Video & Transcript : 'ballot delivery' :
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 9th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Like I said, what we're trying to do is move all the state questions to the August ballot.
- Like I said, this legislature is Trying to get state questions on the August ballot.
- The only amendment that I've added was to move it to the August ballot.
- Could you tell me what the August ballot has to do with the closed-door meetings?
- The ballot failed, so your notice is for the vote on the special election provision.
Bills:
HB4248 , HB4429 , HB2588 , HB3472 , HB4317 , HB3462 , HB2035 , HB3501 , HB3127 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3260 , HB4321 , HB3011 , HB3522 , HB3530 , HB3940 , HB3078 , HB3043 , HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3403 , HB1907 , HB3175 , HB3986 , HB3466 , HB3411 , HB4246 , SJR49 , HB3281 , HB4319 , HJR1086 , HJR1024 , HJR1087
Keywords:
HB4248, hemp beverage, hemp drinks, THC beverage, cannabis beverage, intoxicating hemp, age restriction, under 21, minor possession, youth access, public health and safety, Title 63, Oklahoma Statutes, retail sales, alcohol-style regulation, controlled substances, beverage regulation, proxy advisory services, shareholder rights, financial transparency
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- notice publication requirements and provides an option for direct notice to voters through sample ballot
- notice publication requirements and provides an option for direct notice to voters through sample ballot
- Some certainty for bond counsel and the districts that are putting these measures on the ballot once
- The clerk actually only put $1 million of a $1.5 million deal on the ballot initially.
- I'd like to see a mandated publishing of all notices, announcements, logistics, ballot testing notice
Committee:
House Elections
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, September 19, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Their vote on the ballot that they don't want it being done by legislators.
- </c> only thing on the ballot. only thing on the ballot. $282 $282 $282 million<02:49:01.520><c> in</
- The dog received a ballot in the mail and successfully cast that ballot, and even after the dog died
- continued to receive a ballot in the mail.
- </c><03:13:58.800><c> are</c> the legislature where now ballots are the legislature where now ballots
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Cast up the ballot. A vote of 77 yeas, 15 nays, and three present.
- Cast up the ballot. A vote of 90 yeas, five nays, and three present.
- Cast up the ballot. A vote of 98 yeas, zero nays, and zero present.
- Cast up the ballot. A vote of 97 yeas, zero nays, zero present.
- Cast up the ballot.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum of 98 members present, and granted leave for Representative Jack Ladyman. The chamber approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal and received committee reports from Joint Budget on several appropriations bills, along with an executive communication from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders noting approval of House Bill 1001 as Act 2. The Speaker also recognized several guests, including law enforcement personnel, physicians, a nurse, STEM students, line workers, and Council of State Governments visitors.
The main business was the budget calendar. The House adopted amendments to House Bills 1018, 1023, 1036, 1041, 1055, 1068, and 1077, covering items such as title changes for East Arkansas College, DHS resource reallocations, Nursing Board positions, Capitol Police positions for the Winthrop Rockefeller building, transfer of the early childhood nutrition program to the Department of Agriculture, DFA position changes and the Rural Health Transformation Program, and DHS county office staffing reductions. The chamber then sent the amendments to engrossing.
Members passed House Bill 1060, the State Library appropriation, by 77 yeas, 15 nays, and 3 present; Senate Bill 5, the Tobacco Settlement Commission appropriation, by 90 yeas, 5 nays, and 3 present; Senate Bill 13, the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission appropriation, by 98 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present; Senate Bill 39, the Arkansas State University appropriation, by 97 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present; and Senate Bill 56, the Auditor of State continuing education appropriation for local offices, by 81 yeas, 14 nays, and 3 present. The Speaker announced the House was ahead of schedule and moved next week’s floor schedule from Tuesday-Thursday to Monday-Wednesday, with a likely Monday start time around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. The House then adjourned until 1:00 p.m. the next day.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Thu Feb 19, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Change and amend parties on the ballot.
- </c> Party of Hawaii has been on the ballot Party of Hawaii has been on the ballot for<02:35:24.319><
- </c> the easiest time to get to the ballot. the easiest time to get to the ballot.
