Transcript Highlights:

• And then there is a repealer. qualify a voter to to uh utilize agent qualify a voter to to uh utilize
• </c> processing in the statewide voter processing in the statewide voter registration<00:29:58.480><c
• <00:30:20.080><c> certificates</c> voter certificates voter certificates the<00:30:21.760><c> printed
• </c> officials and voters. officials and voters.
• Um, yeah, so there is a form called the national mail voter registration form.

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This debate is nibbling around the edges of voter suppression.
• Because those items inside a polling area can influence or intimidate voters.
• Inside a polling place, what one voter interprets as solidarity, another sees as menace.
• voter intimidation that we have worked so hard to prevent.
• voter intimidation that we have worked so hard to prevent.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:23.320><c> should</c> election principle that voters should election principle that voters
• </c><00:27:31.600><c> Choice</c> determinations that limit voter Choice determinations that limit voter
• </c> which is based off of registered voters which is based off of registered voters in<01:22:48.840>
• </c> better suited to put it into the voter better suited to put it into the voter information<01:32:
• </c> information guide so that the voters information guide so that the voters would<01:32:52.520><c>

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several election-related and governance measures. On SB 176, relating to recounts, the Office of Elections supported clarifying that recount triggers should be based on the final Election Day report rather than the 6:00 a.m. next-day report, citing a 2022 recount example. The chair noted 3 testimonies in support, 42 in opposition, and 1 comment. On SB 1337, relating to the Stadium Authority, the authority supported changing quorum rules so only voting members count, explaining that the current interpretation makes it difficult to conduct business; written testimony from DBEDT was also received. On SB 289, relating to ethics administrative fines, the Ethics Commission supported uniform procedures to resolve uncontested enforcement matters more quickly while preserving due process; written support was also noted. The committee then heard SB 311, a proposed constitutional amendment on freedom of speech and money in elections. Supporters, including Community Alliance on Prisons, Our Revolution Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Common Cause Hawaii, and others, argued that money in politics distorts democracy and that the amendment would help prevent wealthy interests from buying influence. Opponents, including the Hawaii Christian Coalition and individual testifiers, argued that changing the constitution was too serious, that the proposal should be handled by ordinary legislation instead, and that the measure could create legal conflict. Deputy Attorney General Candace Park said the bill would only matter if key federal cases such as Buckley and Citizens United were overturned, and the chair thanked her for the legal input. The committee also heard SB 780, relating to election ballot disqualification, which would exclude candidates disqualified by constitutional or statutory provisions and create procedures for challenges. Opposition testimony said the bill would undermine voter choice, burden courts and election officials, and invite misuse; the Hawaii Christian Coalition echoed those concerns. Members raised questions about whether the measure would apply only to state and county offices, and the Attorney General’s office said it would follow up. Finally, on SB 1030, relating to election intimidation, supporters said firearms should not be brought near polling places or ballot drop boxes, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and could affect lawful possession; the committee received 12 testimonies, with 39 in support. The committee then began SB 1225, a proposed constitutional amendment changing the vote threshold for legislative amendments to a majority of votes tallied, excluding blanks, spoiled ballots, and overvotes; testimony in support was heard from the LGBTQ+ Commission and others, and the discussion was still underway when the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that one thing I very much appreciated about the extension of time that voters have with
• So I think that it's reasonable to ask voters to just as we are asked in this body to vote either yes
• or no on the measures before us, that we can have that same expectation for voters who have time now
• If this bill passes, Hawaii already has a very low voter engagement, always under 40 percent.
• And I would hope that the voters would take the time to research, and that would be a great goal.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 46 members present and five excused, deferred reading of the journal, and noted there were no messages from the governor or Senate communications. Members then offered several introductions recognizing guests in the gallery, including LifeSmarts awardees, DCCA and LifeSmarts program officials, former Representative Pono Chong and his children, an intern from District 39, a landback advocate, and staff from the Education Committee office. The chamber also marked the close of Education Week 2025 with applause and recognition of the visiting students and supporters. The main floor presentation was House Resolution 211, which congratulated the first- and second-place teams at the 2025 Havi LifeSmarts State Competition and the 2025 U.S. Senate Youth Program delegate. Representative Tam presented the resolution, praising the Eolani Raiders for winning first place and wishing them well at the upcoming Chicago competition. Representative Hashimoto recognized Kalanianaole High School’s second-place team, and Representative Woodson honored Wilson Chow of Maui High School for his leadership and service. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the House recessed briefly to allow members to congratulate the honorees. After recess, the House took up a large block of standing committee reports, moving reports 1406 through 1504 with a series of member notations including no votes, reservations, and a few brief explanations. Several members raised concerns about specific measures involving emergency readiness centers, immigration-related legal access, blank votes on ballot questions, electricity costs and Hawaiian Electric, and gambling. Some members spoke in support of measures while noting reservations about cost, process, or policy effects. The full package of reports was ultimately adopted by voice vote. During announcements, Representative Garcia read a statement from Representative Jean Ward announcing her resignation effective at the end of the month due to ongoing health issues, including anemia, sciatica, and pneumonia, after nearly 27 years of service. The House then adjourned by voice vote until 12:00 noon on Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• The voters can decide. That is the bill. Chair: Questions? Public testimony?
• What is the value of the voters knowing this information? Rep.
• This is simply letting voters know more information about the candidate.
• I think the more information voters have the better.
• It makes sure that voters know who is asking to represent them.

