Transcript Highlights:

• are candidates of color.
• As was stated earlier, 28,000 teacher candidates received...
• As those candidates have continued because the exams aren't one and done.
• So how many candidates in those areas?"
• I am certain candidates would be more than happy. Yeah.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2333 makes the address at which the candidate is registered confidential.
• Candidates are required to disclose the address at which they're registered on the Candidates are required
• House Bill 23333 makes the address at which the candidate is registered confidential.
• No one could be opposed to securing safety for elected officials and candidates.
• No one could be opposed to securing safety for elected officials and candidates.

Bills: HB2176 , HB2244 , HB2120 , HB2333

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: drug therapy, public records, confidentiality, healthcare, collaborative practice, transparency, accountability, exemptions, government accountability, audit, legislative review, resource efficiency, committee work, political violence, elected officials, election officials, criminal justice, protection, safety, threats

Transcript Highlights:

• The contestee is stricken as a candidate from the ballot.
• The contestee is stricken as a candidate from the ballot.
• It's to determine whether a candidate for office meets constitutional qualifications.
• The petitioner still must prove a disqualifying increase that applies to this candidate.
• The contestee will be retained as a candidate on the ballot.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, the candidates are not yet in a position where they have political power.
• It provides that there will be coverage for viable candidates, and there’s a threshold for what candidates
• But with candidates who maybe are trying to... Thank you. It doesn’t block it. No.
• But I think there are lots of cases from candidates not making errors.
• Members of candidates and/or now elected officials, you know, they're human too.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met as a subcommittee until quorum was established, then heard a series of election- and public-trust-related bills. Early items included AB 2592, which would move lobbyist training from legislative ethics committees to the FPPC starting in 2029 and make it available online on demand; it drew support from the FPPC and an oppose-unless-amended request to make the training public and ensure lobbyists pay fees. AB 2573 would refine California’s confidential voter registration protections for candidates and elected officials, with support from the Secretary of State and county election officials after amendments narrowed some family-member coverage. AB 2753 would bar registered sex offenders from running for or holding local or state office; it prompted extended debate about public trust, second chances, and where to draw the line, but was ultimately advanced on a 5-0 vote with one member not voting. AB 2691 similarly would expand disqualifying felony convictions to include sexual assault and human trafficking, and it also passed 5-0 after testimony from victim advocates and discussion about survivors, restorative justice, and the power dynamics involved in public office. The committee also advanced AB 2413, which would prohibit public funds from being used for large-format ads featuring elected officials, and AB 2281, which would direct the Office of Election Cybersecurity to assess replacement resources after federal cybersecurity support cuts and allow consultation with academic researchers. AB 1664 would require local election officials to notify the Secretary of State and Attorney General within one business day of warrants, subpoenas, or investigations involving election records or voting systems; supporters said it would help the state respond quickly to improper seizure of election materials, and it passed 5-0. AB 2484, concerning San Diego MTS, would let voters authorize a local sales tax initiative for transit funding and exempt it from an existing cap; it drew support from transit leaders and labor, opposition from the Realtors, and a lengthy exchange over Prop. 13, Prop. 218, and whether the measure created a special deal, before passing 6-1. The committee then heard AB 2230, which would create buffer zones around voting centers and child care facilities to keep immigration enforcement away from those locations. The author said the bill was meant to reduce fear and intimidation for voters and families, while the opposition argued it was unenforceable, lacked evidence of a problem, and would interfere with federal officers doing their jobs. Members supporting the bill cited reported ICE profiling and intimidation in California communities, while others raised jurisdictional and practical concerns. The transcript ends during this debate, with no final vote shown for AB 2230.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> appropriate canvas a losing candidate appropriate canvas a losing candidate May<00:56:23.839><c>
• It must always be requested, but if the difference between the winning candidate and the losing candidate
• </c><01:34:44.800><c> uh</c> touch upon campaigns and candidates uh touch upon campaigns and candidates
• </c><01:35:03.040><c> uh</c> that's targeted or the candidate uh that's targeted or the candidate uh
• </c> obligation of the campaign or candidate obligation of the campaign or candidate that's<01:36:26.760

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• The contestee is stricken as a candidate from the ballot. Costs will be assessed.
• The contestee is stricken as a candidate from the ballot.
• And I want to be clear, this case is bigger than the candidates.
• It would disqualify candidates based on changes that they neither enacted...
• The salary increase... ...to this candidate. She cannot.