- </c> there was 19,000 more ballots there was 19,000 more ballots than<02:52:20.960><c> there</c><02:52
- </c> figure out where these ballots. figure out where these ballots.
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs recessed briefly for a joint hearing, then reconvened and took up House Bill 2494, which would limit warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations, require officers to document arrest justification, expand citation-in-lieu-of-arrest use, and direct the Judiciary to create a standardized citation form. The chair also outlined hearing procedures and testimony time limits. Committee members later received an overview from the Policing Project about national trends in expanding citation use.
Testimony was divided. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the Policing Project, argued the bill would reduce unnecessary arrests and pretrial detention, lessen jail overcrowding, save law enforcement time, and reduce harms such as job loss, housing instability, family disruption, and recidivism. They also said the bill preserves officer discretion through public-safety and flight-risk exceptions, and several supporters urged the committee to adopt a standardized citation form despite the Judiciary’s request for a delayed implementation date.
Opposition came from the Department of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, county prosecutors, Honolulu Police Department, and other individuals. They argued the bill would unduly restrict law enforcement discretion, create administrative and data-processing problems, and make it harder to identify repeat or habitual offenders because of changes to citation information and fingerprinting. The Judiciary requested implementation no earlier than January 1, 2028 and said the citation form would need major changes. Opponents also warned the bill could increase litigation, suppress evidence, and not meaningfully reduce overcrowding because most jail populations are held on felony matters. The chair reported 14 testimonies in support, 21 in opposition, and one with comments; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/11/26
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- So the current ballot requirement stating, "By voting yes on this ballot question, you are voting for
- One was an operating levy and ballot.
- So our questions both their ballot.
- </c><00:53:52.960><c> that</c> believe we owe motans ballots that believe we owe motans ballots that
- </c><00:55:07.440><c> is</c> that what we're saying on the ballot is that what we're saying on the ballot
Keywords:
municipal nondisclosure agreement, NDA, public records, transparency, local government, county, city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment authority, economic development authority, port authority, economic development, land development, public financing, tax increment financing, TIF, abatement, municipal bonds, debt obligations
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By a vote of 38 yes.
- Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. By the vote of 62 yeas, 7 nays.
- Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk.
- Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk. All right, there we go. Cast up the ballot, Mr. Clerk.
- Cast up the ballot. Prepare the machine, Mr. Clerk. Has everyone voted? Now cast up the ballot, Mr.
Committee:
All BOYS STATE
Summary:
The meeting opened with remarks to Arkansas Boys State delegates about leadership, public service, and the significance of the Capitol, followed by prayer, attendance, and announcements that both chambers were organized and ready for business. The House then considered House Bill 1001, which would have increased funding for rural health care through a 10% tax on people earning at least $300,000; supporters argued it would improve access and quality in rural areas, while opponents raised concerns about fairness, funding, and driving away doctors and taxpayers. The bill failed, 24 yeas to 51 nays. House Bill 1002, aimed at funding more teachers for rural school districts and limiting how many subjects a teacher could be assigned, drew debate over teacher burnout, funding, and whether it would improve outcomes; it passed after immediate consideration, 38 yeas to 36 nays, though the transcript later includes a conflicting note that it failed. House Bill 1003, the Arkansas Data Centers Act of 2026, would let counties restrict data centers and impose a 10% tax for conservation; supporters emphasized local control and resource protection, while opponents warned about jobs, economic loss, and federal issues. It passed 62 yeas to 7 nays. House Bill 1004, reducing motor vehicle registration fees, was debated as a way to ease costs for families but criticized for reducing transportation funding; it failed, 20 yeas to 46 nays.
The chamber then moved to Senate bills. Senate Bill 1 proposed incentives tied to SNAP benefits and healthier food purchases, including a Double Bucks-style program; supporters said it would help address food insecurity and obesity, while opponents objected to taxing junk food and burdening non-SNAP users. It passed 43 yeas to 27 nays. Senate Bill 2 would require reading tests in earlier grades and provide state tutoring for students who fail; supporters said it would address literacy problems early, while opponents wanted clearer provisions for older students and more detail on implementation. It passed 67 yeas to 6 nays. Senate Bill 3, the Freedom to Earn Act, would lower the individual income tax rate from 3.7% to 3.0%; supporters said it would help working families and attract business, while opponents argued the benefits would mostly go to corporations and wealthy executives. It passed 53 yeas to 15 nays. Senate Bill 4 created a zoning grant program to encourage mixed-use development in growing cities, funded by a 1% hotel tourism tax up to $50 million; supporters said it would promote housing, small business growth, and downtown revitalization, and it passed 51 yeas to 7 nays. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which carried.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 14th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If we put all the state questions on the November ballot along with every statewide office that will
- Once again, if we put everything on the November ballot, it's gonna be ballot fatigue.
