Transcript Highlights:

• They like the convenience of a mail-in ballot.
• As well as identity verification on the return of a ballot.
• And he stated to me that if you show up and you remove that ballot, you do have to sign that you are
• So it does fundamentally change by removing the ballot.
• I like to be the person that inspects the place where you put your ballot to ensure that it is still

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the first meeting of the House Committee on Delivery. of government efficiency, and I want to
• Welcome to the first meeting of the Committee on Delivery of Government Efficiency.
• We identified a significant problem in our customer service delivery. Our system was outdated.
• So the 0.2% is the delivery of the benefits.
• We're not mailing. out ballots this year to those folks.

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2574 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HB2605 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1903 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2297 , HB2303 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2495 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2636 , HB1570 , HB2192 , HB2251 , HB2262 , HB2266 , HB2298 , HB2320 , HB2323 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2405 , HB2442 , HB2515 , HB2523 , HB2593 , HB2632 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2095 , HB2157 , HB2225 , HB2274 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2333 , HB2476 , HB2508 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1634 , HB1906 , HB2339 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2410 , HB2475 , HB2637 , HB2720

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened, the Clerk called the roll, and a quorum was announced present. The chamber then proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer offered by Representative Lauren Davis, which focused on compassion, the burdens carried by legislators and staff, and the importance of kindness, grace, and remembering the real-world consequences of policy decisions. After the prayer, the House approved the previous day’s minutes without objection. Representative Ortiz-Self announced that the Democrats would caucus immediately, and Representative Abbarno announced that the Republicans would caucus immediately as well. The Speaker then declared the House at ease for caucuses.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2574 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HB2605 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1903 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2297 , HB2303 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2495 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2636 , HB1570 , HB2192 , HB2251 , HB2262 , HB2266 , HB2298 , HB2320 , HB2323 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2405 , HB2442 , HB2515 , HB2523 , HB2593 , HB2632 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2095 , HB2157 , HB2225 , HB2274 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2333 , HB2476 , HB2508 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1634 , HB1906 , HB2339 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2410 , HB2475 , HB2637 , HB2720

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House was called to order, the roll was taken, and a quorum was declared present. The chamber then proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer offered by Representative Lauren Davis, who spoke about compassion, the burdens members and staff carry, and the importance of kindness and remembering the real-world impact of legislative decisions. After the prayer, the House approved the previous day’s minutes without objection. Representative Ortiz-Self announced that the Democrats would caucus immediately, and Representative Abbarno announced that the Republicans would caucus. The House then stood at ease for caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to name a few as an example, if you get your ballot signature rejected by your county auditor, that
• protected class, Person lives downtown and they're not a protected class, depending on where the ballot
• box location is to deposit your ballot, if it's a little bit further, then it could be for the protected
• You don't even have to fill out your ballot.
• going to have a bill that will have people come to your house and move your hand for you over your ballot

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB1795 , HB2107 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2253 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB1170 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2360 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2525 , HB2605 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1710 , HB1750 , HB1903 , HB1941 , HB1974 , HB1982 , HB1983 , HB2006 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2215 , HB2223 , HB2239 , HB2247 , HB2297 , HB2303 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2334 , HB2338 , HB2345 , HB2348 , HB2350 , HB2353 , HB2355 , HB2363 , HB2367 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2418 , HB2420 , HB2428 , HB2441 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2505 , HB2534 , HB2539 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2554 , HB2557 , HB2575 , HB2577 , HB2588 , HB2594 , HB2604 , HB2636 , HB2714

