Transcript Highlights:

• the election is in-person.
• Is it about here is how does that election proceed? Is it in person? Is it a mailing election?
• There were 218 elections. There was under 50% voter turnout in 192 of those elections.
• There were 218 elections. There was under 50% voter turnout in 192 of those elections.
• Is there a time frame for PERC to call some of these elections, like these certification elections?

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a brief introduction of the doctor of the day before moving to the special order calendar. The chamber first took up several claims bills, including SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, which was described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents; the House bill was substituted and passed 34-0. SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence, was also substituted with the House version and passed 35-0. SB 42/HB 47 on specific medical diagnoses and child protective investigations passed 34-0 after supporters said it would require child protection teams to consider certain medical conditions that can mimic abuse. Later, SB 1002 on child welfare passed 37-0 after sponsors said it clarifies that parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow earlier court intervention and services, while not changing parental rights law. The Senate then considered education and health-related measures. SB 206/HB 851 on students with autism spectrum disorder was amended to the House bill and passed 35-0; the sponsor said it expands teacher preparation, requires autism-related training, creates a loan forgiveness program, and adds salary supplements for teachers with autism endorsements. SB 556/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 36-0 and would allow students with disabilities to use Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements, while also fixing a marching band credit issue. SB 688 on naturopathic medicine passed 33-3, reestablishing licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors. SB 878/HB 1347 on clinical laboratory personnel passed 37-0 to address staffing shortages by aligning Florida more closely with federal CLIA standards. SB 914/HB 867 on dry needling by occupational therapists passed 37-0, clarifying authority for that treatment. SB 530 on state lotteries passed 36-0 with updates to operations, security, and retailer rules. SB 964/HB 6011 on financial disclosures and gifts/honoraria passed 36-0 after an amendment restored a percentage-based reporting option. The chamber also approved several government-administration and public-records measures. SB 326/HB 131 on curators of estates passed 36-0, updating probate rules for temporary court-appointed curators. SB 758/HB 625 on the Justice Administrative Commission passed 37-0 after an amendment broadened the judicial member to a judge or senior judge rather than only a circuit judge. SB 830 on public records passed 31-5, creating exemptions for the personal information of county and city managers and certain family members. The Senate also passed SB 21/HB 218 on land use regulations, which preserves hurricane-recovery restrictions in affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties, and the sponsor thanked colleagues for helping address unintended consequences from prior law. SB 354 on Blue Ribbon Projects was debated extensively over concerns about local control, conservation protections, and vague standards; after a late amendment excluding data centers from commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than passed. Finally, SB 1632/HB 1471 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles and domestic terrorist designations drew significant debate over references to Sharia law, religious freedom, notice, and due process; one amendment striking Sharia references failed, and a second amendment with broader revisions was under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think we should let the voters decide at the election.
• They file for election in a district.
• It's important to have our elections run properly.
• Members from both parties, state, county, city elections officials, election administrators, and election
• It's obviously not going to apply to this coming election.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Voters elect their legislators.
• representation from Texans and erase the value of fair elections.
• to elect them.
• Redistricting that we experienced going into the 2022 election.
• Donald Trump didn't elect the Texas legislature; Texans did.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Typically, it comes from the elected sheriffs.
• Elected from Harris County, just complimenting a Harris County elected official.
• No elected official is able to contract beyond their cycle.
• They have their own elected interests to see what will occur, and then you have the elected official,
• I believe it's elected officials. Okay.

Bills: HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403, HB240

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's talk about this body stripping the first ever Polynesian elected to the state assembly, ever elected
• Let's talk about this body stripping the first ever Polynesian elected to the state assembly, ever elected
• All this is about making sure that either more Democrats get elected or more Republicans get elected,
• The highest proportion of Black elected officials, from mayors to U.S. senators, that were elected was
• elected into office at any level again in many jurisdictions around... ...officials elected into office

Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, then completed the prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, journal motions, and a long series of procedural actions, including suspending rules to move bills and approve a large Appropriations Committee hearing list. Members also made several guest introductions, including Shannon Lee, district staff from Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez’s office, and later guests tied to agritourism and education recognitions. The floor debate centered heavily on AJR 31, a resolution urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supporters argued that recent Supreme Court decisions and redistricting efforts in other states were weakening Black and other minority representation and that California should take a clear stand for voting rights. Opponents argued the measure promoted racial division, conflicted with equal protection principles, and that districts should be drawn based on place or communities of interest rather than race. After a contentious debate with repeated parliamentary warnings over decorum, the Assembly suspended the rules to take up the resolution, added coauthors, and passed AJR 31 by a vote of 58-8. The Assembly then moved through a series of bills and resolutions, generally approving them with little or no opposition. These included AB 2341 clarifying emergency language translation rules for local agencies; AB 1816 extending court supervision for certain sex-offender rehabilitation programs; AB 2561 protecting consumer privacy settings on phones and digital devices; ACR 167 recognizing World Agritourism Day; ACR 190 recognizing California Day of the Teacher; AB 1581 improving identification of Native American students in public schools; AB 1586 requiring opioid overdose prevention training for school resource officers and safety planning; AB 1665 requiring mental health training for school coaches; AB 1693 streamlining retail tenant-improvement permitting; AB 1768 authorizing a local tax measure related to health funding; AB 1712 facilitating a water-system sale for Santa Fe Springs; AB 1792 addressing sexually exploitive AI imagery in health education; and AB 1822 prioritizing school projects that address extreme heat. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, several unanimously, and the resolution on agritourism and the teacher day were adopted by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• of election, ranked choice voting, locally elected offices.
• This legislation relates to elections. and 74 different bills, same patron.
• This legislation relates to elections, absentee, and provisional ballots, a cure process.
• to the Monday following the election, and our enactment date was originally the election to the Monday
• following the election, and our enactment date was originally September 1st, 2026.

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Senate File 3405 provides for an extension of the pass-through entity tax election.
• <00:13:08.560> for of tax fiscal policy and elections for of tax fiscal policy and elections
• This also means that state PTE elections will remain in place as well.
• This also means that state PTE elections will remain in place as well.
• This also means that state PTE elections will remain in place as well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• "You are also elected officials, you’re also representatives.
• A determination that would have to be made by the Board of Elections.
• For purposes of providing your intent, the Board of Elections, if we're going to allow the Board of Elections
• This would be up to the local boards of elections to determine.
• HOW CAN BOARDS OF ELECTIONS >> Through you, Mr.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and adopted a resolution calendar with several exceptions before taking up a series of ceremonial resolutions and bills. Members welcomed student visitors from the YWCA of White Plains’ Voices Unfiltered Policy Program, then adopted resolutions honoring Senegalese independence and the Senegalese community, MWBE Advocacy Day, John Coltrane’s 100th birthday, the Sing Sing Prison Museum, I Love My Park Day, Animal Advocacy Day, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, and Denim Day. Speakers emphasized cultural recognition, public service, environmental stewardship, animal welfare, rare disease awareness, and support for survivors of sexual violence; each resolution was adopted. The chamber then moved through the regular calendar, passing a number of bills on broad roll-call votes. Among the measures approved were bills amending the Penal Law, Executive Law, Public Housing Law, Retirement and Social Security Law, Social Services Law, Environmental Conservation Law, General Municipal Law, Railroad Law, Election Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills passed unanimously or nearly so, while a few drew notable opposition, including a public health measure that passed 39-19 and the labor-related bill on ghost job postings that passed 39-19 after extended debate. The most detailed floor debate centered on the Labor Law bill addressing “ghost jobs,” requiring employers with 100 or more employees to disclose whether postings are for current vacancies, expected future openings, or general resume collection, with Department of Labor enforcement and civil penalties. Supporters argued it would protect job seekers from deceptive postings; opponents said it was unnecessary, burdensome, and could invite litigation or penalties disproportionate to the problem. The Senate also debated and passed a bill expanding election-language assistance under the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act to Haitian Creole and Middle Eastern and North African communities, with supporters citing growing language-access needs and opponents raising concerns about scope and local costs. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did change it so that school board members could be elected in the local election.
• and mill levies to be included in the general election. ...and support allowing school bond elections
• election.
• elections.
• The local election law has school boards under local election, which is nonpartisan.