- We ask the voters to consider everything that's on The ballot whether it's a state question, whether
- If you pack all these onto one ballot, it would be a very busy ballot.
- The second vote would be a vote to place on the August ballot, which would require a supermajority.
Bills:
HB3312 , HB3700 , HB2981 , HB2961 , HB3016 , HB4478 , HB4326 , HB3025 , HB3710 , HB4125 , HB2951 , HB3082 , HB4142 , HB4106 , HB1752 , HB3268 , HB4440 , HJR1067 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1149 , SB1167 , HJR1024 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , HB3419 , HB3748 , HB4335 , HB3057 , HB3279 , HB4428 , HB3420 , HB3040 , HB4140 , HB1638 , HB3298 , HB4113 , HB1082 , HB4301 , HB3269 , HB3587 , HB4226 , HB4324 , HB4339 , HB4342 , HB3278 , HB3996 , HB4236 , HB4352
Keywords:
firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't know what those ballot boxes look like.
- Our sheriff goes out and gets those ballot boxes and brings them back to the county clerk.
- That's always been customary to protect the integrity of those ballots.
- Who's bringing the ballots back now, and how do we ensure their safety? Mr.
- Their firearm with them and return the ballots back. Yes, but not any sooner than 7 p.m.
Committee:
Senate Senate Judiciary
Keywords:
student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And instead of just the poll worker giving them a ballot right away, the poll worker has to call the
- county clerk and verify, hey, I got so... ...a ballot right away, the poll worker has to call the county
- If it all matches, then they hand them the ballot.
- So therefore, we wouldn't have an appointed judge becoming an incumbent on the ballot, virtually guaranteed
- demonstration that the harm occurred as a result of someone being on site for the purposes of casting their ballot
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Summary:
The Senate State Affairs Committee began by welcoming Mayor Joan Hawkins of Malad City, who filled in for Senator Anthon, and then approved the minutes from February 11, 13, and 16, 2026. The committee also recognized page Chase Janetz at the end of the meeting for his service, with members offering remarks about his experience and future plans.
The bulk of the meeting was devoted to introducing and printing a series of RS drafts. These included RS 3341 on expansion of the research and development center tied to new nuclear projects and the 1995 settlement agreement; RS 3291, a controller’s office cleanup bill; RS 3314C1, which strengthens agency contract-reporting requirements; RS 33386, which tightens voter affidavit requirements; RS 33136, requiring annual reporting on refugee resettlement programs; RS 33321, strengthening enforcement of gold and silver payment contracts; RS 33028, allowing party committees to set additional criteria for precinct committeemen; and RS 3338, changing how appointed judges may run after filling vacancies. Most of these were advanced to print with little or no opposition, though RS 3338 drew concerns that it could discourage qualified judges from serving and reduce the pool of applicants.
The committee also introduced RS 33396, creating a specialty license plate to fund Idaho State Police salaries; RS 33420, regulating billing and reimbursement practices for out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms; RS 33379, a cleanup bill related to the Department of Lands’ legal authority; and RS 33382, aimed at protecting private property owners from warrantless visits by agencies or law enforcement except where allowed by law. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 613, which would reduce liability concerns for churches and other private facilities used as polling places by extending state insurance coverage for election-related activities. After questions about how liability would apply, the committee voted to send HB 613 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 26th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of custody permanently compromises those ballots as evidence.
- The chain of custody permanently compromises those ballots as evidence.
- It also protects the chain of custody of voted ballots.
- was just seizing ballots because of conspiracy theories.