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House took up second reading and final passage on several bills. House Bill 2575, relating to reducing certain environmental reporting obligations, was amended to direct savings from reduced utility reporting toward low-income electricity assistance, then passed 95-0. House Bill 2334, on cash transaction rounding for the loss of pennies, passed 89-6 after debate over common-sense rounding, tax treatment, and concerns about moving away from cash. House Bill 2714, updating caseload forecasting for food and nutrition assistance programs including SNAP, passed 95-0. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2557, concerning parental access to special education evaluation meetings and timelines, passed 95-0 after a technical amendment clarifying terminology and discussion about giving parents more time to prepare for meetings. The House also passed Substitute House Bill 2594, which codifies protections for unhoused students and aligns state law with federal McKinney-Vento protections; supporters described the bill as ensuring continued educational access for homeless youth, and it passed 94-1. House Bill 2348, updating timber sale process efficiencies, including electronic notice and appraisal/approval requirements for certain land sales, passed 95-0. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215, dealing with Climate Commitment Act compliance obligations for fuels, drew extensive debate over market fairness, fuel prices, rural impacts, and Ecology’s authority; after adopting a striking amendment and rejecting several others, it passed 57-38. The House then considered House Bill 1710, a Washington Voting Rights Act compliance bill creating a new chapter in Title 29A RCW. Members debated numerous amendments focused on preclearance standards, lookback periods, fee shifting, rulemaking authority, settlement treatment, and the use of citizen voting-age population. Some technical amendments were adopted, while many substantive amendments were rejected. The transcript ends during continued amendment debate on the bill, before final passage is recorded.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB1795 , HB2107 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2253 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB1170 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2360 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2525 , HB2605 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1710 , HB1750 , HB1903 , HB1941 , HB1974 , HB1982 , HB1983 , HB2006 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2215 , HB2223 , HB2239 , HB2247 , HB2297 , HB2303 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2334 , HB2338 , HB2345 , HB2348 , HB2350 , HB2353 , HB2355 , HB2363 , HB2367 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2418 , HB2420 , HB2428 , HB2441 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2505 , HB2534 , HB2539 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2554 , HB2557 , HB2575 , HB2577 , HB2588 , HB2594 , HB2604 , HB2636 , HB2714

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House took up several bills on second and third reading, beginning with House Bill 2360 on expanding access to albuterol in public and private schools. A motion to recommit the bill to the House Health Care and Wellness Committee failed on a roll call vote, 38 yeas to 56 nays. Supporters said the bill would help school nurses respond to students in respiratory distress and reflected input from nurses, OSPI, and the Department of Health. Opponents raised concerns about training, drug interactions, follow-up care, costs to districts, and schools making medical decisions without a diagnosis. The bill then passed 60-34. House Bill 2467, clarifying measurement rules for fifth-wheel travel trailers, passed 94-0 after sponsors said it would help Washington dealers and consumers. House Bill 1983, relating to timberland tax treatment when land is sold to DNR, passed 68-26 amid debate over whether it would help forest management or make it easier for DNR to acquire timberland. House Bill 2531, updating ambulance transport fund quality assurance rules to align with federal regulations and preserve matching funds, passed unanimously 94-0. The House also passed Substitute House Bill 1390, which phases out the Community Protection Program for certain developmentally disabled individuals with high-risk histories and transfers participants to other waiver programs. Supporters said the program was overly restrictive, out of compliance with federal law, and had trapped people in long-term confinement-like conditions; opponents argued it would weaken public safety and move dangerous individuals into community settings without adequate safeguards. The bill passed 52-44. House Bill 2367, eliminating a preferential treatment related to the former TransAlta coal plant in Centralia, passed 63-33 after supporters framed it as closing the book on coal and opponents warned about energy reliability, jobs, and an emergency clause. Substitute House Bill 2133, making a property tax exemption for certain senior centers permanent, passed 96-0. Substitute House Bill 2355, establishing labor protections for domestic workers, passed 57-39 after supporters emphasized dignity and long-standing worker abuse concerns, while opponents cited fiscal impacts. The House then passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2534, with a technical amendment, to improve educational stability for children in military families; it passed 96-0. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1974, creating a land banking framework to support affordable housing, passed 59-37 after an amendment reduced fiscal impact by striking some tax preference sections. House Bill 2223, allowing certain irrigation district board service by farmers with spouses employed by the district, passed 93-3. Substitute House Bill 2239, allowing family burial grounds on private property, passed 96-0 after supporters cited rural needs, cultural traditions, and personal family stories. The session also included a brief congratulatory recognition for Representative David Stuebe after his first bill passed the House.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB1795 , HB2107 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2253 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB1170 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2360 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2525 , HB2605 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1710 , HB1750 , HB1903 , HB1941 , HB1974 , HB1982 , HB1983 , HB2006 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2215 , HB2223 , HB2239 , HB2247 , HB2297 , HB2303 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2334 , HB2338 , HB2345 , HB2348 , HB2350 , HB2353 , HB2355 , HB2363 , HB2367 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2418 , HB2420 , HB2428 , HB2441 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2505 , HB2534 , HB2539 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2554 , HB2557 , HB2575 , HB2577 , HB2588 , HB2594 , HB2604 , HB2636 , HB2714