Bills: SB83, SB106, SB107, SB123, SJR1

Keywords: ecological monitoring, sustainability, tribal engagement, education, research funding, graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, out-of-school programming, education funding, youth programs, affordability, nonprofit organizations, defibrillators, public schools, health and safety, emergency response, school elections

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:00:40.000> budget 3096 will be our elections budget 3096 will be our elections budget
• operations, technology, and elections operations, technology, and elections resources<00:02:46.200
• Thank you. election. It's probably one that would election.
• That was a a for all elections.
• last time I chaired this elections last time I chaired this elections committee,<00:20:21.760>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of the way our eligibility requirements work for elected offices, we need to address both the
• unilaterally go after any perceived election code violation.
• Sorry, it was somebody that is very familiar with election law.
• Before the ruling, he had 354, I believe, open cases for election law.
• Well, again, his caseload with election law went down by 300 cases, so I believe...

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we ask your blessing now on this assembly, our elected officials.
• their hearts that they may show compassion and respect to each other and to those they have been elected
• House Bill 181 is ordered printed and referred to the House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs
• to a constitutionally created elective office in the executive or legislative branch of government.
• House Joint Resolution 8 is ordered printed and referred to the House Government, Elections, and Indian

Transcript Highlights:

• The oath will be taken by Senator-elect Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger from Senate District 47 and Senator-elect
• Certainly, and I'm excited to swear in the two new state senators that were elected in the special elections
• Certainly, and I'm excited to swear in the two new state senators that were elected in the special elections
• Certainly, and I'm excited to swear in the two new state senators that were elected in the special elections
• Certainly, and I'm excited to swear in the two new state senators that were elected in the special elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What's changed since the last session in the advance of the election tomorrow?
• She is their duly elected senator. She is their duly elected senator. Is she still not attending?
• An election certificate will be delivered to us.
• We'll elect President Bobby Champion. Thank you, folks."
• We'll elect President Bobby Champion.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The meeting centered on a motion to expel Senator Nicole Mitchell from the Minnesota Senate while her criminal case remains pending. Republican speakers argued that Mitchell’s trial delays and continued service were undermining the Senate’s integrity, distracting from legislative work, and denying her constituents full representation because she is not serving on committees or participating in caucus. They said the motion was intended to uphold accountability, justice for the alleged victim, and the institution’s standards of conduct. DFL leaders and other defenders of Mitchell argued that she has not been convicted, is entitled to due process, and remains the duly elected representative of Senate District 47. They said Senate rules, Mason’s Rules, and custom require ethics proceedings to be completed before expulsion, and that the Senate should not act on her criminal case. They also emphasized that the Senate’s priority should be passing a budget and continuing to work under the chamber’s power-sharing agreement. The expulsion effort did not succeed. After debate and a procedural vote, Senate Democrats voted to keep Mitchell in the Senate, and leaders said the matter would remain unresolved until her court and ethics proceedings move forward. Republicans indicated they may continue to raise the issue, while DFL leaders said they would focus on governing and expected the chamber to reorganize if control changes after the upcoming election.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chair Gaetz: COMMITTEE ON ETHICS AND ELECTIONS WILL COME TO ORDER AND TERRENCE WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL
• ELECTIONS FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICES TO BE HELD ON THE SAME DATE AS THE GENERAL ELECTION AND PRESCRIBES IMPLEMENTATION
• WITH THE CHANGE IN ELECTION DATES AND MR.
• DeCegile: YES, I BELIEVE THE RUNOFF ELECTION PIECE THAT WILL BE MOVED TO THE PRIMARY ELECTION DATE IN
• GOOD TO BE BACK IN ETHICS AND ELECTIONS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• People get it, elections have consequences, but so do your votes on the floor.
• Is more than 60% minority, only 13 districts allow voters of color to regularly and consistently elect
• to rig the congressional map and undermine the ability of Texans to have a free and fair midterm election
• But the only way that will be brought about, And free and fair elections.
• And as elected officials, we have that responsibility.