- If voter fraud is a choice... ...vote-by-mail ballots.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, approved prior journals, and moved through confirmations and floor items. Doreen DiAmico was confirmed to the State Water Resources Control Board by a 34-1 vote, Dr. Anne Maria de Mars was confirmed to the State Athletic Commission by 36-0, and Ronald Fiore was confirmed to the State Athletic Commission by 36-0. The body then took up SB 73 on election security, with supporters arguing it would protect ballot chain of custody and prevent intimidation or unauthorized access to voting materials, while opponents raised concerns about transparency, federal preemption, and the bill’s impact on investigations. SB 73 passed on concurrence and urgency with 29 ayes and 8 noes on both the urgency clause and the measure.
The Senate also approved SB 929 on annual Energy Commission oversight (37-0), SB 1370 on wildfire-related testimony/oversight (28-5), SB 983 authorizing Port of San Diego job order contracting (28-8), SB 1367 restricting local approval of new or converted private detention facilities (28-8), SB 1257 requiring annual reporting on immigration enforcement incidents (28-8), and SB 1103 requiring large home improvement retailers to report immigration enforcement activity and related records (23-8). SB 1399, which removes the sunset on DOJ reviews of immigration detention facilities, passed 28-7, and SB 873, “ICE Out of Courts,” passed 28-7 to limit arrests near courthouses without a judicial warrant.
Later, the Senate passed SB 1292 creating a pilot for camera- or sensor-based curb management with human review and privacy safeguards, despite opposition over privacy and automation concerns, by 28-7. SB 878 strengthened prompt-payment insurance penalties for delayed claims after disasters and passed 29-6. SB 958, a CEQA clarification related to housing and building height impacts, passed unanimously 37-0. SB 924 modernized low-income energy assistance services and passed 35-1. SB 1057 on certification for nurse assistants and home health aides passed, as did SB 1092 giving mobile home residents a chance to bid on park sales (29-7), SB 1123 requiring agencies to consider consumer and other benefits in rulemaking (26-8), SB 1233 increasing utility rate transparency (29-8), SB 1237 strengthening pay data reporting enforcement (28-6), SB 886 shifting data center infrastructure costs away from existing ratepayers (28-6), SB 905 reforming utility incentives and performance metrics (28-8), and SB 909 strengthening public works wage enforcement (28-7). The final item shown, SB 925 on fusion energy roadmap development, passed unanimously 37-0, while SB 954 on CEQA and advanced manufacturing drew extensive debate over environmental guardrails versus economic competitiveness; the transcript cuts off during closing remarks before the vote is shown.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And then we're gonna go to SCR 1022, Senator Mesnard's ballot referral.
- The bill stipulates that if an emergency measure placed on the ballot for referendum does not receive
- The bill stipulates that if an emergency measure placed on the ballot for referendum does not receive
- I'm sorry. ...to try to put it on a ballot and get a referendum to approve that.
- I know we do see a lot of drop-off on the ballot and people voting down, and, you know, less vote for
Bills:
HB2070 , HB2129 , HB2227 , HB2439 , HB2667 , HB2745 , HB2773 , HB2825 , HB2873 , HB2876 , HCR2005 , HCR2044 , SB1002 , SB1036 , SB1054 , SB1271 , SB1432 , SB1435 , SB1437 , SB1439 , SCR1022 , SCR1031 , SCR1033
Committee:
Senate Government
Keywords:
flood relief, Gila County, emergency funding, public safety, environmental cleanup, municipal libraries, annual reporting, state legislation, transparency, government accountability, chiropractic, chiropractor, chiropractic board, state board of chiropractic examiners, license discipline, unprofessional conduct, patient records, record retention, HIPAA, conflict of interest
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> that have citizen initiated ballot that have citizen initiated ballot question<01:14:58.960><c>
- c> out</c><01:17:26.480><c> in</c> ballot questions differently out in ballot questions differently out
- We we fill up a ballot, the back page of a ballot bigger than this with row after row after row of judicial
- We we fill up a ballot, the back page of a ballot bigger than this with row after row after row of judicial
- > ballot, the back page of a ballot bigger ballot, the back page of a ballot bigger than<01:32:37.199
Committee:
Senate Elections
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So what does this change that you're proposing to bring to the people through a question on the ballot
- The current threshold for ballot rotation is 100,000 registered voters.