Transcript Highlights:

• These consistent polling places reduce voter confusion and frustration.
• However, we understand that not every voter votes in every election, right?
• that next presidential election when we do see our highest voter turnout.
• A single voter who reads this posted notice is going to be one less voter who calls our elections office
• changed is sometimes left up to the voters to find out where they should vote.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• return our voters to our voters a to return our voters to our voters a true<00:32:04.000><c> stay</c>
• It is to the voters, who I think, if you—I mean, I'm sure I have talked to some of you privately—voters
• </c> some of you privately like voters some of you privately like voters believe<00:59:09.200><c> the
• </c><01:03:36.480><c> who</c> job and our question is our voters who job and our question is our voters
• </c> voters would say. voters would say.

Bills: HF4133 , HF3419

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: homeowner's insurance, peace officer, property damage, just compensation, exclusion policy, corporate powers, entity law, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, cooperative, partnership, trust, foreign entity, campaign finance, election spending, political spending, ballot measure, ballot initiative

Transcript Highlights:

• types of voters.
• The amendment allows any voter to use a voter interface device upon request instead of only disabled
• The amendment allows any voter to use a voter interface device upon request instead of only disabled
• from the voter rolls.
• from the voter rolls.

Summary: The House met with a quorum present, heard prayers and ceremonial remarks, and then took up a series of returning messages from the Senate. The first major item was CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification. Members explained that the House concurred in a Senate amendment that restored teacher certificate language, kept computer science and AI-related content in the bill, and delayed implementation to give the Department of Education time to develop curriculum. The House adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 105-0. The House also considered CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity. Members adopted a House amendment allowing local governments to buy into the cyber grant program even if they do not receive a grant, adding a five-year sunset and reporting provisions. The House then concurred in the Senate amendment shifting grant administration from a university to the Florida Digital Service, and passed the bill 104-1. Several other returning messages were rejected or sent back to the Senate. The House refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, as well as CS/HB 851 on professional learning for instructional and school administrative personnel. The most contentious debate came on CS/CS/HB 1471, which concerns systems of law and terrorist organizations; the Senate amendment defined “promote,” refined notice and timeline requirements, and retained references to Sharia law. Opponents argued the bill was overbroad, lacked due process and evidentiary standards, and threatened First Amendment rights, while supporters said it targeted conduct, not speech, and protected against terrorist support. The House adopted the amendment and passed the bill 80-25. The House then took up a related public records bill, CS/CS/HB 1473, which made a technical conforming change to align with HB 1471; debate focused on transparency and due process concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:40.320><c> of</c> League of Women Voters of League of Women Voters of Hawai<00:08:42.440><
• Le... of Women Voters in...
• </c> Senate Bill 78 relating to voter Senate Bill 78 relating to voter registration<00:52:00.400><c>
• of voter registration effort.
• of voter registration effort.

