissioner testified in support, and no opposition appeared. Representative Thompson presented House Bill 2431 to let Lexington ask voters for a public safety sales tax after a major gas explosion; supporters said it would fund police, fire, and ambulance needs without reducing current budgets, while an opponent argued against new taxes and special laws. Representative Violet presented House Bill 2732 to raise the voter-approved cap on water service line repair fees from $12 to $24 annually; St. Peters officials said costs have risen and the program helps residents avoid large repair bills, while an opponent said existing programs are solvent and opposed the increase. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills, and the committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal law already prohibits voter intimidation, stationing armed men at polling places.
• on page three: number two and number three say that you can't try to change the qualifications of voters
• create a civil action, so the Attorney General, Secretary of State, an impacted county clerk, or a voter
• And if they are a voter and they are going to vote, they can absolutely do so.
• Or does that disenfranchise the voter?

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a legislative specialist for the League of Women Voters. sensible, instead of immediately requiring
• I'm a legislative specialist for the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts.
• As Mark said earlier, when it comes to elections, often the biggest question on voters' minds is: did
• But it would be audits that happen without the results being reported, without voters having access to
• As a result, many Massachusetts voters were unable to cast ballots despite...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on election security bills, focusing first on S. 517 and H. 876, which would strengthen Massachusetts’ post-election audit process. Testimony from the Brennan Center, Common Cause Massachusetts, Verified Voting, and the League of Women Voters supported expanding audits to include all ballot types, increasing audit frequency from every four years to every two years, requiring statewide audit reports to be posted within 30 days and kept online for six years, and allowing municipalities to conduct audits under state standards. Witnesses also praised the bill’s creation of a work group to study risk-limiting audits and other improvements, emphasizing public confidence, transparency, and the ability of audits to detect errors or deter fraud. Committee members asked detailed questions about how Massachusetts compares with other states, how risk-limiting audits differ from current tabulation audits, how audits are selected and expanded if discrepancies appear, and what the costs and mechanics of different audit methods would be. Witnesses explained that current audits are typically random, hand-count-based checks of selected contests and batches of ballots, that risk-limiting audits use statistical sampling and can escalate to a full recount if needed, and that Massachusetts’ local-control structure makes a collaborative work group useful. They also noted that audits generally confirm results but can uncover errors that do not change outcomes, and occasionally more serious problems. The committee then heard testimony on H. 832, which would authorize the Secretary of the Commonwealth to take emergency actions affecting elections during declared emergencies. Supporters said the bill would create a clear statutory process for rescheduling or adjusting elections during severe weather or other crises, including allowing emergency absentee ballot accommodations for civilian responders, and would reduce the need for court intervention. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing, and the meeting ended with adjournment after no additional testimony was offered.