- This high threshold means that the names on the ballot are only rotated in an extremely small number
- And it also addresses sometimes when you might have a ballot that’s...”
- Representative Haas continued: “...and it also addresses sometimes when you might have a ballot that’
Committee:
House State Affairs
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, JDC-EIG Public Hearings 02-13-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:52:51.520><c> fraud,</c> that false accusations of ballot fraud, that false accusations of ballot
- </c><01:10:10.000><c> It's</c> ballot in the general election. It's ballot in the general election.
- </c><01:15:54.000><c> and</c> previously it was printing ballots and previously it was printing ballots
- </c> voting systems we have where the ballot voting systems we have where the ballot is<01:16:05.920>
- </c> us to um retrieve uh voted ballot us to um retrieve uh voted ballot packets. packets. packets.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/04/2026 - Senate Government
Senate Government Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- And then we're going to go to SCR 1022, Senator Mezzanard's ballot referral.
- I'm sorry. ...to try to put it on a ballot and get a referendum to approve that.
- and then once it's on the ballot, that also... ...can put it on the ballot, refer it to the voters, and
- then once it's on the ballot, that also means it's subject to election challenges.
- And then it ran into the buzzsaw competing for other space on the ballot.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 1036, which would tighten unemployment insurance eligibility by requiring five weekly work-search actions, weekly reporting, cross-checks against data sources for fraud or ineligibility, and employer reporting of refusals to return to work or accept suitable work. The sponsor argued the bill would reduce fraud and improve program integrity, while DES said it was neutral but warned of system-update costs, added workload, and more appeals; some members raised concerns about apprenticeship programs and administrative burden. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then recommended the bill do pass as amended on a 4-3 vote.
Next, the committee considered SB 1054, a strike-everything amendment to make city and town emergency measures subject to referendum. Supporters, including Payson’s mayor, former mayor, and council members, said local governments had abused emergency clauses to push through tax increases and bond measures without voter input. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns opposed the measure, arguing it would undermine true emergency powers and slow city responses. The committee adopted the amendment and then recommended the bill do pass as amended on a 4-2 vote.
The committee then heard SCR 1022, which would increase the House from 60 to 90 members beginning in 2033, with a later amendment delaying implementation to 2043. Senator Mesnard said the change would improve representation by reducing the number of constituents per member and nesting three House districts within each Senate district; some members and a public witness supported the idea, while others questioned cost, feasibility, and the effect on legislative power. The committee adopted the amendment and recommended the resolution do pass as amended on a 5-2 vote.
Finally, the committee quickly passed SB 1271, barring municipalities from penalizing businesses based on the number of emergency calls or the value of stolen/damaged property, with exceptions for malicious or false calls, and SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive electronic format with fees limited to material costs. Both measures received unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief testimony, and the committee also began hearing SB 1439, a strike-everything amendment creating a Conservative Grassroots Network specialty plate, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 14th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- When I ran for city council in 2008, the ban on gay marriage was on the ballot.
- When I ran for city council in 2008, the ban on gay marriage was on the ballot.
- The Voting Rights Act was meant to protect every American's access to the ballot.
- The Voter Rights Act was meant to protect every American's access to the ballot.
- The same continues today, even in California where we face a ballot measure this year.
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.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Cast up the ballot, Madam Clerk. 98 members present. Chair sees a quorum.
- Cast up the ballot. A vote of 77 yeas, 15 nays, and 3 present.
- Cast up the ballot. A vote of 98 yeas, 0 nays, and 0 present.
- Cast up the ballot. The vote is 97 yeas, 0 nays, 0 present.
- Cast up the ballot.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 98 members present, and granted leave for Representative Jack Ladyman. The chamber then received committee reports from the Joint Budget Committee recommending passage of several appropriation bills, and the Governor’s communication noting approval of House Bill 1001 (Act 2). The Speaker also recognized guests in the galleries, including law enforcement personnel, doctors, students visiting for STEM Day, line workers, and representatives from the Council of State Governments.