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of 2025 and announced that all measures heard that day would be deferred to the next committee hearing for decision-making on Thursday, January 30. The agenda centered largely on procurement and government-operations bills, with testimony generally split between state agencies and local governments. On procurement measures, SB 254 and SB 383 would raise small-purchase thresholds; the State Procurement Office opposed both, while county officials, the City and County of Honolulu, the state librarian, and others supported them. SB 382, which would bar disclosure of a competing offeror’s proposal or evaluation score, and SB 462, which would require performance incentive contracts to specify pricing bases, goals, and formulas, drew mostly written comments and some support from agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Education. SB 615, which would treat certain large change orders as new contracts, received opposition from the Comptroller and engineering interests. The committee also heard several bills on vacancies, appointments, and legislative oversight. SB 5 on state legislative vacancies had one supporting testifier, while SB 300 on deadlines for filling certain Senate vacancies drew opposition from several individuals and support from one late testifier. SB 1081, which would create a legislative budget office to provide fiscal analysis and reports on bills, received broad support from advocacy groups, civic organizations, and individuals. SB 711, requiring Senate advice and consent for certain executive-branch appointments, drew written opposition from the Governor’s Office and support from one individual. SB 375, establishing a select commission on government restructuring, had one written supporter. SB 418, which would require the Attorney General’s office to review a portion of administrative rules each year, prompted extended discussion about outdated rules, the difficulty of repealing or amending rules, and whether the bill should be refined; the AG’s office indicated the process is burdensome and could be streamlined. The committee then took up transparency and access measures. SB 55, requiring agency rules to be posted online in a digitally accessible format, received support from several advocacy and civic groups and written comment from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. SB 870 would direct the comptroller to identify state office buildings that could provide equitable telecom access for remote participation in hearings, especially for residents with disabilities; the Comptroller supported the concept, and members discussed using libraries, DAGS facilities, county facilities, and other public buildings, with concerns raised about staffing, bandwidth, and competing public use. SB 270, a sunshine-law measure allowing board members to attend informational meetings and presentations, drew opposition from the Public First Law Center, which argued it would create a broad loophole and should be narrowed to existing county-council provisions. SB 45, concerning neighborhood board meetings and third-party presentations, prompted discussion about whether it actually addressed neighborhood boards’ Sunshine Law concerns; the committee was told it was not the right vehicle for that issue. SB 406, which would cap copying fees for government records at 5 cents per page with exceptions, drew support from media and transparency groups but opposition from DAGS, which said its actual per-page cost is much higher; members discussed possible electronic-copy alternatives and asked for more cost information before the next hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> very comprehensive voter ID reform. very comprehensive voter ID reform.
• </c> State to conduct random audits of voters State to conduct random audits of voters who<01:43:25.840
• </c><01:44:32.639><c> the</c> guarantees every qualified voter the guarantees every qualified voter the
• </c> situated voters. situated voters.
• </c> The bill also requires that voters The bill also requires that voters residing<04:35:08.959><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next one we have, you see there, issues 1 and 2 voter-approved levies.
• The rest of your question I already forgot: voter approved... all voter approved...
• Voter approved. Oh, voter approved mill levies.
• No way to segregate out voter-approved mill levies for most of the voter-approved mill levies.
• So the removal of the voter-approved mill levies is a great move.

Bills: SB2397

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation

Keywords: oil and gas, tax exemption, development incentive wells, gross production tax, flaring, 908, all