Summary: The Oklahoma State Election Board held a special meeting to address several candidate contests and related procedural matters. After roll call and opening remarks, counsel explained the hearing procedures, burden of proof, and possible outcomes. Several cases were noted as resolved or withdrawn, including Timmons v. Jones, Banning v. Sutterfield, and Roberts v. Gaw. In Ranson v. Riley, the board accepted constructive service after the respondent did not appear, heard that Riley was not a registered voter in the required district for the required period, and voted 3-0 to sustain the petition and strike him from the ballot, with costs assessed to the petitioner. The board then heard Hasenbach v. Pugh, a contest challenging Senator Adam Pugh’s candidacy for Superintendent of Public Instruction under the Oklahoma Constitution’s emoluments ineligibility clause. The petitioner argued that Pugh was a sitting legislator whose office’s salary and benefits had increased during his term, relying on stipulated facts, a compensation commission order, and prior case law. The respondent argued the salary increase came from an independent commission that expressly excluded current legislators and that benefit changes were automatic under a preexisting statute, so no qualifying increase applied to Pugh. The board resolved several procedural issues first, including striking a reply brief as beyond the original petition and admitting joint stipulations into the record. After a recess and executive session, the board returned to open session and voted 3-0 to deny the petition in Hasenbach v. Pugh, retaining Pugh as a candidate on the ballot and assessing costs to the petitioner. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from the secretary and a unanimous vote to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• These selective certification lists include only eligible candidates that possess an emergency medical
• have been hired in order of their respective ranking, that no other qualified candidates appeared for
• Every other town in my district is struggling to find qualifying candidates primarily because of the
• Every other town in my district is struggling to find qualifying candidates primarily because of the
• They are comfortable with this candidate.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Transcript Highlights:

• They are tired of seeing all this money going to campaigns, campaign candidates bashing each other or
• California can, Voters from electing candidates of their choice.
• from the ballot for president... ...authority to remove constitutionally ineligible candidates from
• ballot, including presidential candidates who do not meet constitutional qualifications.
• Chair and members, the names of candidates for elected office...

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• , candidate committee, or non-candidate committee, to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund if not returned
• </c><00:12:18.920><c> candidate</c> election period to a candidate candidate election period to a candidate
• candidate committee<00:12:19.399><c> or</c><00:12:19.519><c> non-candidate</c><00:12:20.040><c> committee
• </c><00:12:20.800><c> TR</c> committee or non-candidate committee TR committee or non-candidate committee
• </c> of candidate of candidate nominations<00:20:08.880><c> furthermore</c><00:20:09.799><c> the</c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills covering criminal justice, elections, and wildfire-related settlement funding. HB 103 would raise the age cutoff for life-without-parole eligibility from 18 to 21; supporters included the Public Defender and others, while prosecutors and some others opposed it. HB 11 would allow civil claims against people or businesses profiting from sexual exploitation or sex trafficking; it drew mostly support but was not ready for a vote and was deferred for further questions. HB 132 would expand a state-initiated expungement pilot to include possession of any Schedule V substance; the Public Defender, ACLU, and oversight groups supported it, with one opponent, and committee questions focused on what substances and how many cases would be affected. HB 145 would require the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center to transmit expungement orders to the Judiciary to implement Act 159; the Judiciary and Public Defender supported it, and members discussed technical issues involving multiple defendants and multiple charges. HB 369, a campaign finance housekeeping bill on excess cash contributions, and HB 408, which aligns voter registration-by-mail deadlines with current law, both received support and no opposition of note. The committee also heard HB 1175, which creates appropriations and a trust fund for Maui wildfire settlement claims; the Attorney General’s office, Maui County Council, and Tax Foundation supported it, while one senator said he would vote no because of concerns about House leadership. HB 386, which conforms drug possession thresholds for methamphetamine, heroin, morphine, and cocaine, was supported by law enforcement and prosecutors. HB 134 would require electronic filing of nomination papers; the Elections Office supported it but asked that any convenience fee be authorized in statute, while one witness opposed it over security and cost concerns. After testimony and questions, the committee took up decision-making and passed HB 103 with amendments, deferred HB 11, and passed HB 132, HB 145, HB 369, HB 408, HB 1175, HB 386, and HB 134, with HB 134 amended to clarify no additional charge for electronic filing.

Transcript Highlights:

• forum. for sheriff's candidates that a candidate forum being hosted. by the school district as a facility
• There's no need for a candidate forum on the red side of the county, but you need a candidate forum on
• , but for candidate forums or candidate or party conventions, would it be wise?
• So if it's a candidate forum and it's open to all the candidates, that is something. that I believe would
• favoring any particular candidate and of course a municipal candidate forum is nonpartisan kind of by

Bills: SB29 , SB406 , SB447 , SB875 , SB893 , SB1033 , SB1346 , SB1362 , SB1539 , SCR22 , SB 29

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:38.839><c> who</c> um requiring that for candidates who um requiring that for candidates who
• Prohibition on candidates assisting a Prohibition on candidates assisting a voter<00:39:22.720><c> in
• </c><00:39:28.720><c> to</c> decision that allows for candidates to decision that allows for candidates
• </c> deadlines and confusion for candidates deadlines and confusion for candidates voters<01:32:28.880
• </c><01:32:42.199><c> documentation</c> difficult other candidate documentation difficult other candidate