The bulk of the meeting was devoted to budget amendments and appropriation bills. The House adopted amendments to House Bills 1018, 1023, 1036, 1041, 1055, 1068, and 1077, covering items such as title changes at East Arkansas College, DHS and Department of Health staffing adjustments, Capitol Police positions for the Winthrop Rockefeller Building, transfer of the early childhood nutrition program to the Department of Agriculture, DFA position changes and the Rural Health Transformation Program, and DHS county office reductions. The chamber then passed House Bill 1060 for the State Library, and Senate Bills 5, 13, 39, and 56, which funded the Tobacco Settlement Commission, Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, Arkansas State University, and Auditor of State continuing education/local offices. Most measures passed with strong support, though Senate Bill 56 drew 14 nays.
Before adjournment, the Speaker announced the House was ahead of schedule and planned to move the following week’s calendar earlier, with a possible sine die adjournment on Wednesday if business proceeded as planned. Representative Meeks moved to adjourn until 1 p.m. the next day, and the motion carried without objection.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Apr 14th, 2026
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- It brings in the ballot language that Representative Murphy had, or not the ballot language, but saying
- that you can't put anything on the ballot that isn't numerical or alphabetical.
- does not go to every location throughout our statutes and identify where a political or property tax ballot
- It's the short version of what ballot language needs to be included.
- It's the short version of what ballot language needs to be included.
Summary:
The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met in executive session with a quorum present and took up a House Committee substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 1066 and 1088. Members discussed several amendments that bundled multiple property tax provisions, including clarification of the 15% commercial ownership threshold, school levy language, senior property tax freeze language, no-tax-increase bond wording, ballot language requirements, and a severability clause. One proposed amendment to preserve a comparison to a single-rate calculation in the auditor’s multi-rate tax form drew extended discussion about whether the current siloing approach could reduce projected revenue for taxing districts; the sponsor ultimately withdrew that amendment after noting the issue would need further study.
The committee then adopted another amendment shortening ballot language requirements, and later adopted the underlying committee amendment and rolled the changes into a new substitute. Members also discussed a tax abatement provision added to the bill, with concerns raised that large abatements, such as those tied to a data center project, could affect levy calculations; supporters argued the language would apply to cities and counties rather than school districts. After debate, the committee voted to adopt the substitute and then voted the House Committee substitute for the Senate substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 1066 and 1088 do pass by a roll call vote of 11 ayes and 5 noes. The committee then adjourned.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Currently, school bond questions are excluded from being placed on the general election ballot due to
- They already have the opportunity to run their GO bonds and mill levies on a general election ballot.
- only place these bond-levy elections on a regular local election in odd-numbered years and in mail ballot
- local election in odd-numbered years and in mail ballots for special elections, which districts would
- are significantly increasing, and this change will help districts to place these questions on the ballot
Committee:
House House Education
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Joint Resolution 1, which would amend the New Mexico Constitution to remove language requiring school elections to be held at different times from partisan elections. The sponsor and the Secretary of State’s office said the change would let school bond and mill levy questions appear on general election ballots, reduce the number of costly special elections, increase turnout, and address an outdated discriminatory provision dating to 1910. Testimony from the New Mexico School Board Association and school superintendents supported the resolution for its potential cost savings and faster access to local and state capital outlay funding. A committee member asked for clarification that school board member elections would remain on the regular local election cycle and nonpartisan. There was no opposition, and the committee approved the resolution on a due pass motion.
The committee then heard House Memorial 30, which asks the Legislative Education Study Committee to study public education governance and convene a broad working group to review roles, responsibilities, statutes, and long-term planning across the education system. The sponsor and LESC staff said the memorial is intended to improve coherence, support long-term goals, and consider governance structures that could better align education policy across administrations, including lessons from the Martinez-Yazzie response and models from other states. Supporters from charter schools, Kids Can, the school board association, superintendents, and Teach Plus backed the study as a way to improve coordination and student outcomes.
Several committee members raised concerns about who would be included in the process, emphasizing the need for meaningful participation by families, plaintiffs in the Martinez-Yazzie case, tribal leaders, and students with disabilities, as well as clear notice and access for working families. Members also asked about guardrails, accountability, and whether a future statewide education commission could dilute local or tribal voices. LESC staff said the memorial would allow the committee to define the study’s structure, composition, metrics, and potential recommendations, including whether any commission should be created by statute or another mechanism. There was no opposition, and the committee passed House Memorial 30 on a do pass motion.