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer before approving the previous day’s minutes and taking caucus breaks. Members were reminded that the three-minute rule for debate had begun and would remain in effect through House of Origin cutoff. The chamber then moved through second- and third-reading action on a series of bills, mostly on capital, consumer, labor, and professional licensure topics. Several bills were advanced and passed with broad or unanimous support. House Bill 2338 would expand low-income weatherization work to community-scale and multifamily projects; House Bill 2353 raises the threshold for requiring pre-design on public projects; Substitute House Bill 2363 allows music therapy students to practice under supervision while exam scores are pending; Substitute House Bill 2525 creates a Heritage Orchard Program to preserve rare apple varieties; Substitute House Bill 2420 increases small works roster thresholds; Substitute House Bill 2428 prevents unintended lapses in life insurance by allowing a third-party designee to help maintain coverage; House Bill 2604 allows electronic signatures for transferring a vehicle to an insurer; and Substitute House Bill 2107 makes permanent a requirement that L&I provide written notice to employers/contractors when hazards are identified. Each of these bills passed by large margins, generally 94 yeas and no nays, except HB 2338, which passed 93-1. The House also adopted Amendment 1517 to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2247, a striker that revised the veterinary client-patient relationship bill to require annual veterinarian visits for certain animal production, commercial, and breeding operations and to align the measure with federal law. Supporters said it would allow veterinarians to use telehealth between physical exam visits and improve access for rural and agricultural communities. After the amendment, the bill passed 94-0. The session ended with more caucus announcements and the House at ease.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB1795 , HB2107 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2253 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB1170 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2360 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2525 , HB2605 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1710 , HB1750 , HB1903 , HB1941 , HB1974 , HB1982 , HB1983 , HB2006 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2215 , HB2223 , HB2239 , HB2247 , HB2297 , HB2303 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2334 , HB2338 , HB2345 , HB2348 , HB2350 , HB2353 , HB2355 , HB2363 , HB2367 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2418 , HB2420 , HB2428 , HB2441 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2505 , HB2534 , HB2539 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2554 , HB2557 , HB2575 , HB2577 , HB2588 , HB2594 , HB2604 , HB2636 , HB2714

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the chamber approved the previous day’s minutes. Members then caucused briefly before moving into second reading and third reading action on several bills, with the day also marking the start of the three-minute debate rule through House of Origin cutoff. The House passed House Bill 2338, which expands the low-income home weatherization program to support community-scale weatherization projects, especially for multifamily housing. It also passed House Bill 2353, raising the threshold for requiring predesign work on public projects from $10 million to $15 million, and Substitute House Bill 2363, a trailer bill allowing music therapy students to practice under supervision while exam scores are pending. Members described these as efficiency measures and consumer or workforce improvements. The chamber also approved Substitute House Bill 2525 to establish the Heritage Orchard Program and a registry at Washington State University to preserve rare and heritage apple varieties, with sponsors emphasizing the importance of Washington’s apple industry and agricultural history. Additional bills passed unanimously included Substitute House Bill 2420 on increasing small works roster thresholds, Substitute House Bill 2428 on preventing unintended lapses in life insurance by allowing third-party designees, House Bill 2604 allowing electronic signatures for transferring salvage vehicles to insurers, and Substitute House Bill 2107 making permanent a pilot requiring Labor and Industries to notify employers of identified job-site hazards within 10 days. Finally, the House adopted Amendment 1517 and passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2247, which updates veterinarian-client-patient relationship rules to allow telehealth between required physical visits and requires annual veterinarian oversight for certain animal production, commercial, and breeding operations. All of the listed bills received overwhelming support, with each final passage vote recorded at 94 yeas and 0 nays, except House Bill 2338, which passed 93-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we have a rare and special opportunity to vote to put Proposal 4 on the ballot in November for
• Think of it as a legislative ballot.
• measure or the added to the ballot measure or the Constitution.
• </c> and that would appear on the ballot and that would appear on the ballot before<00:30:54.159><c>
• Proposal 4 may just be words on a ballot that will be added to our state constitution.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• happened and you knew about it, but there was nothing that you could do to get their names off the ballot
• But those citizens have to wait 18 years before they're able to use the ballot to non-violently hold
• If these move forward, I hope they do, they do go to a ballot in the town of Bridgewater as well.
• write-ins, so we have people that don't even bother getting the 25 signatures it takes to get on the ballot
• write-ins, so we have people that don't even bother getting the 25 signatures it takes to get on the ballot