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• These selective certification lists include only eligible candidates who possess an emergency medical
• I would like to state for the record that the other two aforementioned candidates have been hired in
• order of their respective ranking, that no other qualified candidates appeared for consideration, and
• They are comfortable with this candidate.
• They are comfortable with this candidate.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 22nd hearing of the 194th General Court to consider late-file bills, with the chairs outlining testimony limits and instructions for submitting written testimony. The committee heard testimony on several local bills, including H.5520, which would allow George Petrinos of Dudley to continue serving as a call firefighter past age 65 until age 70. Representative John Moran said the bill had town support, would have no pension or fiscal impact, and was intended to let Petrinos continue a long record of service. The committee also heard testimony on H.4499 concerning the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership. Witnesses Colleen Curran and Matthew Brunell said the bill would correct an oversight so certain employees of the zone could participate in the public retirement system. They described the organization as a public body subject to open meeting and procurement laws, performing functions similar to a public school district, and said a prior administrative decision had recognized it as a public entity but not extended retirement eligibility to its employees. Finally, the committee took testimony on Senate Bill 3165 for the town of Holbrook, which would authorize the appointment of Patrick Daugherty as a firefighter despite the maximum age requirement. Holbrook Fire Chief Luke McFadden and Senators John Keenan and Representative Mark Cusack said the department needs paramedic-qualified firefighters, Daugherty is already known to the town and fully qualified aside from the age issue, and the exemption would help address staffing shortages. No questions were raised after the testimony, and the committee then moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're eager to learn more about candidates and campaigns. Good morning.
• I will start us off at the website, which is where most of the candidates and campaigns that we work
• It is a user-centered design, so no matter if you are a candidate, a lobbyist, an elected official, or
• My team's role is to support filers, such as candidates, committees, and others who file reports with
• So we have actually seen growth in numbers of candidates over the years.

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee held a work session with the Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) focused on campaign and candidate disclosure, customer support, training, and technology improvements. PDC staff described the agency’s mission, its citizen-initiative origins, and efforts to make filing and public access easier through a redesigned website, virtual trainings, recorded tutorials, newsletters, and outreach to filers, auditors, parties, and local jurisdictions. They reported heavy customer-service activity in fiscal year 2025, including thousands of email and phone inquiries, and emphasized same-day assistance, proactive reminders, and hands-on help for first-time and complex filers. The CIO outlined the agency’s technology approach, including guided filing workflows, accessibility features, mobile-friendly applications, built-in help prompts, and continuous improvement timed to filing cycles. He highlighted recent changes such as warnings when a contribution may affect reporting periods, improved mini-reporting guidance, and the transition from Secure Access Washington to login.gov/WA.gov, which the agency is working on early to avoid disrupting filers. He also noted that system changes go through controlled review and that the agency is beginning to use AI agents in code review. Members asked about whether the PDC’s requirements discourage candidates, accessibility issues, treasurer support, donation limits for entities, and the role of AI. PDC staff said candidate numbers have grown, especially in local election years, and that the agency tries to keep filing manageable through direct assistance, discontinuation options, and mini-reporting for small campaigns. They said treasurer training is an important and growing part of their work, with more online and lunch-and-learn offerings, and that they are considering a treasurer-specific class. No votes or formal committee actions were taken; the meeting adjourned after questions due to floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• , a presidential candidate, is qualified.
• , a presidential candidate, is qualified.
• Current law allows a candidate running for a federal, state, or local office to have a candidate statement
• Usually, the candidate statement is a general introduction.
• But the content of the candidate statement is a different matter. Thank you. Okay, thank you.

Summary: The committee heard several election and democracy-related bills. AB 1116 would expand California’s online voter registration system to allow eligible voters without a DMV-issued ID to register using the last four digits of their Social Security number and an uploaded signature image. Supporters said it would improve access, reduce paper processing, and save money; opponents, including the Secretary of State’s office and county officials, raised concerns about cybersecurity, implementation, and identity verification. The bill was moved on a 2-1 vote to the Committee on Appropriations. AB 1539 would require political party representatives to certify, under penalty of perjury, that presidential and vice presidential nominees meet constitutional term-limit requirements. Supporters framed it as a safeguard against attempts to place ineligible candidates on the ballot, while opponents called it unnecessary and politically motivated. The committee voted 2-1 to send the bill to the Committee on Public Safety. The committee also approved AB 1562, which would let counties randomly select registered voters to serve as poll workers if their board of supervisors approves, and AB 1664, which would require prompt notice to the Secretary of State and Attorney General when election records or voting systems are subject to warrants, subpoenas, or investigations. AB 1562 passed 2-0 to the Committee on Transportation, and AB 1664 passed 2-1 to the Committee on Public Safety despite opposition from sheriffs’ representatives who argued it raised separation-of-powers concerns. Later, AB 1853, which would restrict candidate statements in voter information guides to factual background and qualifications and bar hateful or misleading content, passed 2-1 to the Committee on Rules for further consideration in Judiciary. AB 1919, allowing voters in the Santa Cruz Metro district to decide on transit funding procedures, and AB 2484, allowing San Diego MTS voters to authorize a local transit tax through initiative, also advanced on 3-1 votes to the Committee on Transportation. The committee additionally approved a consent agenda containing AB 1789, AB 2592, AB 2655, and AB 2785.