Summary: The Senate Finance and Tax Committee met and first took up House Bill 1382, the gas tax bill. Members explained an amendment to ensure that the proposed three-cent gas tax distribution would include all counties and townships in oil-producing counties, rather than excluding non-oil-producing counties as in the original draft. The committee adopted the amendment unanimously, but then held the bill for the time being because of related work on the Department of Transportation budget in the House. The committee then turned to House Bill 1168, a large hoghouse amendment that combined the bill with the contents of House Bill 1176 and added technical corrections. The proposal would raise the primary residence property tax credit maximum from $1,250 to $1,650, keep the 75% cap with a $500 floor, and extend the credit to voter-approved levies while excluding special assessments. Other changes discussed included aligning the disabled veterans property tax credit with the $200,000 exemption level, adjusting budget and distribution dates so taxing districts are made whole sooner, exempting townships from a general-election vote requirement for levy increases, and modifying school funding formulas so schools are not shortchanged if mill levies are reduced under the cap. Testimony from the Association of Counties and the State Supervisor of Assessments was generally supportive of the technical cleanup and implementation changes, but they raised concerns about the June 1 distribution date, application timing, and the practicality of some programming and administrative changes. Committee members also discussed the policy and messaging implications of the 75%/floor structure and the difficulty of applying the credit to certain voter-approved levies. No final action was taken on House Bill 1168; the committee agreed to continue working on amendments and recessed until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to start my questions with a focus for the benefit of the voters on exactly why we need
• to go to the voters with this.
• So Proposition 2, which was put to the voters actually by the Legislature originally in 2014, also is
• Constitutional amendments can only be adopted through approval of the voters.
• Those changes must be approved by the voters.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight heard ACA 20, the Safe for California Futures Act, a constitutional amendment to strengthen the state’s Budget Stabilization Account (rainy day fund). The authors, Assembly Members Gabriel and Valencia, said the measure would raise the reserve cap from 10% to 20% of General Fund revenues, change how reserve deposits are treated under the Gann limit so deposits would not count against the spending cap until withdrawn, and update eligible debt repayments to include items such as budget loans, Proposition 98 settle-up obligations, and unemployment insurance debt. They emphasized that the proposal was intended to protect schools and core public services and to help California better withstand revenue volatility and future downturns. Committee discussion focused heavily on the technical effects of the measure, especially its interaction with Proposition 98 and the Gann limit. LAO and Department of Finance staff explained that Prop. 98 funding would not be changed directly, that the reserve deposits would be treated as exclusions from the appropriations limit, and that withdrawals would count when spent. Members asked about current reserve levels, mandatory deposits, and whether the measure would create more room for discretionary spending; supporters argued it would simply allow the state to save more in good years, while one member expressed concern that it could function as a slush fund and expand spending opportunities. Several members cited recent budget volatility, record revenues, and the need for stronger reserves, while others stressed that the measure should be understood as a future-oriented savings reform rather than a response to this year’s budget choices. Public testimony was uniformly supportive. California Forward, Elevate California, and the California Chamber of Commerce all backed the proposal, with the Chamber noting support for the policy and highlighting the importance of addressing unemployment insurance debt for small businesses. The chair concluded by thanking the authors, staff, and witnesses, and said ACA 20 was expected to move to the Assembly floor the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• But then um your language was completely diluted in committee, uh, to open up this huge gaping hole to
• But then um your language<04:17:07.840><c> was</c><04:17:08.080><c> completely</c><04:17:08.479><c> diluted
• </c><04:17:09.199><c> in</c> language was completely diluted in language was completely diluted in committee

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This statute information from voters.
• Voters such wellestablished precedent.
• We are now notified through the state voter registration system within days of any voter death anywhere
• I'm a Durham voter and public Stradio.
• A group of 10 probably highly partisan voters in wards with thousands of registered voters is far from

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, S.J.R. 318, tangible personal property exemption, which will go before the voters, should it
• Senators, this bill simply requires local discretionary taxes that are put in place by the voters to
• be re-approved by those voters to continue to be levied.
• This amendment keeps the spirit of letting voters decide whether to continue local taxes.
• The amendment requires that local taxes be put before the voters whenever the tax is expiring.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee considered several tax-related measures. SB 674, allowing county property appraisers to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval, was supported by property appraisers and reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 318, as amended, would create a tangible personal property exemption for agricultural land used in agricultural production or agritourism; the amendment clarified the property’s location and allowed the Legislature to define conditions, and the resolution was reported favorably with support from Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber. The committee also advanced C.S. for SB 1664, as amended, which requires locally approved discretionary taxes to be reauthorized by voters when they expire and sets rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds. Local government and tourism-related groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, beach funding, transportation surtaxes, and long-term planning, while supporters argued voters should periodically reaffirm taxes; the bill was reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, were both amended to sharply narrow a proposed long-term lease property tax exemption to one qualifying property and to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominiums; counties and cities opposed the measures as tax shifts, but both were reported favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions for certain clothing and bullion, multiple tax holidays, a temporary motor vehicle fee reduction, a property tax study, corporate and insurance tax credit changes, a communications services tax freeze, and other tax provisions, with staff estimating $2.1 billion in total revenue reduction. Testimony included support for studying property taxes and strong opposition to the firearm and ammunition tax holiday from students and advocacy groups, who argued it was unsafe and inappropriate; others urged adding combined reporting or removing tourist development tax changes. After debate, the committee reported the package favorably and also approved a motion to submit it as a committee bill. The meeting ended after Senator Bernard recorded an affirmative vote on tab 5 and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:20.400><c> 21,000</c><00:19:21.440><c> voters,</c> about that for a second. 21,000 voters,
• </c> warrant put on the ballot by the voters. warrant put on the ballot by the voters.
• </c> town voters. town voters.
• At the same time, the law voters.
• For voters voters voters I'm<01:01:06.000><c> sorry</c><01:01:06.240><c> I'm</c><01:01:06.400><c> stumbling