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House Committee on Election Laws, chaired by Dan Hunt and co-chaired by Senator Keenan, held a hearing on 27 bills with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker. The main policy theme was expanding youth participation in elections. Senator O'Connor testified in support of Senate Bill 526 and House Bill 854, which would allow 17-year-olds to vote in a primary if they turn 18 before the general election. Lawan Allen of Vote 16 USA also supported bills to lower the voting age, arguing that youth voting becomes habitual, can increase turnout more broadly, and is already in place in several cities and states. Robin Chen, the lead petitioner for S. 508 and H. 814, gave extended testimony in favor of children's right to vote, saying children are affected by government decisions and should have a voice. Representative Sousa raised concerns about misinformation and the vulnerability of younger voters, but Chen responded that misinformation affects adults too and pointed to historical civil rights activism by children. Several local election-law measures were also discussed. Cynthia Hogan, Brockton’s elections director, supported a bill requiring candidates for local office to have lived in the city for a year, saying people have sometimes used business addresses or other questionable claims of residency to run for office. Representative Suzy testified in favor of H. 872, a Pembroke home-rule petition to reduce the signature threshold for a recall petition from 20% to 10% of registered voters, describing the change as a response to low-turnout local elections and not aimed at any current official. Representative Gallagher supported two Bridgewater home-rule petitions: one establishing a recall process for elected officials and another creating term limits for town councilors, both of which had been approved by the town council and would still require voter ratification in Bridgewater if adopted by the legislature. The hearing concluded without any bill votes or committee actions beyond accepting testimony. The chair noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted until action is taken on the bills, and the committee adjourned after no further witnesses came forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• and how to cast In Texas, voters should be able to clearly understand where and how to cast their ballot
• wasn't the only example we heard from voters who went to 2 or 3 locations just trying to cast their ballot
• Polling places ran out of ballots. Lines stretched for hours.
• direction to make sure that if it does create more confusion, you have a way to deal with it at the ballot
• And they're the ones that get to hold me accountable at the ballot box for those actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it would allow candidates and political committees like ballot measures and such to have $199 donations
• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1057 is now entitled Fraud Countermeasures Paper Ballots and requires
• certain fraud countermeasures on ballot paper. ...paper ballots and requires certain fraud countermeasures
• on ballot paper.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long calendar of bills spanning health care, education, tax, public safety, firearms, elections, and family law. On health and education, HB 283 would expand diabetes-related coverage for certain supplies; SB 1126 would require schools to provide records and cooperate with Department of Child Safety caseworkers; SB 1210 would require out-of-state private postsecondary institutions to register in Arizona; and SCR 1006, which would create private causes of action over restroom and pronoun policies in schools, drew strong opposition and was requested to be pulled from consent. Members also discussed HB 2308, which would bar dental insurers from owning dental practices, and SB 1049, which would cap spousal maintenance at four years and change how the marital standard of living is considered; both prompted questions and SB 1049 was pulled from consent. Several tax measures were also reviewed. SB 1293 would limit GPLET abatements by protecting school district revenue, and members noted prior opposition. SB 1294 would clarify county assessors’ authority to prorate destroyed property for tax purposes, though members said they were still researching whether it was necessary. SB 1430, the Tax Corrections Act of 2026, would make technical tax changes and remove redundant language, but members said they wanted Department of Revenue-requested corrections restored. SB 1053 would reduce concealed weapons permit fees for Arizona residents and was pulled from consent after concerns about fee impacts and unresolved amendment language. On public safety and firearms, SB 1058 would prohibit government records distinguishing firearm retailers and firearm owners and was pulled from consent after criticism and reference to a prior veto. SB 1093 would expand riot-related offenses to include property damage and add riot to conspiracy and racketeering provisions. SB 1160 would restrict drones near ticketed entertainment events, with supporters framing it as a public safety measure and clarifying that event-authorized drone use could still be exempt. SB 1211 would allow lifetime injunctions for felony aggravated harassment involving domestic violence. The caucus also considered election-related bills. SB 1006 would raise the threshold for aggregated campaign contribution reporting from under $100 to under $200, and it was pulled from consent. SB 1029 would create a process for terminating a campaign committee after a candidate’s death. SB 1038 would make cast vote records public records, SB 1057 would add fraud countermeasures for paper ballots, and SB 1237 would require consultation with county recorders and legislative leaders before the Secretary of State updates the Elections Procedures Manual. Several of these election bills were noted as having been vetoed previously, and the meeting ended by moving into closed caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• CONSTITUTION HAS GIVEN YOU A RESPONSIBILITY, NOT AN ABILITY BUT A RESPONSIBILITY TO MOVE THINGS TO THE BALLOT
• 15'S PROPOSED, BANDS OR THE PROTECTIONS OF WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH THAT HAVE NEVER GONE TO THE BALLOT
• THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION, I TRUST OUR VOTERS WILL GET THIS RIGHT ON THE BALLOT AND I URGE ALL
• IT DOVETAILS A BIT INTO WHAT REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER WAS SAYING, HOPING VOTERS GET IT RIGHT ON THE BALLOT
• AND I WOULD SAY BEFORE WE PUT IT ON THE BALLOT WE HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT AND THE CHALLENGES I HAVE SEEN