Transcript Highlights:

• To the doxing point, actually, on the official side, so when we as candidates or when candidates raise
• official side so when we as candidates or<00:26:40.360><c> when</c><00:26:40.919><c> candidates</c><
• of 2023, we were able to do that to recruit a candidate, get the candidate endorsed, and collect 500
• </c><00:41:01.640><c> endorsed</c> candidate to get the candidate endorsed candidate to get the candidate
• </c> access without petitioning to candidates access without petitioning to candidates for<00:41:47.319

Bills: HF72 , HF66 , HF69 , HF73

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:38.000><c> requesting</c> what we saw for candidates requesting what we saw for candidates
• </c> votes cast for the losing candidate votes cast for the losing candidate receiving<00:23:39.280><
• </c> candidates are standing for election. candidates are standing for election.
• </c> how a candidate may obtain a recount. how a candidate may obtain a recount.
• </c> days, candidates have to be certified. days, candidates have to be certified.

Bills: SF0028 , SF0030 , SF0031 , SF0032

Committee: House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that the language does protect candidate addresses and also allows future candidates the choice
• <c> that</c> candidate if candidate affidavits that candidate if candidate affidavits that have<00:08
• addresses and also allows candidate addresses and also allows future<00:09:04.480><c> candidates</c>
• </c> I just think we have to know a candidate I just think we have to know a candidate to<00:49:56.440
• </c> caucus leaders not just any candidate. caucus leaders not just any candidate.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• office holders, his or her family, and employees of the candidates' campaign or the office holder's
• </c> security measures for State candidate security measures for State candidate office<00:04:03.680>
• This is a crucial issue to ensure that candidates know that they can make sure that they are safe.
• This is a crucial issue to ensure that candidates know that they can make sure that they are safe.
• This is a crucial issue to ensure that candidates know that they can make sure that they are safe.

Summary: The committee met with opening prayer, pledge, and procedural reminders, then took up two election-related bills. House Bill 373, sponsored by Rep. Wade Williams, would modernize campaign finance law to allow campaign funds to pay for reasonable security measures for state candidates, officeholders, their families, and campaign or office staff. Williams said the bill uses campaign funds only, not state dollars, and is modeled on recently changed federal language. Members discussed whether the coverage included all state officeholders and close family members, and supporters cited increasing threats and harassment toward public officials; one member opposed the bill, warning about possible misuse and fraud. The bill passed with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 455, sponsored by Rep. Patrick Flannery, which creates an Office of Election Investigations and Security within the Attorney General’s office. Flannery said the bill would codify existing practices, establish a complaint and allegation review process, create a voter fraud hotline, and provide for investigations, referrals, and legislative oversight. Members asked about cost and whether the office duplicated existing functions such as the Public Integrity Office; Flannery responded that the bill creates a statutorily defined office and is intended to make the process less dependent on who holds the office. Supporters said the measure could improve transparency and voter trust, while opponents argued it duplicates existing agencies, could increase government size and cost, and might expose people to harassment or retaliation. The bill also passed with favorable expression, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our side wants a a particular candidate our side wants a a particular candidate I'd<00:10:34.160
• </c><00:10:47.079><c> that</c> not get their the candidate that not get their the candidate that chose
• </c> a good representation of the candidates a good representation of the candidates here<00:12:07.440
• ><c> got</c> state uh and the opposite candidate got state uh and the opposite candidate got one<00:16
• candid as a<00:17:47.000><c> candidate</c><00:17:47.600><c> visited</c><00:17:48.120><c> Nebraska</c>

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• That way, they could be removed from the county where those candidates are acting in.
• Uh, and they're advertising their candidates that they want the public to consider.
• ' name some of the but the candidates' name some of the candidate<00:19:14.159><c> names</c><00:19:14.640
• ><c> were</c><00:19:14.760><c> changed</c> candidate names were changed candidate names were changed
• Candidate, political party.

Committee: Senate Elections