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> And we have to tally the voter And we have to tally the voter checklist.<00:10:08.720><c> That</
• </c><01:20:19.040><c> Don't</c> voter a single choice to make. Don't voter a single choice to make.
• voters what that should look like.
• Chair, given that I'm going to move it home study. voters want the town character to look voters want
• , we're not talking narrow pool of voters, we're not talking all<01:35:29.120><c> voters</c><01:35:29.440

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would actually be a resource to the voters when they go to the ballot and vote.
• I think that's a very valuable tool for the voters when they contemplate this initiative.
• If we don't fulfill our obligation, then it goes to the ballot for the voters.
• This is essential to protect election integrity and voter confidence.
• However, we see a significant number of signature challenges among younger voters.

Bills: HB1295 , HB2007 , HB2262 , HB2636

Committee: House Education

Keywords: reading instruction, structured literacy, early literacy, dyslexia, phonics, phonological awareness, language comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, oral language, orthographic knowledge, multi-tiered system of supports, MTSS, screening assessments, intervention, reading intervention, elementary education, kindergarten, first grade, second grade

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:04:42.919><c> the</c><00:04:43.039><c> desire</c><00:04:43.600><c> for</c><00:04:43.800><c> voters
• </c><00:04:44.240><c> to</c> committee in the desire for voters to committee in the desire for voters
• And one of the things, one of my core values, is I'd love to, before I pass, have 100% voter turnout
• But anyways, again, thank you for bringing a bill forward that might increase voter turnout.
• </c> a bill forward that might increase voter a bill forward that might increase voter turnout<00:27:

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of State, Michael Adams, has done a fabulous job and they can leave him to watch over any kind of voter
• or have their party stand in front of the voters to decide if the voters' opinions of those actions
• </c> or she can stand in front of the voters or she can stand in front of the voters or<00:15:12.079>
• to decide if decide the the voters to decide if decide the voters<00:15:16.519><c> opinions</c><00:15
• opinions of those actions there voters opinions of those actions there will<00:15:18.880><c> be</c><

Keywords: Consideration of HCR 67 02:28 Discussion of SB 126 08:05, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs met with a quorum, recognized a student page from Covington Catholic High School, and then took up House Concurrent Resolution 67, sponsored by Representative Emily Callaway. The resolution would create a Kentucky Restoration of Voting Rights Act task force to study restoration of civil and voting rights for people who have served their sentences and shown rehabilitation. Callaway said the task force would include legislators and representatives from state offices and advocacy groups, and she noted the issue should receive serious attention as part of civic participation and reentry. Members asked about differences between the House resolution and a similar Senate measure. Callaway explained that her version was more specific about membership and included state agency representatives and advocacy organizations. Representative Blacket said he preferred the House version and noted expungement had also been discussed. Representative Marzian said she would vote no, arguing the Secretary of State already handles election integrity and that the proposal was unnecessary and costly. Representative Roberts supported the resolution, saying the current process for restoring voting rights can be expensive and lengthy. The resolution passed with favorable consideration. The committee then heard discussion-only testimony on Senate Bill 126 from Senator Chris McDaniel, a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the governor’s pardon power. McDaniel argued the power has been abused and said the amendment would not eliminate pardons, but would restrict them to the 60 days before an election and the period between the gubernatorial election and inauguration so voters could weigh in. He cited high-profile pardons and commutations as examples and said the measure had previously been supported by law enforcement groups. Representative Lockard and another member expressed support, saying pardon power can be undemocratic and that the timing of mass pardons after elections is troubling. McDaniel said the 60-day window was chosen as a practical period for information to reach voters. No vote was taken on the bill, and the meeting adjourned after a visiting district judge was recognized.