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that the first reference that you made was in regard to the provisional ballot.
• So if they want a provisional ballot and they're going to show something, which is separate and apart
• Because it's not about safety; it's about paper ballots and paper-and-pen ballots and the way in which
• You can then vote in person here or request a vote-by-mail ballot from our office.
• In addition to federal and state races, your ballot will include local races for Leon County.

Bills: S0174 , S1342 , S1334 , S1362 , S1602 , S1604

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Keywords: transportation, memorial, honorary designation, Miami-Dade, Charlie Kirk, transit-oriented development, housing affordability, mixed-use zoning, urban development, traffic congestion, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud, vertiports, aviation, airport infrastructure, economic development, veterans

Summary: The committee first heard CS for SB 1342 on transit-oriented development by Senator Rouson, which seeks to expand housing near fixed transit corridors by updating TOD definitions and applying Live Local-style land-use principles to those areas. An amendment narrowed definitions, limited the bill to land-use and development regulations, removed a private cause of action, and added exclusions for environmentally sensitive areas, historic properties, and military installations. Supporters said the bill would increase housing supply near existing infrastructure and maximize the state’s transit investments, while local government groups and city leagues opposed it as a sweeping preemption of local zoning authority that could force high-density development without public hearings or adequate infrastructure planning. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up CS for SB 1334 on elections by Senator Grall, which would require documentary proof of citizenship in voter registration and related election processes, update how citizenship is verified through REAL ID and the SAVE database, clarify that paper ballots are the primary voting method, and add other election-related changes such as candidate eligibility rules and timelines. Two technical amendments were adopted. During extended questioning, senators raised concerns about how documents would be submitted and stored, whether voters without Florida IDs or REAL IDs—especially students, disabled voters, seniors, and homeless Floridians—could be flagged or burdened, and what fiscal and workload impacts the bill would have on supervisors of elections and state agencies. Supporters argued the bill would streamline verification and reduce duplicate paperwork, while many public speakers and some senators said it would create barriers to voting, increase costs, and risk disenfranchising eligible voters. The transcript ends during debate on the bill, before a final vote is shown. Later, the committee considered CS for SB 1362 on advanced air mobility by Senator Harrell. A strike-all amendment aligned the bill with the House version and added vertiports and charging systems as eligible projects for public-private partnership funding, with FDOT authorized to fund certain vertiport costs within available resources. The bill drew support from industry and local representatives, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 174, which designates a portion of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and directs FDOT to install markers at an estimated cost of $2,400. The bill prompted significant debate over whether Kirk’s legacy warranted a state road designation, with opponents citing his controversial statements and arguing the honor was political and divisive, while supporters said the designation recognizes civic engagement near FIU and is symbolic rather than regulatory. The transcript ends during debate on SB 174, before any final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• you fill out a ballot you vote, I mean, you have to sign the outside of the envelope.
• , or excuse me, Governor Brown locked up the ballots for five years?
• , or excuse me, Governor Brown locked up the ballots for five years?
• , or excuse me, Governor Brown locked up the ballots for five years?
• up the ballots for five years.