Keywords: redistricting, gerrymandering, Texas Democrats, voter suppression, Hakeem Jeffries, equitable representation, minority communities, legislative session, political motivations

Summary: Texas Democratic leaders and members of Congress held a press event in Austin with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to denounce the Republican-led special session and proposed congressional redistricting map. Speakers, including Lizzie Fletcher, Lloyd Doggett, Al Green, Joaquin Castro, Sylvia Garcia, and Greg Casar, argued that the session should instead focus on flood recovery after the Hill Country Independence Day floods, affordability, health care, the energy grid, and other state priorities. They said the new map was a partisan and racially discriminatory gerrymander designed to help Donald Trump and Texas Republicans gain seats, weaken minority voting power, and undermine free and fair elections. Several speakers said the current Texas map is already under legal challenge and claimed the proposed changes would further reduce the ability of Black and Latino communities to elect candidates of choice. They also tied the redistricting fight to broader national issues such as Medicaid, Social Security, tariffs, housing costs, and corruption. Jeffries said Texas Democrats would not “bend the knee” and pledged support for their efforts, while emphasizing that the fight would continue politically, in court, and through public organizing. In the question-and-answer portion, Jeffries said all options should be on the table to protect Texans, but that Texas Democrats would decide their own strategy. Fletcher said the immediate priority was informing the public about the rushed process, noting that many Texans testified before seeing a map and that the hearings were moving quickly. No formal vote or legislative action occurred at the event itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1170, narcotic drugs, Judiciary and Elections.
• SB 1218, abortion repeals, Judiciary and Elections.
• SB 1220, judiciary elections.
• SB 1220, Judiciary and Elections.
• So, Senator Rogers, how about Judiciary and Elections? Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have the election. have the election.
• so the second regent that was elected. so the second regent that was elected.
• why we didn't elect regents. why we didn't elect regents.
• until others are elected in their stead. until others are elected in their stead.
• <00:30:55.640> those to elect those to elect those regents. regents. regents.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 4252, the higher education finance and policy bill, which the author described as a bipartisan agreement. Representative Wolgamott highlighted a $1.5 million appropriation to Minnesota State to create an identification verification system to combat “ghost students,” a one-time $5,000 appropriation for trees at Bemidji State University, and other noncontroversial recommendations from the Office of Higher Education. He urged support for the bill and noted that amendments would be considered. The main debate centered on an amendment by Representative Rarick to change how University of Minnesota regents are selected if the legislature fails to elect them. Rarick argued the amendment would keep the governor from appointing regents outside the legislative vetting process and prevent “pay-to-play” or donor influence, citing recent gubernatorial appointments and campaign contributions. Representative Kotter offered a secondary amendment to require that any fallback appointees meet RCAC eligibility criteria and to bar candidates who had recently contributed to legislative caucuses or leadership; supporters said it would reduce the appearance of pay-to-play while preserving the RCAC process. Opponents of the secondary amendment, including Representatives Robbins and others, argued it did not address the real concern because it did not restrict contributions to the governor and would weaken the legislature’s role in regent selection. Supporters of the secondary amendment said it was a more objective, statute-based approach and raised separation-of-powers concerns with the underlying amendment. After debate, the secondary amendment failed on a 67-67 tie and was not adopted. The House then continued discussion on the underlying Rarick amendment, with members divided over legislative authority, gubernatorial appointment power, and the influence of campaign donations.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:53.519> we last year when we ran for election we last year when we ran for election
• Have a good day. election Heering then this municipality election Heering then this municipality would
• through a special election?
• election is going to happen.
• With regards to special elections, do you know for sure if municipalities have special elections?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• election day for all offices, submits the following report.
• We need to hire the right candidate for the job, not elect them.
• Judiciary and Elections; Appropriation, Transportation, Technology.
• HB 2411, Concert Abortion, Abortion-Inducing Drugs, Judiciary and Elections.
• HV 2666, Sexual Escutation Classification, Judiciary and Elections.

Keywords: 1182, all