Summary: The committee first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Arthur Krantz to the Public Employment Relations Board and Christopher Ferguson, Brian Haynes, Anna Marie de Mars, and Ronald Fiore to the Student Aid or Student Athletic commissions, all by unanimous 5-0 votes. It also approved references of bills to committees by a 5-0 vote. The committee then heard from Julia Montgomery, nominated for a third term as General Counsel of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, who described her work on farmworker rights, outreach, and enforcement of labor protections. Members questioned Montgomery closely about card-check unionization procedures, signature authenticity, outreach to Spanish-speaking and indigenous-language farmworkers, make-whole enforcement delays, and a long-running Tri-Fanucchi farm case. Montgomery said objections and unfair labor practice charges can be investigated, that signature verification is handled by board staff rather than her office, and that delays often stem from appeals, difficulty locating workers, employer obstruction, and court backlogs. Vice Chair Grove voted no, while Senators Laird and Reyes supported the nomination; the committee advanced Montgomery to the full Senate on a 3-2 vote. The committee then considered three State Board of Education appointments: Cynthia Glover Woods, Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez. In opening statements, all three emphasized long careers in public education and support for students, teachers, and families. Questions focused on math achievement, the 2023 math framework and access to Algebra I in middle school, transitional kindergarten, community schools, and the effectiveness of education spending. The nominees said the framework still allows ready eighth graders to take Algebra I, pointed to new instructional materials, professional learning, TK expansion, and community schools as key improvements, and said they had not been involved in the governor’s proposed education governance changes. Public witnesses and education groups testified in strong support. The committee advanced Glover Woods 3-1, Lewis 4-1, and Gonzalez 3-1 to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the initiated measure does get on the ballot, then we each have our responsibilities to talk with
• I'm not scared about a ballot measure. What the people decide.
• By letting it go to the ballot, we allow the people's voice to decide statewide through a vote.
• The ballot measure offers a cleaner, more accurate, accountable way for North Dakotans to have their
• Allow the people to decide directly via the ballot if they choose.

Bills: SB2401 , SB2402 , SB2403 , SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up second reading and final passage of several House bills related to the Rural Health Transformation Program and other matters. House Bill 1621, requiring the presidential fitness test in school physical education with exceptions and a delayed effective date, passed 43-3. House Bill 1623, appropriating federal rural health transformation grant funds and creating a related loan program and reporting structure, passed 46-0 after extensive debate about using the federal money for community health, infrastructure, and sustainability. House Bill 1622, joining the physician assistant licensure compact, also passed unanimously 46-0. House Bill 1625, authorizing the Ray Richards Golf Course land sale to support a Grand Forks transportation project and golf course improvements, passed 46-0. House Bill 1626, clarifying that the primary residence credit is applied after the early payment discount so taxpayers receive the full $1,600 benefit, passed 40-6.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2668 is going to have the clear ballot language.
• It's going to have the provision about the no-tax-increase ballot measures.
• So I, 2668 had clear ballot language was listed. I heard 2668 had clear ballot language was listed.
• So my bill would have some of the more ballot transparency stuff that we talked about, the alphabetical
• the April stuff, but just for the property tax initiatives, those would go to the general election ballot

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met for an open discussion, with no public testimony, to reset its work after the prior combined bill was separated back into two standalone measures. The chair outlined the current direction: House Bill 2780 would include Murphy’s Hancock fix, levy-by-subclass, commercial protection language, the 275-to-150 levy adjustment, and abatement provisions; House Bill 2668 would carry clear ballot language, no-tax-increase ballot measures, clarification of SB 190, and the SB 3 fix. Members also discussed whether additional ideas, such as taxpayer appeal protections and electronic filing, might be added later if they can be worked out. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Hancock-related “275 fix,” with members clarifying that the proposal would not move all districts to 275, but would prevent two known districts below that level from being forced down and losing significant revenue. Several members raised concerns about confusion in the field and the need to communicate clearly to school districts and superintendents what the proposal would and would not do. There was also discussion of new construction under Hancock, including whether certain redevelopment or replacement projects should count as new construction and how that affects school and other local taxing entities. The committee spent substantial time debating tax abatements, especially TIFs and similar economic incentives. Supporters of the language said the intent is to prevent taxing jurisdictions from treating abated revenue as if it were still available and then shifting the cost to other taxpayers; opponents questioned whether the language would improperly reduce revenue that communities had already decided to collect. Members also discussed whether the language should apply only to the entity adopting the abatement, and whether some abatements are better handled through separate legislation. Several members urged that any new ideas be referred through committee so they can receive proper vetting and fiscal analysis, and there was broad agreement to keep the main bills relatively streamlined while continuing to work on additional concepts separately.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, it also includes water production and delivery systems, wastewater treatment, recycling, storage
• case studies, and an emphasis on practice transformation and systems-level issues that affect care delivery
• studies, and an emphasis on practice, transformation, and systems-level issues that affect care delivery
• the taxpayers of 2017 should have thought about unintended consequences of what they passed at the ballot

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2615, as amended by a strike-everything amendment creating an Independent Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety with 15 members, authority to review DCS data and practices, request briefings and audits, conduct site visits, and receive confidential complaints, with a $2.2 million FY 2027 appropriation. The sponsor and several parents and foster/adoptive caregivers testified in support, describing child safety failures and arguing for independent accountability, while some members questioned whether the Ombudsman’s office was the right home for the committee and suggested other oversight structures. The amendment was adopted, but the bill itself failed on a 5-5 vote. House Bill 2620, which would appropriate $300,000 annually from FY 2027 through FY 2031 to the Arizona Department of Veterans Services for grants to emergency shelters serving veterans, received strong support from the sponsor and shelter advocates who said the funding would help move homeless veterans toward stable housing and connect them with VA services. Members emphasized veterans’ service and the need for trauma-informed case management, and the bill passed with a 10-0 do-pass recommendation. House Bill 2321, requiring DCS to place and later remove a credit freeze for children in care to prevent identity theft, also passed unanimously after the sponsor and members discussed the administrative process and protections for foster youth. The committee then considered House Bill 2601, directing ADOT to seek federal segmentation for the Interstate 11 project between Casa Grande and Wickenburg so environmental review could proceed separately from litigation affecting the southern portion. Supporters framed the bill as a bipartisan way to keep the project moving, while opponents from environmental groups and several members argued it would encourage sprawl, harm desert habitat, and add cost and delay; the bill passed 6-4. House Bill 2992, a pilot program for child sexual abuse and grooming awareness education in six public schools, drew testimony from a trafficking survivor and others who supported prevention efforts, but some members argued the topic should be handled through broader sex education or parent education; it passed 6-4. Later bills also advanced: HB 2156, appropriating $250,000 to the Livestock Compensation Fund, passed 7-3; HB 2165, exempting certain veterans and National Guard members from state park admission fees, passed 6-4 after amendment narrowing the exemption; HB 2960, creating a veterans specialty court grant program and related data-sharing requirements, passed 8-0; HB 2014, directing studies on gasoline blends and fuel feasibility amid EPA waiver concerns, passed 6-2; and HB 2957, preserving non-Real ID licenses and limiting biometric/data retention with a Kavanaugh amendment, passed 5-4-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, even after the provisional ballots and everything else, it ended in a tie.
• </c> I think it's an excellent process to preserve the ballot in a manner that gives plenty of time for
• any questions to be answered because we've got the protection of having to have a paper ballot in our
• state, and this will put in place a protection to clearly save that ballot. >> But it's not the ballot
• about it, I mean the whole process. >> Yes. >> It wouldn't be gone, just got the protection on the ballot

Bills: SB42 , SB166 , SB42 , SB166

Committee: House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Keywords: abandoned roads, land ownership, government regulations, property rights, transportation, Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, municipal elections, runoff elections, majority voting, electoral procedures, local governance, campaign finance, record retention, political action committees, Fair Campaign Practices Act, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is encourage employers to make sure that employees get a secret ballot vote.
• 80% successful in organizing drives based on card check in neutrality agreements whereas a secret ballot
• Every single one of us was elected by a secret ballot.
• Every single one of us is here today because of a secret ballot.
• You're fired from your Secret ballot initiative. Yes, ma'am. You are absolutely recognized.